Friday, August 03, 2007

GLBT DIGEST August 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.


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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/03/nyregion/03plumb.html?pagewanted=print

August 3, 2007
No Hate Required for Hate Crime in Gay Man's Death, Judge Rules
By MICHAEL BRICK

Three men arrested in the death of a gay man who was beaten and then struckby a car during an October robbery attempt can be charged with hate crimeswithout evidence that they were motivated by hatred for gay men, a judgeruled yesterday.

The judge, Jill Konviser of State Supreme Court in Brooklyn, said in awritten order that prosecutors need show only that the victim was chosenbecause of his sexual orientation to pursue charges under the state's HateCrimes Act of 2000. The law provides for longer sentences on conviction forcrimes motivated by racial, religious and other characteristics of a victim.

The case concerns the killing of Michael Sandy, 29, a gay man who was luredto a meeting place in Sheepshead Bay last October, then driven a shortdistance to Plumb Beach, where he was beaten and chased into traffic on theBelt Parkway. He later died of his injuries.

The defendants, John Fox, Anthony Fortunato and Ilya Shurov, none older than21, were charged with murder as a hate crime. Prosecutors said the men hadcontacted Mr. Sandy through a gay online chat room, selecting him because"this was an easy way to rob someone," according to court documents.




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Sun-Sentinel

August 1, 2007
Gay boycott makes no sense
Posted by Michael Mayo at 11:48 AM

In the wake of Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle's recent gay-unfriendlyremarks, some wonder if gay and lesbian tourists might stay away from thecity. This is one case where a boycott would be misguided andcounterproductive.

After all, a gay boycott would hurt many hotels, restaurants and businessesthat are owned by gays, employ gays and welcome gays.

And a boycott would only play into Naugle's agenda, allowing him to claimthat he single-handedly curtailed the scourge of what he views as theimmoral and promiscuous masses.

The best revenge would be for gays to keep visiting and keep making amockery of Naugle's comments with behavior that's law-abiding andfree-spending. And, considering Naugle's remark that he doesn't call gays"gay" because "most are unhappy," gay visitors should also wear big smiles.

About the only thing gays should boycott in Fort Lauderdale is anything thatdirectly benefits the city. For visitors, maybe that means finding freeparking or using private lots instead of city meters (except for the lotsNaugle co-owns near the courthouse).

For residents, maybe holding off on any home or business improvements thatrequire a city permit until Naugle apologizes or leaves office.

That would deliver the targeted message the situation deserves.



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Senator Barack Obama is coming to Miami !
Saturday, August 25th - 3pm

Miami Dade County Auditorium
2901 W. Flagler St., Miami 33135

Tickets: General Admission - $25 pp
Special "VIP seating" - $100 pp
Purchase tickets online at:

https://www.miamidadedemocrats.com/event_form.asp?FId=3
or call: 305-477-4994

Host Committee, Sponsorship and Volunteer opportunities are available

The Miami-Dade Democratic Party
1200 NW 78th Avenue, Suite #214, Doral, Florida 33126
Ph: 305-477-4994 Fax: 305-477-4995
Email: info@MiamiDadeDemocrats.com




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The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/02/AR2007080202148.html

Young Russia's Enemy No. 1
Anti-Americanism Grows
By Sarah E. Mendelson and Theodore P. Gerber
Friday, August 3, 2007; Page A15

Vladimir Putin's belligerent rhetoric and actions toward the United Statesand its allies have begun prompting pundits to debate whether a new Cold Waris afoot. But how has the Russian president's message played to his homeaudience? A survey we commissioned by the Levada Analytic Center of 1,802Russians ages 16 to 29 offers some insight. We focused on this "Putingeneration" because it is Russia's political and economic future. In thedays after the Soviet collapse, it seemed reasonable to hope, even expect,that this generation, as the collective beneficiaries of a putativepost-Soviet transition to economic prosperity and political freedom, wouldembrace the United States as a friend of Russia. Yet our survey, conductedin April and May, found that a majority of young Russians view the UnitedStates as enemy No. 1. And while Putin's rhetoric is driving thisdevelopment, human rights violations associated with U.S. counterterrorismpolicies have played a role.

