**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.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/arts/entertainment-midler-vegas.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
Bette Midler Setting Up Shop in Las Vegas
By REUTERS
Filed at 5:20 a.m. ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Veteran entertainer Bette Midler is known for her larger-than-life persona as the ``Divine Miss M,'' but she admits to being a bit intimidated by the huge space she will occupy at her new home stage in Las Vegas.
``The stage is so enormous there's a terror that you might not be able to fill it all by your lonesome, you know, a little person in high heels,'' Midler said recently of her upcoming long-term engagement at the Caesars Palace hotel-casino on the Vegas Strip.
Midler, 61, was set to appear in Las Vegas on Thursday to announce that she has signed a two-year deal to replace Canadian music star Celine Dion in February as the resident performer at the Colosseum, Caesars' 4,100-seat theater.
With a stage proscenium 120 feet across and 60 feet high, it ranks among world's biggest, according to Caesars.
And it's got the biggest (video wall) in the world, and you say, 'What the heck am I going to put on that? My baby pictures?''' Midler joked with Reuters in a recent interview.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/01/AR2007050101252_pf.html
Billy Crystal, Clearly Funny
Kennedy Center Awards Mark Twain Prize To Humorist and Humanitarian
By Jacqueline Trescott
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 2, 2007; C01
So who will show up? Fernando from "Saturday Night Live"? Harry from "When Harry Met Sally . . . "? Mitch from "City Slickers"?
We'll see when the long and diverse career of Billy Crystal is saluted Oct. 11 by the Kennedy Center. The center announced yesterday that Crystal is the winner of the 10th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
"To be given the same award as Richard Pryor, Steve Martin and Neil Simon is a great honor," Crystal said in a statement. "As my grandfather said, if you hang around the store long enough, once in a while they'll give you something!"
Crystal, 59, a native of Long Beach, Long Island, N.Y., grew up during the era of influential television shows, such as Jackie Gleason's "The Honeymooners" and the Ed Sullivan variety show. Crystal has said, "From the first time I saw Sid Caesar be funny, I knew that's what I had to do," and he started doing stand-up comedy at age 16. A high school baseball player, his childhood dream was to be Mickey Mantle, the New York Yankees great.
Instead, he ended up being Billy Crystal, doing a dead-on take of Howard Cosell interviewing Muhammad Ali.
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WashingtonPost.com
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/01/AR2007050101469_pf.html
BP CEO quits as affair exposed
By Tom Bergin
Reuters
Tuesday, May 1, 2007; 10:33 PM
LONDON (Reuters) - Oil major BP Plc said Chief Executive John Browne had resigned with immediate effect after a UK court lifted an injunction preventing a newspaper group from publishing details about his private life.
"In my 41 years with BP I have kept my private life separate from my business life," Browne said in a statement on Tuesday.
"I have always regarded my sexuality as a personal matter, to be kept private. It is a matter of deep disappointment that a newspaper group has now decided that allegations about my personal life should be made public," he added.
Browne said he had had a four-year relationship with Canadian citizen Jeff Chevalier who had told his story to Associated Newspapers, publishers of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and Evening Standard.
Browne, who had been due to step down in July, said he had decided to leave now to "avoid unnecessary embarrassment and distraction to the company."
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/02/AR2007050201438_pf.html
Washington to Do Ad for Gay Rights Group
The Associated Press
Wednesday, May 2, 2007; 5:47 PM
NEW YORK -- Isaiah Washington, who came under fire after using an anti-gay slur, will appear in a public service announcement on behalf of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.
"We're gonna have _ I want to say at least two versions of it at this point. We may broaden our message a little," the actor's publicist, Howard Bragman, told The Associated Press in a phone interview Wednesday.
Washington ran into trouble at the Golden Globe Awards in January after he used an anti-gay slur during a backstage press conference while denying he'd used it previously against "Grey's Anatomy" castmate T.R. Knight.
People magazine reported last October that Washington had allegedly used the slur during an on-set dustup with co-star Patrick Dempsey.
Knight said soon after the incident that he was gay.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/02/AR2007050202476_pf.html
Lobbying for Intolerance?
Thursday, May 3, 2007; A24
Christ must truly be confused by the activity of "Christian" pastors going door-to-door in the halls of Congress to preserve their right to demonize gay Americans ["Conservative Black Pastors Fight Bill on Hate Crimes," Metro, April 28]. My last reading of the New Testament recorded not a single nstance of Jesus even mentioning homosexuality, though he had lots to say about hate and hypocrisy.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/02/AR2007050201972_pf.html
McGreevey to Enter Episcopal Seminary
The Associated Press
Thursday, May 3, 2007; 12:22 AM
NEWARK, N.J. -- The nation's first openly gay governor has become an Episcopalian and been accepted into a seminary, according to a published report.
Former Gov. James E. McGreevey, who was raised as a Roman Catholic, was officially received into the Episcopal religion on Sunday at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York, said the Rev. Kevin Bean, vicar at the church.
McGreevey has entered the church's "discernment" phase, which usually precedes seminary work, Bean told The Star-Ledger of Newark in a report posted Wednesday on its Web site.
It's unclear whether McGreevey hopes to become a priest. He did not return several messages left Wednesday by The Associated Press.
McGreevey, 49, shocked the nation in August 2004 by proclaiming himself "a gay American" who had an extramarital affair with a male aide, and said he would resign that November. The aide denies having an affair and claims he was sexually harassed by the former governor.
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365gay.com
http://365gay.com/health/fitness/Sports/050207sports.htm
Publicist is helping athletes come out
by Cyd Zeigler jr., Outsports.com
While he's best known for his work with entertainment celebrities, publicist Howard Bragman has certainly made a name for himself in the world of sports. The openly gay publicist, called by some "the best publicist in the business," has worked with athletes and sports entities his entire career. In 2003, he repped Esera Tuaolo as he came out of the closet. Since then, he has also been the publicist for the coming out of golfer Rosie Jones, WNBA player Sheryl Swoopes and former NBA player John Amaechi.
We talked with Bragman about his four gay-athlete clients, the issues they've faced, and what he's learned in a long sports-related P.R. career.
Outsports: Who was your first sports client?
Howard Bragman: When I started in this business, one of my first big clients when I was a young man was Anhueser Busch. I did their PR in a 10-state region in Chicago. So I learned every kind of sport PR. Budweiser would have bowling and baseball, and Michelob would have golf and sailing. So I got to work with dozens of professional athletes, through their good graces.
OS: What did you learn?
HB: I learned how it worked. In college, one of my best friends was on the football team. I've always had jocks as friends, I think because there's a reality and a grounding, and something I've always found in athletes is excellence. People like to equate athletes with stupidity, and God knows there are stupid athletes, but that's not what I've found. I've found that people who make it at the highest level of college sports and pro sports are for the most part really intelligent and dedicated people. I didn't want to hang out with dummies. Anybody who assumes that somebody who is a jock is stupid is being very naïve and short-sighted, and they don't know how the sporting world works.
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365gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/05/050307rosie.htm
Rosie Joins Queen Elizabeth, Obama, Clinton On 100 Most Influential List
by The Associated Press
Posted: May 3, 2007 - 9:00 am ET
(New York City) Heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio and envelope-pushers Rosie O'Donnell and Sacha Baron Cohen are among the entertainment newsmakers on Time magazine's list of 100 people who shape the world.
The list of 100 most influential, on newsstands Friday, also includes Queen Elizabeth II, presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, YouTube founders Steve Chen and Chad Hurley, director Martin Scorsese and model Kate Moss. It does not include President Bush.
In a piece she wrote for the magazine, Barbara Walters, the creator of "The View," had kind words to say about O'Donnell, who announced last week she was leaving the ABC talk show in June because she and the network couldn't agree on a new contract.
"And so, last September, we began a thrilling roller-coaster ride," Walters wrote. "We followed Rosie's passion and compassion, her feuds and fearlessness, her humanity and humor."
Walters said she and O'Donnell "remain respectful and affectionate friends."
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The Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/519/v-print/story/94544.html
Posted on Thu, May. 03, 2007
Judge Greene moved to civil court
BY JENNIFER LEBOVICH
Broward's top criminal court judge has been permanently reassigned, and the NAACP is calling for an investigation into a comment he made about a case involving a black defendant and several black victims and witnesses.
Circuit Judge Charles Greene, a longtime criminal court judge, was transferred to the civil division on Wednesday, one day after the county public defender and others called for his removal from the criminal bench.Greene admitted that he used the term ''N.H.I.'' in describing the April 19 case to a prosecutor and defense attorney, but said he did not know that it had a racial connotation.
The acronym, lawyers and prosecutors said, stands for ''no humans involved'' and dates to the 1970s to describe why some crimes against prostitutes or gay or black people may not be pursued as vigorously as others.
''Judge Greene's assignment out of the criminal division is permanent,'' Chief Judge Dale Ross said Wednesday. ``It may turn out to be a permanent civil assignment or a permanent assignment to another division.''
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#####
Thursday, May 03, 2007
NATIONAL & WORLD DIGEST May 3, 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.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/02/nyregion/02bruno.html?pagewanted=print
May 2, 2007
Bruno Opposes Bill to Legalize Gay Marriage
By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE
ALBANY, May 1 - The Republican majority leader of the State Senate, Joseph L. Bruno, said on Tuesday that he would not support Gov. Eliot Spitzer's proposed legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in New York.
His remarks came as thousands of gay rights supporters marched to the State Capitol to voice their support for the proposal and praise Governor Spitzer, who introduced the bill on Friday even as he conceded that it was unlikely to become law anytime soon. Mr. Bruno has indicated his opposition to the bill in the past; his counterpart in the Assembly, Speaker Sheldon Silver, has taken no position on it.
Asked if gay rights advocates should expect him to support a measure legalizing same-sex marriage, Mr. Bruno said, "I think they ought to discuss that with the governor, since that is a priority of the governor, and not a priority in the Senate."
He added that the Senate Republicans were focused on property tax rebates and instituting the death penalty in New York for killers of law enforcement fficers. Asked if he would support changing the law to allow for same-sex couples to marry, he said, "No, I would not."
At least 61 members of the Assembly and 18 of the Senate have supported same-sex marriage bills in past years, though supporters in the Legislature say they expect more to back the governor's version.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-People-Isaiah-Washington.html?pagewanted=print
May 2, 2007
Washington to Do Ad for Gay Rights Group
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 9:08 p.m. ET
NEW YORK (AP) -- Isaiah Washington, who came under fire after using an anti-gay slur, will appear in a public service announcement on behalf of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.
''We're gonna have -- I want to say at least two versions of it at this point. We may broaden our message a little,'' the actor's publicist, Howard Bragman, told The Associated Press in a phone interview Wednesday.
Washington ran into trouble at the Golden Globe Awards in January after he used an anti-gay slur during a backstage press conference while denying he'd used it previously against ''Grey's Anatomy'' castmate T.R. Knight.
People magazine reported last October that Washington had allegedly used the slur during an on-set dustup with co-star Patrick Dempsey.
Knight said soon after the incident that he was gay.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-People-Isaiah-Washington.html?pagewanted=print
May 2, 2007
Evangelicals Start Adoption Push
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 4:34 p.m. ET
DENVER (AP) -- Prominent evangelical Christians are urging churchgoers to strongly consider adoption or foster care, not just out of kindness or biblical calling but also to answer criticism that their movement, while condemning abortion and same-sex adoption, doesn't do enough for children without parents.
With backing from Focus on the Family and best-selling author Rick Warren, the effort to promote ''orphan care'' among the nation's estimated 65 million evangelicals could drastically reduce foster care rolls if successful.
Yet sensitive issues lie ahead: about evangelizing, religious attitudes on corporal punishment, gay and lesbian foster children, racially mixed families, and resolving long-standing tensions between religious groups and the government.
Warren and others are scheduled to speak at a summit May 9-11 at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs that aims to elevate the initiative, which quietly began last fall, onto the national stage.
''In some people's minds, the church has been very pro-life up until the point of birth,'' said Michael Monroe, who co-founded an adoption and foster care ministry at Irving Bible Church outside Dallas. ''I don't know if that's a completely fair observation. But a lot of people are saying it's not enough to be pro-life, we need to be pro-children, as well.''
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Oregon-Gay-Rights.html?pagewanted=print
May 2, 2007
Ore. Lawmakers OK Domestic Partnerships
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 11:43 p.m. ET
SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- A bill giving Oregon's gay and lesbian couples the benefits of marriage through domestic partnerships won final legislative approval Wednesday.
The Senate endorsed the measure 21-9, sending it to Gov. Ted Kulongoski. The overnor is a gay-rights supporter who says he will sign that bill along with another one passed earlier to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The domestic partnership bill would enable same-sex couples to enter into ontractual relationships that grant them the same benefits that state law offers to married couples.
The measure won unanimous endorsement from the Senate's majority Democrats, with two Republicans joining them.
When Kulongoski signs the measure, Oregon will join Vermont, Connecticut, alifornia, New Jersey, Maine and Washington state in offering civil unions or domestic partnerships to same-sex couples.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/nyregion/03mayor.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
Boldness That Won Him Wide Attention Costs a Brash Young Mayor His Re-election Bid
By ERIN QUINN
NEW PALTZ, N.Y., May 2 - Jason West first shocked this funky village of 6,000 residents in 2003, when as a 26-year-old house painter, puppeteer and nvironmentalist he was elected mayor after two establishment candidates split the vote. He became the first Green Party member to be a mayor in New York State.
Then, in February 2004, Mr. West stunned his neighbors - and the nation - when he defied state law and performed marriages for 25 same-sex couples in the Village Hall parking lot, a move that helped win him a spot among People magazine's 50 hottest bachelors as well as a book deal.
This eclectic college town about 90 miles north of New York City was thrown off balance again on Wednesday morning, when it awoke to find that the celebrity mayor had been soundly defeated by a former political ally, Terry Dungan. Mr. Dungan, 60, is a retired art teacher, sailboat racer and active Democrat who has been on the village board for two years.
"My husband and I were very disappointed to learn that he had lost," said Jenn Barresi, 35, a nurse and lifelong villager. "We really liked the forward environmental thinking that he brought to our village during the past four years as well as the social change that he was a catalyst for."
While Mr. West quickly became known beyond New Paltz's borders for his stance on gay marriage, his main focus locally was the environment. He made the municipal sewer system more sustainable, put solar panels on top of the public works garage and was working on plans for a biodiesel plant in the village. He also proposed a law to ban chain stores from the village.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/nyregion/03mcgreevey.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
McGreevey Wants to Become a Priest, Report Says
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEWARK, May 2 (AP) - James E. McGreevey, who resigned as New Jersey governor in 2004 after saying that he had had an extramarital affair with a man, has become an Episcopalian and wants to be ordained as a priest in that faith, according to a published report.
The former governor, who was raised as a Roman Catholic, was officially received into the Episcopal faith on Sunday at St. Bartholomew's Church in Manhattan, said the Rev. Kevin D. Bean, the church's vicar.
Mr. McGreevey has entered the church's "discernment" phase, which usually precedes any seminary work, Father Bean told The Star-Ledger of Newark in a report posted Wednesday on its Web site.
Mr. McGreevey declined to comment when reached on Wednesday night.
Bruce Parker, a spokesman for the General Theological Seminary in the Chelsea section of Manhattan, said Mr. McGreevey had been accepted as a student Mr. Parker added that he did not know if the former governor wanted to become a priest.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/us/03brfs-oregon.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
Oregon Same-Sex Benefits Receive Final Legislative Approval
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A bill giving gay couples in Oregon the benefits of marriage through domestic partnerships won final legislative approval. The Senate endorsed the measure 21 to 9, sending it to Gov. Theodore R. Kulongoski. The governor, a Democrat, says he will sign that bill along with another one passed earlier to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. The domestic partnerships measure covers benefits relating to inheritance rights, child-rearing and custody, joint tax filings, joint health, auto and omeowners insurance policies and visitation rights at hospitals.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/us/politics/03giuliani.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
In G.O.P. Debate Today, Which Tack for Giuliani?
By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
Which Rudolph W. Giuliani will show up tonight in California for the debate among 10 Republican presidential candidates? The hard-hitting prosecutor? Or Mr. Nice Guy?
Mr. Giuliani has played both in his short debate history. Now, with polls showing him as the front-runner of the Republican field, his performance may well be the most-watched tonight. But it has been a decade since Mr. Giuliani last debated as a political candidate, and his two closest challengers, Senator John McCain of Arizona and former Gov. Mitt Romney of assachusetts, have more recent experience.
Mr. McCain has actually been in a presidential debate. That was in the 2000 rimaries against George W. Bush. Mr. McCain, who was reluctant to participate, joined in at the last minute by satellite hookup. It was not a high point for either candidate as they sniped at each other over religion and politics.
Mr. Romney has participated in debates in his races for the Senate in 1994 and for governor in 2002. His 1994 debate, against Senator Edward M. Kennedy, a Democrat, has become a big hit on YouTube.com because it shows him supporting abortion rights and gay rights, which are positions he does not hold now.
Mr. Giuliani's debate history is encapsulated in a relatively brief period, from 1989 to 1997, all when he was running for mayor of New York.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Gay-Governor-Seminary.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
McGreevey to Enter Episcopal Seminary
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 2:14 a.m. ET
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- The nation's first openly gay governor has become an piscopalian and been accepted into a seminary, according to a published report.
Former Gov. James E. McGreevey, who was raised as a Roman Catholic, was officially received into the Episcopal religion on Sunday at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York, said the Rev. Kevin Bean, vicar at the church.
McGreevey has entered the church's ''discernment'' phase, which usually precedes seminary work, Bean told The Star-Ledger of Newark in a report posted Wednesday on its Web site.
It's unclear whether McGreevey hopes to become a priest. He did not return several messages left Wednesday by The Associated Press.
McGreevey, 49, shocked the nation in August 2004 by proclaiming himself ''a gay American'' who had an extramarital affair with a male aide, and said he would resign that November. The aide denies having an affair and claims he was sexually harassed by the former governor.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Republicans-Debate.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
Republican Candidates to Debate Tonight
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 10:11 a.m. ET
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) -- The Republicans get their chance tonight. Ten GOP candidates for president will square off in a 90-minute debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.The debate is being sponsored by MSNBC and The Politico.
''This is batting practice,'' said Rich Galen, a GOP strategist who offered the trio a bit of advice: ''Don't get hurt.''
The three heavyweights are expected to play up their accomplishments and outline their visions for the future.
Lesser-known candidates like Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas and former governors Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin and Jim Gilmore of Virginia are simply looking for respect.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Women-Ivies.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
Ivy League's Female Presidents Gather
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 6:59 a.m. ET
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) -- Ruth Simmons says she once wrote the best essay in her literature class only to have one of her Harvard University professors shun her because she was black, or a woman, or both.
More than three decades after that graduate school indignity, Simmons returned to the Harvard campus Wednesday, though much has changed. She is now Brown University's first female president, and represents part of a landmark change going on at the top of the Ivy League.
When Drew Gilpin Faust, the dean of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, takes over at Harvard on July 1, half of the venerable league's eight schools will be led by women.
Simmons said the four women, including University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann and Princeton President Shirley Tilghman, have carved a path that will grow among the Ivies and beyond.
''When it starts to become the issue of being the last Ivy League school to have a woman president -- who wants to do that?'' Simmons said at a forum sponsored by Harvard's Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.''This is a league and this is a league based on competition.''
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/news/news-usa-politics-republicans.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
Republicans Prepare for Their First 2008 Debate
By REUTERS
Filed at 7:54 a.m. ET
SIMI VALLEY, California (Reuters) - Ten Republican White House contenders, led by early favorites Rudolph Giuliani and John McCain, will crowd the stage on Thursday for their first debate in an already heated 2008 presidential campaign.
A week after the Democratic candidates held their opening debate but more than 18 months before the November 2008 election, the Republicans take their turn in the political spotlight at the presidential library of conservative hero Ronald Reagan outside Los Angeles.
Giuliani, the former mayor of New York who has led Republicans in national polls for months, and McCain, an Arizona senator who was an early favorite but has struggled of late, are well-known political commodities.
But the rest of a largely unknown Republican field will be looking to introduce themselves to primary voters and make a good first impression.
For candidates like former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, whose strong fund-raising and establishment support have put him in the race's top tier even as he lingers in single digits in the polls, the debate offers an early pportunity.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/01/AR2007050101046_pf.html
Man Guilty in Slaying of Gay Ala. Teen
The Associated Press
Tuesday, May 1, 2007; 2:18 PM
BAY MINETTE, Ala. -- One of three defendants accused of killing a teenager because he was gay has pleaded guilty to capital murder, prosecutors said.
As required by state law, jurors will still hear testimony in an abbreviated trial and a judge can sentence Christopher Gaines, 22, to death or life in prison without parole.
Gaines likely will get life in prison because of the plea deal he entered on Monday, prosecutors said.
Authorities have said Gaines and two others attacked Scotty Joe Weaver at his trailer in 2004.
Prosecutors said they beat, strangled and cut the 18-year-old before setting his body afire, and the extent of Weaver's injuries pointed to the attackers' distaste for his sexual orientation.
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washingtonpost.com
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/02/AR2007050201533_pf.html
Evangelicals Start Adoption Push
By ERIC GORSKI
The Associated Press
Wednesday, May 2, 2007; 2:55 PM
DENVER -- Prominent evangelical Christians are urging churchgoers to strongly consider adoption or foster care, not just out of kindness or biblical calling but also to answer criticism that their movement, while condemning abortion and same-sex adoption, doesn't do enough for children without parents.
With backing from Focus on the Family and best-selling author Rick Warren, the effort to promote "orphan care" among the nation's estimated 65 million vangelicals could drastically reduce foster care rolls if successful.Yet sensitive issues lie ahead: about evangelizing, religious attitudes on corporal punishment, gay and lesbian foster children, racially mixed families, and resolving long-standing tensions between religious groups and the government.
Warren and others are scheduled to speak at a summit May 9-11 at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs that aims to elevate the initiative, which quietly began last fall, onto the national stage.
"In some people's minds, the church has been very pro-life up until the point of birth," said Michael Monroe, who co-founded an adoption and foster care ministry at Irving Bible Church outside Dallas. "I don't know if that's a completely fair observation. But a lot of people are saying it's not enough to be pro-life, we need to be pro-children, as well."
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/02/AR2007050201719_pf.html
Ore. Lawmakers OK Domestic Partnerships
By BRAD CAIN
The Associated Press
Wednesday, May 2, 2007; 8:36 PM
SALEM, Ore. -- A bill giving Oregon's gay and lesbian couples the benefits of marriage through domestic partnerships won final legislative approval Wednesday.
The Senate endorsed the measure 21-9, sending it to Gov. Ted Kulongoski. The overnor is a gay-rights supporter who says he will sign that bill along with another one passed earlier to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The domestic partnership bill would enable same-sex couples to enter into ontractual relationships that grant them the same benefits that state law offers to married couples.
The measure won unanimous endorsement from the Senate's majority Democrats, with two Republicans joining them.
When Kulongoski signs the measure, Oregon will join Vermont, Connecticut, alifornia, New Jersey, Maine and Washington state in offering civil unions or domestic partnerships to same-sex couples.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/03/AR2007050300159_pf.html
Republican Candidates to Debate Tonight
The Associated Press
Thursday, May 3, 2007; 10:11 AM
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. -- The Republicans get their chance tonight. Ten GOP candidates for president will square off in a 90-minute debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.
The debate is being sponsored by MSNBC and The Politico.
"This is batting practice," said Rich Galen, a GOP strategist who offered the trio a bit of advice: "Don't get hurt."
The three heavyweights are expected to play up their accomplishments and outline their visions for the future.
Lesser-known candidates like Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas and former governors Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin and Jim Gilmore of Virginia are simply looking for respect.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/03/AR2007050300467_pf.html
Republicans prepare for their first 2008 debate
By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent
Reuters
Thursday, May 3, 2007; 7:54 AM
SIMI VALLEY, California (Reuters) - Ten Republican White House contenders, led by early favorites Rudolph Giuliani and John McCain, will crowd the stage on Thursday for their first debate in an already heated 2008 presidential campaign.
A week after the Democratic candidates held their opening debate but more than 18 months before the November 2008 election, the Republicans take their turn in the political spotlight at the presidential library of conservative hero Ronald Reagan outside Los Angeles.
Giuliani, the former mayor of New York who has led Republicans in national polls for months, and McCain, an Arizona senator who was an early favorite but has struggled of late, are well-known political commodities.
But the rest of a largely unknown Republican field will be looking to introduce themselves to primary voters and make a good first impression.
For candidates like former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, whose strong fund-raising and establishment support have put him in the race's top tier even as he lingers in single digits in the polls, the debate offers an early pportunity.
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washingtonpost.com
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/03/AR2007050300208_pf.html
Ivy League's Female Presidents Gather
By JESSE HARLAN ALDERMAN
The Associated Press
Thursday, May 3, 2007; 6:58 AM
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Ruth Simmons says she once wrote the best essay in her iterature class only to have one of her Harvard University professors shun her because she was black, or a woman, or both.
More than three decades after that graduate school indignity, Simmons returned to the Harvard campus Wednesday, though much has changed. She is now Brown University's first female president, and represents part of a landmark change going on at the top of the Ivy League.
When Drew Gilpin Faust, the dean of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, takes over at Harvard on July 1, half of the venerable league's eight schools will be led by women.
Simmons said the four women, including University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann and Princeton President Shirley Tilghman, have carved a path that will grow among the Ivies and beyond.
"When it starts to become the issue of being the last Ivy League school to have a woman president _ who wants to do that?" Simmons said at a forum sponsored by Harvard's Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. "This is a league and this is a league based on competition."
=
The Washington Post
Republican Candidates to Debate Tonight
The Associated Press
Thursday, May 3, 2007; 10:11 AM
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. -- The Republicans get their chance tonight. Ten GOP candidates for president will square off in a 90-minute debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.
The debate is being sponsored by MSNBC and The Politico.
"This is batting practice," said Rich Galen, a GOP strategist who offered the trio a bit of advice: "Don't get hurt."
The three heavyweights are expected to play up their accomplishments and outline their visions for the future.
Lesser-known candidates like Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas and former governors Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin and Jim Gilmore of Virginia are simply looking for respect.
=
365gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/05/050207evangel.htm
Evangelicals Face Heat Over Gay Adoption Opposition
by The Associated Press
Posted: May 2, 2007 - 7:00 pm ET
(Denver, Colorado) Prominent evangelical Christians are urging churchgoers to strongly consider adoption or foster care, not just out of kindness or biblical calling but also to answer criticism that their movement, while condemning abortion and same-sex adoption, doesn't do enough for children without parents.
With backing from Focus on the Family and best-selling author Rick Warren, the effort to promote "orphan care" among the nation's estimated 65 million vangelicals could drastically reduce foster care rolls if successful.
Yet sensitive issues lie ahead: about evangelizing, religious attitudes on corporal punishment, gay and lesbian foster children, racially mixed families, and resolving long-standing tensions between religious groups and the government.
Warren and others are scheduled to speak at a summit May 9-11 at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs that aims to elevate the initiative, which quietly began last fall, onto the national stage.
=
365gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/05/050307veto.htm
White House Issues Veto Threat Against Gay Hate Bill
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: May 3, 2007 - 11:00 am ET
(Washington) Just hours before the House votes on the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act the White House issued a statement saying that if the bill passes the House and Senate and goes to the President, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto it.
A statement from the Executive Office of the President said: "The Administration favors strong criminal penalties for violent crime, including crime based on personal characteristics, such as race, color, religion, or national origin.
"However, the Administration believes that H.R. 1592 is unnecessary and onstitutionally questionable."
The White House statement said that state and local criminal laws already provide penalties for the crimes defined by the bill and "there has been no persuasive demonstration of any need to federalize such a potentially large range of violent crime enforcement."
On the issue of constitutionality the White House statement said terms of the bill could be enforced only "if done in the implementation of a power granted to the Federal government, such as the power to protect Federal personnel, to regulate interstate commerce, or to enforce equal protection of the laws. [The legislation] is not by its terms limited to the exercise of such a power, and it is not at all clear that sufficient factual or legal grounds exist to uphold this provision."
"In some people's minds, the church has been very pro-life up until the point of birth," said Michael Monroe, who co-founded an adoption and foster care ministry at Irving Bible Church outside Dallas. "I don't know if that's a completely fair observation. But a lot of people are saying it's not enough to be pro-life, we need to be pro-children, as well."
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-gay-killing,0,1185905,print.story
Man Guilty in Slaying of Gay Ala. Teen
By Associated Press
May 1, 2007, 2:18 PM EDT
BAY MINETTE, Ala. -- One of three defendants accused of killing a teenager because he was gay has pleaded guilty to capital murder, prosecutors said.
As required by state law, jurors will still hear testimony in an abbreviated trial and a judge can sentence Christopher Gaines, 22, to death or life in prison without parole.
Gaines likely will get life in prison because of the plea deal he entered on Monday, prosecutors said.
Authorities have said Gaines and two others attacked Scotty Joe Weaver at his trailer in 2004.
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-gay-governor-winfrey,0,1779144,print.story
In Memoir, McGreevey's Wife Fires Back
By JANET FRANKSTON LORIN
Associated Press Writer
May 2, 2007, 9:10 AM EDT
SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- The estranged wife of the nation's first openly gay governor says she felt forced to write her own memoir to tell her side of the story.
Dina Matos McGreevey said she still feels anger toward former New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey, who announced to the world in 2004 that he was "a gay American."
"I don't think he's still acknowledged the damage that he's done to me and to my family and that's very difficult to accept," Matos McGreevey said Wednesday on ABC's "Good Morning America."
Her book, "Silent Partner: A Memoir of My Marriage," was released Tuesday, when she appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and at a book signing at a Barnes and Noble in Springfield, N.J., where she now lives.
"Over the last 2 1/2, almost three years, I've tried to stay in the background and away from the limelight and the media," Matos McGreevey told the crowd of about 100 people, mostly women, at the book signing.
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/02/nyregion/02bruno.html?pagewanted=print
May 2, 2007
Bruno Opposes Bill to Legalize Gay Marriage
By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE
ALBANY, May 1 - The Republican majority leader of the State Senate, Joseph L. Bruno, said on Tuesday that he would not support Gov. Eliot Spitzer's proposed legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in New York.
His remarks came as thousands of gay rights supporters marched to the State Capitol to voice their support for the proposal and praise Governor Spitzer, who introduced the bill on Friday even as he conceded that it was unlikely to become law anytime soon. Mr. Bruno has indicated his opposition to the bill in the past; his counterpart in the Assembly, Speaker Sheldon Silver, has taken no position on it.
Asked if gay rights advocates should expect him to support a measure legalizing same-sex marriage, Mr. Bruno said, "I think they ought to discuss that with the governor, since that is a priority of the governor, and not a priority in the Senate."
He added that the Senate Republicans were focused on property tax rebates and instituting the death penalty in New York for killers of law enforcement fficers. Asked if he would support changing the law to allow for same-sex couples to marry, he said, "No, I would not."
At least 61 members of the Assembly and 18 of the Senate have supported same-sex marriage bills in past years, though supporters in the Legislature say they expect more to back the governor's version.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-People-Isaiah-Washington.html?pagewanted=print
May 2, 2007
Washington to Do Ad for Gay Rights Group
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 9:08 p.m. ET
NEW YORK (AP) -- Isaiah Washington, who came under fire after using an anti-gay slur, will appear in a public service announcement on behalf of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.
''We're gonna have -- I want to say at least two versions of it at this point. We may broaden our message a little,'' the actor's publicist, Howard Bragman, told The Associated Press in a phone interview Wednesday.
Washington ran into trouble at the Golden Globe Awards in January after he used an anti-gay slur during a backstage press conference while denying he'd used it previously against ''Grey's Anatomy'' castmate T.R. Knight.
People magazine reported last October that Washington had allegedly used the slur during an on-set dustup with co-star Patrick Dempsey.
Knight said soon after the incident that he was gay.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-People-Isaiah-Washington.html?pagewanted=print
May 2, 2007
Evangelicals Start Adoption Push
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 4:34 p.m. ET
DENVER (AP) -- Prominent evangelical Christians are urging churchgoers to strongly consider adoption or foster care, not just out of kindness or biblical calling but also to answer criticism that their movement, while condemning abortion and same-sex adoption, doesn't do enough for children without parents.
With backing from Focus on the Family and best-selling author Rick Warren, the effort to promote ''orphan care'' among the nation's estimated 65 million evangelicals could drastically reduce foster care rolls if successful.
Yet sensitive issues lie ahead: about evangelizing, religious attitudes on corporal punishment, gay and lesbian foster children, racially mixed families, and resolving long-standing tensions between religious groups and the government.
Warren and others are scheduled to speak at a summit May 9-11 at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs that aims to elevate the initiative, which quietly began last fall, onto the national stage.
''In some people's minds, the church has been very pro-life up until the point of birth,'' said Michael Monroe, who co-founded an adoption and foster care ministry at Irving Bible Church outside Dallas. ''I don't know if that's a completely fair observation. But a lot of people are saying it's not enough to be pro-life, we need to be pro-children, as well.''
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Oregon-Gay-Rights.html?pagewanted=print
May 2, 2007
Ore. Lawmakers OK Domestic Partnerships
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 11:43 p.m. ET
SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- A bill giving Oregon's gay and lesbian couples the benefits of marriage through domestic partnerships won final legislative approval Wednesday.
The Senate endorsed the measure 21-9, sending it to Gov. Ted Kulongoski. The overnor is a gay-rights supporter who says he will sign that bill along with another one passed earlier to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The domestic partnership bill would enable same-sex couples to enter into ontractual relationships that grant them the same benefits that state law offers to married couples.
The measure won unanimous endorsement from the Senate's majority Democrats, with two Republicans joining them.
When Kulongoski signs the measure, Oregon will join Vermont, Connecticut, alifornia, New Jersey, Maine and Washington state in offering civil unions or domestic partnerships to same-sex couples.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/nyregion/03mayor.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
Boldness That Won Him Wide Attention Costs a Brash Young Mayor His Re-election Bid
By ERIN QUINN
NEW PALTZ, N.Y., May 2 - Jason West first shocked this funky village of 6,000 residents in 2003, when as a 26-year-old house painter, puppeteer and nvironmentalist he was elected mayor after two establishment candidates split the vote. He became the first Green Party member to be a mayor in New York State.
Then, in February 2004, Mr. West stunned his neighbors - and the nation - when he defied state law and performed marriages for 25 same-sex couples in the Village Hall parking lot, a move that helped win him a spot among People magazine's 50 hottest bachelors as well as a book deal.
This eclectic college town about 90 miles north of New York City was thrown off balance again on Wednesday morning, when it awoke to find that the celebrity mayor had been soundly defeated by a former political ally, Terry Dungan. Mr. Dungan, 60, is a retired art teacher, sailboat racer and active Democrat who has been on the village board for two years.
"My husband and I were very disappointed to learn that he had lost," said Jenn Barresi, 35, a nurse and lifelong villager. "We really liked the forward environmental thinking that he brought to our village during the past four years as well as the social change that he was a catalyst for."
While Mr. West quickly became known beyond New Paltz's borders for his stance on gay marriage, his main focus locally was the environment. He made the municipal sewer system more sustainable, put solar panels on top of the public works garage and was working on plans for a biodiesel plant in the village. He also proposed a law to ban chain stores from the village.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/nyregion/03mcgreevey.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
McGreevey Wants to Become a Priest, Report Says
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEWARK, May 2 (AP) - James E. McGreevey, who resigned as New Jersey governor in 2004 after saying that he had had an extramarital affair with a man, has become an Episcopalian and wants to be ordained as a priest in that faith, according to a published report.
The former governor, who was raised as a Roman Catholic, was officially received into the Episcopal faith on Sunday at St. Bartholomew's Church in Manhattan, said the Rev. Kevin D. Bean, the church's vicar.
Mr. McGreevey has entered the church's "discernment" phase, which usually precedes any seminary work, Father Bean told The Star-Ledger of Newark in a report posted Wednesday on its Web site.
Mr. McGreevey declined to comment when reached on Wednesday night.
Bruce Parker, a spokesman for the General Theological Seminary in the Chelsea section of Manhattan, said Mr. McGreevey had been accepted as a student Mr. Parker added that he did not know if the former governor wanted to become a priest.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/us/03brfs-oregon.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
Oregon Same-Sex Benefits Receive Final Legislative Approval
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A bill giving gay couples in Oregon the benefits of marriage through domestic partnerships won final legislative approval. The Senate endorsed the measure 21 to 9, sending it to Gov. Theodore R. Kulongoski. The governor, a Democrat, says he will sign that bill along with another one passed earlier to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. The domestic partnerships measure covers benefits relating to inheritance rights, child-rearing and custody, joint tax filings, joint health, auto and omeowners insurance policies and visitation rights at hospitals.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/us/politics/03giuliani.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
In G.O.P. Debate Today, Which Tack for Giuliani?
By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
Which Rudolph W. Giuliani will show up tonight in California for the debate among 10 Republican presidential candidates? The hard-hitting prosecutor? Or Mr. Nice Guy?
Mr. Giuliani has played both in his short debate history. Now, with polls showing him as the front-runner of the Republican field, his performance may well be the most-watched tonight. But it has been a decade since Mr. Giuliani last debated as a political candidate, and his two closest challengers, Senator John McCain of Arizona and former Gov. Mitt Romney of assachusetts, have more recent experience.
Mr. McCain has actually been in a presidential debate. That was in the 2000 rimaries against George W. Bush. Mr. McCain, who was reluctant to participate, joined in at the last minute by satellite hookup. It was not a high point for either candidate as they sniped at each other over religion and politics.
Mr. Romney has participated in debates in his races for the Senate in 1994 and for governor in 2002. His 1994 debate, against Senator Edward M. Kennedy, a Democrat, has become a big hit on YouTube.com because it shows him supporting abortion rights and gay rights, which are positions he does not hold now.
Mr. Giuliani's debate history is encapsulated in a relatively brief period, from 1989 to 1997, all when he was running for mayor of New York.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Gay-Governor-Seminary.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
McGreevey to Enter Episcopal Seminary
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 2:14 a.m. ET
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- The nation's first openly gay governor has become an piscopalian and been accepted into a seminary, according to a published report.
Former Gov. James E. McGreevey, who was raised as a Roman Catholic, was officially received into the Episcopal religion on Sunday at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York, said the Rev. Kevin Bean, vicar at the church.
McGreevey has entered the church's ''discernment'' phase, which usually precedes seminary work, Bean told The Star-Ledger of Newark in a report posted Wednesday on its Web site.
It's unclear whether McGreevey hopes to become a priest. He did not return several messages left Wednesday by The Associated Press.
McGreevey, 49, shocked the nation in August 2004 by proclaiming himself ''a gay American'' who had an extramarital affair with a male aide, and said he would resign that November. The aide denies having an affair and claims he was sexually harassed by the former governor.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Republicans-Debate.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
Republican Candidates to Debate Tonight
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 10:11 a.m. ET
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) -- The Republicans get their chance tonight. Ten GOP candidates for president will square off in a 90-minute debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.The debate is being sponsored by MSNBC and The Politico.
''This is batting practice,'' said Rich Galen, a GOP strategist who offered the trio a bit of advice: ''Don't get hurt.''
The three heavyweights are expected to play up their accomplishments and outline their visions for the future.
Lesser-known candidates like Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas and former governors Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin and Jim Gilmore of Virginia are simply looking for respect.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Women-Ivies.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
Ivy League's Female Presidents Gather
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 6:59 a.m. ET
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) -- Ruth Simmons says she once wrote the best essay in her literature class only to have one of her Harvard University professors shun her because she was black, or a woman, or both.
More than three decades after that graduate school indignity, Simmons returned to the Harvard campus Wednesday, though much has changed. She is now Brown University's first female president, and represents part of a landmark change going on at the top of the Ivy League.
When Drew Gilpin Faust, the dean of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, takes over at Harvard on July 1, half of the venerable league's eight schools will be led by women.
Simmons said the four women, including University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann and Princeton President Shirley Tilghman, have carved a path that will grow among the Ivies and beyond.
''When it starts to become the issue of being the last Ivy League school to have a woman president -- who wants to do that?'' Simmons said at a forum sponsored by Harvard's Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.''This is a league and this is a league based on competition.''
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/news/news-usa-politics-republicans.html?pagewanted=print
May 3, 2007
Republicans Prepare for Their First 2008 Debate
By REUTERS
Filed at 7:54 a.m. ET
SIMI VALLEY, California (Reuters) - Ten Republican White House contenders, led by early favorites Rudolph Giuliani and John McCain, will crowd the stage on Thursday for their first debate in an already heated 2008 presidential campaign.
A week after the Democratic candidates held their opening debate but more than 18 months before the November 2008 election, the Republicans take their turn in the political spotlight at the presidential library of conservative hero Ronald Reagan outside Los Angeles.
Giuliani, the former mayor of New York who has led Republicans in national polls for months, and McCain, an Arizona senator who was an early favorite but has struggled of late, are well-known political commodities.
But the rest of a largely unknown Republican field will be looking to introduce themselves to primary voters and make a good first impression.
For candidates like former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, whose strong fund-raising and establishment support have put him in the race's top tier even as he lingers in single digits in the polls, the debate offers an early pportunity.
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/01/AR2007050101046_pf.html
Man Guilty in Slaying of Gay Ala. Teen
The Associated Press
Tuesday, May 1, 2007; 2:18 PM
BAY MINETTE, Ala. -- One of three defendants accused of killing a teenager because he was gay has pleaded guilty to capital murder, prosecutors said.
As required by state law, jurors will still hear testimony in an abbreviated trial and a judge can sentence Christopher Gaines, 22, to death or life in prison without parole.
Gaines likely will get life in prison because of the plea deal he entered on Monday, prosecutors said.
Authorities have said Gaines and two others attacked Scotty Joe Weaver at his trailer in 2004.
Prosecutors said they beat, strangled and cut the 18-year-old before setting his body afire, and the extent of Weaver's injuries pointed to the attackers' distaste for his sexual orientation.
=
washingtonpost.com
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/02/AR2007050201533_pf.html
Evangelicals Start Adoption Push
By ERIC GORSKI
The Associated Press
Wednesday, May 2, 2007; 2:55 PM
DENVER -- Prominent evangelical Christians are urging churchgoers to strongly consider adoption or foster care, not just out of kindness or biblical calling but also to answer criticism that their movement, while condemning abortion and same-sex adoption, doesn't do enough for children without parents.
With backing from Focus on the Family and best-selling author Rick Warren, the effort to promote "orphan care" among the nation's estimated 65 million vangelicals could drastically reduce foster care rolls if successful.Yet sensitive issues lie ahead: about evangelizing, religious attitudes on corporal punishment, gay and lesbian foster children, racially mixed families, and resolving long-standing tensions between religious groups and the government.
Warren and others are scheduled to speak at a summit May 9-11 at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs that aims to elevate the initiative, which quietly began last fall, onto the national stage.
"In some people's minds, the church has been very pro-life up until the point of birth," said Michael Monroe, who co-founded an adoption and foster care ministry at Irving Bible Church outside Dallas. "I don't know if that's a completely fair observation. But a lot of people are saying it's not enough to be pro-life, we need to be pro-children, as well."
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/02/AR2007050201719_pf.html
Ore. Lawmakers OK Domestic Partnerships
By BRAD CAIN
The Associated Press
Wednesday, May 2, 2007; 8:36 PM
SALEM, Ore. -- A bill giving Oregon's gay and lesbian couples the benefits of marriage through domestic partnerships won final legislative approval Wednesday.
The Senate endorsed the measure 21-9, sending it to Gov. Ted Kulongoski. The overnor is a gay-rights supporter who says he will sign that bill along with another one passed earlier to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The domestic partnership bill would enable same-sex couples to enter into ontractual relationships that grant them the same benefits that state law offers to married couples.
The measure won unanimous endorsement from the Senate's majority Democrats, with two Republicans joining them.
When Kulongoski signs the measure, Oregon will join Vermont, Connecticut, alifornia, New Jersey, Maine and Washington state in offering civil unions or domestic partnerships to same-sex couples.
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/03/AR2007050300159_pf.html
Republican Candidates to Debate Tonight
The Associated Press
Thursday, May 3, 2007; 10:11 AM
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. -- The Republicans get their chance tonight. Ten GOP candidates for president will square off in a 90-minute debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.
The debate is being sponsored by MSNBC and The Politico.
"This is batting practice," said Rich Galen, a GOP strategist who offered the trio a bit of advice: "Don't get hurt."
The three heavyweights are expected to play up their accomplishments and outline their visions for the future.
Lesser-known candidates like Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas and former governors Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin and Jim Gilmore of Virginia are simply looking for respect.
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/03/AR2007050300467_pf.html
Republicans prepare for their first 2008 debate
By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent
Reuters
Thursday, May 3, 2007; 7:54 AM
SIMI VALLEY, California (Reuters) - Ten Republican White House contenders, led by early favorites Rudolph Giuliani and John McCain, will crowd the stage on Thursday for their first debate in an already heated 2008 presidential campaign.
A week after the Democratic candidates held their opening debate but more than 18 months before the November 2008 election, the Republicans take their turn in the political spotlight at the presidential library of conservative hero Ronald Reagan outside Los Angeles.
Giuliani, the former mayor of New York who has led Republicans in national polls for months, and McCain, an Arizona senator who was an early favorite but has struggled of late, are well-known political commodities.
But the rest of a largely unknown Republican field will be looking to introduce themselves to primary voters and make a good first impression.
For candidates like former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, whose strong fund-raising and establishment support have put him in the race's top tier even as he lingers in single digits in the polls, the debate offers an early pportunity.
=
washingtonpost.com
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/03/AR2007050300208_pf.html
Ivy League's Female Presidents Gather
By JESSE HARLAN ALDERMAN
The Associated Press
Thursday, May 3, 2007; 6:58 AM
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Ruth Simmons says she once wrote the best essay in her iterature class only to have one of her Harvard University professors shun her because she was black, or a woman, or both.
More than three decades after that graduate school indignity, Simmons returned to the Harvard campus Wednesday, though much has changed. She is now Brown University's first female president, and represents part of a landmark change going on at the top of the Ivy League.
When Drew Gilpin Faust, the dean of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, takes over at Harvard on July 1, half of the venerable league's eight schools will be led by women.
Simmons said the four women, including University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann and Princeton President Shirley Tilghman, have carved a path that will grow among the Ivies and beyond.
"When it starts to become the issue of being the last Ivy League school to have a woman president _ who wants to do that?" Simmons said at a forum sponsored by Harvard's Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. "This is a league and this is a league based on competition."
=
The Washington Post
Republican Candidates to Debate Tonight
The Associated Press
Thursday, May 3, 2007; 10:11 AM
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. -- The Republicans get their chance tonight. Ten GOP candidates for president will square off in a 90-minute debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.
The debate is being sponsored by MSNBC and The Politico.
"This is batting practice," said Rich Galen, a GOP strategist who offered the trio a bit of advice: "Don't get hurt."
The three heavyweights are expected to play up their accomplishments and outline their visions for the future.
Lesser-known candidates like Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas and former governors Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin and Jim Gilmore of Virginia are simply looking for respect.
=
365gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/05/050207evangel.htm
Evangelicals Face Heat Over Gay Adoption Opposition
by The Associated Press
Posted: May 2, 2007 - 7:00 pm ET
(Denver, Colorado) Prominent evangelical Christians are urging churchgoers to strongly consider adoption or foster care, not just out of kindness or biblical calling but also to answer criticism that their movement, while condemning abortion and same-sex adoption, doesn't do enough for children without parents.
With backing from Focus on the Family and best-selling author Rick Warren, the effort to promote "orphan care" among the nation's estimated 65 million vangelicals could drastically reduce foster care rolls if successful.
Yet sensitive issues lie ahead: about evangelizing, religious attitudes on corporal punishment, gay and lesbian foster children, racially mixed families, and resolving long-standing tensions between religious groups and the government.
Warren and others are scheduled to speak at a summit May 9-11 at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs that aims to elevate the initiative, which quietly began last fall, onto the national stage.
=
365gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/05/050307veto.htm
White House Issues Veto Threat Against Gay Hate Bill
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: May 3, 2007 - 11:00 am ET
(Washington) Just hours before the House votes on the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act the White House issued a statement saying that if the bill passes the House and Senate and goes to the President, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto it.
A statement from the Executive Office of the President said: "The Administration favors strong criminal penalties for violent crime, including crime based on personal characteristics, such as race, color, religion, or national origin.
"However, the Administration believes that H.R. 1592 is unnecessary and onstitutionally questionable."
The White House statement said that state and local criminal laws already provide penalties for the crimes defined by the bill and "there has been no persuasive demonstration of any need to federalize such a potentially large range of violent crime enforcement."
On the issue of constitutionality the White House statement said terms of the bill could be enforced only "if done in the implementation of a power granted to the Federal government, such as the power to protect Federal personnel, to regulate interstate commerce, or to enforce equal protection of the laws. [The legislation] is not by its terms limited to the exercise of such a power, and it is not at all clear that sufficient factual or legal grounds exist to uphold this provision."
"In some people's minds, the church has been very pro-life up until the point of birth," said Michael Monroe, who co-founded an adoption and foster care ministry at Irving Bible Church outside Dallas. "I don't know if that's a completely fair observation. But a lot of people are saying it's not enough to be pro-life, we need to be pro-children, as well."
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-gay-killing,0,1185905,print.story
Man Guilty in Slaying of Gay Ala. Teen
By Associated Press
May 1, 2007, 2:18 PM EDT
BAY MINETTE, Ala. -- One of three defendants accused of killing a teenager because he was gay has pleaded guilty to capital murder, prosecutors said.
As required by state law, jurors will still hear testimony in an abbreviated trial and a judge can sentence Christopher Gaines, 22, to death or life in prison without parole.
Gaines likely will get life in prison because of the plea deal he entered on Monday, prosecutors said.
Authorities have said Gaines and two others attacked Scotty Joe Weaver at his trailer in 2004.
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-gay-governor-winfrey,0,1779144,print.story
In Memoir, McGreevey's Wife Fires Back
By JANET FRANKSTON LORIN
Associated Press Writer
May 2, 2007, 9:10 AM EDT
SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- The estranged wife of the nation's first openly gay governor says she felt forced to write her own memoir to tell her side of the story.
Dina Matos McGreevey said she still feels anger toward former New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey, who announced to the world in 2004 that he was "a gay American."
"I don't think he's still acknowledged the damage that he's done to me and to my family and that's very difficult to accept," Matos McGreevey said Wednesday on ABC's "Good Morning America."
Her book, "Silent Partner: A Memoir of My Marriage," was released Tuesday, when she appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and at a book signing at a Barnes and Noble in Springfield, N.J., where she now lives.
"Over the last 2 1/2, almost three years, I've tried to stay in the background and away from the limelight and the media," Matos McGreevey told the crowd of about 100 people, mostly women, at the book signing.
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
FLORIDA DIGEST May 3, 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.
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-cgreene02may02,0,3359972,print.story?coll=sfla-news-broward
Broward judge seeks reassignment after insensitive remark creates uproar
By Tonya Alanez and Jon Burstein
May 2, 2007
Broward Circuit Court's diversity committee had its first case before it even had bylaws.
"NHI," or "No humans involved." The initials uttered by Circuit Judge Charles Greene caused an uproar in the courthouse and marks the latest example of what many view as an insensitive, sometimes condescending bench.
The committee hastily met Monday to hear its first case.
Greene made the remark in April to two attorneys after a jury acquitted a man of attempted murder. The defendant, victim and witnesses were black. Greene, the county's chief criminal judge, said the reference had nothing to do with race. He used the term, he said, to describe how the jury weighed the witness' credibility.
The judge said he didn't mean for the comment to be misconstrued as racially insensitive. The committee members on Tuesday backed Greene, but he requested a new assignment to eliminate the unwanted focus on the circuit and criminal divisions.
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-gay-governor-winfrey,0,1779144,print.story
In Memoir, McGreevey's Wife Fires Back
By JANET FRANKSTON LORIN
Associated Press Writer
May 2, 2007, 9:10 AM EDT
SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- The estranged wife of the nation's first openly gay governor says she felt forced to write her own memoir to tell her side of the story.
Dina Matos McGreevey said she still feels anger toward former New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey, who announced to the world in 2004 that he was "a gay American."
"I don't think he's still acknowledged the damage that he's done to me and to my family and that's very difficult to accept," Matos McGreevey said Wednesday on ABC's "Good Morning America."
Her book, "Silent Partner: A Memoir of My Marriage," was released Tuesday, when she appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and at a book signing at a Barnes and Noble in Springfield, N.J., where she now lives.
"Over the last 2 1/2, almost three years, I've tried to stay in the background and away from the limelight and the media," Matos McGreevey told the crowd of about 100 people, mostly women, at the book signing.
=
The Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/501/v-print/story/93449.html
The students spent a weekend learning with folks from the Religious...
The students spent a weekend learning with folks from the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. Topics during the L'Taken Seminar ranged from school vouchers, immigration and gay and lesbian rights.
Each student presented a view to legislative aides of several members of Congress. The group spoke to Sen. Bill Nelson's and Sen. Mel Martinez's aides; along with U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln Díaz-Balart.
=
The Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/495/v-print/story/92181.html
Posted on Thu, May. 03, 2007
The scouts also attended the Post-Baynanza 25th Anniversary Celebration...
The scouts also attended the Post-Baynanza 25th Anniversary Celebration at Haulover Marina Park, hosted by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally Heyman.
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-cgreene02may02,0,3359972,print.story?coll=sfla-news-broward
Broward judge seeks reassignment after insensitive remark creates uproar
By Tonya Alanez and Jon Burstein
May 2, 2007
Broward Circuit Court's diversity committee had its first case before it even had bylaws.
"NHI," or "No humans involved." The initials uttered by Circuit Judge Charles Greene caused an uproar in the courthouse and marks the latest example of what many view as an insensitive, sometimes condescending bench.
The committee hastily met Monday to hear its first case.
Greene made the remark in April to two attorneys after a jury acquitted a man of attempted murder. The defendant, victim and witnesses were black. Greene, the county's chief criminal judge, said the reference had nothing to do with race. He used the term, he said, to describe how the jury weighed the witness' credibility.
The judge said he didn't mean for the comment to be misconstrued as racially insensitive. The committee members on Tuesday backed Greene, but he requested a new assignment to eliminate the unwanted focus on the circuit and criminal divisions.
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-gay-governor-winfrey,0,1779144,print.story
In Memoir, McGreevey's Wife Fires Back
By JANET FRANKSTON LORIN
Associated Press Writer
May 2, 2007, 9:10 AM EDT
SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- The estranged wife of the nation's first openly gay governor says she felt forced to write her own memoir to tell her side of the story.
Dina Matos McGreevey said she still feels anger toward former New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey, who announced to the world in 2004 that he was "a gay American."
"I don't think he's still acknowledged the damage that he's done to me and to my family and that's very difficult to accept," Matos McGreevey said Wednesday on ABC's "Good Morning America."
Her book, "Silent Partner: A Memoir of My Marriage," was released Tuesday, when she appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and at a book signing at a Barnes and Noble in Springfield, N.J., where she now lives.
"Over the last 2 1/2, almost three years, I've tried to stay in the background and away from the limelight and the media," Matos McGreevey told the crowd of about 100 people, mostly women, at the book signing.
=
The Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/501/v-print/story/93449.html
The students spent a weekend learning with folks from the Religious...
The students spent a weekend learning with folks from the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. Topics during the L'Taken Seminar ranged from school vouchers, immigration and gay and lesbian rights.
Each student presented a view to legislative aides of several members of Congress. The group spoke to Sen. Bill Nelson's and Sen. Mel Martinez's aides; along with U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln Díaz-Balart.
=
The Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/495/v-print/story/92181.html
Posted on Thu, May. 03, 2007
The scouts also attended the Post-Baynanza 25th Anniversary Celebration...
The scouts also attended the Post-Baynanza 25th Anniversary Celebration at Haulover Marina Park, hosted by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally Heyman.
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
Sunday, April 29, 2007
FLORIDA DIGEST April 29, 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.
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-creclaim28apr28,0,6434443,print.story?coll=sfla-news-broward
Religious group closes Lauderdale center for conservative activism
By James D. Davis
Religion Editor
April 28, 2007
Fort Lauderdale · The Center for Reclaiming America has closed, halting itsconservative activism and throwing the future of its signature annualconference in doubt.
An undisclosed number of employees were laid off on Thursday at the center'sheadquarters in Fort Lauderdale and its congressional chaplaincy office inWashington, D.C., in what its parent organization, Coral Ridge Ministries,called a "streamlining."
The closures put a stop to day-to-day actions such as e-mail and petitiondrives against abortion, pornography and same-sex marriage.
"We're getting back to our core competency, the production of media," saidBrian Fisher, executive vice president at Coral Ridge Ministries, founded bythe Rev. D. James Kennedy. "Our heart and soul is the teaching of Dr.Kennedy, and getting it to more people than those who come to church."
Fisher wouldn't divulge how many workers were laid off but said Coral idgeMinistries still has more than 120 employees. The organization produces TVand radio programs and publishes books by Kennedy, pastor at Coral RidgePresbyterian Church. It reported a budget of more than $37 million in 2005,according to spokesman John Aman.
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/lifestyle/sfl-mvmglffapr26,1,6126387,print.story
Gay & Lesbian Film Fest: It's bigger, bawdier, better
By Dan Hudak
Special Correspondent
April 26, 2007
If you thought the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival peaked riding theBrokeback wave last year, you'd be sadly mistaken. This year's festival,which begins Friday and runs through May 6, has more films. More parties.More than 130 filmmakers attending. It has titles like Hollywood Kink andLezploitation: Triple X Selects. This isn't just a film festival -- it's anevent.
Of course, it's not all fun and games. The documentary Saving Marriagechronicles the two-year fight to keep gay marriage legal in Massachusetts.
"And it's timely because in 2008 the ballot will come to Florida about gaymarriage," said festival director Carol Coombes. "Massachusetts is still theonly state that legally allows gay marriage."
When asked if she felt obligated to include "issue" films, Coombes insistedthat the overriding principle in her program is quality.
"I never think I need to make political statements," Coombes said. "Iprogram the best films available to me, and that's what I've always done."
=
The Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/569/v-print/story/89486.html
Posted on Sat, Apr. 28, 2007
Abortion bill heads to Senate
BY BREANNE GILPATRICK
A controversial proposal requiring a 24-hour wait period and a sonogrambefore almost all abortions passed the state House of Representatives onFriday and is on its way to the Florida Senate.
The House voted 71-42 in favor of the provisions, after roughly two hours ofcontentious debate. Both proposals were added to a bill by Rep. TreyTraviesa, a Tampa Republican, that would require judges to appoint aguardian for underage girls who want an abortion and seek to get around thestate's parental-notification law.
''On every other medical procedure there is time, time for those importanttwo words: informed consent,'' Traviesa said. ``And anyone who seeks to denya woman the ability to achieve informed consent is not advocating for therights of women. They're advocating for an idea.''