Putin has become increasingly vocal in his accusations that the UnitedStates seeks to impose its ideas and interests on the rest of the world,going so far as to liken American policies to those of the Third Reich. Hefrequently cites the "dangers" of foreign influence, suggesting that Russiais encircled by enemies and that foreign governments finance Russianorganizations to meddle in Russia's affairs.



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The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2007/08/02/BL2007080201146_pf.html

Karl Rove's Immunity
By Dan Froomkin
Special to washingtonpost.com
Thursday, August 2, 2007; 1:24 PM

The presidential aide who acts with such impunity now has the ultimateprotection: absolute immunity from congressional oversight, at least in thejudgment of White House Counsel Fred Fielding.

White House political mastermind Karl Rove had been subpoenaed to testifythis morning before the Senate Judiciary Committee as part of theinvestigation into last year's still-unexplained firings of nine U.S.attorneys.

No one actually expected Rove to show up. But Fielding's assertion ofexecutive privilege yesterday to block his testimony was neverthelesssurprising in its breadth.

From Fielding's letter to Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy: "Basedupon the advice of the Department of Justice, the President . . . hasrequested that I advise and inform you that Mr. Rove, as an immediatepresidential advisor, is immune from compelled congressional testimony aboutmatters that arose during his tenure and that relate to his official dutiesin that capacity. Accordingly, Mr. Rove is not required to appear inresponse to the Judiciary Committee subpoena to testify about such matters,and he has been directed not to appear."



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http://365gay.com/Newscon07/07/073107jerusalem.htm

Militant Jewish Sect Battle Police Over Gay Pride Arrests
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: July 31, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET

(Jerusalem) More than a month after a gay pride march in Jerusalem membersof the haredi, an extreme Orthodox sect that rioted for a week prior to theparade are still battling with police.

Testifying before a Knesset committee Tuesday a senior police officer saidthat sect members almost nightly are setting fires in garbage bins in thecity's Orthodox area and throwing stones at police officers.

They are protesting the detention of five sect members who attempted todisrupt the parade.

"Every night they protest the detention of five haredim who were arrested indemonstrations against last month's Gay Pride march," Assistant CommanderBruno Stein, told the Knesset's Internal Affairs and Environment Committee.

One of those still detained is a 32 year old man who was found carrying ahomemade bomb. He was arrested moments before the pride march was to begin.

Police said he planned to detonate it near the parade route to scare peopleaway.



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August 2nd, 2007

The Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) will take a stand and recognize the firstever Global Day of Gay Solidarity taking place on Friday August 3rd. TheVPS will honour the day by hosting a moment of silence during the OfficialVancouver Pride Weekend Launch at noon outside Vancouver Art Gallery toremember those who have fallen victim to human rights abuses because oftheir sexual orientation.

The Global Day of Gay Solidarity is a day commemorating the atrocities facedby the international GLBT community. Activists will unite worldwide andsend a message to government officials, in particular the UN, to investigatehuman rights abuses of GLBT people around the planet. Vancouver will markthe 10th international city to recognize the Day; other cities include NewYork, Caracas, Cologne, Warsaw, Mexico City, Washington D.C, and Stockholm.

WHAT: Moment of Silence for the Global Gay Solidarity Day (during theOfficial Vancouver Pride Weekend Launch).



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Swedish Church to join Stockholm Gay Pride parade
02/08/07 18h10 GMT+1
AFP News brief

http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/administration/afp-news.html?id=070802171008.txfmbaw0&cat=null

The Swedish Lutheran Church will march for for the first time in the GayPride parade in Stockholm under the slogan "Love is stronger thateverything", the Church announced on Thursday.

"For the first time ever, the parade at the Pride festival will have adelegation from the Swedish Church," it said in a statement.

The parade will go through the streets of the Swedish capital on Saturday.

The Church said the delegation would include about 30 people including twodeans from the Stockholm and Uppsala cathedrals.

It said it also wanted to "break the masses' big silence" regarding gays,bisexuals and transexuals.