Women who are victims of rape, incest, domestic violence or humantrafficking would be exempt from the sonogram requirement.
=
The St. Petersburg Times
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/04/28/news_pf/State/Not_everyone_wants_pr.shtml
Not everyone wants property tax relief
By JENNIFER LIBERTO
Published April 28, 2007
TALLAHASSEE - The towns of Eatonville and Opa-locka have survived economicand social hardships over the last century but now they face a differentkind of ruin: property tax reform.
Eatonville and Opa-locka are caught in a largely silent fight for theirfinancial survival, as lawmakers debate how far back to roll tax rates aspart of a broad effort to cut property taxes. Although property taxnegotiations are stalled, all three proposals still being considered - theHouse's, the Senate's and Gov. Charlie Crist's - would slash millions out oflocal government budgets.
Although lawmakers have carved out wide exemptions for poor cities andcounties around the state, Eatonville and Opa-locka don't qualify. Andadding to the drama is this: These two towns have storied histories asenclaves of African-Americans.
Lawmakers have told these cities and a few others that they will look outfor them. Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster, a chief negotiators onproperty tax plans, said lawmakers are committed to these cities, especiallygiven their historic significance.
"We have been talking all along about doing something for the historic blackcities like Opa-locka and Eatonville, " he said. "It's going to happen."
=
The Miami Tribune
http://www.miamiherald.com/457/v-print/story/89509.html
Posted on Sat, Apr. 28, 2007
Paper ballot system appears likely
BY GARY FINEOUT
Florida is on the verge of doing away with touch-screen voting in favor ofpaper ballots, after the state Senate voted overwhelmingly Friday to pay foroptical-scan machines and House leaders said they were optimistic they willagree next week.
The change would be in place for the 2008 elections in all 15 counties thatuse ATM-style machines -- including Miami-Dade and Broward -- for all votersexcept the disabled, who would still use touch-screen machines until 2012.
The move to voting machines that produce a paper trail is a priority forGov. Charlie Crist. The House has been reluctant to approve paying the $28million cost but is getting some powerful incentive from the Senate: Thebill also calls for Florida to make its '08 presidential primary one of theearliest in the nation, on Jan. 29 -- one of the top items on House SpeakerMarco Rubio's wish list this year.
The 73-page bill, which passed the Senate by a 37-2 vote, includes severalcontroversial provisions: Election-law violations would be harder toprosecute, third-party groups that register voters would be subject tofines, and groups pushing constitutional amendments would face additionalhurdles.
But those backing the bill say moving Florida to a paper-ballot system wasmore important than anything else in the legislation.
=
Stonewall Book Club visits "La-La Land" (May 17)
The Stonewall Library and Archives' GLBT Book Club will hold its nextmeeting at the Stonewall Library on Thursday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. BookClub moderator Jesse Monteagudo ("The Book Nook") will lead a livelydiscussion of "Going Down in La-La Land," Andy Zeffer's funny, sexyHollywood novel that is also a finalist for this year's Lambda LiteraryAward in the category of Gay Romance. The Stonewall Library and Archives islocated at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida, 1717 NorthAndrews Avenue, in Fort Lauderdale. For more information phone (954)763-8565
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-creclaim28apr28,0,6434443,print.story?coll=sfla-news-broward
Religious group closes Lauderdale center for conservative activism
By James D. Davis
Religion Editor
April 28, 2007
Fort Lauderdale · The Center for Reclaiming America has closed, halting itsconservative activism and throwing the future of its signature annualconference in doubt.
An undisclosed number of employees were laid off on Thursday at the center'sheadquarters in Fort Lauderdale and its congressional chaplaincy office inWashington, D.C., in what its parent organization, Coral Ridge Ministries,called a "streamlining."
The closures put a stop to day-to-day actions such as e-mail and petitiondrives against abortion, pornography and same-sex marriage.
"We're getting back to our core competency, the production of media," saidBrian Fisher, executive vice president at Coral Ridge Ministries, founded bythe Rev. D. James Kennedy. "Our heart and soul is the teaching of Dr.Kennedy, and getting it to more people than those who come to church."
Fisher wouldn't divulge how many workers were laid off but said Coral idgeMinistries still has more than 120 employees. The organization produces TVand radio programs and publishes books by Kennedy, pastor at Coral RidgePresbyterian Church. It reported a budget of more than $37 million in 2005,according to spokesman John Aman.
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/lifestyle/sfl-mvmglffapr26,1,6126387,print.story
Gay & Lesbian Film Fest: It's bigger, bawdier, better
By Dan Hudak
Special Correspondent
April 26, 2007
If you thought the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival peaked riding theBrokeback wave last year, you'd be sadly mistaken. This year's festival,which begins Friday and runs through May 6, has more films. More parties.More than 130 filmmakers attending. It has titles like Hollywood Kink andLezploitation: Triple X Selects. This isn't just a film festival -- it's anevent.
Of course, it's not all fun and games. The documentary Saving Marriagechronicles the two-year fight to keep gay marriage legal in Massachusetts.
"And it's timely because in 2008 the ballot will come to Florida about gaymarriage," said festival director Carol Coombes. "Massachusetts is still theonly state that legally allows gay marriage."
When asked if she felt obligated to include "issue" films, Coombes insistedthat the overriding principle in her program is quality.
"I never think I need to make political statements," Coombes said. "Iprogram the best films available to me, and that's what I've always done."
=
The Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/569/v-print/story/89486.html
Posted on Sat, Apr. 28, 2007
Abortion bill heads to Senate
BY BREANNE GILPATRICK
A controversial proposal requiring a 24-hour wait period and a sonogrambefore almost all abortions passed the state House of Representatives onFriday and is on its way to the Florida Senate.
The House voted 71-42 in favor of the provisions, after roughly two hours ofcontentious debate. Both proposals were added to a bill by Rep. TreyTraviesa, a Tampa Republican, that would require judges to appoint aguardian for underage girls who want an abortion and seek to get around thestate's parental-notification law.
''On every other medical procedure there is time, time for those importanttwo words: informed consent,'' Traviesa said. ``And anyone who seeks to denya woman the ability to achieve informed consent is not advocating for therights of women. They're advocating for an idea.''
Women who are victims of rape, incest, domestic violence or humantrafficking would be exempt from the sonogram requirement.
=
The St. Petersburg Times
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/04/28/news_pf/State/Not_everyone_wants_pr.shtml
Not everyone wants property tax relief
By JENNIFER LIBERTO
Published April 28, 2007
TALLAHASSEE - The towns of Eatonville and Opa-locka have survived economicand social hardships over the last century but now they face a differentkind of ruin: property tax reform.
Eatonville and Opa-locka are caught in a largely silent fight for theirfinancial survival, as lawmakers debate how far back to roll tax rates aspart of a broad effort to cut property taxes. Although property taxnegotiations are stalled, all three proposals still being considered - theHouse's, the Senate's and Gov. Charlie Crist's - would slash millions out oflocal government budgets.
Although lawmakers have carved out wide exemptions for poor cities andcounties around the state, Eatonville and Opa-locka don't qualify. Andadding to the drama is this: These two towns have storied histories asenclaves of African-Americans.
Lawmakers have told these cities and a few others that they will look outfor them. Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster, a chief negotiators onproperty tax plans, said lawmakers are committed to these cities, especiallygiven their historic significance.
"We have been talking all along about doing something for the historic blackcities like Opa-locka and Eatonville, " he said. "It's going to happen."
=
The Miami Tribune
http://www.miamiherald.com/457/v-print/story/89509.html
Posted on Sat, Apr. 28, 2007
Paper ballot system appears likely
BY GARY FINEOUT
Florida is on the verge of doing away with touch-screen voting in favor ofpaper ballots, after the state Senate voted overwhelmingly Friday to pay foroptical-scan machines and House leaders said they were optimistic they willagree next week.
The change would be in place for the 2008 elections in all 15 counties thatuse ATM-style machines -- including Miami-Dade and Broward -- for all votersexcept the disabled, who would still use touch-screen machines until 2012.
The move to voting machines that produce a paper trail is a priority forGov. Charlie Crist. The House has been reluctant to approve paying the $28million cost but is getting some powerful incentive from the Senate: Thebill also calls for Florida to make its '08 presidential primary one of theearliest in the nation, on Jan. 29 -- one of the top items on House SpeakerMarco Rubio's wish list this year.
The 73-page bill, which passed the Senate by a 37-2 vote, includes severalcontroversial provisions: Election-law violations would be harder toprosecute, third-party groups that register voters would be subject tofines, and groups pushing constitutional amendments would face additionalhurdles.
But those backing the bill say moving Florida to a paper-ballot system wasmore important than anything else in the legislation.
=
Stonewall Book Club visits "La-La Land" (May 17)
The Stonewall Library and Archives' GLBT Book Club will hold its nextmeeting at the Stonewall Library on Thursday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. BookClub moderator Jesse Monteagudo ("The Book Nook") will lead a livelydiscussion of "Going Down in La-La Land," Andy Zeffer's funny, sexyHollywood novel that is also a finalist for this year's Lambda LiteraryAward in the category of Gay Romance. The Stonewall Library and Archives islocated at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida, 1717 NorthAndrews Avenue, in Fort Lauderdale. For more information phone (954)763-8565
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
NATIONAL & WORLD DIGEST April 29, 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.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Democrats-2008.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print
April 29, 2007
Democrats Woo Voters With Bush Attacks
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 7:30 a.m. ET
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Wooing influential California Democrats, presidentialcontender Barack Obama vowed to ''turn the page on this Iraq disaster''while Hillary Rodham Clinton denounced President Bush's conduct of the waras ''one of the darkest blots on leadership we've ever had.''
California, long a major cash source for candidates of both parties, ispoised to become more influential in the electoral process as well, havingmoved its primary to next Feb. 5. As a result, the state Democratic eekendconvention was expected to attract all the party's major presidentialcontenders except Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, who was campaigning in SouthCarolina.
Saturday's program featured appearances by front-runners Clinton and Obama,as well as Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich.
Clinton unleashed an unusually personal critique of Bush, accusing hisadministration of ignoring scientific evidence about global warming and stemcell research and lying about the effects of toxic dust at the World TradeCenter site.
Her voice hoarse from days of campaigning, Clinton brought the 2,000delegates to their feet when she said she wished she could turn the clockback to a different time.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/27/us/politics/27repubs.html?pagewanted=print
April 27, 2007
Romney Says Rivals Changed Minds, Too
By MICHAEL COOPER
CHARLESTON, S.C., April 26 - Mitt Romney directly engaged two of hisbetter-known rivals for the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday,telling an interviewer that Senator John McCain and Rudolph W. Giuliani hadboth changed their positions on important issues over the years, just as hehad.
Mr. Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, has been criticized by someconservatives for changing his position on abortion and gay rights in recentyears as he prepared to run for president. On Thursday, he gave an interviewin New Hampshire in which he sought to deflect criticism on that front,telling The Associated Press that "everybody in this race that I know haschanged their mind on certain positions, and they've done so as they gainedmore experience."
He then went on to single out Mr. McCain and Mr. Giuliani, who have beenahead of him in recent opinion polls.
"Senator McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts," Mr. Romney told The A.P."Now he's for them. He was opposed to ethanol. Now he's for it. He said hewas opposed to overturning Roe v. Wade. Now he's for overturning Roe v.Wade."
"Mayor Giuliani has made a number of changes over his career, and there areplaces where I've made changes," Mr. Romney said in the interview.
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042702145_pf.html
Muslim Woman Runs for Danish Parliament
By KARL RITTER
The Associated Press
Friday, April 27, 2007; 9:23 PM
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- A Muslim woman denounced and ridiculed bynationalists for wearing an Islamic head scarf announced Friday she wasrunning for Parliament _ a move bound to rekindle heated debate about Islamin Denmark.
The next election is not expected until 2009, but the mere thought of AsamaAbdol-Hamid entering the legislature has revived fears of clashing culturesthat emerged last year when Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad sparkedriots in Muslim countries.
Even mainstream politicians and party colleagues in the left-wing Red-GreenAlliance have questioned whether Abdol-Hamid, who moved to Denmark at age 6with her Palestinian family, shares the fundamental values of Danishsociety.
Besides covering her hair, the 25-year-old refuses to shake hands with men.Instead, she greets them by laying her right hand on her heart in Muslimtradition.
"I want another Denmark where we talk about the difference between groups,"she said at a news conference announcing her candidacy. "When we talk aboutvalues, (we need) to be open to whatever people are, Muslim or non-Muslim."
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/26/AR2007042602235_pf.html
Mexico Catholics to go to rights court on abortion
By Catherine Bremer
Reuters
Thursday, April 26, 2007; 8:23 PM
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A group of Catholic lawyers will complain to aninternational human rights court next week about the legalization ofabortion in Mexico City, a Roman Catholic Church spokesman said on Thursday.
The abortion law passed easily in the capital's leftist-controlled assemblyon Tuesday, angering many Catholics who see it as the latest shift away fromChristian values in the world's second-biggest Catholic country.
"The College of Catholic Lawyers, a secular association of believers, isgoing to start an international campaign to take this case to theInter-American Court of Human Rights ... to show the world the lack ofdemocracy in Mexico City," said Father Hugo Valdemar, spokesman for theArchdiocese of Mexico City.
The lawyers plan to take their complaint on Wednesday to the CostaRica-based rights court, an arm of the Organization of American States.
Valdemar said the abortion law goes against a clause in Mexico'sconstitution that says the state must defend human life "from conceptionuntil its natural end."
=
The Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/331/v-print/story/88871.html
Posted on Sun, Apr. 29, 2007
Craigslist targeted in lawsuit
BY ROBERT J. BRUSS
The Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law, a group of 45law firms, filed this lawsuit against Craigslist, alleging violations of thefederal Fair Housing Act. Craigslist publishes notices and advertisementsfor housing, jobs and services on its websites, which are organized by city.
In a typical month, Craigslist posts more than 10 million items of''user-supplied information.'' These postings are increasing atapproximately 100 percent per year.
In the housing category, the Craigslist site allows third-party users topost and read notices for housing sale and rental opportunities. CLC allegesCraigslist publishes housing notices that indicate preference, limitation rdiscrimination on the prohibited basis of race, color, national origin, sex,religion or familial status.
Examples of notices CLC finds offensive and in violation of the FHA include:''No minorities''; ''Looking for gay Latino''; ''Requirements: clean, godly,Christian male''; ''Only Muslims need apply''; and ``Apartment too small forfamilies with small children.''
Notwithstanding FHA's broad scope, Craigslist argues the CLC complaint failsbecause of the immunity afforded to website operators by the federalCommunications Decency Act for third-party content. The CLC replied thatCongress did not intend to grant a vast, limitless immunity to websiteproviders such as Craigslist.
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/25/AR2007042502948.html?referrer=email
U.N. Report on Human Rights in Iraq Draws U.S. Denunciation
By Joshua Partlow
Washington Post Foreign Service
Thursday, April 26, 2007; A22
BAGHDAD, April 25 -- A new human rights report by the United Nations missionin Iraq described high levels of ongoing violence, an unfair and potentiallyabusive detainee system and a country suffering a "breakdown in law andorder." The report upset the U.S. Embassy here, which characterized it asinaccurate and not credible.
The 30-page report by the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq, an appraisal ofhuman rights conditions from January through March, said the Iraqigovernment is up against "immense security challenges in the face of growingviolence and armed opposition to its authority and the rapidly worseninghumanitarian crisis."
For the first time, the United Nations did not include civilian death tolls,statistics that are usually provided to it by the Health Ministry and theMedico-Legal Institute in Baghdad. The data have become a key gauge of thelevel of violence in Iraq. In the last report, the United Nations said34,452 Iraqi civilians had died violently in 2006, a number that the Iraqigovernment later said was exaggerated.
The report said the Iraqi government told the United Nations "that it haddecided against providing the data, although no substantive explanation orjustification was provided."Two U.S. Embassy officials, who spoke oncondition of anonymity, convened a conference call with reporters tocriticize the report.
"There are numerous factual inaccuracies," one official said. The officialssaid they did not believe the Iraqi government was trying to withholdinformation but is attempting to consolidate the death toll figures intosome "verifiable system."
=
The Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-cuomo28apr28,0,867348,print.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions
In 2008, Dems can't afford to play it safe
The party will have to do more than just recount GOP failures, says formerN.Y. Gov. Cuomo.
By Mario M. Cuomo
MARIO M. CUOMO was governor of New York from 1983 to 1995.
April 28, 2007
THE BUSH administration has demonstrated an appalling incompetence inhandling the machinery of government. It started a war under falsepretenses, produced a fragmented economy, revealed contemptible callousnessafter Hurricane Katrina and has shown a shocking disrespect for the Bill ofRights and the balance of powers that are the heart and soul of ourConstitution.
The administration's failures were so plentiful and so blatant that all theDemocrats needed to do to win control of Congress in the 2006 elections wasto recount them loudly.
The elections in 2008 will be a different matter. The burden of proof willbe on the Democrats. To hold on to control of Congress - and win thepresidency - Democratic candidates must detail what they propose to do andhow they propose to get it done, including how to pay for it. How do we dealwith our failing public schools, the looming insolvency of Social Security,the escalating costs of healthcare? Can we reverse our huge trade and budgetdeficits? What must we do to halt global warming? What do we do about 12million undocumented workers?
How will we know when it is safe to bring most of our troops back from Iraq?Who will stay behind and for what purpose? Who will rebuild Iraq, and whowill pay for the rebuilding? And how will we continue to fight the real waragainst terrorism in Afghanistan and beyond? As for Iran, should we increasesanctions, or negotiate, or seriously consider bombing?
It's hard to recall another time when we had so many vital issues before us.That makes it more regrettable that the leading Democratic presidentialcandidates are so far avoiding specifics.
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Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/04/28/support_low_bush_isolated_by_gop?mode=PF
Support low, Bush isolated by GOP
Many fear '08 a referendum on president
By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | April 28, 2007
WASHINGTON -- President Bush is entering a critical point in his presidencyas an increasingly isolated figure within the Republican Party: He hassuffered some high-profile defections from his inner circle, presidentialcandidates are rushing to distance themselves from his administration, andrank-and-file Republicans are expressing growing disillusionment with thescandals and mismanagement that have rocked the White House.
With 20 months left in office -- and his approval ratings mired below 40percent -- some of the president's former advisers are seeking to salvagetheir reputations by going public with their grievances. George J. Tenet,Bush's former CIA director, is the latest Bush loyalist to turn on thepresident, claiming in a book to be published Monday that Bush and VicePresident Dick Cheney rushed to war in Iraq without having a "seriousdebate" over whether the country posed an immediate threat to the UnitedStates.
The book comes just weeks after one of the president's former topstrategists, Matthew Dowd, broke publicly with Bush, in an expansiveinterview with The New York Times in which he portrayed the president as"secluded and bubbled in" and criticized him for refusing to work withDemocrats and continuing to support the Iraq war.
At the same time, the GOP is nervously eyeing a 2008 race that many in theparty fear will be a referendum on a widely unpopular presidency.
"The looming election has started to put the fear of God in the RepublicanParty," said Jeffrey Berry, a political science professor at TuftsUniversity. "George Bush has severely damaged the Republican Party in theshort run, and probably the intermediate term as well."
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/29/opinion/29sun2.html?pagewanted=print
April 29, 2007
Editorial
Strengthening Abortion Rights
On the heels of a major Supreme Court setback for women's reproductiverights, Gov. Eliot Spitzer has produced a sound proposal aimed at shoring upthose rights in New York State. His timely initiative, which would updatethe state's abortion laws and inoculate them as much as possible fromfederal anti-abortion edicts, should be acted on quickly by lawmakers inAlbany and emulated by other states.
New York's pioneering law legalizing abortion, which Gov. Nelson Rockefellersigned in 1970, predated Roe v. Wade by three years. The provisions liftingthe old abortion prohibition, and allowing abortion in many cases, are partof the state's homicide law, which is not the right place for them. Mr.Spitzer's updating would remove abortion from the criminal statutes andaffirmatively make it a matter of professional and medical discretion. Hisproposal would also repeal an outmoded statute, previously overturned by thecourts, that criminalizes providing nonprescription contraception to minors.
Beyond that cleanup, the proposed legislation would enshrine in state lawRoe's core protections, expressly protecting a woman's right to terminate apregnancy prior to fetal viability, and making clear that her life andhealth take precedence over the rights of the fetus throughout pregnancy.
Joseph Bruno, the Republican majority leader of the State Senate, hasindicated that he has no interest in moving forward with Mr. Spitzer'sproposal. But with Republican control of the Senate now whittled down tojust a few seats, blocking the abortion rights initiative carries realpolitical risks. It would not be surprising if Mr. Bruno developed a suddeninterest in the bill as legislative elections drew closer.
New York, like other states, lacks the authority to undo the Congressionalban on so-called partial birth abortion just upheld by the Supreme Court.That is regrettable, since the ban endangers women because of its lack ofany exception to protect a woman's health. The Spitzer bill cannot reversethe ruling. But it can put important protections in place in the event thatthe Supreme Court scales back federal abortion rights further, or evenrepeals Roe v. Wade entirely, handing the issue back to the states.
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The New York Times
http://select.nytimes.com/2007/04/29/opinion/29rich.html
All the President's Press
SOMEHOW it's hard to imagine David Halberstam yukking it up with AlbertoGonzales, Paul Wolfowitz and two discarded "American Idol" contestants atthe annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner.
Before there was a Woodward and Bernstein, there was Halberstam, still notyet 30 in the early 1960s, calling those in power to account for lying aboutour "progress" in Vietnam. He did so even though J.F.K. told the publisherof The Times, "I wish like hell that you'd get Halberstam out of there." Hedid so despite public ridicule from the dean of that era's Georgetownpunditocracy, the now forgotten columnist (and Vietnam War cheerleader)Joseph Alsop.
It was Alsop's spirit, not Halberstam's, that could be seen in C-Span's livebroadcast of the correspondents' dinner last Saturday, two days beforeHalberstam's death in a car crash in California. This fete is acrystallization of the press's failures in the post-9/11 era: it illustrateshow easily a propaganda-driven White House can enlist the Washington newsmedia in its shows. Such is literally the case at the annual dinner, wherejournalists serve as a supporting cast, but it has been figuratively trueyear-round.
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The New York Times
http://select.nytimes.com/2007/04/29/opinion/29kristof.html?pagewanted=print
April 29, 2007
Op-Ed Columnist
Diplomacy at Its Worst
By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
In May 2003, Iran sent a secret proposal to the U.S. for settling our mutualdisputes in a "grand bargain."
It is an astonishing document, for it tries to address a range of U.S.concerns about nuclear weapons, terrorism and Iraq. I've placed it andrelated documents (including multiple drafts of it) on my blog,www.nytimes.com/ontheground.
Hard-liners in the Bush administration killed discussions of a deal, andinterviews with key players suggest that was an appalling mistake. There wasa real hope for peace; now there is a real danger of war.
Scattered reports of the Iranian proposal have emerged previously, but ifyou read the full documentary record you'll see that what the hard-linerskilled wasn't just one faxed Iranian proposal but an entire peace process.The record indicates that officials from the repressive, duplicitousgovernment of Iran pursued peace more energetically and diplomatically thansenior Bush administration officials - which makes me ache for my country.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/28/AR2007042801113.html?hpid=topnews
Most Katrina Aid From Overseas Went Unclaimed
By John Solomon and Spencer S. Hsu
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, April 29, 2007; A01
As the winds and water of Hurricane Katrina were receding, presidentialconfidante Karen Hughes sent a cable from her State Department office toU.S. ambassadors worldwide.
Titled "Echo-Chamber Message" -- a public relations term for talking pointsdesigned to be repeated again and again -- the Sept. 7, 2005, directive wasunmistakable: Assure the scores of countries that had pledged or donated aidat the height of the disaster that their largesse had provided Americans"practical help and moral support" and "highlight the concrete benefitshurricane victims are receiving."
Many of the U.S. diplomats who received the message, however, were beginningto witness a more embarrassing reality. They knew the U.S. government wasturning down many allies' offers of manpower, supplies and expertise worthuntold millions of dollars. Eventually the United States also would fail tocollect most of the unprecedented outpouring of international cashassistance for Katrina's victims.
Allies offered $854 million in cash and in oil that was to be sold for cash.But only $40 million has been used so far for disaster victims orreconstruction, according to U.S. officials and contractors. Most of the aidwent uncollected, including $400 million worth of oil. Some offers werewithdrawn or redirected to private groups such as the Red Cross. The resthas been delayed by red tape and bureaucratic limits on how it can be spent.
In addition, valuable supplies and services -- such as cellphone systems,medicine and cruise ships -- were delayed or declined because the governmentcould not handle them. In some cases, supplies were wasted.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042702049.html
The Abandonment
How the Bush Administration Left Israelis and Palestinians to Their Fate
By Aaron David Miller
Sunday, April 29, 2007; B01
This is the tragedy of America's situation now in the Promised Land: Neverhas the Arab-Israeli issue been more critical to our national interests andto our security, yet rarely have we been so uniquely ill-positioned tomanage it -- let alone resolve it. In a post-9/11 era, the cause ofPalestine drives recruits to al-Qaeda and helps generate lethal levels ofanti-Americanism. But for almost seven years, the Bush administration hashung a "Closed for the Season" sign on serious Arab-Israeli diplomacy.Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's recent Middle East mission has shownthat the administration is now finally open for Arab-Israeli business. Butthe Rice initiative is almost certainly way too little, way too late.
Watching Rice these days, I have to believe that she knows this too, despiteher public optimism. Having worked for her six predecessors on Arab-Israelinegotiations, I think it's pretty clear that the odds against a dramaticbreakthrough are long, the time for the Bush administration is short, andthe gaps between Israelis and Palestinians are galactic. So Rice's belatedefforts face terribly long odds -- both because the region has changed toomuch and because the United States has sat on the sidelines for too long.
As one of the planners of the Camp David summit in July 2000, I'm painfullyaware that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's unwillingness to negotiate,Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's illusions about ending theIsraeli-Palestinian conflict on the cheap and President Bill Clinton'swell-intentioned but weak summit management doomed the last, best chance fora breakthrough. But if you think diplomacy doesn't work, try abandonment.Years of off-again, on-again Israeli-Palestinian confrontation and neglectfrom the Bush administration have reduced the chances of ending the conflictfrom slim to none.
Part of the problem is that the "software" of Israeli-Palestinian relationshas changed: The confidence, trust and problem-solving spirit of the 1990sOslo peace process have been replaced by unilateralism, fear, anger and aloss of faith in the power of negotiations to alter cruel realities on theground. But the hardware of the conflict has also changed during the Bushhiatus. Palestinian suicide terrorism, rockets and kidnappings have combinedwith Israeli closures, targeted killings and settlement growth to makecooperation excruciatingly difficult. The emblem of this deterioration isHamas, which has had the upper hand in Palestinian politics since winningelections in January 2006. The radical Islamic movement's entry intoPalestinian government -- without abandoning terrorism -- has produced asemblance of unity in Palestinian politics, but it has also guaranteedcontinued strife with Israel. Palestinians are buying peace at home at theprice of conflict next door.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042702027.html
Obama the Interventionist
By Robert KaganSunday,
April 29, 2007;
B07America must "lead the world in battling immediate evils and promoting heultimate good." With those words, Barack Obama put an end to the idea thatthe alleged overexuberant idealism and America-centric hubris of the pastsix years is about to give way to a new realism, a more limited and modestview of American interests, capabilities and responsibilities.
Obama's speech at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs last week was pureJohn Kennedy, without a trace of John Mearsheimer. It had a deliberate ewFrontier feel, including some Kennedy-era references ("we were Berliners")and even the Cold War-era notion that the United States is the "leader ofthe free world." No one speaks of the "free world" these days, and ama'sinsistence that we not "cede our claim of leadership in world affairs" willsound like an anachronistic conceit to many Europeans, who even in the 1990scomplained about the bullying "hyperpower."
In Moscow and Beijing it willconfirm suspicions about America's inherent hegemonism. But Obama believesthe world yearns to follow us, if only we restore our worthiness to lead.Personally, I like it.All right, you're thinking, but at least he wants us to lead by example, notby meddling everywhere and trying to transform the world in America's image.When he said, "We have heard much over the last six years about howAmerica's larger purpose in the world is to promote the spread of freedom,"you probably expected him to distance himself from this allegedlydiscredited idealism.
Instead, he said, "I agree." His critique is not that we've meddled too muchbut that we haven't meddled enough. There is more to building democracy than"deposing a dictator and setting up a ballot box." We must build societieswith "a strong legislature, an independent judiciary, the rule of law, avibrant civil society, a free press, and an honest police force." We mustbuild up "the capacity of the world's weakest states" and provide them "whatthey need to reduce poverty, build healthy and educated communities, evelopmarkets, . . . generate wealth . . . fight terrorism . . . halt heproliferation of deadly weapons" and fight disease.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042702054.html
The Honeymoon's Over for Bush and the Saudis
By Martin IndykSunday,
April 29, 2007;
B05What has happened to the love affair between Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and President Bush?
Two years ago, down on the Texas ranch, they werephotographed walking hand in hand. It was the beginning of a beautifulrelationship: Bush dropped his demand for democratization in the puritanicalkingdom, and Abdullah did his best to moderate oil prices.
The dowry was anew U.S. arms deal for the Saudis. A second honeymoon was scheduled for thismonth, when Bush planned to host Abdullah for his first state visit.So the White House was mightily perplexed when it was informed that theking's schedule didn't allow for a spring visit to Washington. Then, at anArab League summit in Riyadh last month, Abdullah denounced the U.S. war inIraq as an "illegitimate occupation." He also used the occasion to make upwith Bush's bete noire, Bashar al-Assad, the brash Syrian president who hadpreviously denounced the Saudi leader as "a dwarf."
What was going on? Simply put, the Bush administration had been listening tothe wrong Saudi. Keen for any signs of hope in the region as Iraq piraleddownward, Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other enior .S.officials had grasped at a grandiose regional game plan being pushed byPrince Bandar bin Sultan, formerly the Saudi ambassador in Washington andnow Abdullah's national security adviser. But Bandar wasn't calling theshots; Abdullah was, and he has a very different way of doing business.Last summer, Bandar came knocking on the White House door, selling a newstrategy for countering the threat from Iran, which had been made vivid whenthe radical Hezbollah militia, Iran's ally, triggered a full-scale war inLebanon and fought Israel to a standstill.
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The Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/851/story/89526.html
Posted on Sat, Apr. 28, 2007
Deliberate deceit in Pat Tillman's death
By XXXXXX
Below are excerpts from Kevin Tillman's testimony before the U.S.
HouseCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform on Tuesday.
Federal NewsService provided the transcript.
Two days ago marked the third anniversary of the death of my older brother,Pat Tillman at Sperah, Afghanistan. To our family and friends, it was adevastating loss. To the nation, it was a moment of disorientation. To themilitary, it was a nightmare. But to others who were in the government, itappears to have been an opportunity.A terrible tragedy that might have further undermined support for the war inIraq was transformed into an inspirational message that served instead tosupport the nation's foreign-policy wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
To furtherexploit Pat's death, he was awarded the Silver Star for Valor.The abridged version went like this: In the face of mortal danger, CorporalTillman illustrated that he would not fail his comrades. His actions are inkeeping with the highest standards of the United States Army. This was narrative that inspired countless Americans, as intended.
There was onesmall problem with the narrative, however: It was utter iction.Multiple investigations reveal a series of contradictions that tronglysuggest deliberate and careful misrepresentations. We appeal to hiscommittee because we believe this narrative was intended to deceive thefamily, but, more important, to deceive the American public.
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Telegraph.co.uk
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/29/npriests29.xml
Cartoon to tempt teenagers into priesthood
By Jonathan Wynne-Jones,
Sunday Telegraph 29/04/2007
Japanese manga cartoons have become amulti-billion pound global market, ommonlyassociated with martial arts warriors rather thanwith nuns and monks. But the Catholic Church inEngland and Wales is launching its own comicstrip this week to attract teenagers into the priesthood.It is using the comic book art form in anadvertising campaign that aims to combat thedramatic decline in the number of applicants forordination, and the resulting dearth of young priests.
The Church hopes that its manga comic, withpictures of nuns and monks playing pool andsurfing the internet, will help to improve theimage of the vocation, which leaders believe isseen as "monotonous and boring".The minimum age to enter a seminary is 18, butchildren as young as 10 are being targeted by therecruitment drive, which is encouraging them toconsider life as a parish priest or in a religious order.About 5,000 primary and secondary schools havebeen sent posters promoting a website thatfeatures a manga comic strip based on five young Catholic characters.
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Weekly Column: Anything But Straight
April 25, 2007
Judgment Day
To no fault of his own, John Edwards morphed into the "Breck Girl" in 2004during his nearly successful drive to get the Democratic presidentialnomination. The sliming of Edwards started when an anonymous Republicansource telegraphed to The New York Times how the Party planned to attack thesurging Senator from North Carolina.
The GOP used deceit to label Edwards effete, hoping the veiled homophobia would lead to his defeat.As John Kerry's struggling primary campaign headed south, his manager, JimJordan, stole a page from the GOP and started deriding Edwards as "the cuteBeatle." (If only Jordan had the good sense to called Bush the "dumb Beatle"Kerry might be President)
To exacerbate his image problem, a video recently began circulating onYouTube showing Edwards meticulously flipping his floppy hair to the tune of"I Feel Pretty." It has been viewed nearly 400,000 times - meaning he hasthe most famous mane since Fabio.So what did Edwards do...he hired a fancy Beverly Hills stylist to do his"do" to the tune of $400.Not only did this solidify his Breck Girl reputation, it upended hisimportant message that the growing gap between rich and poor is creating"two Americas." You know, the one America that goes to Super Cuts and theother that spends $400.Contact Ray's List for the full article.
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[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Democrats-2008.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print
April 29, 2007
Democrats Woo Voters With Bush Attacks
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 7:30 a.m. ET
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Wooing influential California Democrats, presidentialcontender Barack Obama vowed to ''turn the page on this Iraq disaster''while Hillary Rodham Clinton denounced President Bush's conduct of the waras ''one of the darkest blots on leadership we've ever had.''
California, long a major cash source for candidates of both parties, ispoised to become more influential in the electoral process as well, havingmoved its primary to next Feb. 5. As a result, the state Democratic eekendconvention was expected to attract all the party's major presidentialcontenders except Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, who was campaigning in SouthCarolina.
Saturday's program featured appearances by front-runners Clinton and Obama,as well as Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich.
Clinton unleashed an unusually personal critique of Bush, accusing hisadministration of ignoring scientific evidence about global warming and stemcell research and lying about the effects of toxic dust at the World TradeCenter site.
Her voice hoarse from days of campaigning, Clinton brought the 2,000delegates to their feet when she said she wished she could turn the clockback to a different time.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/27/us/politics/27repubs.html?pagewanted=print
April 27, 2007
Romney Says Rivals Changed Minds, Too
By MICHAEL COOPER
CHARLESTON, S.C., April 26 - Mitt Romney directly engaged two of hisbetter-known rivals for the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday,telling an interviewer that Senator John McCain and Rudolph W. Giuliani hadboth changed their positions on important issues over the years, just as hehad.
Mr. Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, has been criticized by someconservatives for changing his position on abortion and gay rights in recentyears as he prepared to run for president. On Thursday, he gave an interviewin New Hampshire in which he sought to deflect criticism on that front,telling The Associated Press that "everybody in this race that I know haschanged their mind on certain positions, and they've done so as they gainedmore experience."
He then went on to single out Mr. McCain and Mr. Giuliani, who have beenahead of him in recent opinion polls.
"Senator McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts," Mr. Romney told The A.P."Now he's for them. He was opposed to ethanol. Now he's for it. He said hewas opposed to overturning Roe v. Wade. Now he's for overturning Roe v.Wade."
"Mayor Giuliani has made a number of changes over his career, and there areplaces where I've made changes," Mr. Romney said in the interview.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042702145_pf.html
Muslim Woman Runs for Danish Parliament
By KARL RITTER
The Associated Press
Friday, April 27, 2007; 9:23 PM
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- A Muslim woman denounced and ridiculed bynationalists for wearing an Islamic head scarf announced Friday she wasrunning for Parliament _ a move bound to rekindle heated debate about Islamin Denmark.
The next election is not expected until 2009, but the mere thought of AsamaAbdol-Hamid entering the legislature has revived fears of clashing culturesthat emerged last year when Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad sparkedriots in Muslim countries.
Even mainstream politicians and party colleagues in the left-wing Red-GreenAlliance have questioned whether Abdol-Hamid, who moved to Denmark at age 6with her Palestinian family, shares the fundamental values of Danishsociety.
Besides covering her hair, the 25-year-old refuses to shake hands with men.Instead, she greets them by laying her right hand on her heart in Muslimtradition.
"I want another Denmark where we talk about the difference between groups,"she said at a news conference announcing her candidacy. "When we talk aboutvalues, (we need) to be open to whatever people are, Muslim or non-Muslim."
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/26/AR2007042602235_pf.html
Mexico Catholics to go to rights court on abortion
By Catherine Bremer
Reuters
Thursday, April 26, 2007; 8:23 PM
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A group of Catholic lawyers will complain to aninternational human rights court next week about the legalization ofabortion in Mexico City, a Roman Catholic Church spokesman said on Thursday.
The abortion law passed easily in the capital's leftist-controlled assemblyon Tuesday, angering many Catholics who see it as the latest shift away fromChristian values in the world's second-biggest Catholic country.
"The College of Catholic Lawyers, a secular association of believers, isgoing to start an international campaign to take this case to theInter-American Court of Human Rights ... to show the world the lack ofdemocracy in Mexico City," said Father Hugo Valdemar, spokesman for theArchdiocese of Mexico City.
The lawyers plan to take their complaint on Wednesday to the CostaRica-based rights court, an arm of the Organization of American States.
Valdemar said the abortion law goes against a clause in Mexico'sconstitution that says the state must defend human life "from conceptionuntil its natural end."
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The Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/331/v-print/story/88871.html
Posted on Sun, Apr. 29, 2007
Craigslist targeted in lawsuit
BY ROBERT J. BRUSS
The Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law, a group of 45law firms, filed this lawsuit against Craigslist, alleging violations of thefederal Fair Housing Act. Craigslist publishes notices and advertisementsfor housing, jobs and services on its websites, which are organized by city.
In a typical month, Craigslist posts more than 10 million items of''user-supplied information.'' These postings are increasing atapproximately 100 percent per year.
In the housing category, the Craigslist site allows third-party users topost and read notices for housing sale and rental opportunities. CLC allegesCraigslist publishes housing notices that indicate preference, limitation rdiscrimination on the prohibited basis of race, color, national origin, sex,religion or familial status.
Examples of notices CLC finds offensive and in violation of the FHA include:''No minorities''; ''Looking for gay Latino''; ''Requirements: clean, godly,Christian male''; ''Only Muslims need apply''; and ``Apartment too small forfamilies with small children.''
Notwithstanding FHA's broad scope, Craigslist argues the CLC complaint failsbecause of the immunity afforded to website operators by the federalCommunications Decency Act for third-party content. The CLC replied thatCongress did not intend to grant a vast, limitless immunity to websiteproviders such as Craigslist.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/25/AR2007042502948.html?referrer=email
U.N. Report on Human Rights in Iraq Draws U.S. Denunciation
By Joshua Partlow
Washington Post Foreign Service
Thursday, April 26, 2007; A22
BAGHDAD, April 25 -- A new human rights report by the United Nations missionin Iraq described high levels of ongoing violence, an unfair and potentiallyabusive detainee system and a country suffering a "breakdown in law andorder." The report upset the U.S. Embassy here, which characterized it asinaccurate and not credible.
The 30-page report by the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq, an appraisal ofhuman rights conditions from January through March, said the Iraqigovernment is up against "immense security challenges in the face of growingviolence and armed opposition to its authority and the rapidly worseninghumanitarian crisis."
For the first time, the United Nations did not include civilian death tolls,statistics that are usually provided to it by the Health Ministry and theMedico-Legal Institute in Baghdad. The data have become a key gauge of thelevel of violence in Iraq. In the last report, the United Nations said34,452 Iraqi civilians had died violently in 2006, a number that the Iraqigovernment later said was exaggerated.
The report said the Iraqi government told the United Nations "that it haddecided against providing the data, although no substantive explanation orjustification was provided."Two U.S. Embassy officials, who spoke oncondition of anonymity, convened a conference call with reporters tocriticize the report.
"There are numerous factual inaccuracies," one official said. The officialssaid they did not believe the Iraqi government was trying to withholdinformation but is attempting to consolidate the death toll figures intosome "verifiable system."
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The Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-cuomo28apr28,0,867348,print.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions
In 2008, Dems can't afford to play it safe
The party will have to do more than just recount GOP failures, says formerN.Y. Gov. Cuomo.
By Mario M. Cuomo
MARIO M. CUOMO was governor of New York from 1983 to 1995.
April 28, 2007
THE BUSH administration has demonstrated an appalling incompetence inhandling the machinery of government. It started a war under falsepretenses, produced a fragmented economy, revealed contemptible callousnessafter Hurricane Katrina and has shown a shocking disrespect for the Bill ofRights and the balance of powers that are the heart and soul of ourConstitution.
The administration's failures were so plentiful and so blatant that all theDemocrats needed to do to win control of Congress in the 2006 elections wasto recount them loudly.
The elections in 2008 will be a different matter. The burden of proof willbe on the Democrats. To hold on to control of Congress - and win thepresidency - Democratic candidates must detail what they propose to do andhow they propose to get it done, including how to pay for it. How do we dealwith our failing public schools, the looming insolvency of Social Security,the escalating costs of healthcare? Can we reverse our huge trade and budgetdeficits? What must we do to halt global warming? What do we do about 12million undocumented workers?
How will we know when it is safe to bring most of our troops back from Iraq?Who will stay behind and for what purpose? Who will rebuild Iraq, and whowill pay for the rebuilding? And how will we continue to fight the real waragainst terrorism in Afghanistan and beyond? As for Iran, should we increasesanctions, or negotiate, or seriously consider bombing?
It's hard to recall another time when we had so many vital issues before us.That makes it more regrettable that the leading Democratic presidentialcandidates are so far avoiding specifics.
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Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/04/28/support_low_bush_isolated_by_gop?mode=PF
Support low, Bush isolated by GOP
Many fear '08 a referendum on president
By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | April 28, 2007
WASHINGTON -- President Bush is entering a critical point in his presidencyas an increasingly isolated figure within the Republican Party: He hassuffered some high-profile defections from his inner circle, presidentialcandidates are rushing to distance themselves from his administration, andrank-and-file Republicans are expressing growing disillusionment with thescandals and mismanagement that have rocked the White House.
With 20 months left in office -- and his approval ratings mired below 40percent -- some of the president's former advisers are seeking to salvagetheir reputations by going public with their grievances. George J. Tenet,Bush's former CIA director, is the latest Bush loyalist to turn on thepresident, claiming in a book to be published Monday that Bush and VicePresident Dick Cheney rushed to war in Iraq without having a "seriousdebate" over whether the country posed an immediate threat to the UnitedStates.
The book comes just weeks after one of the president's former topstrategists, Matthew Dowd, broke publicly with Bush, in an expansiveinterview with The New York Times in which he portrayed the president as"secluded and bubbled in" and criticized him for refusing to work withDemocrats and continuing to support the Iraq war.
At the same time, the GOP is nervously eyeing a 2008 race that many in theparty fear will be a referendum on a widely unpopular presidency.
"The looming election has started to put the fear of God in the RepublicanParty," said Jeffrey Berry, a political science professor at TuftsUniversity. "George Bush has severely damaged the Republican Party in theshort run, and probably the intermediate term as well."
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/29/opinion/29sun2.html?pagewanted=print
April 29, 2007
Editorial
Strengthening Abortion Rights
On the heels of a major Supreme Court setback for women's reproductiverights, Gov. Eliot Spitzer has produced a sound proposal aimed at shoring upthose rights in New York State. His timely initiative, which would updatethe state's abortion laws and inoculate them as much as possible fromfederal anti-abortion edicts, should be acted on quickly by lawmakers inAlbany and emulated by other states.
New York's pioneering law legalizing abortion, which Gov. Nelson Rockefellersigned in 1970, predated Roe v. Wade by three years. The provisions liftingthe old abortion prohibition, and allowing abortion in many cases, are partof the state's homicide law, which is not the right place for them. Mr.Spitzer's updating would remove abortion from the criminal statutes andaffirmatively make it a matter of professional and medical discretion. Hisproposal would also repeal an outmoded statute, previously overturned by thecourts, that criminalizes providing nonprescription contraception to minors.
Beyond that cleanup, the proposed legislation would enshrine in state lawRoe's core protections, expressly protecting a woman's right to terminate apregnancy prior to fetal viability, and making clear that her life andhealth take precedence over the rights of the fetus throughout pregnancy.
Joseph Bruno, the Republican majority leader of the State Senate, hasindicated that he has no interest in moving forward with Mr. Spitzer'sproposal. But with Republican control of the Senate now whittled down tojust a few seats, blocking the abortion rights initiative carries realpolitical risks. It would not be surprising if Mr. Bruno developed a suddeninterest in the bill as legislative elections drew closer.
New York, like other states, lacks the authority to undo the Congressionalban on so-called partial birth abortion just upheld by the Supreme Court.That is regrettable, since the ban endangers women because of its lack ofany exception to protect a woman's health. The Spitzer bill cannot reversethe ruling. But it can put important protections in place in the event thatthe Supreme Court scales back federal abortion rights further, or evenrepeals Roe v. Wade entirely, handing the issue back to the states.
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The New York Times
http://select.nytimes.com/2007/04/29/opinion/29rich.html
All the President's Press
SOMEHOW it's hard to imagine David Halberstam yukking it up with AlbertoGonzales, Paul Wolfowitz and two discarded "American Idol" contestants atthe annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner.
Before there was a Woodward and Bernstein, there was Halberstam, still notyet 30 in the early 1960s, calling those in power to account for lying aboutour "progress" in Vietnam. He did so even though J.F.K. told the publisherof The Times, "I wish like hell that you'd get Halberstam out of there." Hedid so despite public ridicule from the dean of that era's Georgetownpunditocracy, the now forgotten columnist (and Vietnam War cheerleader)Joseph Alsop.
It was Alsop's spirit, not Halberstam's, that could be seen in C-Span's livebroadcast of the correspondents' dinner last Saturday, two days beforeHalberstam's death in a car crash in California. This fete is acrystallization of the press's failures in the post-9/11 era: it illustrateshow easily a propaganda-driven White House can enlist the Washington newsmedia in its shows. Such is literally the case at the annual dinner, wherejournalists serve as a supporting cast, but it has been figuratively trueyear-round.
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The New York Times
http://select.nytimes.com/2007/04/29/opinion/29kristof.html?pagewanted=print
April 29, 2007
Op-Ed Columnist
Diplomacy at Its Worst
By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
In May 2003, Iran sent a secret proposal to the U.S. for settling our mutualdisputes in a "grand bargain."
It is an astonishing document, for it tries to address a range of U.S.concerns about nuclear weapons, terrorism and Iraq. I've placed it andrelated documents (including multiple drafts of it) on my blog,www.nytimes.com/ontheground.
Hard-liners in the Bush administration killed discussions of a deal, andinterviews with key players suggest that was an appalling mistake. There wasa real hope for peace; now there is a real danger of war.
Scattered reports of the Iranian proposal have emerged previously, but ifyou read the full documentary record you'll see that what the hard-linerskilled wasn't just one faxed Iranian proposal but an entire peace process.The record indicates that officials from the repressive, duplicitousgovernment of Iran pursued peace more energetically and diplomatically thansenior Bush administration officials - which makes me ache for my country.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/28/AR2007042801113.html?hpid=topnews
Most Katrina Aid From Overseas Went Unclaimed
By John Solomon and Spencer S. Hsu
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, April 29, 2007; A01
As the winds and water of Hurricane Katrina were receding, presidentialconfidante Karen Hughes sent a cable from her State Department office toU.S. ambassadors worldwide.
Titled "Echo-Chamber Message" -- a public relations term for talking pointsdesigned to be repeated again and again -- the Sept. 7, 2005, directive wasunmistakable: Assure the scores of countries that had pledged or donated aidat the height of the disaster that their largesse had provided Americans"practical help and moral support" and "highlight the concrete benefitshurricane victims are receiving."
Many of the U.S. diplomats who received the message, however, were beginningto witness a more embarrassing reality. They knew the U.S. government wasturning down many allies' offers of manpower, supplies and expertise worthuntold millions of dollars. Eventually the United States also would fail tocollect most of the unprecedented outpouring of international cashassistance for Katrina's victims.
Allies offered $854 million in cash and in oil that was to be sold for cash.But only $40 million has been used so far for disaster victims orreconstruction, according to U.S. officials and contractors. Most of the aidwent uncollected, including $400 million worth of oil. Some offers werewithdrawn or redirected to private groups such as the Red Cross. The resthas been delayed by red tape and bureaucratic limits on how it can be spent.
In addition, valuable supplies and services -- such as cellphone systems,medicine and cruise ships -- were delayed or declined because the governmentcould not handle them. In some cases, supplies were wasted.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042702049.html
The Abandonment
How the Bush Administration Left Israelis and Palestinians to Their Fate
By Aaron David Miller
Sunday, April 29, 2007; B01
This is the tragedy of America's situation now in the Promised Land: Neverhas the Arab-Israeli issue been more critical to our national interests andto our security, yet rarely have we been so uniquely ill-positioned tomanage it -- let alone resolve it. In a post-9/11 era, the cause ofPalestine drives recruits to al-Qaeda and helps generate lethal levels ofanti-Americanism. But for almost seven years, the Bush administration hashung a "Closed for the Season" sign on serious Arab-Israeli diplomacy.Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's recent Middle East mission has shownthat the administration is now finally open for Arab-Israeli business. Butthe Rice initiative is almost certainly way too little, way too late.
Watching Rice these days, I have to believe that she knows this too, despiteher public optimism. Having worked for her six predecessors on Arab-Israelinegotiations, I think it's pretty clear that the odds against a dramaticbreakthrough are long, the time for the Bush administration is short, andthe gaps between Israelis and Palestinians are galactic. So Rice's belatedefforts face terribly long odds -- both because the region has changed toomuch and because the United States has sat on the sidelines for too long.
As one of the planners of the Camp David summit in July 2000, I'm painfullyaware that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's unwillingness to negotiate,Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's illusions about ending theIsraeli-Palestinian conflict on the cheap and President Bill Clinton'swell-intentioned but weak summit management doomed the last, best chance fora breakthrough. But if you think diplomacy doesn't work, try abandonment.Years of off-again, on-again Israeli-Palestinian confrontation and neglectfrom the Bush administration have reduced the chances of ending the conflictfrom slim to none.
Part of the problem is that the "software" of Israeli-Palestinian relationshas changed: The confidence, trust and problem-solving spirit of the 1990sOslo peace process have been replaced by unilateralism, fear, anger and aloss of faith in the power of negotiations to alter cruel realities on theground. But the hardware of the conflict has also changed during the Bushhiatus. Palestinian suicide terrorism, rockets and kidnappings have combinedwith Israeli closures, targeted killings and settlement growth to makecooperation excruciatingly difficult. The emblem of this deterioration isHamas, which has had the upper hand in Palestinian politics since winningelections in January 2006. The radical Islamic movement's entry intoPalestinian government -- without abandoning terrorism -- has produced asemblance of unity in Palestinian politics, but it has also guaranteedcontinued strife with Israel. Palestinians are buying peace at home at theprice of conflict next door.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042702027.html
Obama the Interventionist
By Robert KaganSunday,
April 29, 2007;
B07America must "lead the world in battling immediate evils and promoting heultimate good." With those words, Barack Obama put an end to the idea thatthe alleged overexuberant idealism and America-centric hubris of the pastsix years is about to give way to a new realism, a more limited and modestview of American interests, capabilities and responsibilities.
Obama's speech at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs last week was pureJohn Kennedy, without a trace of John Mearsheimer. It had a deliberate ewFrontier feel, including some Kennedy-era references ("we were Berliners")and even the Cold War-era notion that the United States is the "leader ofthe free world." No one speaks of the "free world" these days, and ama'sinsistence that we not "cede our claim of leadership in world affairs" willsound like an anachronistic conceit to many Europeans, who even in the 1990scomplained about the bullying "hyperpower."
In Moscow and Beijing it willconfirm suspicions about America's inherent hegemonism. But Obama believesthe world yearns to follow us, if only we restore our worthiness to lead.Personally, I like it.All right, you're thinking, but at least he wants us to lead by example, notby meddling everywhere and trying to transform the world in America's image.When he said, "We have heard much over the last six years about howAmerica's larger purpose in the world is to promote the spread of freedom,"you probably expected him to distance himself from this allegedlydiscredited idealism.
Instead, he said, "I agree." His critique is not that we've meddled too muchbut that we haven't meddled enough. There is more to building democracy than"deposing a dictator and setting up a ballot box." We must build societieswith "a strong legislature, an independent judiciary, the rule of law, avibrant civil society, a free press, and an honest police force." We mustbuild up "the capacity of the world's weakest states" and provide them "whatthey need to reduce poverty, build healthy and educated communities, evelopmarkets, . . . generate wealth . . . fight terrorism . . . halt heproliferation of deadly weapons" and fight disease.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042702054.html
The Honeymoon's Over for Bush and the Saudis
By Martin IndykSunday,
April 29, 2007;
B05What has happened to the love affair between Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and President Bush?
Two years ago, down on the Texas ranch, they werephotographed walking hand in hand. It was the beginning of a beautifulrelationship: Bush dropped his demand for democratization in the puritanicalkingdom, and Abdullah did his best to moderate oil prices.
The dowry was anew U.S. arms deal for the Saudis. A second honeymoon was scheduled for thismonth, when Bush planned to host Abdullah for his first state visit.So the White House was mightily perplexed when it was informed that theking's schedule didn't allow for a spring visit to Washington. Then, at anArab League summit in Riyadh last month, Abdullah denounced the U.S. war inIraq as an "illegitimate occupation." He also used the occasion to make upwith Bush's bete noire, Bashar al-Assad, the brash Syrian president who hadpreviously denounced the Saudi leader as "a dwarf."
What was going on? Simply put, the Bush administration had been listening tothe wrong Saudi. Keen for any signs of hope in the region as Iraq piraleddownward, Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other enior .S.officials had grasped at a grandiose regional game plan being pushed byPrince Bandar bin Sultan, formerly the Saudi ambassador in Washington andnow Abdullah's national security adviser. But Bandar wasn't calling theshots; Abdullah was, and he has a very different way of doing business.Last summer, Bandar came knocking on the White House door, selling a newstrategy for countering the threat from Iran, which had been made vivid whenthe radical Hezbollah militia, Iran's ally, triggered a full-scale war inLebanon and fought Israel to a standstill.
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The Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/851/story/89526.html
Posted on Sat, Apr. 28, 2007
Deliberate deceit in Pat Tillman's death
By XXXXXX
Below are excerpts from Kevin Tillman's testimony before the U.S.
HouseCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform on Tuesday.
Federal NewsService provided the transcript.
Two days ago marked the third anniversary of the death of my older brother,Pat Tillman at Sperah, Afghanistan. To our family and friends, it was adevastating loss. To the nation, it was a moment of disorientation. To themilitary, it was a nightmare. But to others who were in the government, itappears to have been an opportunity.A terrible tragedy that might have further undermined support for the war inIraq was transformed into an inspirational message that served instead tosupport the nation's foreign-policy wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
To furtherexploit Pat's death, he was awarded the Silver Star for Valor.The abridged version went like this: In the face of mortal danger, CorporalTillman illustrated that he would not fail his comrades. His actions are inkeeping with the highest standards of the United States Army. This was narrative that inspired countless Americans, as intended.
There was onesmall problem with the narrative, however: It was utter iction.Multiple investigations reveal a series of contradictions that tronglysuggest deliberate and careful misrepresentations. We appeal to hiscommittee because we believe this narrative was intended to deceive thefamily, but, more important, to deceive the American public.
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Telegraph.co.uk
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/29/npriests29.xml
Cartoon to tempt teenagers into priesthood
By Jonathan Wynne-Jones,
Sunday Telegraph 29/04/2007
Japanese manga cartoons have become amulti-billion pound global market, ommonlyassociated with martial arts warriors rather thanwith nuns and monks. But the Catholic Church inEngland and Wales is launching its own comicstrip this week to attract teenagers into the priesthood.It is using the comic book art form in anadvertising campaign that aims to combat thedramatic decline in the number of applicants forordination, and the resulting dearth of young priests.
The Church hopes that its manga comic, withpictures of nuns and monks playing pool andsurfing the internet, will help to improve theimage of the vocation, which leaders believe isseen as "monotonous and boring".The minimum age to enter a seminary is 18, butchildren as young as 10 are being targeted by therecruitment drive, which is encouraging them toconsider life as a parish priest or in a religious order.About 5,000 primary and secondary schools havebeen sent posters promoting a website thatfeatures a manga comic strip based on five young Catholic characters.
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Weekly Column: Anything But Straight
April 25, 2007
Judgment Day
To no fault of his own, John Edwards morphed into the "Breck Girl" in 2004during his nearly successful drive to get the Democratic presidentialnomination. The sliming of Edwards started when an anonymous Republicansource telegraphed to The New York Times how the Party planned to attack thesurging Senator from North Carolina.
The GOP used deceit to label Edwards effete, hoping the veiled homophobia would lead to his defeat.As John Kerry's struggling primary campaign headed south, his manager, JimJordan, stole a page from the GOP and started deriding Edwards as "the cuteBeatle." (If only Jordan had the good sense to called Bush the "dumb Beatle"Kerry might be President)
To exacerbate his image problem, a video recently began circulating onYouTube showing Edwards meticulously flipping his floppy hair to the tune of"I Feel Pretty." It has been viewed nearly 400,000 times - meaning he hasthe most famous mane since Fabio.So what did Edwards do...he hired a fancy Beverly Hills stylist to do his"do" to the tune of $400.Not only did this solidify his Breck Girl reputation, it upended hisimportant message that the growing gap between rich and poor is creating"two Americas." You know, the one America that goes to Super Cuts and theother that spends $400.Contact Ray's List for the full article.
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[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
FLORIDA DIGEST April 21, 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/2007/04/28/washington/28church.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1177845093-ofxzHHmKg77F/P4BeCegGA&pagewanted=print
April 28, 2007
Visit by Anglican Bishop Draws Episcopal Anger
By NEELA BANERJEE
WASHINGTON, April 27 -The Anglican archbishop of Nigeria, a fierce critic ofthe Episcopal Church for its acceptance of homosexuality, is arriving nextweek to install a bishop to lead congregations around the country that wantto break from it.