"The Swedish Church is a Church open to everyone," Uppsala priest Ann-KatrinBosbach explained.

Sweden, already a pioneer in giving same-sex couples the right to adoptchildren, looks set to allow gays to marry in the Lutheran Church byintroducing a new marriage law in January 2008.

If the so-called "gender neutral" marriage legislation is adopted, theScandinavian country would become the first in the world to allow gays tomarry within a major Church.

Stockholm Pride is Scandinavia's largest Gay Pride celebration and last year45,000 persons participated, according to its organizers.

Homosexuality was not legalized in Sweden until 1944.



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Bay Area Reporter
San Francisco
August 2, 2007

http://ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=2044

Gays 'zap' UN head during SF visit
By Heather Cassell

A small group of gay rights activists demanded that United NationsSecretary-General Ban Ki-moon address gay issues during a forum last weekand interrupted his remarks at a World Affairs Council speech at theFairmont Hotel.

The short demonstration followed a decision by the United Nations Economicand Social Council to give consultative status to two LGBT organizations,believed to be only the third time it has done so.

Gay rights activist and blogger Michael Petrelis, along with a small groupof activists, twice disrupted Ban's July 26 speech. Petrelis and theothers demanded that Ban address LGBT human rights issues, in particularexecutions of gay individuals in Iran and recent attacks during Pridecelebrations in Eastern Europe.

Ban, 63, the eighth secretary-general of the United Nations, began theposition on January 1. His visit to the Bay Area was in part to examineCalifornia's efforts to reverse the effects of global warming as well asother issues, according to a news release from the secretary-general'soffice.



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Footballer denounces sport homophobia

Published: 2nd August 2007 09:11 CET
The Local
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/8072/

The Nordic region's largest gay pride event, Stockholm Pride, was officiallyopened on Wednesday by former Liverpool and Sweden footballer Glenn Hysén,who spoke of the problem of homophobia in sport.

"Sometimes, sport turns us into good team players, but sometimes sport turnsus into anxious homophobic herd animals," he said.

Hysén's suitability as a speaker at Pride has been questioned in the press,due to an incident in a toilet at Frankfurt Airport in 2001, in which hethumped a man who molested him. Hysén started his speech by meeting hiscritics head on:

"I know that many LGBT people have been the victims of assaults and hatecrimes. I can therefore understand if some people have been upset by theairport incident, so I want to be clear: I think that it is completelyunacceptable that anybody should be subjected to assaults, insults or hatecrimes due to their sexual orientation or gender identity," he said.



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Dutch embassies to research gay rights

Thursday 02 August 2007
http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2007/08/dutch_embassies_to_research_ga
.php

Dutch embassy officials in 36 countries where the Netherlands has close aidties have been asked to draw up an inventory of gay rights legislation.

The survey has been commissioned by by aid minister Bert Koenders, theVolkskrant reports on Thursday.

The paper says that in 18 countries where the Netherlands is active,homosexuality is illegal. Gay men face punishments ranging from fines andpublic beatings to, in three cases, a potential death sentence.

Dutch embassies in countries where homosexuality is illegal are being toldto urge the authorities to scrap anti-gay legislation, the paper says.

The results of the survey will be published in a few months but will not beused as an excuse to cut development aid, a ministry spokesman told thepaper.



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

Human Rights Campaign Expresses Disappointment on Judiciary Committee Voteon Leslie Southwick

"The Judiciary Committee's duty is to ensure that only fair-mindedindividuals, committed to civil rights for all Americans, are permitted toserve lifetime appointments to our federal courts," said Human RightsCampaign President Joe Solmonese

WASHINGTON -- Today the Senate Judiciary Committee approved, by a vote often to nine, the nomination of Judge Leslie Southwick to the United StatesCourt of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. Judge Southwick has a disturbingrecord on equal rights, having participated in a decision removing an8-year-old child from the biological mother due in part to the mother'ssexual orientation. This vote brings Judge Southwick one step closer to alifetime position on the federal bench.