Episcopal leaders say the visit threatens to strain further the alreadyfragile relations between their church and the rest of the worldwideAnglican Communion. But Episcopal traditionalists say there is a growingdesire among them to break away. A decision by the Episcopal Church in 2003to consecrate an openly gay priest, V. Gene Robinson, as the bishop of NewHampshire profoundly alienated those theological traditionalists, and mostof the Anglican Communion overseas, who contend that the Bible condemnshomosexuality.
The Nigerian archbishop, Peter J. Akinola, will preside over a ceremony inVirginia on May 5 installing Martyn Minns, former rector of an Episcopalchurch there, as the bishop of the Convocation of Anglicans in NorthAmerica, an offshoot of the Nigerian church.
The convocation was created in part to oversee congregations that no longerwant to be in the Episcopal Church but would like to remain in the AnglicanCommunion.
Katharine Jefferts Schori, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church,said in a statement that Archbishop Akinola's acceptance of "an invitationto episcopal ministry here without any notice or prior invitation" was notin keeping with "the ancient practice in most of the church" that bishopsminister only within their own jurisdictions.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/28/us/28brfs-union.html?pagewanted=print
April 28, 2007
New Hampshire: Bishop Would Like a Civil Union
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Rev. V. Gene Robinson, the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop,said he and his partner want to be among the first couples in New Hampshireto unite officially under a civil unions measure soon to be signed into law.The state is set to become the nation's fourth to offer civil unions for gaycouples after legislation approved by the Senate was sent to Gov. JohnLynch, who has said he will sign it. "I think this moves us one step closerto the American promise to all its citizens of equality under the law," Mr.Robinson, 59, told The Associated Press. "My partner and I look forward totaking full advantage of the new law." Mr. Robinson and his partner, MarkAndrew, have been together for 18 years.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/28/nyregion/28spitzer.html?pagewanted=print
April 28, 2007
Keeping His Word, Spitzer Asks for Same-Sex-Marriage Law
By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE
ALBANY, April 27 - Gov. Eliot Spitzer proposed legislation on Friday thatwould make New York the second state in the country to legally sanctionsame-sex marriage, fulfilling a longtime pledge to supporters of gay rights.
Mr. Spitzer has acknowledged that he does not expect the bill to pass theState Legislature and return to his desk anytime soon. Earlier this week, hesaid that he would submit the proposal anyway, "because it's a statement ofprinciple that I believe in, and I want to begin that dynamic."
Only Massachusetts currently allows same-sex marriages, a result of a 2004court decision. Many states have taken steps to ban such unions throughlegislation or ballot initiatives, but Mr. Spitzer is the country's onlygovernor to propose legislation to formally legalize such marriages.
Whether or not the bill passes in these final weeks of the legislativesession, Mr. Spitzer's proposal is likely to make same-sex marriage a liveissue in Albany in a way that it never was before.
Many members of the State Legislature have never taken a position on theissue, something that will be harder to avoid doing with the governor's billnow a reality. So it was no surprise that the proposal immediately reignitedwhat has been an emotional and bitter debate.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042702064_pf.html
The Right to Work
Congress must protect gay men and lesbians from workplace discrimination.
Saturday, April 28, 2007; A18
HOW ARE 17 states, 276 cities and towns (including the District of Columbia)and 433 companies of the Fortune 500 more advanced -- daresay, morecivilized -- than the federal government? They all prohibit employmentdiscrimination based on sexual orientation. It's about time Congress allowedthe nation to catch up -- and maybe it will, now that the EmploymentNon-Discrimination Act has been reintroduced in the House.
No one should lose a job or be refused a promotion simply for being who heor she is. That's the animating principle of ENDA, which would make itillegal to fire, refuse to hire or refuse to promote an employee because ofthe person's real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Thelegislation applies to the same employers covered under Title VII of the1964 Civil Rights Act: private employers with 15 or more employees; local,state and federal governments; and labor unions and employment agencies.
ENDA doesn't mandate domestic-partner benefits for same-sex couples. Itdoesn't compel religious institutions to violate their beliefs. And itdoesn't do an end-run around the military's onerous "don't ask, don't tell"policy. But right now in 33 states, if a company wants not to hire you justbecause you're gay, it's free to discriminate. ENDA would change that.The bill is sponsored by Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Rep. Deborah Pryce(R-Ohio). A Senate version of the bill is expected to be introduced nextmonth, with votes in both chambers expected in the fall.
Passage of these bills would put the federal government on the same side asthe American people, whose support for equal employment opportunities forgay men and lesbians jumped from 56 percent in 1977 to 89 percent in 2006,according to the Gallup Organization. This should come as no surprise. Theright to work -- to make a living and provide for one's family and one's ownwell being -- is among the most basic of American rights. It's a matter offairness, and it should no longer be off-limits to gay men and lesbians.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042701899_pf.html
Conservative Black Pastors Fight Bill on Hate Crimes
At Issue Are Sermons Against Homosexuality
By Hamil R. Harris
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, April 28, 2007; B09
A coalition of conservative African American pastors is lobbying Congress tovote against a bill that would extend federal hate-crimes laws to covergays, saying they fear it would prevent them from preaching againsthomosexuality.
Several pastors last week urged House Judiciary Committee Chairman JohnConyers Jr. (D-Mich.), a sponsor of the bill, and other members of theCongressional Black Caucus to vote against the proposed Local LawEnforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
They say it would pin the hate crime label on their sermons againsthomosexuality, which they consider a sin.
"This bill will offer a status for gays, lesbians and transgender peopleunder the equal protection status that can muzzle the black church," saidBishop Harry R. Jackson Jr., pastor of Hope Christian Church in Lanham andfounder of the High Impact Leader Coalition. "This law can be applied in theway that can keep the church from preaching the Gospel."
Gay activists compare the bill to civil rights legislation of the 1960s.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042701671_pf.html
New York governor proposes legalizing gay marriage
By Holly McKenna
Reuters
Friday, April 27, 2007; 5:01 PM
ALBANY, New York (Reuters) - New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer proposed legalizingsame-sex marriage on Friday even though he expects the bill to be rejectedby the legislature.
The bill faces opposition from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers wholikely will prevent New York from becoming the second state afterMassachusetts to recognize marriage of gay and lesbian couples.Spitzer's bill fulfills a campaign pledge to press for equal marriage rightsfor same-sex couples, a spokeswoman said.
The governor had said on Monday he did not think it would be passed but thathe would submit the proposal as a "statement of principle."
The legislation would offer same-sex couples the same legal protectionstaken for granted by married people in areas such as property ownership,inheritance, hospital visitation and pension benefits, Spitzer, a Democrat,said in a statement.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/26/AR2007042601446_pf.html
Polish PM: More Gays Bad for Society
By RYAN LUCAS
The Associated Press
Thursday, April 26, 2007; 3:32 PM
WARSAW, Poland -- Poland's conservative prime minister rejected EuropeanUnion criticism Thursday of a proposal to fire teachers for "homosexualpropaganda," saying it was not in the interest of society to have more gaypeople.
Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said homosexuals did not facediscrimination in his country, responding to an EU parliament vote to send amission to Poland to investigate recent anti-gay comments by seniorofficials.
"Nobody is limiting gay rights in Poland," Kaczynski told reporters hoursafter the vote.
"However, if we're talking about not having homosexual propaganda in Polishschools, I fully agree with those who feel this way," he said. "Suchpropaganda should not be in schools; it definitely doesn't serve youthwell."
"It's not in the interest of any society to increase the number ofhomosexuals _ that's obvious."
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ABC News
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=3077493
O'Donnell Leaving 'The View'
Rosie O'Donnell Announced Today Her Departure From 'The View'
By MONICA NISTA
April 25, 2007 -
ABC has been unable to come to a contractual agreement with Rosie O'Donnell.As a result, her hosting duties on "The View" will come to an end mid-June.
"They wanted me three years, I wanted one year, and it just didn't work,"said O'Donnell on today's show.
Despite controversy -- or maybe because of it -- O'Donnell was good businessfor ABC, owned by the Walt Disney Co. Ratings for "The View" during Februarysweeps were up 15 percent in key women demographics over the same time in2006.
Those fans don't have to worry -- she will still be on the show in smallerdoses.
"I'm not going away. I'm just not going to be here every day," addedO'Donnell.
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The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/obituaries/sfl-oreill26aprapr28,0,2094147,print.story
ROSIE QUITS `THE VIEW'
No one on TV alienated more Americans
by Bill O'Reilly
April 28, 2007
Three weeks ago, I wrapped up my column by stating: "Launching personalattacks on Donald Trump is one thing. Accusing your country of trumping up9-11 and committing war crimes is quite something else. Rosie O'Donnell hascast her fate to an ill wind. Nothing good will come of it."
That piece of prognostication was easy, and when Rosie announced her exitfrom ABC this week, it was no surprise. As Ms. O'Donnell became increasinglyunhinged on television and in public appearances, the Disney Company, whichowns ABC, found itself in an impossible position. Disney has one of the mostendearing images in corporate America, and one employee was ransacking thatimage. Anyone who knows anything about the corporate culture knew theiceberg collision was looming ever closer.
The ship really began listing after Ms. O'Donnell appeared at a chi-chiwomen's award luncheon and launched into an obscene tirade against Trump.Scores of corporate power brokers witnessed the embarrassing display, as didsome teenaged girls who were receiving college scholarships from the "Womenin Communications" group. Despite strenuous spinning by Rosie's handlers,Disney realized that not even Peter Pan could fix this one.
The amazing thing is Ms. O'Donnell lasted so long. Never in the history ofAmerican television has one performer alienated so many people. Rosiecompared "radical" Christians to Muslim terrorists. Rosie announced noAmerican Catholic should be allowed to be a judge because of the church'scondemnation of abortion. She accused President Bush of committing treason.The hits just kept on coming.
For those of us in the television industry, it was fascinating to watch.While Don Imus was figuratively burned at the stake, and Ann Coulter exiledfrom polite society for using a gay slur, Rosie kept rolling right alongwith Fortune 500 companies paying her way.
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The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-school-newspaper-flap,1,3686377,print.story?ctrack=2&cset=true
Teacher in Paper Flap Can Still Teach
By Associated Press
April 26, 2007, 10:52 PM EDT
WOODBURN, Ind. -- A high school teacher who faced losing her job after astudent newspaper published an editorial advocating tolerance of gays cancontinue teaching at another school.
Amy Sorrell, 30, reached an agreement that allows her to be transferred toanother high school to teach English, said her attorney, Patrick Proctor.
"The school administration has said in no uncertain terms that she's notgoing to be given a journalism position," Proctor said.
Sorrell, who had been an English and journalism instructor at WoodlanJunior-Senior High School, was placed on paid leave March 19, two monthsafter an editorial advocating tolerance of homosexuals ran in Woodlan'sstudent newspaper, The Tomahawk. Sorrell had been the newspaper's adviser.
School officials in the conservative northern Indiana community about 10miles east of Fort Wayne said Sorrell did not comply with an agreement toalert the principal about controversial articles.
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The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-transsexual-sports-writer,1,4554674.story?ctrack=3&cset=true
Sports Columnist: 'I Am a Transsexual'
By Associated Press
Posted April 26 2007, 7:52 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES -- A veteran sports writer for the Los Angeles Times said in hiscolumn Thursday that he is a transsexual.
Mike Penner told readers of his struggle to embrace his gender, and saidwhen he returns from vacation in a few weeks he will be known as ChristineDaniels. He did not say whether he was having surgery or why he's changinghis last name.
The 49-year-old Penner said his brain has been "wired female" and he's triedto fight off the urge to change sexes. He called writing a story about hissexuality the "most frightening of all the towering mountains of fear Isomehow had to confront and struggle to scale."
"How do you go about sharing your most important truth, one you spent alifetime trying to keep deeply buried, to a world that has grown familiarand comfortable with your facade?" Penner asked.
Penner, who is married to another Los Angeles Times writer, said he startedcoming out about two months ago by telling his boss, his barber and a soccerteammate, and that he now feels happier and healthier.
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The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-a-global-faith,1,7491038,print.story
Boom in Christianity Reshapes Methodists
By RACHEL ZOLL
AP Religion Writer
April 24, 2007, 2:33 PM EDT
The United Methodist Church is the latest Protestant group caught in theshifting currents of world Christianity. While the American denomination isshrinking at home, its congregations in the developing world are growingexplosively.
Over the last decade, the number of United Methodists outside the U.S. morethan tripled. The denomination's largest district is now in the West Africannation of Ivory Coast. At the next national church assembly, the 2008General Conference in Texas, overseas delegates will have more say than everin the church's future -- as many as 30 percent could come from abroad.
"Trends suggest that Christianity is going to continue to grow as a globalphenomenon, and denominations that have thought of themselves as beingpredominantly North American in character are going to have to get overthat," said William Lawrence, dean of the Perkins School of Theology, aMethodist seminary in Dallas.
Nearly 8 million United Methodists are now in the U.S., with another 3.5million church members overseas. The denomination is the third-largest inthe nation behind Roman Catholics and Southern Baptists, and middle-classworshippers mostly fill the pews of its American churches.
But if current patterns continue, within decades the typical UnitedMethodist will be from Africa. While international congregations expand, thedenomination's U.S. ranks have decreased by 19 percent since the 1970s.
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The Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/775/v-print/story/89994.html
Posted on Sat, Apr. 28, 2007
Center for Reclaiming America for Christ is shuttered
The Center for Reclaiming America for Christ, founded more than a decade agoto propagate a largely anti-abortion, anti-gay message, has closed itsdoors.
The offshoot of Coral Ridge Ministries laid off an undisclosed number ofworkers Thursday at its headquarters here and at an office in Washington inwhat was called simply a "streamlining."
"We're getting back to our core competency, the production of media," saidBrian Fisher, executive vice president at Coral Ridge, which was founded bythe Rev. D. James Kennedy. "Our heart and soul is the teaching of Dr.Kennedy, and getting it to more people than those who come to church."
Kennedy has been absent from the public view since suffering a heart attackin December. He founded the Center for Reclaiming America in 1996. It haslaunched e-mail and petition drives for its causes and hosts an annualconference that attracted conservatives such as Ann Coulter.
Fisher wouldn't say how many people were laid off but said Coral RidgeMinistries, which produces TV and radio programs and publishes books, stillhas more than 120 employees. A spokesman said Coral Ridge had a budget of$37 million in 2005.
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The Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=12552
Judge in McGreevey divorce says being gay 'is not significant'
Temporary joint custody arrangement to continue for now
ELIZABETH, N.J. (AP) | Apr 27, 5:19 PM
A state judge handling the divorce of the nation's first openly gay governorand his estranged wife on Friday urged them to use "common sense" and trymediation as they dissolve their marriage.
The courtroom session with former Gov. James E. McGreevey and his wife, DinaMatos McGreevey, was their first public appearance together since he toldthe world he was "a gay American" more than two years ago.
After meeting privately with their lawyers regarding custody issues andother motions in the couple's contentious divorce case, Superior Court JudgeKaren Cassidy convened court and said that the former governor's sexualorientation is not significant.
She said the couple agreed that the current visitation arrangements wouldcontinue for now. The McGreeveys have joint custody of their only child,5-year-old Jacqueline, with Dina Matos McGreevey as the primary parent. Thechild visits her father every other weekend.
The judge also said the couple agreed to obtain a parenting coordinator, andthat the girl would not be permitted to sleep in the same bed with someoneother than her mother or father. The judge also told them to not exposetheir daughter to non-age appropriate activities.
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Mail & Guardian
http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__africa/&articleid=306098
Life slowly gets easier for gay people in Kenya
Majority of US syphilis cases are now in gay men
Michael Carter, Friday, April 27, 2007
Almost two-thirds of syphilis cases in the United States in 2003 were in gaymen and other men who have sex with men, according to a study published inthe June edition of the American Journal of Public Health. A fall in theincidence of syphilis of over 50% amongst heterosexual men and women between2000 and 2003 was more than offset by a significant increase in theincidence of the infection amongst men who have sex with men.
Syphilis causes genital ulcers and can facilitate the transmission andacquisition of HIV infection. It can also act as a marker for risky sexualactivity, although the infection can be readily transmitted during sexualactivities, such as oral sex, which do not involve a significant risk of HIVtransmission.
During the 1980s, there was a 54% increase in the incidence of primary andsecondary syphilis in the United States, with African-Americansdisproportionately affected by the disease. It is thought that the increasein syphilis during the 1980s was tied to the increasing use of crack cocaineand prostitution by some users to fund their habit. By the mid-1990s,however, the incidence of syphilis in the US had fallen sharply, and in 1999a national syphilis elimination plan was published.
This trend has since reversed, with an increase in every year since 2001 inthe incidence of primary and secondary syphilis. The US is not alone inexperiencing a re-emergence of the infection, with outbreaks of syphilisreported across the UK and Europe, often focused on gay men, since the late1990s.
Investigators therefore used data provided from each of the US states and 63large American cities to analyse trends in syphilis from 1990 to 2003. Theypaid particular attention to the re-emergence of the infection amongst gaymen since the late 1990s.
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Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2007/04/25/episcopal_leader_holds_firm_on_gay_rights?mode=PF
Episcopal leader holds firm on gay rights
Says N.H. bishop's election a blessing
By Michael Paulson, Globe Staff | April 25, 2007
Saying "I don't believe that there is any will in this church to movebackward," the top official of the Episcopal Church USA said yesterday thatthe election of an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire has been "a greatblessing" despite triggering intense controversy and talk of possibleschism.
In an interview during a visit to Boston, Presiding Bishop KatharineJefferts Schori compared the gay rights struggle to battles over slavery andwomen's rights, and said she believes that it has become a vocation for theEpiscopal Church "to keep questions of human sexuality in conversation, andbefore not just the rest of our own church, but the rest of the world."
Jefferts Schori said that it could take 50 years for the debate overhomosexuality to be resolved, but that she believes it will happen. She saidshe hopes that the Anglican Communion, an umbrella organization includingthe Episcopal Church and the Church of England, will stay together.
"Where the protesters are, in some parts of Africa or in other parts of theAnglican Communion today, is where this church and this society we live inwas 50 years ago, and for us to assume that people can move that distance ina year or in a relatively instantaneous manner is perhaps faithless," shesaid. "That kind of movement and development has taken us a good deal ofpain and energy over 40 or 50 years, and I think we have to make some spaceso that others can make that journey as well."
Jefferts Schori, a 53-year-old oceanographer who was ordained an Episcopalpriest just 13 years ago, has been attempting to guide the 2.4 millionmember Episcopal Church through controversy since she was elected the 26thpresiding bishop last summer, three years after the Episcopal Diocese of NewHampshire triggered the controversy by choosing the Rev. V. Gene Robinson,an openly gay man in a long-term partnered relationship, as its next bishop.
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National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/content/view/506/173/
Thursday, 26 April 2007 13:00
Iowa Becomes 10th State to Pass Transgender-Inclusive Nondiscrimination Law
All Iowa Residents and Now Over One-Third of the U.S. Covered byTransgender-Inclusive Anti-Discrimination Protections. Iowa Becomes TenthState to Pass Trans-Inclusive Nondiscrimination Legislation; Bill ClearsLegislature, Awaits Governor's Signature.
(Washington, DC) -- Today Iowa made a historic stride forward in protectingthe civil rights of transgender people. With bipartisan support, Iowa'sHouse of Representatives voted 59-37 to approve a bill outlawingdiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. TheIowa Senate affirmed their desire to see this bill become law with aconcurrence vote of 34-16. "The National Center for Transgender Equalitycongratulates advocates in Iowa who helped the Hawkeye state become thetenth state to pass a law that explicitly protects transgender people fromdiscrimination," said Mara Keisling, executive director of NCTE.
"This legislation represents a huge civil rights victory for Iowa'stransgender communities, but we must continue to fight for explicitlytransgender-inclusive protections on the federal level so people nationwidecan access opportunities for employment, housing, and public accommodationswithout fear of discriminatory practices."
Governor Culver is expected to sign the bill into law thus making it illegalto discriminate in employment, public accommodation, credit, housing andeducation based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Recognizing the need to curb rampant discrimination against transgenderpeople, now ten states, the District of Columbia and 80+ cities and countiesacross the country have passed explicitly transgender-inclusiveanti-discrimination laws. These laws currently cover over one-third of theUS population.
About the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE): The NationalCenter for Transgender Equality is a national social justice organizationdevoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender peoplethrough education and advocacy on national issues of importance totransgender people. The National Center for Transgender Equality is a501(c)3 organization. For more information, please visit www.nctequality.org
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Gay Russia
http://www.gayrussia.ru/en/news/detail.php?ID=9068
04/26/2007 18:53:29
Russia: Gays Prepare for More Than Their Fight
Moscow will have its second gay pride festival on 26-27 May
Overseas gay leaders, mainly from the United States, Britain, theNetherlands, Germany, France and Italy, have expressed their overwhelmingsupport and solidarity for their Russian colleagues in the uphill strugglefor rights.
A British human rights campaigner declared that it's laughable for Russianauthorities to consider a peaceful and joyful association of gay members asa serious threat to national security and to be treated as an extremistgroup in a country pursuing democracy and seeking ascension untointernational institutions.
"The violent suppression of gay groups is an ugly day for all Russians whoadhere to democratic norms and who treasure liberty and justice. Democracyand human rights are the losers, and this simply signifies another case ofRussia's appalling human rights record, a British human rights campaignerfor the gay group OutRage Peter Tachell told IPS this week. "If a fewpeaceful gay protesters can be treated as enemies of the state, then thelikelihood that Russia will tolerate dissent from any other quarters lookshighly improbable."
President Putin and Luzhkov are stifling basic rights of ordinary people andtheir social groups which are highly non-political, confirming authoritarianregime in the country. Russia's christian, judaism and muslim leaders areunited in demanding the suppression of "Moscow Gay Pride." Theirencouragement of homophobic prejudice makes a mockery of their pious claimsthat their faith is about love and compassion. The Moscow Pride marcherswere the victims of state repression on May 27 last year. They were not thefirst victims of Russia's reemerging authoritarian state, and who will benext? This ought to be an issue of concern for all Russians, whatever theirsexuality.
Many shared the same views with Tachell that Moscow mayor, Yury Luhzkov, byputting restriction on "Moscow Gay Pride" violates the Russian constitutionand the European Convention on Human Rights, both of which guarantees theright to peaceful protest.
Following last year's ban, the peaceful march organiser, Nikolay Alekseyev,has filed an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. Despite thefrequent clampdown on the group, still Alekseyev sees the gay rights battleas part of the wider struggle for Russian democracy and human rights.Foreign colleagues say he is a very brave and inspiring man.
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National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/content/view/503/173/
Thousands to Converge On Miami and the Beaches
Wednesday, 25 April 2007 16:56
Thousands to Converge On Miamiand the Beaches for 7th Annual Aqua Girl
Nation's Largest Women's Fundraiser
Benefits Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Women
May 10 - May 13 is expected to attract thousands of women from all over theworld, converging on Miami / Miami Beach for five fun-filled days of music,dancing, dining, comedy, kayaking and friendship - as only women can do!
Now in its seventh year, Aqua Girl has evolved to be ranked among the mostwidely attended events for women and is the nation's largest non-profitwomen's weekend. One hundred percent of the proceeds from Aqua Girl benefitsthe Aqua Foundation for Women (previously the Women's Community Fund), anot-for-profit 501(C)3 organization, which also produces the event. TheFoundation's primary mission is to promote the equality, strength, healthand visibility of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) women.
Aqua Girl '07 events take place at some of the hottest nightclubs,restaurants and venues in the Miami area, with an A-List roster ofentertainment, including DJs Shannon, Pride, Nena, Dez Rock, Kimberly S andAlyson Calagna. Culinary delights abound, with a dinner party at Pearl onMiami Beach and a Jazz Brunch at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens.
Prior to the five-day whirlwind of events, the Miami Gay & Lesbian FilmFestival is co-sponsoring a special Aqua Girl screening of the campy film,Itty, Bitty, Titty Committee at the Colony Theatre on Miami Beach. Followingthe film, attendees will head over to The Space in Miami's trendy WynwoodArts District, for cocktails and an array of culinary delights fromcelebrity chefs. Celebrity hosts include actress Nicole Vicius, fameddirector Jamie Babbit (L Word, Ugly Betty, But I'm A Cheerleader) andproducer Andrea Sperling.
Laughter is universal, and Aqua Girl's "Night of Comedy" at the ColonyTheatre on Saturday, May 12 promises an evening of non-stop laughs withveteran comedian René Hicks. One of America's favorite lesbian comedians,René has performed her intelligent and universally appealing humor incountless clubs across the US and internationally, resulting in her havingbeen the first African-American woman nominated for an American Comedy Awardfor "Best Female Stand-Up." She has appeared on numerous television shows,including her own half hour special - Comedy Central Presents...René Hicks,as well as ABC's Politically Incorrect, Showtime's Full Frontal Comedy andNBC's Comedy Showcas" with Louie Anderson. She also has appeared at famedNevada hotels including Harrah's, Bally's, and MGM Grand.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004473.cfm
Indianapolis Billboards Claim the Bible Affirms Homosexuality
Signs are sponsored by gay-affirming church.
from staff reports, Citizen Link, 4-25-2007
A pro-gay billboard campaign in Indiana attempts to use the Bible as a basisfor supporting homosexuality.
The 22 signs in Indianapolis are sponsored by Jesus Metropolitan CommunityChurch and Faith in America. Pastor Jeff Miner described one of thebillboards that proclaims, "Ruth Loved Naomi as Adam Loved Eve."
"Most people probably have no idea that the Bible does contain a number ofpowerfully affirming passages toward gay people," he told Family News inFocus.
Another billboard recasts the story of the Roman centurion who asked Jesusto heal his servant and claims "Jesus Affirmed a Gay Couple."
"The (Greek) word that the Roman centurion uses to describe this sick personis 'pais,' " Miner said, "which is precisely the word that was used inancient Greek to refer to one's same-sex partner."
Joe Dallas, author of The Gay Gospel, a book debunking such twisting ofScripture, took issue with the claims.
"You really have to do mental gymnastics to do this," he said.
Dallas explained there's nothing in the Bible that suggests the relationshipbetween Ruth and Naomi was anything other than a deep friendship. And Greeklexicons render the word "pais" as simply a servant or a child, not asame-sex partner.
"It shows a certain mindset," Dallas said, "when someone cannot read abouttwo people loving each other without assuming that the love was sexual."
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55413
WorldNet Daily
BRAVE NEW SCHOOLS
Ban on 'mom' and 'dad' considered - again
California agenda would require K-12 'gay' indoctrination
By Bob Unruh, Friday, April 27, 2007
A plan that has been launched in the California state Assembly - again -could be used to ban references to "mom" and "dad" in public schoolsstatewide by prohibiting anything that would "reflect adversely" on thehomosexual lifestyle choice.
It's similar to a plan WND reported was approved by lawmakers last year, butfell by the wayside when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed it.
"SB 777 forcibly thrusts young school children into dealing with sexualissues, requiring that homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality betaught in a favorable light," according to an alert issued by the CapitolResource Institute.
"Not only does SB 777 require that classroom instruction and materialspromote and embrace controversial sexual practices, it also bansschool-sponsored activities from 'reflecting adversely' on homosexuals,bisexuals and transsexuals," the group said.
"Pushing this radical homosexual agenda in California schools will stiflethe truth in favor of political correctness and will inevitably conflictwith the religious and moral convictions of both students and parents," saidCRI Executive Director Karen England. "The full ramifications of thissweeping legislation could affect the entire nation as most textbookcompanies tailor their material to their number one purchaser: California."
She noted that Los Angeles schools already have implemented most of theproposals now pending for districts across the state, and among the changesare:
"Mom" and "dad" and "husband" and "wife" would have to be edited from alltexts.
Cheerleading and sports teams would have to be gender-neutral.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Human Rights Activists To Defy
Eastern European Mayor's Ban On Public Assembly
Moldova's First-Ever Pride March Set for Sunday, April 29;
International Solidarity Vigils To Be Held Simultaneously
New York City--Human rights activists from the Netherlands, Sweden, Romania,the Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Canada and the United States willjoin local Pride organizers in the Eastern European nation of Moldova thisweekend to protest the Mayor of Chisinau's refusal to adhere to a SupremeCourt mandate granting the rights of public assembly and equal protectionunder the law to LGBT citizens.
Caught up in the lightning-like speed of social and political transformationsweeping through nations wanting to join the European Union, the MoldovanSupreme Court ruled late last year that the repeated denial of the right toassemble, the right to free speech and the right to peaceful protest forMoldova's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens was both"unconstitutional" and "unjustifiable." Legal protections for marginalizedgroups, including LGBT people, is a requirement to join the European Union.
In a face-off with the Mayor and City Council of Moldova's capital city ofChisinau, human rights activists including Boris Balanetkii, ExecutiveDirector of GenderDoc-M, Moldova's first gay rights organization, and TheRev. Diane Fisher, Bishop for the Eastern European Region of MetropolitanCommunity Churches, have called for demonstrations at government sites inthe capital city on Friday, April 27, 2007. The demonstrations will demandthe issuance of parade permits for Moldova's first-ever Gay Pride Marchscheduled for Sunday, April 29.
Demonstrators are facing the threat of arrest and imprisonment by civilauthorities at both Friday's demonstration and Sunday's scheduled PrideMarch, as well as public threats of violence.
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
All Iowa Residents and Now Over One-Third of the U.S. Covered byTransgender-Inclusive Anti-Discrimination Protections
Iowa Becomes Tenth State to Pass Trans-Inclusive NondiscriminationLegislation; Bill Clears Legislature, Awaits Governor's Signature
(Washington, DC) -- Today Iowa made a historic stride forward in protectingthe civil rights of transgender people. With bipartisan support, Iowa'sHouse of Representatives voted 59-37 to approve a bill outlawingdiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. TheIowa Senate affirmed their desire to see this bill become law with aconcurrence vote of 34-16.
"The National Center for Transgender Equality congratulates advocates inIowa who helped the Hawkeye state become the tenth state to pass a law thatexplicitly protects transgender people from discrimination," said MaraKeisling, executive director of NCTE. "This legislation represents a hugecivil rights victory for Iowa's transgender communities, but we mustcontinue to fight for explicitly transgender-inclusive protections on thefederal level so people nationwide can access opportunities for employment,housing, and public accommodations without fear of discriminatorypractices."
Governor Culver is expected to sign the bill into law thus making it illegalto discriminate in employment, public accommodation, credit, housing andeducation based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Recognizing the need to curb rampant discrimination against transgenderpeople, now ten states, the District of Columbia and 80+ cities and countiesacross the country have passed explicitly transgender-inclusiveanti-discrimination laws. These laws currently cover over one-third of theUS population.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Russia: Gays Prepare for More Than Their Fight
04/26/2007 18:53:29
http://www.gayrussia.ru/en/news/detail.php?ID=9068
Russia: Gays Prepare for More Than Their Fight
Moscow will have its second gay pride festival on 26-27 May
Overseas gay leaders, mainly from the United States, Britain, theNetherlands, Germany, France and Italy, have expressed their overwhelmingsupport and solidarity for their Russian colleagues in the uphill strugglefor rights. A British human rights campaigner declared that it's laughablefor Russian authorities to consider a peaceful and joyful association of gaymembers as a serious threat to national security and to be treated as anextremist group in a country pursuing democracy and seeking ascension untointernational institutions.
"The violent suppression of gay groups is an ugly day for all Russians whoadhere to democratic norms and who treasure liberty and justice. Democracyand human rights are the losers, and this simply signifies another case ofRussia's appalling human rights record, a British human rights campaignerfor the gay group OutRage Peter Tachell told IPS this week. "If a fewpeaceful gay protesters can be treated as enemies of the state, then thelikelihood that Russia will tolerate dissent from any other quarters lookshighly improbable."
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Book: "Criminal HIV Transmission"
http://uk.gay.com/headlines/11446
A ground-breaking new medico-legal book on the criminal transmission of HIVhas been published by NAM, the HIV information charity. 'Criminal HIVTransmission' contains all the medical, clinical, social, epidemiologicaland forensic science of HIV transmission as it relates to criminal law,written in clear, layperson's language.
In recent years there have been numerous criminal investigations, and agrowing number of convictions, for "reckless" transmission of HIV, theimplications of which have created considerable anxiety amongst peopleliving with HIV, and many of the professionals who work with them.
The dramatic evolution of HIV treatments, as well as the stigma associatedwith the virus, has led to a great deal of misunderstanding about life withHIV, how and why the virus continues to be transmitted, how HIV transmissioncan be 'proven', and other important issues that relate to criminal HIVtransmission.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Two New Urgent Gay Iranian Cases Need Your Help
http://direland.typepad.com/direland/2007/04/uk_ignores_iran.html
New from DIRELAND, April 25
TWO NEW URGENT GAY IRANIAN CASES NEED YOUR HELP
A 35-year-old gay Iranian refugee is about to be deported from the U.K.back to Iran, and he is now on a hunger strike to protest thedeportation order. Meanwhile, an underground gay activist and bloggerin Iran, who managed to flee to Turkey with the police on his heels,has been repatriated to Iran, where he faces trial shortly on chargesarising out of his pro-gay activisities--and the Iranian QueerOrganization has launched an emergency appeal for funds to hirea "passer" to get this young activist smuggled out of Iran before he isjailed and tortured.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070425/hl_afp/healthsexcircumcision
Does circumcision affect your sex life? Scientists are divided
Wed Apr 25, 2:20 PM ET
Two studies have thrown up conflicting evidence as to whether circumcisioncould harm a man's sex life, New Scientist reports in its next issue.
The question is especially important, given the World Health Organisation's(WHO's) recent endorsement of circumcision in the panoply of weapons totackle the spread of AIDS.
In a study led by Kimberley Payne of the Riverside Professional Center inOttawa, 20 circumcised and 20 uncircumcised men watched erotic movies whiletheir penises were measured for sensitivity at two points, using filamentsthat pressed down with predetermined amounts of pressure.
There was no difference in penile sensation between the two groups,according to their research.
However, a team led by Robert Van Howe of Michigan State University used asimilar method, but measuring penile sensitivity at 19 points among 163circumcised and uncircumcised men.
The five most sensitive points are all in portions of the penis removed bycircumcision, especially those in folds exposed as the penis becomes erect,Van Howe believes.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770309006
State gives marriage benefits to households
MARK NIESSE (online@rgj.com)
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
March 9, 2007
HONOLULU (AP) - Same-sex partners and family members who live together couldreceive similar health benefits as married couples under a bill passedThursday in the state House.
The bill extends state and county health coverage to couples who aren'tlegally allowed to marry. The measure passed by a 34-6 vote, with 11representatives absent. It now advances to the state Senate.
"This will expand rights for everybody," said Rep. Joe Bertram,
D-Makena-Kihei.
The measure was proposed as a replacement for legislation that would haveallowed gay couples to enter into civil unions. After more than five hoursof testimony, that proposal didn't have enough support in a House committeeto advance last week.
In previous hearings, gay rights advocates argued against this bill becausethey said it undermined their push for civil unions.
"No one in the gay community wanted this bill," said Rep. Gene Ward,R-Kalama Valley-Hawaii Kai, who voted against it. "The gay community hassaid unequivocally they want same-sex marriage or civil unions, and not thisbill."
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/attack/313178_fbicivilrights26.html
FBI opening far fewer civil rights inquiries
Terrorism supersedes hate crimes, police abuse
Thursday, April 26, 2007
By PAUL SHUKOVSKY, TRACY JOHNSON AND DANIEL LATHROP
P-I REPORTERS
The FBI touts civil rights enforcement as a top priority, but the number ofinvestigations into such cases -- from hate crimes to the actions of roguepolice officers -- has fallen sharply, raising concerns that victims areleft with nowhere else to turn.
Pressed by the Bush administration to beef up counterterrorism ranks, theFBI has pulled agents off civil rights and slashed the number of criminalinvestigations conducted nationwide.
The bureau has tacitly adopted more-stringent standards governing whichcases to open. That move has contributed to two-thirds fewer investigationstargeting abusive police officers, cross-burners and other purveyors of hatefrom 2001 to 2005, according to a Seattle P-I analysis of Justice Departmentdata.
The downward trend began in 1999 and accelerated after the 9/11 terroristattacks, the analysis found.
Civil rights experts -- and even one of the Justice Department's top civilrights lawyers -- are troubled by the trend. They say hate-crime enforcementis too important to ignore, and there is a deterrent effect to federalreview of police misconduct that is being muted.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.gaynz.com/news/default.asp?dismode=article&artid=4587
NZ gay teens targeted by bullies
Ref: The Christchurch Press, GayNZ.com (m)
Students who admit to being lesbian or gay during their teenage years aremore likely to be bullied and less likely to succeed in education, a MasseyUniversity study says.
The Lavender Islands survey, the most extensive survey of gays and lesbiansto be done in New Zealand, found that declaring their sexuality at a youngage is associated with bullying and lower educational achievement.
People who had gone on to higher education were more likely to come outlater in life.
The study, which questioned more than 2000 lesbian, gay and bisexual people,found that two-thirds of female respondents and three-quarters of malessurveyed had been verbally abused at school because of their sexuality.
9% of women and 18% of men had been physically assaulted.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.irqo.net/IRQO/English/pages/44.htm
An Iranian Gay Blogger Activist, who fled Iran's police, captured by Turkey'sPolice and was deported back to Iran, needs your help
April 17, 2007
Dear Friends,
This is an urgent appeal on behalf of a courageous Iranian gay activist whowas deported from Turkey back to Iran two weeks ago.
For security reasons, we will call this activist Babak. He is 27-years-old,and has been working as a translator/writer for Cheraq, the Iranian QueerOrganization's (IRQO) on-line monthly magazine for the past year. He is agay writer and blogger who actively pursued queer rights through hisinsightful articles.
After receiving threats from under-cover Iranian police, Babak fled Iran andwent to Turkey, where he was arrested by police for lack of documents.Arsham Parsi, Executive Director of the IRQO, who was in Turkey presenting areport on queer Iranian asylum seekers, contacted the United Nations HighCommission on Refugees (UNHCR) and informed them of Babak's case. The UNHCRoffice called theTurkish police, and requested that Babak be released andallowed to file a claim for refugee status. Unfortunately, he was insteaddeported to Iran, where he was jailed, beaten and tortured. After beingreleased on bail, Babak was forced into hiding. He presently has contactwith only one person and has no access to internet or phone services. It iscritical that he be smuggled out of Iran before his trial.
Babak was born in Iran and sent to Bahrain as a child labourer. He returnedto Iran a young man with a cause. Fluent in both Arabic and Farsi, he is aprecious resource. He translated and wrote tirelessly for the LGBTQcommunity in Arabic and Farsi newspapers. His research in Persian and Arabclassic literature yielded strong evidence of gay men's long history in bothnations . This research endows gay Iranian men with a positive, legitimateidentity, and contradicts the government's claim that homosexuality is adisease imported from the West to attack Persian social values.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=646002007
Thu 26 Apr 2007
Nigerian lesbian flees after marrying four women
LAGOS (Reuters) - A Nigerian lesbian has gone into hiding to avoid arrestdays after marrying four women in the Islamic city of Kano, local mediareported on Thursday.
An estimated 2,000 guests watched Aunty Maiduguri, 45, wed the four women in
a sumptuous ceremony that was followed by two days of feasting andmerry-making.
But neighbours tipped off the authorities, who enforce Sharia law.
"As defenders of Sharia law, we shall not allow this unhealthy developmentto take place," Rabo Abdulkarim, deputy commander of the state Islamicpolice, told ThisDay newspaper.
"We are investigating the matter with a view to find the culprits and punishthem."
Kano is one of 12 states in northern Nigeria that introduced Sharia in 2000.
Homosexuality is also illegal under secular law in Nigeria. The governmentintroduced a bill last year explicitly to outlaw gay marriage in response toits legalisation in some Western countries.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/04/26/MNGK2PFPHE1.DTL&hw=gay+lesbian&sn=001&sc=1000
Gay rights grow in Colombia
Legislation pending to extend benefits to same-sex couples
Mike Ceaser, Chronicle Foreign Service
Thursday, April 26, 2007
(04-26) 04:00 PDT Bogota, Colombia -- Sebastian Romero had a nasty gashabove his lip and several fractured teeth from a pistol-whipping he receivedby an off-duty police officer who nearly ran down him and his partner,Arturo Sanjuan, in a city park last year.
Had he been heterosexual, says Romero, a then-unemployed biologist withouthealth insurance, his partner's medical plan would have taken care of hissubsequent surgery. He and Sanjuan, a university professor, have beentogether for six years -- four more than are required by Colombian law forstraight couples involved in a stable relationship to receive benefits.
Because Colombian law at the time didn't recognize such benefits forsame-sex couples, Romero went into debt to pay his hospital expenses. "It'sstructural discrimination," the 28-year-old said. "Otherwise, I would havepaid 10 percent of my medical bills."
Romero, Sanjuan and gay rights leaders expect legislation advancing throughCongress to provide same-sex couples not only health benefits but socialsecurity and pension rights -- legal changes that were unthinkable a decadeago.
A Supreme Court ruling in February has already granted same-sex couples whohave lived together for more than two years the same inheritance rights asmarried couples, pushing this traditionally conservative Roman Catholicnation into the forefront of the gay rights movement in Latin America.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://mpetrelis.blogspot.com/2007/04/taxpayer-subsidized-us-house-chaplain.html
Taxpayer-subsidized US House Chaplain Promotes Homo-hater Rev. Dobson
Our nation's political and legal doctrine of maintaining a strict separationof church and state should, in my opinion, mean that both the Senate and theHouse should not open every day with a prayer or sermon from a religiousfigure, but that's a somewhat naive expectation. Both chambers begin thepeople's business, when the politicians are actually working, with a fewwords from their respective chaplains.
The most recent challenge to end the Congressional chaplain offices was in2004, but US District Court for Washington, DC, rejected the lawsuit. Hence,the taxpayers continue to subsidize two religious figures, and theiragendas. Click here for a concise summary and history of these offices.
The Rev. Barry C. Black, a Navy vet and Seventh-day Adventist minister, isthe Senate's chaplain, and his annual salary is $143,000. Black is the firstAfrican American to hold this position. His web page is basic, with noarchive of his opening prayers, list of activities or names of any guestpreachers starting the Senate's day.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/print_report.cfm?DR_ID=44517&dr_cat=2
Daily Women's Health Policy
Opinion | Editorials, Opinion Pieces Respond to Report on Abstinence-OnlySex Education
[Apr 26, 2007]
Several newspapers recently published editorials and opinion piecesresponding to a report released earlier this month that found thatabstinence-only sex education programs are not effective in preventing ordelaying teenagers from having sexual intercourse. The report, commissionedby Congress and released earlier this month by Mathematica Policy Research,followed 2,057 U.S. teenagers in late elementary and middle school whoparticipated in four abstinence programs, as well as students in the samegrades who did not participate in such programs. About half of the studentswho received abstinence education and about half of those who did notreported that they abstained from sex. More than one-third of both groups
had two or more sexual partners; 23% of both groups reported having had sexand always using a condom; 17% of both groups reported having had sex andonly sometimes using a condom; and 4% of the students in both groupsreported having had sex and never using a condom, according to the report(Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 4/16). Summaries appear below.
Editorials
a.. Christian Science Monitor: The Bush administration has the opportunityto "refute" charges that it has "ignor[ed] science" by "heeding thesefindings and retooling its efforts," a Monitor editorial says. "To confrontthe apparent failures of abstinence programs is not to give up on teenabstinence as a standard," the editorial says, adding that comprehensive sexeducation classes that include abstinence might be "more useful" thanabstinence-only programs (Christian Science Monitor, 4/24).
more...
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/51037/
Bush Blames the Troops
By Robert Scheer, Truthdig
Posted on April 25, 2007, Printed on April 29, 2007
Blame it on the military but make it look like you're supporting the troops.That's been the convenient gambit of failed emperors throughout history asthey witnessed their empires decline. Not surprisingly then, it's become thestandard rhetorical trick employed by President Bush in shirkingresponsibility for the Iraq debacle of his making.
Ignoring the fact that we have a system of civilian control over themilitary, which is why he, the elected president, is designated thecommander in chief, Bush hides behind the fiction that the officers in thefield are calling the shots when in fact he has put them in an unwinnablesituation and refuses to even consider a timetable for getting them out.
He did it again Monday, responding to the prospect that both houses ofCongress seem in agreement on setting guidelines for the "progress" that thepresident continually proclaims is at hand. "I will strongly reject anartificial timetable [for] withdrawal and/or Washington politicians tryingto tell those who wear the uniform how to do their job."
This is disingenuous in the extreme, because Bush is the Washingtonpolitician who plotted this unnecessary war from the moment the 9/11 attackprovided him with an excuse for regime change in a country that had nothingto do with the terrorist attack.
It was Bush who sent the troops to invade Iraq with the mission of riddingit of weapons of mass destruction, which he should have known Iraq did nothave, and to end ties with al-Qaida that, the record shows, he knew neverexisted. And it was the Bush administration that micro-managed every aspectof the occupation to disastrous consequences ranging from thede-Baathification that isolated the Sunnis to premature elections that putShiite theocrats in power.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.universitybusiness.com/newssummary.aspx?news=yes&postid=2631
University of Kentucky Approves Partner Benefits
4/26/2007
Domestic partners of University of Kentucky employees will receive healthcoverage July 1 as part of an $11.8 million benefits package approvedyesterday by the school's Board of Trustees.
UK is the second public university in Kentucky to extend benefits tounmarried couples, including gays. The University of Louisville's benefitstook effect Jan. 1.
A handful of private Kentucky colleges, including Centre and Berea, alsooffer domestic partner benefits.
UK's action comes a day after Gov. Ernie Fletcher's running mate, CabinetSecretary Robbie Rudolph, said in a televised debate that he and Fletcheroppose domestic partner benefits. He said the administration might asklawmakers to pass legislation banning them, possibly during an expectedspecial legislative session later this year.
But Fletcher said yesterday he is unsure if he will add such legislation tothe agenda of a special session, and would talk with legislators beforemaking a decision.
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Outing anal cancer
The virus responsible for cervical cancer is also a hidden health riskfor gay men, says Peter Tatchell
NURSING STANDARD
28 April - May 2007
London- UK
Two decades ago, there was a big increase in the number ofsexually-transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV) infections among gayand bisexual men. At the time, I was aware of medical research showingthat HPV could be passed on during vaginal sex and cause cervicalcancer in women. It dawned on me that HPV might also be transmissiblethrough anal sex and capable of causing anal cancer.
It turned out that my hunch was correct. A search of American medicaljournals revealed that certain strains of HPV cause cervical and analcancer. But that is where the similarities end. There is a nationaleducation, screening and treatment programme for cancer of the cervix,but nothing similar for anal cancer. A disease affecting women istaken seriously, but the same disease is ignored when it affects gaymen.
I feel a sense of déjà vu. The official indifference towards analcancer echoes the neglect of the AIDS epidemic in the early 1980s,when it was confined to the gay community.
HPV is not as dangerous as HIV. Most strains are non-cancerous. Thereis, however, no room for complacency. HPV has a long incubationperiod. With infections rocketing, we risk an exponential rise in analcancer in 20 to 30 years' time.
Contact Ray' List for the full article.
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Irish Independent, Thursday April 26th 2007
Sex change dentist's wife fearful over ruling
Ann O'Loughlin
THE separated wife of a trans-sexual dentist is "alarmed" about theimplications for her marital status if her estranged husband gets the courtruling she wants which would make her a woman from birth.
Anne Foy is judicially separated but still legally married to denist DrLydia Foy who has taken a High Court case seeking a declaration that therefusal to describe her as female on her birth certificate breaches herright.
She was registered at birth as male and and later had a sex changeoperation.
Succeeded
Senior counsel Mary O'Toole told the High Court if Dr Foy succeeded insecuring the court declaration sought, this would have major implicationsfor the Foys' marriage. It would also have implications for the ongoingdivorce proceedings and would mean "enormous uncertainty" for Mrs Foy andtheir two daughters.
Such a declaration could, for example, mean that Mrs Foy was never legallymarried as, under Irish law, marriage can only occur between persons of theopposite sex and two persons of the same sex were not entitled to marry,counsel said.
It would also in turn have unknown implications for the divorce proceedingsinvolving Dr Foy and Mrs Foy.
If the Foys' marriage was declared void, this could mean, for example, thatMrs Foy and her daughters were no longer members of a family as recognisedunder the Constitution, counsel suggested. Mrs Foy could not be placed in adifferent position than any other divorced spouse.
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Kingdom in the Closet; Being Gay in Saudi Arabia
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/prem/200705/gay-saudi-arabia
From the Atlantic Monthly - May 2007
The Kingdom in the Closet
Sodomy is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia, but gay life flourishesthere. Why it is "easier to be gay than straight" in a society whereeveryone, homosexual and otherwise, lives in the closet
by Nadya Labi
Yasser, a 26-year-old artist, was taking me on an impromptu tour of hishometown of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on a sweltering September afternoon. Theair conditioner of his dusty Honda battled the heat, prayer beads dangledfrom the rearview mirror, and the smell of the cigarette he'd just smokedwafted toward me as he stopped to show me a barbershop that his friendsfrequent. Officially, men in Saudi Arabia aren't allowed to wear their hairlong or to display jewelry-such vanities are usually deemed to violate anIslamic instruction that the sexes must not be too similar in appearance.But Yasser wears a silver necklace, a silver bracelet, and a sparkly redstud in his left ear, and his hair is shaggy. Yasser is homosexual, or so wewould describe him in the West, and the barbershop we visited caters to gaymen. Business is brisk.
Leaving the barbershop, we drove onto Tahlia Street, a broad avenue framedby palm trees, then went past a succession of sleek malls and slowed infront of a glass-and-steel shopping center. Men congregated outside and innearby cafés. Whereas most such establishments have a family section, two ofthis area's cafés allow only men; not surprisingly, they are popular amongmen who prefer one another's company. Yasser gestured to a parking lotacross from the shopping center, explaining that after midnight it would be"full of men picking up men." These days, he said, "you see gay peopleeverywhere."
Yasser turned onto a side street, then braked suddenly. "Oh shit, it's acheckpoint," he said, inclining his head toward some traffic cops in brownuniforms. "Do you have your ID?" he asked me. He wasn't worried about thegay-themed nature of his tour-he didn't want to be caught alone with awoman. I rummaged through my purse, realizing that I'd left my passport inthe hotel for safekeeping.
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ILGA-Europe welcomes condemnation of homophobia by European Parliament
On 25 April 2007, members of the European Parliament debated, and todayadopted a new resolution on homophobia in Europe. The resolution highlightsthe general problem of homophobia at pan-European level and makes a numberof specific references to Poland and a climate of state-sponsored homophobiain that country.
ILGA-Europe is very pleased that the European Parliament has repeatedlydemonstrated its leading role in the observation of human rights in EUmember states. This is the third resolution on homophobia adopted by theEuropean Parliament in a relatively short time. ILGA-Europe is pleased thatdespite calls from some members, the European Parliament denied a motion notto debate this resolution and voted for it.
ILGA-Europe is also pleased to hear repeated the commitment to uphold EUanti-discrimination legislation from the European Commission. Following thedebate at the parliament, Vladimir Spidla, the EU Commissioner forEmployment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, made it clear that ifadopted, the controversial proposal by the Polish minister of educationwould clearly contravene the EU anti-discrimination legislation.
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Poland urged to drop new law banning 'homosexual propaganda' in schools
Fundamental rights - 26-04-2007 - 14:06
European Parliament
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/017-5745-113-04-17-
902-20070420IPR05691-23-04-2007-2007-false/default_en.htm
Following a debate on homophobia in Europe, Parliament adopted a resolutionon Thursday voicing concern at the recent announcement by the PolishEducation nister of a new draft law to outlaw 'homosexual propaganda' inschools. The esolution - adopted by 325 votes to 124, with 150 abstentions calls for a fact-finding mission to be sent to Poland, for "worldwidede-criminalisation of homosexuality" and for the Commission to take MemberStates to court if they breach their EU obligations.
Although Poland is not the only country in Europe where homophobia is anissue - MEPs also mention cases of discrimination in Italy and the UnitedKingdom - most of the resolution focuses on recent developments in Poland.MEPs not only express concern about statements by Minister Giertychregarding a new law providing for the dismissal, fining or imprisonment ofschool directors, teachers and pupils in cases of gay rights' activism, theyalso note the Polish government's stated wish to promote similar laws atEuropean level and the fact that the Polish Ombudsman for Children announcedthat she is preparing a list of jobs for which homosexuals are unfit. On thepositive side, MEPs welcome the fact that gay pride events are no longersystematically banned in Poland.
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European official warns Poland over planned anti-gay legislation
25 April 2007, 19:00 CET
EU Business
http://www.eubusiness.com/news_live/1177527612.18
(STRASBOURG) - A Polish proposal to ban discussion of homosexuality inschools would violate European law, the European commissioner for equalopportunity said Wednesday.
"Such a law, if it were to emerge, would be in contradiction with theEuropean human rights convention and the EU charter on fundamental rights,"Vladimir Spidla told the European Parliament as part of a debate onhomophobia.
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EU parliament backs diversity roadshow
Wed, 25 Apr 2007
TheParliament.com
http://www.eupolitix.com/EN/News/200704/8d8bd71b-b7f0-44a1-9550-94e07a1d62de.htm
STRASBOURG: MEPs from across the political spectrum attended the launch of anew diversity roadshow in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
The EU Diversity Truck will spend the next seven months touring Europeancities and raising awareness of the EU's tough anti-discrimination rules aspart of the European year of equal opportunities for all.
"We have some of the strongest anti-discrimination rules in the whole of theworld, but still many people do not know what their rights are," saidVladimir Spidla, EU employment commissioner, at the launch event.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2063250,00.html
Norway set to make buying sex illegal
Reuters in Oslo, The Guardian, Monday April 23, 2007
Norway's ruling Labour party voted yesterday for a ban on buying sex in abid to shift the focus of the law on to punters.
Prostitution is legal in Norway, but procuring it, or pimping, is not.Street prostitution in the capital, Oslo, has become increasingly visibleand aggressive in the past few years, provoking calls for a ban.
Labour has support from its coalition partners, the Socialist Left andCentre parties, which hold a combined 87 of parliament's 169 seats. It willalso be backed by the opposition Christian People's party, which proposedthe ban. "A majority of parties in parliament wants a ban on buying sexualservices," said the prime minister, Jens Stoltenberg."We are going toimplement it."
The congress of the Labour party, which heads the three-party centre-leftgovernment, was sharply divided, however, with 184 of 300 delegates votingfor the ban.
The opposition Progress and Liberal parties oppose the ban. The Conservativeparty is reserving judgment.
Sweden introduced a similar ban in 1999. Proponents say banning the purchaseof sex will curb prostitution without penalising the prostitutes, many ofwhom are poor, young foreign women often forced into the trade. Opponentssay it will drive prostitution underground and make prostitutes even morevulnerable. "I don't think it will help the women," said Karita Bekkemellem,the Labour party's minister for children and equality affairs and a strongadvocate of women's rights.
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http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2483866.ece
Independent.co.uk Online Edition: Home
25 April 2007 09:05
Heath was told to stop gay sex activity, Tory claims
By Andrew Grice, Political Editor
Published: 25 April 2007
Sir Edward Heath, the former prime minister, was warned by police tostop "cottaging" for gay sex in the 1950s because it could harm hispolitical career, a Tory politician has claimed.
Brian Coleman, a senior member of the London Assembly, said: "The lateTed Heath managed to obtain the highest office of state after he wassupposedly advised to cease his cottaging activities in the Fifties when hebecame a Privy Councillor."
Writing for the New Statesman magazine's online edition, Mr Coleman, whois gay, said Britain had "managed for decades with gay men holding asignificant number of public offices". He claimed that gay men had ineffect run the Conservative Party in London, whether as officials,councillors or volunteers.
Sir Edward, a bachelor who never spoke about his sexuality, was PrimeMinister from 1970 to 1974. He died in 2005. Friends had expected him tomarry Kay Raven, whom he had known since childhood, but she is said to havebecome tired of waiting for him to propose to her and married someone else.
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National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/content/view/510/173/
Thursday, 26 April 2007 13:16
Hate Crimes Bill Passes Out of Judiciary Committee
"Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act" Now Moves to Full Housefor Consideration
WASHINGTON - Late tonight, in a vote of 20 to 14 H.R. 1592, the "Local LawEnforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act", passed out of the JudiciaryCommittee. The legislation now makes its way to the floor of the UnitedStates House of Representatives for consideration by the full chamber. "Lawenforcement is now one step closer to getting the extra tools they need tocombat hate violence," said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human RightsCampaign. "Hate crimes continue to spread fear and violence among entirecommunities of Americans and currently, law enforcement can use theseadditional tools and resources to prevent and prosecute them. We lookforward to the day when partisan politics are finally put aside and thisbill passes through Congress and is sent to the President's desk for signinginto law."
"Although there were many attempts to derail this legislation today incommittee, our allies in Congress stood strong and secured its passage. Weare a long way from declaring victory, but we are as committed as ever tocontinuing to fight back the last desperate attempts by extremists and makesure this bill is realized as the law of the land."
An identical companion bill was introduced April 12th in the U.S. Senate bySenators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR).
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act would strengthen theability of law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute hatecrimes by:
* Protecting All Americans. Under the current federal law, enacted nearly 40years ago, the government has the authority to help investigate andprosecute bias-motivated attacks based on race, color, national origin andreligion and because the victim was attempting to exercise a federallyprotected right. For example, authorities became involved in aSalt Lake Citycase where James Herrick set fire to a Pakistani restaurant on Sept. 13,2001. Herrick was sentenced to 51 months' incarceration on Jan. 7, 2002,after pleading guilty to violating 18 U.S.C. § 245.
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Third Wave Foundation
http://www.thirdwavefoundation.org/grant-making/ussff
Third Wave Foundation Offers United States Social Forum Scholarships
The Third Wave Foundation's United States Social Forum Fund provides fullscholarships (registration, travel, lodging, and food) for young women andtransgender activists between the ages of 15 and 30 to attend the UnitedStates Social Forum, June 27-July 1, 2007, in Atlanta, Georgia.
The foundation is accepting applications from individuals that are currentlyworking for positive social change in their communities. The foundationseeks to support young women and transgender youth who are members, staff,board, or volunteers of youth-led and intergenerational organizations. ThirdWave Foundation prioritizes young people from organizations that aremulti-issue and multi-strategy.
A priority is placed on individuals from the following communities:low-income; people of color; differently abled (mental, physical, oremotional); immigrant; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender; and/or those inrural areas. Applications from people impacted by the sex trade or sexworkers, young parents, and formerly incarcerated are also encouraged.Deadline: May 10, 2007.
Click on link at the top of page for more information.
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[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/28/washington/28church.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1177845093-ofxzHHmKg77F/P4BeCegGA&pagewanted=print
April 28, 2007
Visit by Anglican Bishop Draws Episcopal Anger
By NEELA BANERJEE
WASHINGTON, April 27 -The Anglican archbishop of Nigeria, a fierce critic ofthe Episcopal Church for its acceptance of homosexuality, is arriving nextweek to install a bishop to lead congregations around the country that wantto break from it.