"The Judiciary Committee's duty is to ensure that only fair-mindedindividuals, committed to civil rights for all Americans, are permittedserve lifetime appointments to our federal courts," said Human RightsCampaign President Joe Solmonese. "The courts of appeal make decisions thatare critical to our lives. Judge Southwick has demonstrated a willingnessto base the most important decision imaginable-separating a parent from herchild-upon anti-gay prejudice. He is unfit to serve on the court, and westrongly encourage the full senate to reject his nomination."



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

Time to take off kid gloves with Boy Scouts

Mark My Words
By Mark Segal
PGN Publisher
C 2007 Philadelphia Gay News
Ending discrimination in the city

At times my phone is like a time machine. The other day, I picked it up andheard the infamous line: "You may not remember me, but ..." This particularcaller had met me one time in Chicago - in 1974. The events of that datewere easy to remember. Chicago officials had asked me to be grand marshalfor their first gay pride parade and rally. To promote the event, theyarranged all sorts of publicity for the four days prior to the event.

The man on the phone was the former executive director of thethen-just-opened Howard Brown Clinic for the gay and lesbian community. Henow resides in San Francisco and is a person living with HIV, and has doneso for close to 30 years without any medication. He is evidently involvedwith medical studies. (This is just one way PGN gets its news.)

Other ways include networking and people calling us with information. One ofthe issues we're hearing a lot about is the proposed settlement with the BoyScouts and the city land they are using.



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

[euro-queer] ILGA - call for volunteers to translate an HIV/Aids report
Espanol abajo - Portugues abaixo - Français en bas.

Dear friends, dear fellow LGBT activists,

ILGA plans to launch a world report on state regulations that forbid orimpede HIV positive people from traveling to some countries, mid-October. Wehope that a launch in October will allow LGBT and other groups to campaignwith this report around December 1 2007.

As we did with the State-sponsored Homophobia world report, we are workingwith an existing report. This "HIV/Aids Travel and Residence Regulations forHIV+ people" is the work of Peter Wiessner, from the German Aids Foundationand David Haerry who now collaborates with the European Aids Treating Group(EATG).

This report can be seen online at

http://www.eatg.org/hivtravel/

We are now looking for volunteers who could translate and proofread thisreport in the following languages:

- From English to Portuguese
- From English to Spanish
- From English to Russian

If interested, please write to volunteers@ilga.org.

I thank you in advance for your continued support,

Stephen Barris / ILGA



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

American Family Network

Sales of all Ford Motor Company automobiles fell 19.1% in July, compared toa year ago. Since AFA began a boycott of Ford in March 2006, sales havedropped in 15 of the 17 months. While the boycott isn't totally responsiblefor the drop in sales, it has played a major role.

AFA has identified Ford as a leading promoter of the homosexual agenda,including same-sex marriage. AFA began a boycott of Ford after theautomobile maker reneged on an agreement with AFA to cease promotion of thehomosexual lifestyle. Nearly 750,000 individuals have signed the AFAsponsored Boycott Ford Pledge. For more information on the Ford boycott andto sign the pledge, click here.

Despite the drastic drop in sales, not a single homosexual group has come toFord's defense nor publicly encouraged homosexuals to purchase Fordautomobiles. AFA asked Ford to take a stand similar to that of Wal-Mart,which will not support or oppose controversial issues. Ford declined,choosing to continue financially supporting the homosexual movement.



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

[euro-queer] Moscow Gay Pride Organizer Charged With Criminal
Offence of Slander
02.08.2007 14:57:12

http://www.gayrussia.ru/en/news/detail.php?ID=9628

Moscow Gay Pride Organizer Charged With Criminal Offence of Slander

Russian authorities start criminal proceedings against prominent gayactivist

On Wednesday 1 August chief organizer of Moscow Gay Pride Nikolai Alekseevwas officially charged with slander and a criminal investigation into hiscomments made live on Russian TV was launched by Moscow police andprosecution department.

Detective officially informed Mr. Alekseev, who is known for his humanrights activities in the sphere of LGBT rights, that criminal investigationis now open on the claim of Deputy of Russian State Duma Alexander Chuev.

Mr. Chuev from "Fair Russia" party closely linked to Kremlin suggested thatMr. Alekseev insulted and slandered him by calling him "gay" in the mostpopular talk show on Russian NTV channel "K baryeru!" broadcasted on 21 Junethis year.

TV duel between the deputy and Moscow Pride organizer was broadcasted livein the Russian Far East and later in all other parts of Russia recorded.



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The Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/lifestyle/sfl-shaud3sbaug03,0,7401354.story

Auditions
August 3, 2007

Gay Men's Chorus - 7:30 p.m. Tue. at Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW Ninth Ave.,Fort Lauderdale. 954-791-4714.



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The Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/travel/print/sfl-gayphillybraug05,0,5844748,print.story

Philadelphia freedom
By RUBINA MADAN
The Associated Press
August 5, 2007

When Philadelphia rolled out a national ad campaign aimed at gay touristsfour years ago, some of the commercials featured same-sex couples inColonial costumes.

"Come to Philadelphia," the ads said. "Get your history straight and yournightlife gay."

Since then, the city has become more sophisticated in its effort to attractpart of the annual $55 billion gay tourism market, targeting subgroupswithin the gay and lesbian community.

"Destinations will need to further refine what they're offering the gaytraveler. No longer will it be enough to say, 'Hey, we're gay-friendly. Youshould come here,'" said Jeff Guaracino of the Greater Philadelphia TourismMarketing Corp.

Philadelphia has been focusing recent marketing efforts on lesbians, who areless likely to have visited the city than gay men, according to DeborahDiamond, director of research and strategy for the Greater PhiladelphiaTourism Marketing Corporation.



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The Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/booksmags/sfl-bkolinelocalaugnbaug05,0,4503036,print.column

Gay and lesbian writers who want to showcase their work should plan toattend the Over the Rainbow: GLBT Bookfest Expo 2-5 p.m. Sept. 30 at theMain Library, 100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Published authors shouldcontact Lorraine Woods, Broward County Library Outreach Services Department,at lwoods@browardlibrary.org or call 954-357-7348.



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The Miami Herald

http://www.miamiherald.com/548/v-print/story/191150.html

Posted on Fri, Aug. 03, 2007
Miami Beach launches its own brand in pursuit of visitors
BY DOUGLAS HANKS

Miami Beach wants vacationers to see it as more than just Miami's beach.After two decades subsidizing countywide tourism campaigns for ''Miami,''the resort city also is trying to fashion its own vacation brand. The firsttarget: New Yorkers, who will receive Miami Beach energy drinks, beachpaddles and suntan lotion this summer as part of a promotional push intoSouth Florida's No. 1 tourism market.

''We believe we need to go out there and make sure people understand thereis a distinction'' between Miami and Miami Beach, said Hilda Fernandez, thecity administrator who spearheaded the campaign.

The effort has a small budget and will rely mostly on word-of-mouth buzz andpublicity stunts, not to mention an Internet music video bound to make somenostalgic for the 1980s.

But the fledgling marketing push that began last month also touches on alarger tug-of-war over Miami Beach's role in Miami-Dade County's $14 billiontourism industry.

A HARD BARGAIN



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The Miami Herald

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/v-print/story/191144.html

Posted on Fri, Aug. 03, 2007
National gay leaders urge rebuke of Naugle remarks
BY STEVE ROTHAUS

Sixteen of the nation's most powerful gay leaders on Thursday called for theBroward County and Fort Lauderdale commissions to condemn ''recent anti-gaycomments'' of Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle.

''We are writing to support UNITE Fort Lauderdale's request that youpromptly pass a resolution condemning Mayor Naugle's insulting, hurtful anduntrue comments and reaffirming Fort Lauderdale's welcome of and support forlesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people,'' wrote the activists,including the heads of GLAAD (the Gay & Lesbian Alliance AgainstDefamation), Human Rights Campaign and Log Cabin Republicans. The ACLUjoined in the call as well. Mayor Naugle did not return a phone message leftat City Hall.