Episcopal leaders say the visit threatens to strain further the alreadyfragile relations between their church and the rest of the worldwideAnglican Communion. But Episcopal traditionalists say there is a growingdesire among them to break away. A decision by the Episcopal Church in 2003to consecrate an openly gay priest, V. Gene Robinson, as the bishop of NewHampshire profoundly alienated those theological traditionalists, and mostof the Anglican Communion overseas, who contend that the Bible condemnshomosexuality.
The Nigerian archbishop, Peter J. Akinola, will preside over a ceremony inVirginia on May 5 installing Martyn Minns, former rector of an Episcopalchurch there, as the bishop of the Convocation of Anglicans in NorthAmerica, an offshoot of the Nigerian church.
The convocation was created in part to oversee congregations that no longerwant to be in the Episcopal Church but would like to remain in the AnglicanCommunion.
Katharine Jefferts Schori, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church,said in a statement that Archbishop Akinola's acceptance of "an invitationto episcopal ministry here without any notice or prior invitation" was notin keeping with "the ancient practice in most of the church" that bishopsminister only within their own jurisdictions.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/28/us/28brfs-union.html?pagewanted=print
April 28, 2007
New Hampshire: Bishop Would Like a Civil Union
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Rev. V. Gene Robinson, the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop,said he and his partner want to be among the first couples in New Hampshireto unite officially under a civil unions measure soon to be signed into law.The state is set to become the nation's fourth to offer civil unions for gaycouples after legislation approved by the Senate was sent to Gov. JohnLynch, who has said he will sign it. "I think this moves us one step closerto the American promise to all its citizens of equality under the law," Mr.Robinson, 59, told The Associated Press. "My partner and I look forward totaking full advantage of the new law." Mr. Robinson and his partner, MarkAndrew, have been together for 18 years.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/28/nyregion/28spitzer.html?pagewanted=print
April 28, 2007
Keeping His Word, Spitzer Asks for Same-Sex-Marriage Law
By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE
ALBANY, April 27 - Gov. Eliot Spitzer proposed legislation on Friday thatwould make New York the second state in the country to legally sanctionsame-sex marriage, fulfilling a longtime pledge to supporters of gay rights.
Mr. Spitzer has acknowledged that he does not expect the bill to pass theState Legislature and return to his desk anytime soon. Earlier this week, hesaid that he would submit the proposal anyway, "because it's a statement ofprinciple that I believe in, and I want to begin that dynamic."
Only Massachusetts currently allows same-sex marriages, a result of a 2004court decision. Many states have taken steps to ban such unions throughlegislation or ballot initiatives, but Mr. Spitzer is the country's onlygovernor to propose legislation to formally legalize such marriages.
Whether or not the bill passes in these final weeks of the legislativesession, Mr. Spitzer's proposal is likely to make same-sex marriage a liveissue in Albany in a way that it never was before.
Many members of the State Legislature have never taken a position on theissue, something that will be harder to avoid doing with the governor's billnow a reality. So it was no surprise that the proposal immediately reignitedwhat has been an emotional and bitter debate.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042702064_pf.html
The Right to Work
Congress must protect gay men and lesbians from workplace discrimination.
Saturday, April 28, 2007; A18
HOW ARE 17 states, 276 cities and towns (including the District of Columbia)and 433 companies of the Fortune 500 more advanced -- daresay, morecivilized -- than the federal government? They all prohibit employmentdiscrimination based on sexual orientation. It's about time Congress allowedthe nation to catch up -- and maybe it will, now that the EmploymentNon-Discrimination Act has been reintroduced in the House.
No one should lose a job or be refused a promotion simply for being who heor she is. That's the animating principle of ENDA, which would make itillegal to fire, refuse to hire or refuse to promote an employee because ofthe person's real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Thelegislation applies to the same employers covered under Title VII of the1964 Civil Rights Act: private employers with 15 or more employees; local,state and federal governments; and labor unions and employment agencies.
ENDA doesn't mandate domestic-partner benefits for same-sex couples. Itdoesn't compel religious institutions to violate their beliefs. And itdoesn't do an end-run around the military's onerous "don't ask, don't tell"policy. But right now in 33 states, if a company wants not to hire you justbecause you're gay, it's free to discriminate. ENDA would change that.The bill is sponsored by Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Rep. Deborah Pryce(R-Ohio). A Senate version of the bill is expected to be introduced nextmonth, with votes in both chambers expected in the fall.
Passage of these bills would put the federal government on the same side asthe American people, whose support for equal employment opportunities forgay men and lesbians jumped from 56 percent in 1977 to 89 percent in 2006,according to the Gallup Organization. This should come as no surprise. Theright to work -- to make a living and provide for one's family and one's ownwell being -- is among the most basic of American rights. It's a matter offairness, and it should no longer be off-limits to gay men and lesbians.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042701899_pf.html
Conservative Black Pastors Fight Bill on Hate Crimes
At Issue Are Sermons Against Homosexuality
By Hamil R. Harris
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, April 28, 2007; B09
A coalition of conservative African American pastors is lobbying Congress tovote against a bill that would extend federal hate-crimes laws to covergays, saying they fear it would prevent them from preaching againsthomosexuality.
Several pastors last week urged House Judiciary Committee Chairman JohnConyers Jr. (D-Mich.), a sponsor of the bill, and other members of theCongressional Black Caucus to vote against the proposed Local LawEnforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
They say it would pin the hate crime label on their sermons againsthomosexuality, which they consider a sin.
"This bill will offer a status for gays, lesbians and transgender peopleunder the equal protection status that can muzzle the black church," saidBishop Harry R. Jackson Jr., pastor of Hope Christian Church in Lanham andfounder of the High Impact Leader Coalition. "This law can be applied in theway that can keep the church from preaching the Gospel."
Gay activists compare the bill to civil rights legislation of the 1960s.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042701671_pf.html
New York governor proposes legalizing gay marriage
By Holly McKenna
Reuters
Friday, April 27, 2007; 5:01 PM
ALBANY, New York (Reuters) - New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer proposed legalizingsame-sex marriage on Friday even though he expects the bill to be rejectedby the legislature.
The bill faces opposition from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers wholikely will prevent New York from becoming the second state afterMassachusetts to recognize marriage of gay and lesbian couples.Spitzer's bill fulfills a campaign pledge to press for equal marriage rightsfor same-sex couples, a spokeswoman said.
The governor had said on Monday he did not think it would be passed but thathe would submit the proposal as a "statement of principle."
The legislation would offer same-sex couples the same legal protectionstaken for granted by married people in areas such as property ownership,inheritance, hospital visitation and pension benefits, Spitzer, a Democrat,said in a statement.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/26/AR2007042601446_pf.html
Polish PM: More Gays Bad for Society
By RYAN LUCAS
The Associated Press
Thursday, April 26, 2007; 3:32 PM
WARSAW, Poland -- Poland's conservative prime minister rejected EuropeanUnion criticism Thursday of a proposal to fire teachers for "homosexualpropaganda," saying it was not in the interest of society to have more gaypeople.
Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said homosexuals did not facediscrimination in his country, responding to an EU parliament vote to send amission to Poland to investigate recent anti-gay comments by seniorofficials.
"Nobody is limiting gay rights in Poland," Kaczynski told reporters hoursafter the vote.
"However, if we're talking about not having homosexual propaganda in Polishschools, I fully agree with those who feel this way," he said. "Suchpropaganda should not be in schools; it definitely doesn't serve youthwell."
"It's not in the interest of any society to increase the number ofhomosexuals _ that's obvious."
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ABC News
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=3077493
O'Donnell Leaving 'The View'
Rosie O'Donnell Announced Today Her Departure From 'The View'
By MONICA NISTA
April 25, 2007 -
ABC has been unable to come to a contractual agreement with Rosie O'Donnell.As a result, her hosting duties on "The View" will come to an end mid-June.
"They wanted me three years, I wanted one year, and it just didn't work,"said O'Donnell on today's show.
Despite controversy -- or maybe because of it -- O'Donnell was good businessfor ABC, owned by the Walt Disney Co. Ratings for "The View" during Februarysweeps were up 15 percent in key women demographics over the same time in2006.
Those fans don't have to worry -- she will still be on the show in smallerdoses.
"I'm not going away. I'm just not going to be here every day," addedO'Donnell.
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The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/obituaries/sfl-oreill26aprapr28,0,2094147,print.story
ROSIE QUITS `THE VIEW'
No one on TV alienated more Americans
by Bill O'Reilly
April 28, 2007
Three weeks ago, I wrapped up my column by stating: "Launching personalattacks on Donald Trump is one thing. Accusing your country of trumping up9-11 and committing war crimes is quite something else. Rosie O'Donnell hascast her fate to an ill wind. Nothing good will come of it."
That piece of prognostication was easy, and when Rosie announced her exitfrom ABC this week, it was no surprise. As Ms. O'Donnell became increasinglyunhinged on television and in public appearances, the Disney Company, whichowns ABC, found itself in an impossible position. Disney has one of the mostendearing images in corporate America, and one employee was ransacking thatimage. Anyone who knows anything about the corporate culture knew theiceberg collision was looming ever closer.
The ship really began listing after Ms. O'Donnell appeared at a chi-chiwomen's award luncheon and launched into an obscene tirade against Trump.Scores of corporate power brokers witnessed the embarrassing display, as didsome teenaged girls who were receiving college scholarships from the "Womenin Communications" group. Despite strenuous spinning by Rosie's handlers,Disney realized that not even Peter Pan could fix this one.
The amazing thing is Ms. O'Donnell lasted so long. Never in the history ofAmerican television has one performer alienated so many people. Rosiecompared "radical" Christians to Muslim terrorists. Rosie announced noAmerican Catholic should be allowed to be a judge because of the church'scondemnation of abortion. She accused President Bush of committing treason.The hits just kept on coming.
For those of us in the television industry, it was fascinating to watch.While Don Imus was figuratively burned at the stake, and Ann Coulter exiledfrom polite society for using a gay slur, Rosie kept rolling right alongwith Fortune 500 companies paying her way.
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The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-school-newspaper-flap,1,3686377,print.story?ctrack=2&cset=true
Teacher in Paper Flap Can Still Teach
By Associated Press
April 26, 2007, 10:52 PM EDT
WOODBURN, Ind. -- A high school teacher who faced losing her job after astudent newspaper published an editorial advocating tolerance of gays cancontinue teaching at another school.
Amy Sorrell, 30, reached an agreement that allows her to be transferred toanother high school to teach English, said her attorney, Patrick Proctor.
"The school administration has said in no uncertain terms that she's notgoing to be given a journalism position," Proctor said.
Sorrell, who had been an English and journalism instructor at WoodlanJunior-Senior High School, was placed on paid leave March 19, two monthsafter an editorial advocating tolerance of homosexuals ran in Woodlan'sstudent newspaper, The Tomahawk. Sorrell had been the newspaper's adviser.
School officials in the conservative northern Indiana community about 10miles east of Fort Wayne said Sorrell did not comply with an agreement toalert the principal about controversial articles.
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The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-transsexual-sports-writer,1,4554674.story?ctrack=3&cset=true
Sports Columnist: 'I Am a Transsexual'
By Associated Press
Posted April 26 2007, 7:52 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES -- A veteran sports writer for the Los Angeles Times said in hiscolumn Thursday that he is a transsexual.
Mike Penner told readers of his struggle to embrace his gender, and saidwhen he returns from vacation in a few weeks he will be known as ChristineDaniels. He did not say whether he was having surgery or why he's changinghis last name.
The 49-year-old Penner said his brain has been "wired female" and he's triedto fight off the urge to change sexes. He called writing a story about hissexuality the "most frightening of all the towering mountains of fear Isomehow had to confront and struggle to scale."
"How do you go about sharing your most important truth, one you spent alifetime trying to keep deeply buried, to a world that has grown familiarand comfortable with your facade?" Penner asked.
Penner, who is married to another Los Angeles Times writer, said he startedcoming out about two months ago by telling his boss, his barber and a soccerteammate, and that he now feels happier and healthier.
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The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-a-global-faith,1,7491038,print.story
Boom in Christianity Reshapes Methodists
By RACHEL ZOLL
AP Religion Writer
April 24, 2007, 2:33 PM EDT
The United Methodist Church is the latest Protestant group caught in theshifting currents of world Christianity. While the American denomination isshrinking at home, its congregations in the developing world are growingexplosively.
Over the last decade, the number of United Methodists outside the U.S. morethan tripled. The denomination's largest district is now in the West Africannation of Ivory Coast. At the next national church assembly, the 2008General Conference in Texas, overseas delegates will have more say than everin the church's future -- as many as 30 percent could come from abroad.
"Trends suggest that Christianity is going to continue to grow as a globalphenomenon, and denominations that have thought of themselves as beingpredominantly North American in character are going to have to get overthat," said William Lawrence, dean of the Perkins School of Theology, aMethodist seminary in Dallas.
Nearly 8 million United Methodists are now in the U.S., with another 3.5million church members overseas. The denomination is the third-largest inthe nation behind Roman Catholics and Southern Baptists, and middle-classworshippers mostly fill the pews of its American churches.
But if current patterns continue, within decades the typical UnitedMethodist will be from Africa. While international congregations expand, thedenomination's U.S. ranks have decreased by 19 percent since the 1970s.
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The Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/775/v-print/story/89994.html
Posted on Sat, Apr. 28, 2007
Center for Reclaiming America for Christ is shuttered
The Center for Reclaiming America for Christ, founded more than a decade agoto propagate a largely anti-abortion, anti-gay message, has closed itsdoors.
The offshoot of Coral Ridge Ministries laid off an undisclosed number ofworkers Thursday at its headquarters here and at an office in Washington inwhat was called simply a "streamlining."
"We're getting back to our core competency, the production of media," saidBrian Fisher, executive vice president at Coral Ridge, which was founded bythe Rev. D. James Kennedy. "Our heart and soul is the teaching of Dr.Kennedy, and getting it to more people than those who come to church."
Kennedy has been absent from the public view since suffering a heart attackin December. He founded the Center for Reclaiming America in 1996. It haslaunched e-mail and petition drives for its causes and hosts an annualconference that attracted conservatives such as Ann Coulter.
Fisher wouldn't say how many people were laid off but said Coral RidgeMinistries, which produces TV and radio programs and publishes books, stillhas more than 120 employees. A spokesman said Coral Ridge had a budget of$37 million in 2005.
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The Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=12552
Judge in McGreevey divorce says being gay 'is not significant'
Temporary joint custody arrangement to continue for now
ELIZABETH, N.J. (AP) | Apr 27, 5:19 PM
A state judge handling the divorce of the nation's first openly gay governorand his estranged wife on Friday urged them to use "common sense" and trymediation as they dissolve their marriage.
The courtroom session with former Gov. James E. McGreevey and his wife, DinaMatos McGreevey, was their first public appearance together since he toldthe world he was "a gay American" more than two years ago.
After meeting privately with their lawyers regarding custody issues andother motions in the couple's contentious divorce case, Superior Court JudgeKaren Cassidy convened court and said that the former governor's sexualorientation is not significant.
She said the couple agreed that the current visitation arrangements wouldcontinue for now. The McGreeveys have joint custody of their only child,5-year-old Jacqueline, with Dina Matos McGreevey as the primary parent. Thechild visits her father every other weekend.
The judge also said the couple agreed to obtain a parenting coordinator, andthat the girl would not be permitted to sleep in the same bed with someoneother than her mother or father. The judge also told them to not exposetheir daughter to non-age appropriate activities.
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Mail & Guardian
http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__africa/&articleid=306098
Life slowly gets easier for gay people in Kenya
Majority of US syphilis cases are now in gay men
Michael Carter, Friday, April 27, 2007
Almost two-thirds of syphilis cases in the United States in 2003 were in gaymen and other men who have sex with men, according to a study published inthe June edition of the American Journal of Public Health. A fall in theincidence of syphilis of over 50% amongst heterosexual men and women between2000 and 2003 was more than offset by a significant increase in theincidence of the infection amongst men who have sex with men.
Syphilis causes genital ulcers and can facilitate the transmission andacquisition of HIV infection. It can also act as a marker for risky sexualactivity, although the infection can be readily transmitted during sexualactivities, such as oral sex, which do not involve a significant risk of HIVtransmission.
During the 1980s, there was a 54% increase in the incidence of primary andsecondary syphilis in the United States, with African-Americansdisproportionately affected by the disease. It is thought that the increasein syphilis during the 1980s was tied to the increasing use of crack cocaineand prostitution by some users to fund their habit. By the mid-1990s,however, the incidence of syphilis in the US had fallen sharply, and in 1999a national syphilis elimination plan was published.
This trend has since reversed, with an increase in every year since 2001 inthe incidence of primary and secondary syphilis. The US is not alone inexperiencing a re-emergence of the infection, with outbreaks of syphilisreported across the UK and Europe, often focused on gay men, since the late1990s.
Investigators therefore used data provided from each of the US states and 63large American cities to analyse trends in syphilis from 1990 to 2003. Theypaid particular attention to the re-emergence of the infection amongst gaymen since the late 1990s.
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Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2007/04/25/episcopal_leader_holds_firm_on_gay_rights?mode=PF
Episcopal leader holds firm on gay rights
Says N.H. bishop's election a blessing
By Michael Paulson, Globe Staff | April 25, 2007
Saying "I don't believe that there is any will in this church to movebackward," the top official of the Episcopal Church USA said yesterday thatthe election of an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire has been "a greatblessing" despite triggering intense controversy and talk of possibleschism.
In an interview during a visit to Boston, Presiding Bishop KatharineJefferts Schori compared the gay rights struggle to battles over slavery andwomen's rights, and said she believes that it has become a vocation for theEpiscopal Church "to keep questions of human sexuality in conversation, andbefore not just the rest of our own church, but the rest of the world."
Jefferts Schori said that it could take 50 years for the debate overhomosexuality to be resolved, but that she believes it will happen. She saidshe hopes that the Anglican Communion, an umbrella organization includingthe Episcopal Church and the Church of England, will stay together.
"Where the protesters are, in some parts of Africa or in other parts of theAnglican Communion today, is where this church and this society we live inwas 50 years ago, and for us to assume that people can move that distance ina year or in a relatively instantaneous manner is perhaps faithless," shesaid. "That kind of movement and development has taken us a good deal ofpain and energy over 40 or 50 years, and I think we have to make some spaceso that others can make that journey as well."
Jefferts Schori, a 53-year-old oceanographer who was ordained an Episcopalpriest just 13 years ago, has been attempting to guide the 2.4 millionmember Episcopal Church through controversy since she was elected the 26thpresiding bishop last summer, three years after the Episcopal Diocese of NewHampshire triggered the controversy by choosing the Rev. V. Gene Robinson,an openly gay man in a long-term partnered relationship, as its next bishop.
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National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/content/view/506/173/
Thursday, 26 April 2007 13:00
Iowa Becomes 10th State to Pass Transgender-Inclusive Nondiscrimination Law
All Iowa Residents and Now Over One-Third of the U.S. Covered byTransgender-Inclusive Anti-Discrimination Protections. Iowa Becomes TenthState to Pass Trans-Inclusive Nondiscrimination Legislation; Bill ClearsLegislature, Awaits Governor's Signature.
(Washington, DC) -- Today Iowa made a historic stride forward in protectingthe civil rights of transgender people. With bipartisan support, Iowa'sHouse of Representatives voted 59-37 to approve a bill outlawingdiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. TheIowa Senate affirmed their desire to see this bill become law with aconcurrence vote of 34-16. "The National Center for Transgender Equalitycongratulates advocates in Iowa who helped the Hawkeye state become thetenth state to pass a law that explicitly protects transgender people fromdiscrimination," said Mara Keisling, executive director of NCTE.
"This legislation represents a huge civil rights victory for Iowa'stransgender communities, but we must continue to fight for explicitlytransgender-inclusive protections on the federal level so people nationwidecan access opportunities for employment, housing, and public accommodationswithout fear of discriminatory practices."
Governor Culver is expected to sign the bill into law thus making it illegalto discriminate in employment, public accommodation, credit, housing andeducation based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Recognizing the need to curb rampant discrimination against transgenderpeople, now ten states, the District of Columbia and 80+ cities and countiesacross the country have passed explicitly transgender-inclusiveanti-discrimination laws. These laws currently cover over one-third of theUS population.
About the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE): The NationalCenter for Transgender Equality is a national social justice organizationdevoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender peoplethrough education and advocacy on national issues of importance totransgender people. The National Center for Transgender Equality is a501(c)3 organization. For more information, please visit www.nctequality.org
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Gay Russia
http://www.gayrussia.ru/en/news/detail.php?ID=9068
04/26/2007 18:53:29
Russia: Gays Prepare for More Than Their Fight
Moscow will have its second gay pride festival on 26-27 May
Overseas gay leaders, mainly from the United States, Britain, theNetherlands, Germany, France and Italy, have expressed their overwhelmingsupport and solidarity for their Russian colleagues in the uphill strugglefor rights.
A British human rights campaigner declared that it's laughable for Russianauthorities to consider a peaceful and joyful association of gay members asa serious threat to national security and to be treated as an extremistgroup in a country pursuing democracy and seeking ascension untointernational institutions.
"The violent suppression of gay groups is an ugly day for all Russians whoadhere to democratic norms and who treasure liberty and justice. Democracyand human rights are the losers, and this simply signifies another case ofRussia's appalling human rights record, a British human rights campaignerfor the gay group OutRage Peter Tachell told IPS this week. "If a fewpeaceful gay protesters can be treated as enemies of the state, then thelikelihood that Russia will tolerate dissent from any other quarters lookshighly improbable."
President Putin and Luzhkov are stifling basic rights of ordinary people andtheir social groups which are highly non-political, confirming authoritarianregime in the country. Russia's christian, judaism and muslim leaders areunited in demanding the suppression of "Moscow Gay Pride." Theirencouragement of homophobic prejudice makes a mockery of their pious claimsthat their faith is about love and compassion. The Moscow Pride marcherswere the victims of state repression on May 27 last year. They were not thefirst victims of Russia's reemerging authoritarian state, and who will benext? This ought to be an issue of concern for all Russians, whatever theirsexuality.
Many shared the same views with Tachell that Moscow mayor, Yury Luhzkov, byputting restriction on "Moscow Gay Pride" violates the Russian constitutionand the European Convention on Human Rights, both of which guarantees theright to peaceful protest.
Following last year's ban, the peaceful march organiser, Nikolay Alekseyev,has filed an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. Despite thefrequent clampdown on the group, still Alekseyev sees the gay rights battleas part of the wider struggle for Russian democracy and human rights.Foreign colleagues say he is a very brave and inspiring man.
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National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/content/view/503/173/
Thousands to Converge On Miami and the Beaches
Wednesday, 25 April 2007 16:56
Thousands to Converge On Miamiand the Beaches for 7th Annual Aqua Girl
Nation's Largest Women's Fundraiser
Benefits Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Women
May 10 - May 13 is expected to attract thousands of women from all over theworld, converging on Miami / Miami Beach for five fun-filled days of music,dancing, dining, comedy, kayaking and friendship - as only women can do!
Now in its seventh year, Aqua Girl has evolved to be ranked among the mostwidely attended events for women and is the nation's largest non-profitwomen's weekend. One hundred percent of the proceeds from Aqua Girl benefitsthe Aqua Foundation for Women (previously the Women's Community Fund), anot-for-profit 501(C)3 organization, which also produces the event. TheFoundation's primary mission is to promote the equality, strength, healthand visibility of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) women.
Aqua Girl '07 events take place at some of the hottest nightclubs,restaurants and venues in the Miami area, with an A-List roster ofentertainment, including DJs Shannon, Pride, Nena, Dez Rock, Kimberly S andAlyson Calagna. Culinary delights abound, with a dinner party at Pearl onMiami Beach and a Jazz Brunch at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens.
Prior to the five-day whirlwind of events, the Miami Gay & Lesbian FilmFestival is co-sponsoring a special Aqua Girl screening of the campy film,Itty, Bitty, Titty Committee at the Colony Theatre on Miami Beach. Followingthe film, attendees will head over to The Space in Miami's trendy WynwoodArts District, for cocktails and an array of culinary delights fromcelebrity chefs. Celebrity hosts include actress Nicole Vicius, fameddirector Jamie Babbit (L Word, Ugly Betty, But I'm A Cheerleader) andproducer Andrea Sperling.
Laughter is universal, and Aqua Girl's "Night of Comedy" at the ColonyTheatre on Saturday, May 12 promises an evening of non-stop laughs withveteran comedian René Hicks. One of America's favorite lesbian comedians,René has performed her intelligent and universally appealing humor incountless clubs across the US and internationally, resulting in her havingbeen the first African-American woman nominated for an American Comedy Awardfor "Best Female Stand-Up." She has appeared on numerous television shows,including her own half hour special - Comedy Central Presents...René Hicks,as well as ABC's Politically Incorrect, Showtime's Full Frontal Comedy andNBC's Comedy Showcas" with Louie Anderson. She also has appeared at famedNevada hotels including Harrah's, Bally's, and MGM Grand.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004473.cfm
Indianapolis Billboards Claim the Bible Affirms Homosexuality
Signs are sponsored by gay-affirming church.
from staff reports, Citizen Link, 4-25-2007
A pro-gay billboard campaign in Indiana attempts to use the Bible as a basisfor supporting homosexuality.
The 22 signs in Indianapolis are sponsored by Jesus Metropolitan CommunityChurch and Faith in America. Pastor Jeff Miner described one of thebillboards that proclaims, "Ruth Loved Naomi as Adam Loved Eve."
"Most people probably have no idea that the Bible does contain a number ofpowerfully affirming passages toward gay people," he told Family News inFocus.
Another billboard recasts the story of the Roman centurion who asked Jesusto heal his servant and claims "Jesus Affirmed a Gay Couple."
"The (Greek) word that the Roman centurion uses to describe this sick personis 'pais,' " Miner said, "which is precisely the word that was used inancient Greek to refer to one's same-sex partner."
Joe Dallas, author of The Gay Gospel, a book debunking such twisting ofScripture, took issue with the claims.
"You really have to do mental gymnastics to do this," he said.
Dallas explained there's nothing in the Bible that suggests the relationshipbetween Ruth and Naomi was anything other than a deep friendship. And Greeklexicons render the word "pais" as simply a servant or a child, not asame-sex partner.
"It shows a certain mindset," Dallas said, "when someone cannot read abouttwo people loving each other without assuming that the love was sexual."
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55413
WorldNet Daily
BRAVE NEW SCHOOLS
Ban on 'mom' and 'dad' considered - again
California agenda would require K-12 'gay' indoctrination
By Bob Unruh, Friday, April 27, 2007
A plan that has been launched in the California state Assembly - again -could be used to ban references to "mom" and "dad" in public schoolsstatewide by prohibiting anything that would "reflect adversely" on thehomosexual lifestyle choice.
It's similar to a plan WND reported was approved by lawmakers last year, butfell by the wayside when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed it.
"SB 777 forcibly thrusts young school children into dealing with sexualissues, requiring that homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality betaught in a favorable light," according to an alert issued by the CapitolResource Institute.
"Not only does SB 777 require that classroom instruction and materialspromote and embrace controversial sexual practices, it also bansschool-sponsored activities from 'reflecting adversely' on homosexuals,bisexuals and transsexuals," the group said.
"Pushing this radical homosexual agenda in California schools will stiflethe truth in favor of political correctness and will inevitably conflictwith the religious and moral convictions of both students and parents," saidCRI Executive Director Karen England. "The full ramifications of thissweeping legislation could affect the entire nation as most textbookcompanies tailor their material to their number one purchaser: California."
She noted that Los Angeles schools already have implemented most of theproposals now pending for districts across the state, and among the changesare:
"Mom" and "dad" and "husband" and "wife" would have to be edited from alltexts.
Cheerleading and sports teams would have to be gender-neutral.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Human Rights Activists To Defy
Eastern European Mayor's Ban On Public Assembly
Moldova's First-Ever Pride March Set for Sunday, April 29;
International Solidarity Vigils To Be Held Simultaneously
New York City--Human rights activists from the Netherlands, Sweden, Romania,the Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Canada and the United States willjoin local Pride organizers in the Eastern European nation of Moldova thisweekend to protest the Mayor of Chisinau's refusal to adhere to a SupremeCourt mandate granting the rights of public assembly and equal protectionunder the law to LGBT citizens.
Caught up in the lightning-like speed of social and political transformationsweeping through nations wanting to join the European Union, the MoldovanSupreme Court ruled late last year that the repeated denial of the right toassemble, the right to free speech and the right to peaceful protest forMoldova's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens was both"unconstitutional" and "unjustifiable." Legal protections for marginalizedgroups, including LGBT people, is a requirement to join the European Union.
In a face-off with the Mayor and City Council of Moldova's capital city ofChisinau, human rights activists including Boris Balanetkii, ExecutiveDirector of GenderDoc-M, Moldova's first gay rights organization, and TheRev. Diane Fisher, Bishop for the Eastern European Region of MetropolitanCommunity Churches, have called for demonstrations at government sites inthe capital city on Friday, April 27, 2007. The demonstrations will demandthe issuance of parade permits for Moldova's first-ever Gay Pride Marchscheduled for Sunday, April 29.
Demonstrators are facing the threat of arrest and imprisonment by civilauthorities at both Friday's demonstration and Sunday's scheduled PrideMarch, as well as public threats of violence.