Broward County Mayor Josephus Eggelletion Jr. said he would not support aresolution condemning Naugle. ''That comment may not be the most appropriatething to say, but he has the right to say it,'' Eggelletion said.

Last month, Naugle proposed that Fort Lauderdale spend $250,000 on asingle-occupancy toilet for the beach to cut down on men having sex witheach other in public bathrooms. Naugle says the problem is rampant; the cityreports that since 2005, there have been only two arrests for sexualactivity in a public restroom.

Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Forceand one of the 16 letter-signers, sent a follow-up e-mail Wednesday night toThe Miami Herald:

''One issue that hasn't received much play -- and is, frankly, moreegregious than everything else -- is [Naugle's] misrepresentation thatBroward had the highest number of new [male-to-male] HIV cases last year inthe nation -- which led him questioning the convention and visitors bureaumarketing to gay tourists,'' Foreman wrote. ``This is -- to me -- even moreegregious than the toilet idiocy.''



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NationalGayNews.com

http://nationalgaynews.com/content/view/1267/

Thursday, 02 August 2007 11:16
Gay Coalition Asks Broward, City to Denounce Mayor Naugle

National coalition of gay leaders and organizations condemn Naugle and askfor action from County and City Commissions. The effort was organized byMatt Foreman, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Why: This letter is being sent today to the Fort Lauderdale and BrowardCounty commissions:

"Dear Members of the Fort Lauderdale City Commission and Broward CountyCommission:

We are writing to support UNITE Ft. Lauderdale's request that you promptlypass a resolution condemning Mayor Naugle's insulting, hurtful and untruecomments and reaffirming Ft. Lauderdale's welcome of and support forlesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

While we know that some of you have made individual statements rejecting themayor's comments and said that he does not speak for you, the reality isthat because the mayor made his defamatory comments in his officialcapacity, it is up to you to officially and formally respond on behalf ofthe people of Ft. Lauderdale . Otherwise, your collective silence may betaken by others to mean that his comments actually do reflect the views ofyour city, not just the Mayor's own personal and deplorable prejudices.



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NationalGayNews.com

http://nationalgaynews.com/content/view/1273/173/

Friday, 03 August 2007 08:10
Gay Jesus Paintings Thrill Crowds at Art Festival

A gay version of Christ's Passion was the hit of the recent NationalFestival of Progressive Spiritual Art in Taos, NM.

Opening-night crowds jammed around the gay Passion series, which shows Jesusas a contemporary gay man jeered by fundamentalists, tortured by Marinelook-alikes and rising again to enjoy homoerotic moments with God andfriends.

The art exhibit was based partly on the new book "Art That Dares: Gay Jesus,Woman Christ, and More" by lesbian Christian author Kittredge Cherry. Thebook is filled with color images by 11 contemporary artists from the U.S.and Europe. A new online gallery of images from the book and exhibit isonline now at the author's website, JesusInLove.org.

"The Passion of Christ: A Gay Vision" by New York painter Douglas Blanchardprovoked thoughtful discussions and impressed art collectors at the Taosshow. He became the festival's top seller, with almost half of the panels inhis 24-part Gay Passion series snapped up by collectors.

"Art can reach people where rational discussion can't-especially when itcomes to Jesus Christ," said Cherry, who helped organize the festival. "Thesuccess of the festival proves that many people are hungry for progressiveChristian images, even though conservatives have tried to censor them."



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NationalGayNews.com

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2007/08/ros-lehtinen-en.html

Ros-Lehtinen, Engel, Pelosi reintroduce Early Treatment of HIV ACT (ETHA)
News release:

WASHINGTON-Today, Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY), Speaker Nancy Pelosi(D-CA), and Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) reintroduced the EarlyTreatment for HIV Act (ETHA), a bipartisan bill that will save lives byallowing states to provide Medicaid coverage to low-income, HIV-positiveAmericans. The bill was introduced with 54 original sponsors evenly dividedbetween Democrats and Republicans.

This bill addresses a cruel irony in healthcare coverage for low-incomepeople living with HIV/AIDS. Despite the fact that Medicaid is the largestsingle provider of HIV/AIDS care in the U.S., currently, most adults withHIV are not eligible for Medicaid until they have progressed to full blownAIDS. Without Medicaid coverage, many low-income Americans are left withoutthe critical care and medication needed to help slow the progression of thedisease. According to a study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers,enactment of this legislation would reduce the death rate among individualson Medicaid living with HIV/AIDS by half over ten years.

"Americans should not have to be diagnosed with AIDS before they get thedrugs that can delay the onset of AIDS in the first place," said HumanRights Campaign president Joe Solmonese. "It is time for Congress to passthis common-sense legislation that would save countless lives. It isabsolutely unacceptable that there are still Americans who are not able toaccess life saving medication to combat HIV/AIDS."

Providing treatment for those who are HIV positive early in the progressionof the disease is not only cost-effective, but has numerous health benefitsand will improve the quality of life for countless HIV positive individuals.Earlier this year, an ETHA demonstration program was included in the FiscalYear 2008 Budget Resolution passed by Congress.

"We commend Speaker Pelosi and Representatives Engel and Ros-Lehtinen fortheir tremendous leadership and look forward to continuing our work togetherto expand access to care and treatment for all Americans living withHIV/AIDS," added Solmonese.



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Advocate.com

http://www.advocate.com/print_article_ektid47841.asp

August 03, 2007
Church of Sweden to participate in gay pride

The Lutheran Church of Sweden has announced that on Saturday it will bejoining this year's festivities for Stockholm Pride. According to AgenceFrance-Presse, representatives from the church will march under the slogan"Love is stronger than everything."

"For the first time ever, the parade at the pride festival will have adelegation from the [Church of Sweden]," church officials announced onThursday, adding that their intent is to "break the mass' big silence" onLGBT rights.

"The [Church of Sweden] is a church open to everyone," Uppsala priestAnn-Katrin Bosbach explained to AFP.

The delegation will include about 30 people, including two deans from theimportant Stockholm and Uppsala cathedrals.

The church has announced its support of a "gender-neutral" marriage law, setto go before the Swedish legislature in January 2008. According to AFP, ifthe proposal passes Sweden will become the first nation to allow same-sexmarriage within a major national church. (The Advocate)



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Advocate.com

http://www.advocate.com/print_article_ektid47853.asp

August 03, 2007
Aussie measure would punish children adopted by gays

Australia's conservative leadership, in the parliamentary session openingnext week, is introducing a measure that would deny legal recognition tooverseas children adopted by same-sex couples, The Sydney Morning Heraldreported.

The measure, championed by Prime Minister John Howard, would deny anAustralian visa to any child a same-sex couple attempts to bring into thecountry.

Adoptions, including international adoptions, are now regulated by theindividual Aussie states. The proposed law would override that capacity.

A similar bill floated just before the 2004 elections was defeated by theopposition Labor Party.

The intent is to ensure that priority for scarce adoptable children is"given to those in typical family arrangements," Attorney General PhilipRuddock told the Herald through a spokeswoman.



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Advocate.com

http://www.advocate.com/print_article_ektid47844.asp

August 03, 2007
Reid, other Democrats move to block Southwick nomination

Senate majority leader Harry Reid announced that Democrats plan to block aRepublican resolution asking for a vote on a Mississippi judge to serve onthe fifth circuit court of appeals, reported the Associated Press onWednesday.

Serious concerns have been raised over the nomination of Leslie Southwick,given his history of "insensitivity to the rights of racial minorities andothers," according to Reid. The Feminist Majority Foundation has expressedstrong opposition to Southwick, citing a 2001 ruling in which a mother wasnot granted custody of her child because of her involvement in a same-sexrelationship.