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
All Iowa Residents and Now Over One-Third of the U.S. Covered byTransgender-Inclusive Anti-Discrimination Protections
Iowa Becomes Tenth State to Pass Trans-Inclusive NondiscriminationLegislation; Bill Clears Legislature, Awaits Governor's Signature
(Washington, DC) -- Today Iowa made a historic stride forward in protectingthe civil rights of transgender people. With bipartisan support, Iowa'sHouse of Representatives voted 59-37 to approve a bill outlawingdiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. TheIowa Senate affirmed their desire to see this bill become law with aconcurrence vote of 34-16.
"The National Center for Transgender Equality congratulates advocates inIowa who helped the Hawkeye state become the tenth state to pass a law thatexplicitly protects transgender people from discrimination," said MaraKeisling, executive director of NCTE. "This legislation represents a hugecivil rights victory for Iowa's transgender communities, but we mustcontinue to fight for explicitly transgender-inclusive protections on thefederal level so people nationwide can access opportunities for employment,housing, and public accommodations without fear of discriminatorypractices."
Governor Culver is expected to sign the bill into law thus making it illegalto discriminate in employment, public accommodation, credit, housing andeducation based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Recognizing the need to curb rampant discrimination against transgenderpeople, now ten states, the District of Columbia and 80+ cities and countiesacross the country have passed explicitly transgender-inclusiveanti-discrimination laws. These laws currently cover over one-third of theUS population.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Russia: Gays Prepare for More Than Their Fight
04/26/2007 18:53:29
http://www.gayrussia.ru/en/news/detail.php?ID=9068
Russia: Gays Prepare for More Than Their Fight
Moscow will have its second gay pride festival on 26-27 May
Overseas gay leaders, mainly from the United States, Britain, theNetherlands, Germany, France and Italy, have expressed their overwhelmingsupport and solidarity for their Russian colleagues in the uphill strugglefor rights. A British human rights campaigner declared that it's laughablefor Russian authorities to consider a peaceful and joyful association of gaymembers as a serious threat to national security and to be treated as anextremist group in a country pursuing democracy and seeking ascension untointernational institutions.
"The violent suppression of gay groups is an ugly day for all Russians whoadhere to democratic norms and who treasure liberty and justice. Democracyand human rights are the losers, and this simply signifies another case ofRussia's appalling human rights record, a British human rights campaignerfor the gay group OutRage Peter Tachell told IPS this week. "If a fewpeaceful gay protesters can be treated as enemies of the state, then thelikelihood that Russia will tolerate dissent from any other quarters lookshighly improbable."
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Book: "Criminal HIV Transmission"
http://uk.gay.com/headlines/11446
A ground-breaking new medico-legal book on the criminal transmission of HIVhas been published by NAM, the HIV information charity. 'Criminal HIVTransmission' contains all the medical, clinical, social, epidemiologicaland forensic science of HIV transmission as it relates to criminal law,written in clear, layperson's language.
In recent years there have been numerous criminal investigations, and agrowing number of convictions, for "reckless" transmission of HIV, theimplications of which have created considerable anxiety amongst peopleliving with HIV, and many of the professionals who work with them.
The dramatic evolution of HIV treatments, as well as the stigma associatedwith the virus, has led to a great deal of misunderstanding about life withHIV, how and why the virus continues to be transmitted, how HIV transmissioncan be 'proven', and other important issues that relate to criminal HIVtransmission.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Two New Urgent Gay Iranian Cases Need Your Help
http://direland.typepad.com/direland/2007/04/uk_ignores_iran.html
New from DIRELAND, April 25
TWO NEW URGENT GAY IRANIAN CASES NEED YOUR HELP
A 35-year-old gay Iranian refugee is about to be deported from the U.K.back to Iran, and he is now on a hunger strike to protest thedeportation order. Meanwhile, an underground gay activist and bloggerin Iran, who managed to flee to Turkey with the police on his heels,has been repatriated to Iran, where he faces trial shortly on chargesarising out of his pro-gay activisities--and the Iranian QueerOrganization has launched an emergency appeal for funds to hirea "passer" to get this young activist smuggled out of Iran before he isjailed and tortured.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070425/hl_afp/healthsexcircumcision
Does circumcision affect your sex life? Scientists are divided
Wed Apr 25, 2:20 PM ET
Two studies have thrown up conflicting evidence as to whether circumcisioncould harm a man's sex life, New Scientist reports in its next issue.
The question is especially important, given the World Health Organisation's(WHO's) recent endorsement of circumcision in the panoply of weapons totackle the spread of AIDS.
In a study led by Kimberley Payne of the Riverside Professional Center inOttawa, 20 circumcised and 20 uncircumcised men watched erotic movies whiletheir penises were measured for sensitivity at two points, using filamentsthat pressed down with predetermined amounts of pressure.
There was no difference in penile sensation between the two groups,according to their research.
However, a team led by Robert Van Howe of Michigan State University used asimilar method, but measuring penile sensitivity at 19 points among 163circumcised and uncircumcised men.
The five most sensitive points are all in portions of the penis removed bycircumcision, especially those in folds exposed as the penis becomes erect,Van Howe believes.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770309006
State gives marriage benefits to households
MARK NIESSE (online@rgj.com)
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
March 9, 2007
HONOLULU (AP) - Same-sex partners and family members who live together couldreceive similar health benefits as married couples under a bill passedThursday in the state House.
The bill extends state and county health coverage to couples who aren'tlegally allowed to marry. The measure passed by a 34-6 vote, with 11representatives absent. It now advances to the state Senate.
"This will expand rights for everybody," said Rep. Joe Bertram,
D-Makena-Kihei.
The measure was proposed as a replacement for legislation that would haveallowed gay couples to enter into civil unions. After more than five hoursof testimony, that proposal didn't have enough support in a House committeeto advance last week.
In previous hearings, gay rights advocates argued against this bill becausethey said it undermined their push for civil unions.
"No one in the gay community wanted this bill," said Rep. Gene Ward,R-Kalama Valley-Hawaii Kai, who voted against it. "The gay community hassaid unequivocally they want same-sex marriage or civil unions, and not thisbill."
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/attack/313178_fbicivilrights26.html
FBI opening far fewer civil rights inquiries
Terrorism supersedes hate crimes, police abuse
Thursday, April 26, 2007
By PAUL SHUKOVSKY, TRACY JOHNSON AND DANIEL LATHROP
P-I REPORTERS
The FBI touts civil rights enforcement as a top priority, but the number ofinvestigations into such cases -- from hate crimes to the actions of roguepolice officers -- has fallen sharply, raising concerns that victims areleft with nowhere else to turn.
Pressed by the Bush administration to beef up counterterrorism ranks, theFBI has pulled agents off civil rights and slashed the number of criminalinvestigations conducted nationwide.
The bureau has tacitly adopted more-stringent standards governing whichcases to open. That move has contributed to two-thirds fewer investigationstargeting abusive police officers, cross-burners and other purveyors of hatefrom 2001 to 2005, according to a Seattle P-I analysis of Justice Departmentdata.
The downward trend began in 1999 and accelerated after the 9/11 terroristattacks, the analysis found.
Civil rights experts -- and even one of the Justice Department's top civilrights lawyers -- are troubled by the trend. They say hate-crime enforcementis too important to ignore, and there is a deterrent effect to federalreview of police misconduct that is being muted.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.gaynz.com/news/default.asp?dismode=article&artid=4587
NZ gay teens targeted by bullies
Ref: The Christchurch Press, GayNZ.com (m)
Students who admit to being lesbian or gay during their teenage years aremore likely to be bullied and less likely to succeed in education, a MasseyUniversity study says.
The Lavender Islands survey, the most extensive survey of gays and lesbiansto be done in New Zealand, found that declaring their sexuality at a youngage is associated with bullying and lower educational achievement.
People who had gone on to higher education were more likely to come outlater in life.
The study, which questioned more than 2000 lesbian, gay and bisexual people,found that two-thirds of female respondents and three-quarters of malessurveyed had been verbally abused at school because of their sexuality.
9% of women and 18% of men had been physically assaulted.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.irqo.net/IRQO/English/pages/44.htm
An Iranian Gay Blogger Activist, who fled Iran's police, captured by Turkey'sPolice and was deported back to Iran, needs your help
April 17, 2007
Dear Friends,
This is an urgent appeal on behalf of a courageous Iranian gay activist whowas deported from Turkey back to Iran two weeks ago.
For security reasons, we will call this activist Babak. He is 27-years-old,and has been working as a translator/writer for Cheraq, the Iranian QueerOrganization's (IRQO) on-line monthly magazine for the past year. He is agay writer and blogger who actively pursued queer rights through hisinsightful articles.
After receiving threats from under-cover Iranian police, Babak fled Iran andwent to Turkey, where he was arrested by police for lack of documents.Arsham Parsi, Executive Director of the IRQO, who was in Turkey presenting areport on queer Iranian asylum seekers, contacted the United Nations HighCommission on Refugees (UNHCR) and informed them of Babak's case. The UNHCRoffice called theTurkish police, and requested that Babak be released andallowed to file a claim for refugee status. Unfortunately, he was insteaddeported to Iran, where he was jailed, beaten and tortured. After beingreleased on bail, Babak was forced into hiding. He presently has contactwith only one person and has no access to internet or phone services. It iscritical that he be smuggled out of Iran before his trial.
Babak was born in Iran and sent to Bahrain as a child labourer. He returnedto Iran a young man with a cause. Fluent in both Arabic and Farsi, he is aprecious resource. He translated and wrote tirelessly for the LGBTQcommunity in Arabic and Farsi newspapers. His research in Persian and Arabclassic literature yielded strong evidence of gay men's long history in bothnations . This research endows gay Iranian men with a positive, legitimateidentity, and contradicts the government's claim that homosexuality is adisease imported from the West to attack Persian social values.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=646002007
Thu 26 Apr 2007
Nigerian lesbian flees after marrying four women
LAGOS (Reuters) - A Nigerian lesbian has gone into hiding to avoid arrestdays after marrying four women in the Islamic city of Kano, local mediareported on Thursday.
An estimated 2,000 guests watched Aunty Maiduguri, 45, wed the four women in
a sumptuous ceremony that was followed by two days of feasting andmerry-making.
But neighbours tipped off the authorities, who enforce Sharia law.
"As defenders of Sharia law, we shall not allow this unhealthy developmentto take place," Rabo Abdulkarim, deputy commander of the state Islamicpolice, told ThisDay newspaper.
"We are investigating the matter with a view to find the culprits and punishthem."
Kano is one of 12 states in northern Nigeria that introduced Sharia in 2000.
Homosexuality is also illegal under secular law in Nigeria. The governmentintroduced a bill last year explicitly to outlaw gay marriage in response toits legalisation in some Western countries.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/04/26/MNGK2PFPHE1.DTL&hw=gay+lesbian&sn=001&sc=1000
Gay rights grow in Colombia
Legislation pending to extend benefits to same-sex couples
Mike Ceaser, Chronicle Foreign Service
Thursday, April 26, 2007
(04-26) 04:00 PDT Bogota, Colombia -- Sebastian Romero had a nasty gashabove his lip and several fractured teeth from a pistol-whipping he receivedby an off-duty police officer who nearly ran down him and his partner,Arturo Sanjuan, in a city park last year.
Had he been heterosexual, says Romero, a then-unemployed biologist withouthealth insurance, his partner's medical plan would have taken care of hissubsequent surgery. He and Sanjuan, a university professor, have beentogether for six years -- four more than are required by Colombian law forstraight couples involved in a stable relationship to receive benefits.
Because Colombian law at the time didn't recognize such benefits forsame-sex couples, Romero went into debt to pay his hospital expenses. "It'sstructural discrimination," the 28-year-old said. "Otherwise, I would havepaid 10 percent of my medical bills."
Romero, Sanjuan and gay rights leaders expect legislation advancing throughCongress to provide same-sex couples not only health benefits but socialsecurity and pension rights -- legal changes that were unthinkable a decadeago.
A Supreme Court ruling in February has already granted same-sex couples whohave lived together for more than two years the same inheritance rights asmarried couples, pushing this traditionally conservative Roman Catholicnation into the forefront of the gay rights movement in Latin America.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://mpetrelis.blogspot.com/2007/04/taxpayer-subsidized-us-house-chaplain.html
Taxpayer-subsidized US House Chaplain Promotes Homo-hater Rev. Dobson
Our nation's political and legal doctrine of maintaining a strict separationof church and state should, in my opinion, mean that both the Senate and theHouse should not open every day with a prayer or sermon from a religiousfigure, but that's a somewhat naive expectation. Both chambers begin thepeople's business, when the politicians are actually working, with a fewwords from their respective chaplains.
The most recent challenge to end the Congressional chaplain offices was in2004, but US District Court for Washington, DC, rejected the lawsuit. Hence,the taxpayers continue to subsidize two religious figures, and theiragendas. Click here for a concise summary and history of these offices.
The Rev. Barry C. Black, a Navy vet and Seventh-day Adventist minister, isthe Senate's chaplain, and his annual salary is $143,000. Black is the firstAfrican American to hold this position. His web page is basic, with noarchive of his opening prayers, list of activities or names of any guestpreachers starting the Senate's day.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/print_report.cfm?DR_ID=44517&dr_cat=2
Daily Women's Health Policy
Opinion | Editorials, Opinion Pieces Respond to Report on Abstinence-OnlySex Education
[Apr 26, 2007]
Several newspapers recently published editorials and opinion piecesresponding to a report released earlier this month that found thatabstinence-only sex education programs are not effective in preventing ordelaying teenagers from having sexual intercourse. The report, commissionedby Congress and released earlier this month by Mathematica Policy Research,followed 2,057 U.S. teenagers in late elementary and middle school whoparticipated in four abstinence programs, as well as students in the samegrades who did not participate in such programs. About half of the studentswho received abstinence education and about half of those who did notreported that they abstained from sex. More than one-third of both groups
had two or more sexual partners; 23% of both groups reported having had sexand always using a condom; 17% of both groups reported having had sex andonly sometimes using a condom; and 4% of the students in both groupsreported having had sex and never using a condom, according to the report(Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 4/16). Summaries appear below.
Editorials
a.. Christian Science Monitor: The Bush administration has the opportunityto "refute" charges that it has "ignor[ed] science" by "heeding thesefindings and retooling its efforts," a Monitor editorial says. "To confrontthe apparent failures of abstinence programs is not to give up on teenabstinence as a standard," the editorial says, adding that comprehensive sexeducation classes that include abstinence might be "more useful" thanabstinence-only programs (Christian Science Monitor, 4/24).
more...
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/51037/
Bush Blames the Troops
By Robert Scheer, Truthdig
Posted on April 25, 2007, Printed on April 29, 2007
Blame it on the military but make it look like you're supporting the troops.That's been the convenient gambit of failed emperors throughout history asthey witnessed their empires decline. Not surprisingly then, it's become thestandard rhetorical trick employed by President Bush in shirkingresponsibility for the Iraq debacle of his making.
Ignoring the fact that we have a system of civilian control over themilitary, which is why he, the elected president, is designated thecommander in chief, Bush hides behind the fiction that the officers in thefield are calling the shots when in fact he has put them in an unwinnablesituation and refuses to even consider a timetable for getting them out.
He did it again Monday, responding to the prospect that both houses ofCongress seem in agreement on setting guidelines for the "progress" that thepresident continually proclaims is at hand. "I will strongly reject anartificial timetable [for] withdrawal and/or Washington politicians tryingto tell those who wear the uniform how to do their job."
This is disingenuous in the extreme, because Bush is the Washingtonpolitician who plotted this unnecessary war from the moment the 9/11 attackprovided him with an excuse for regime change in a country that had nothingto do with the terrorist attack.
It was Bush who sent the troops to invade Iraq with the mission of riddingit of weapons of mass destruction, which he should have known Iraq did nothave, and to end ties with al-Qaida that, the record shows, he knew neverexisted. And it was the Bush administration that micro-managed every aspectof the occupation to disastrous consequences ranging from thede-Baathification that isolated the Sunnis to premature elections that putShiite theocrats in power.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.universitybusiness.com/newssummary.aspx?news=yes&postid=2631
University of Kentucky Approves Partner Benefits
4/26/2007
Domestic partners of University of Kentucky employees will receive healthcoverage July 1 as part of an $11.8 million benefits package approvedyesterday by the school's Board of Trustees.
UK is the second public university in Kentucky to extend benefits tounmarried couples, including gays. The University of Louisville's benefitstook effect Jan. 1.
A handful of private Kentucky colleges, including Centre and Berea, alsooffer domestic partner benefits.
UK's action comes a day after Gov. Ernie Fletcher's running mate, CabinetSecretary Robbie Rudolph, said in a televised debate that he and Fletcheroppose domestic partner benefits. He said the administration might asklawmakers to pass legislation banning them, possibly during an expectedspecial legislative session later this year.
But Fletcher said yesterday he is unsure if he will add such legislation tothe agenda of a special session, and would talk with legislators beforemaking a decision.
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Outing anal cancer
The virus responsible for cervical cancer is also a hidden health riskfor gay men, says Peter Tatchell
NURSING STANDARD
28 April - May 2007
London- UK
Two decades ago, there was a big increase in the number ofsexually-transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV) infections among gayand bisexual men. At the time, I was aware of medical research showingthat HPV could be passed on during vaginal sex and cause cervicalcancer in women. It dawned on me that HPV might also be transmissiblethrough anal sex and capable of causing anal cancer.
It turned out that my hunch was correct. A search of American medicaljournals revealed that certain strains of HPV cause cervical and analcancer. But that is where the similarities end. There is a nationaleducation, screening and treatment programme for cancer of the cervix,but nothing similar for anal cancer. A disease affecting women istaken seriously, but the same disease is ignored when it affects gaymen.
I feel a sense of déjà vu. The official indifference towards analcancer echoes the neglect of the AIDS epidemic in the early 1980s,when it was confined to the gay community.
HPV is not as dangerous as HIV. Most strains are non-cancerous. Thereis, however, no room for complacency. HPV has a long incubationperiod. With infections rocketing, we risk an exponential rise in analcancer in 20 to 30 years' time.
Contact Ray' List for the full article.
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Irish Independent, Thursday April 26th 2007
Sex change dentist's wife fearful over ruling
Ann O'Loughlin
THE separated wife of a trans-sexual dentist is "alarmed" about theimplications for her marital status if her estranged husband gets the courtruling she wants which would make her a woman from birth.
Anne Foy is judicially separated but still legally married to denist DrLydia Foy who has taken a High Court case seeking a declaration that therefusal to describe her as female on her birth certificate breaches herright.
She was registered at birth as male and and later had a sex changeoperation.
Succeeded
Senior counsel Mary O'Toole told the High Court if Dr Foy succeeded insecuring the court declaration sought, this would have major implicationsfor the Foys' marriage. It would also have implications for the ongoingdivorce proceedings and would mean "enormous uncertainty" for Mrs Foy andtheir two daughters.
Such a declaration could, for example, mean that Mrs Foy was never legallymarried as, under Irish law, marriage can only occur between persons of theopposite sex and two persons of the same sex were not entitled to marry,counsel said.
It would also in turn have unknown implications for the divorce proceedingsinvolving Dr Foy and Mrs Foy.
If the Foys' marriage was declared void, this could mean, for example, thatMrs Foy and her daughters were no longer members of a family as recognisedunder the Constitution, counsel suggested. Mrs Foy could not be placed in adifferent position than any other divorced spouse.
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Kingdom in the Closet; Being Gay in Saudi Arabia
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/prem/200705/gay-saudi-arabia
From the Atlantic Monthly - May 2007
The Kingdom in the Closet
Sodomy is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia, but gay life flourishesthere. Why it is "easier to be gay than straight" in a society whereeveryone, homosexual and otherwise, lives in the closet
by Nadya Labi
Yasser, a 26-year-old artist, was taking me on an impromptu tour of hishometown of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on a sweltering September afternoon. Theair conditioner of his dusty Honda battled the heat, prayer beads dangledfrom the rearview mirror, and the smell of the cigarette he'd just smokedwafted toward me as he stopped to show me a barbershop that his friendsfrequent. Officially, men in Saudi Arabia aren't allowed to wear their hairlong or to display jewelry-such vanities are usually deemed to violate anIslamic instruction that the sexes must not be too similar in appearance.But Yasser wears a silver necklace, a silver bracelet, and a sparkly redstud in his left ear, and his hair is shaggy. Yasser is homosexual, or so wewould describe him in the West, and the barbershop we visited caters to gaymen. Business is brisk.
Leaving the barbershop, we drove onto Tahlia Street, a broad avenue framedby palm trees, then went past a succession of sleek malls and slowed infront of a glass-and-steel shopping center. Men congregated outside and innearby cafés. Whereas most such establishments have a family section, two ofthis area's cafés allow only men; not surprisingly, they are popular amongmen who prefer one another's company. Yasser gestured to a parking lotacross from the shopping center, explaining that after midnight it would be"full of men picking up men." These days, he said, "you see gay peopleeverywhere."
Yasser turned onto a side street, then braked suddenly. "Oh shit, it's acheckpoint," he said, inclining his head toward some traffic cops in brownuniforms. "Do you have your ID?" he asked me. He wasn't worried about thegay-themed nature of his tour-he didn't want to be caught alone with awoman. I rummaged through my purse, realizing that I'd left my passport inthe hotel for safekeeping.
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ILGA-Europe welcomes condemnation of homophobia by European Parliament
On 25 April 2007, members of the European Parliament debated, and todayadopted a new resolution on homophobia in Europe. The resolution highlightsthe general problem of homophobia at pan-European level and makes a numberof specific references to Poland and a climate of state-sponsored homophobiain that country.
ILGA-Europe is very pleased that the European Parliament has repeatedlydemonstrated its leading role in the observation of human rights in EUmember states. This is the third resolution on homophobia adopted by theEuropean Parliament in a relatively short time. ILGA-Europe is pleased thatdespite calls from some members, the European Parliament denied a motion notto debate this resolution and voted for it.
ILGA-Europe is also pleased to hear repeated the commitment to uphold EUanti-discrimination legislation from the European Commission. Following thedebate at the parliament, Vladimir Spidla, the EU Commissioner forEmployment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, made it clear that ifadopted, the controversial proposal by the Polish minister of educationwould clearly contravene the EU anti-discrimination legislation.
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Poland urged to drop new law banning 'homosexual propaganda' in schools
Fundamental rights - 26-04-2007 - 14:06
European Parliament
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/017-5745-113-04-17-
902-20070420IPR05691-23-04-2007-2007-false/default_en.htm
Following a debate on homophobia in Europe, Parliament adopted a resolutionon Thursday voicing concern at the recent announcement by the PolishEducation nister of a new draft law to outlaw 'homosexual propaganda' inschools. The esolution - adopted by 325 votes to 124, with 150 abstentions calls for a fact-finding mission to be sent to Poland, for "worldwidede-criminalisation of homosexuality" and for the Commission to take MemberStates to court if they breach their EU obligations.
Although Poland is not the only country in Europe where homophobia is anissue - MEPs also mention cases of discrimination in Italy and the UnitedKingdom - most of the resolution focuses on recent developments in Poland.MEPs not only express concern about statements by Minister Giertychregarding a new law providing for the dismissal, fining or imprisonment ofschool directors, teachers and pupils in cases of gay rights' activism, theyalso note the Polish government's stated wish to promote similar laws atEuropean level and the fact that the Polish Ombudsman for Children announcedthat she is preparing a list of jobs for which homosexuals are unfit. On thepositive side, MEPs welcome the fact that gay pride events are no longersystematically banned in Poland.
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European official warns Poland over planned anti-gay legislation
25 April 2007, 19:00 CET
EU Business
http://www.eubusiness.com/news_live/1177527612.18
(STRASBOURG) - A Polish proposal to ban discussion of homosexuality inschools would violate European law, the European commissioner for equalopportunity said Wednesday.
"Such a law, if it were to emerge, would be in contradiction with theEuropean human rights convention and the EU charter on fundamental rights,"Vladimir Spidla told the European Parliament as part of a debate onhomophobia.
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EU parliament backs diversity roadshow
Wed, 25 Apr 2007
TheParliament.com
http://www.eupolitix.com/EN/News/200704/8d8bd71b-b7f0-44a1-9550-94e07a1d62de.htm
STRASBOURG: MEPs from across the political spectrum attended the launch of anew diversity roadshow in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
The EU Diversity Truck will spend the next seven months touring Europeancities and raising awareness of the EU's tough anti-discrimination rules aspart of the European year of equal opportunities for all.
"We have some of the strongest anti-discrimination rules in the whole of theworld, but still many people do not know what their rights are," saidVladimir Spidla, EU employment commissioner, at the launch event.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2063250,00.html
Norway set to make buying sex illegal
Reuters in Oslo, The Guardian, Monday April 23, 2007
Norway's ruling Labour party voted yesterday for a ban on buying sex in abid to shift the focus of the law on to punters.
Prostitution is legal in Norway, but procuring it, or pimping, is not.Street prostitution in the capital, Oslo, has become increasingly visibleand aggressive in the past few years, provoking calls for a ban.
Labour has support from its coalition partners, the Socialist Left andCentre parties, which hold a combined 87 of parliament's 169 seats. It willalso be backed by the opposition Christian People's party, which proposedthe ban. "A majority of parties in parliament wants a ban on buying sexualservices," said the prime minister, Jens Stoltenberg."We are going toimplement it."
The congress of the Labour party, which heads the three-party centre-leftgovernment, was sharply divided, however, with 184 of 300 delegates votingfor the ban.
The opposition Progress and Liberal parties oppose the ban. The Conservativeparty is reserving judgment.
Sweden introduced a similar ban in 1999. Proponents say banning the purchaseof sex will curb prostitution without penalising the prostitutes, many ofwhom are poor, young foreign women often forced into the trade. Opponentssay it will drive prostitution underground and make prostitutes even morevulnerable. "I don't think it will help the women," said Karita Bekkemellem,the Labour party's minister for children and equality affairs and a strongadvocate of women's rights.
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http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2483866.ece
Independent.co.uk Online Edition: Home
25 April 2007 09:05
Heath was told to stop gay sex activity, Tory claims
By Andrew Grice, Political Editor
Published: 25 April 2007
Sir Edward Heath, the former prime minister, was warned by police tostop "cottaging" for gay sex in the 1950s because it could harm hispolitical career, a Tory politician has claimed.
Brian Coleman, a senior member of the London Assembly, said: "The lateTed Heath managed to obtain the highest office of state after he wassupposedly advised to cease his cottaging activities in the Fifties when hebecame a Privy Councillor."
Writing for the New Statesman magazine's online edition, Mr Coleman, whois gay, said Britain had "managed for decades with gay men holding asignificant number of public offices". He claimed that gay men had ineffect run the Conservative Party in London, whether as officials,councillors or volunteers.
Sir Edward, a bachelor who never spoke about his sexuality, was PrimeMinister from 1970 to 1974. He died in 2005. Friends had expected him tomarry Kay Raven, whom he had known since childhood, but she is said to havebecome tired of waiting for him to propose to her and married someone else.
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National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/content/view/510/173/
Thursday, 26 April 2007 13:16
Hate Crimes Bill Passes Out of Judiciary Committee
"Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act" Now Moves to Full Housefor Consideration
WASHINGTON - Late tonight, in a vote of 20 to 14 H.R. 1592, the "Local LawEnforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act", passed out of the JudiciaryCommittee. The legislation now makes its way to the floor of the UnitedStates House of Representatives for consideration by the full chamber. "Lawenforcement is now one step closer to getting the extra tools they need tocombat hate violence," said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human RightsCampaign. "Hate crimes continue to spread fear and violence among entirecommunities of Americans and currently, law enforcement can use theseadditional tools and resources to prevent and prosecute them. We lookforward to the day when partisan politics are finally put aside and thisbill passes through Congress and is sent to the President's desk for signinginto law."
"Although there were many attempts to derail this legislation today incommittee, our allies in Congress stood strong and secured its passage. Weare a long way from declaring victory, but we are as committed as ever tocontinuing to fight back the last desperate attempts by extremists and makesure this bill is realized as the law of the land."
An identical companion bill was introduced April 12th in the U.S. Senate bySenators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR).
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act would strengthen theability of law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute hatecrimes by:
* Protecting All Americans. Under the current federal law, enacted nearly 40years ago, the government has the authority to help investigate andprosecute bias-motivated attacks based on race, color, national origin andreligion and because the victim was attempting to exercise a federallyprotected right. For example, authorities became involved in aSalt Lake Citycase where James Herrick set fire to a Pakistani restaurant on Sept. 13,2001. Herrick was sentenced to 51 months' incarceration on Jan. 7, 2002,after pleading guilty to violating 18 U.S.C. § 245.
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Third Wave Foundation
http://www.thirdwavefoundation.org/grant-making/ussff
Third Wave Foundation Offers United States Social Forum Scholarships
The Third Wave Foundation's United States Social Forum Fund provides fullscholarships (registration, travel, lodging, and food) for young women andtransgender activists between the ages of 15 and 30 to attend the UnitedStates Social Forum, June 27-July 1, 2007, in Atlanta, Georgia.
The foundation is accepting applications from individuals that are currentlyworking for positive social change in their communities. The foundationseeks to support young women and transgender youth who are members, staff,board, or volunteers of youth-led and intergenerational organizations. ThirdWave Foundation prioritizes young people from organizations that aremulti-issue and multi-strategy.
A priority is placed on individuals from the following communities:low-income; people of color; differently abled (mental, physical, oremotional); immigrant; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender; and/or those inrural areas. Applications from people impacted by the sex trade or sexworkers, young parents, and formerly incarcerated are also encouraged.Deadline: May 10, 2007.
Click on link at the top of page for more information.
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