According to the Associated Press, Southwick came under heavy criticism in1998 for voting to reinstate a state employee after she was fired for usinga racial slur against an African-American coworker. Southwick believed theslur "was not motivated out of racial hatred or animosity directed towardher coworker or toward blacks in general." (The Advocate)



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Advocate.com

http://www.advocate.com/print_article_ektid47834.asp

August 03, 2007
Baptist minister charged with indecent exposure

The minister of a Baptist church has been charged with indecent exposure anddriving under the influence, and police officers in Johnson City, Tenn., sayhe propositioned them.
Tommy Tester, 58, of Bristol, Va., was wearing a skirt when he was arrestedlast week after allegedly urinating in front of children at a car wash,police said. Police also said Tester offered to perform oral sex on officerswho were sent to the scene.

Authorities identified Tester as the minister of Gospel Baptist Church andan employee of Christian radio station WZAP AM, both in Bristol.

There was no immediate response Tuesday to calls to the church and Tester's
home.

WZAP issued a statement Monday asking for prayers and saying Tester had beensuspended during an investigation. ''We pray this matter can be quicklyresolved,'' WZAP owner Al Morris said in the statement.



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Advocate.com

http://www.advocate.com/print_article_ektid47836.asp

August 03, 2007
Bishop Robinson optimistic that schism will be averted

The first openly gay Episcopal bishop, whose 2003 consecration has moved theAnglican fellowship to the brink of schism, says he remains hopefulAnglicans can stay together.

''I think we need each other,'' said New Hampshire bishop V. Gene Robinsonin an interview with The Times of London published July 27. ''We need tolearn and grow with the presence of each other. I think it would be aterrible loss to all of us.''

The Episcopal Church is the U.S. province of the world Anglican Communion.Theological conservatives are demanding that the American church pledge bySeptember 30 not to consecrate any more gay bishops or face losing fullmembership in the communion.

In an attempt to ease tensions, Robinson and Bishop Martyn Minns, who leadsa network of breakaway conservative Episcopal parishes, have not beeninvited to a once-a-decade gathering of the world's Anglican bishops. Themeeting, called the Lambeth Conference, is set for next year.

Still, Robinson said, ''I have great hopes that I will be officiallyincluded in some way or another.''



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Advocate.com

http://www.advocate.com/print_article_ektid47849.asp

August 03, 2007
Gay Episcopal bishop endorses Obama for president

The Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop endorsed Sen. Barack Obamafor president on Thursday in Concord, N.H., even though they don't share thesame views on issues critical to gays and lesbians.

''Frankly, I don't think there's any major candidate that is where we in thegay community would hope they would be on our issues,'' V. Gene Robinson,bishop of New Hampshire, said in a conference call with reporters. ''Thatbeing said, I would say the senator has been enormously supportive of ourissues. We appreciate his support for civil unions.''

The continuing repercussions from Robinson's 2003 election as bishop of NewHampshire threaten to break up the worldwide Anglican Communion, of whichthe Episcopal Church is part. His supporters hail him as a role model andcivil rights pioneer.

He stressed that his endorsement was as an individual, not as bishop.

''I will not be speaking about the campaign from the pulpit or at any churchfunction,'' he said. ''That is completely inappropriate. But as a privatecitizen, I will be at campaign events and help in any way that I can.''



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Advocate.com

http://www.advocate.com/print_article_ektid47840.asp

August 03, 2007
Tennessee lesbian assaulted at local nightclub

Out lesbian Miranda Greer says a man beat her with a beer bottle at aJackson, Tenn., nightclub after questioning her about her sexuality,according to local newspaper The Jackson Sun. The attack left her partiallyblind in one eye and may have caused minor brain damage, she has toldpolice.

Although the attack happened early July 15 at the popular nightclub TequilaJoe's, 24-year-old Greer did not report the incident until last week.

According to the Sun, Greer says the man approached her after he saw herdancing with a male friend. The man assumed she was a gay male from herappearance. Using a homophobic slur, he told her to leave the nightclub.Greer told him she was a woman and a lesbian, upon which the man punched herin the face.

The man then used the bottom of a beer bottle to repeatedly jab her in theleft eye before breaking the bottle over the back of her head, she told thepolice.

Greer says she was not concerned about the attack until she lost sight inher left eye for a few days. She now says she has a blind spot on the leftside of that eye, reports the Sun. Greer is scheduled to undergo an magneticresonance imaging to assess possible brain damage.



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ExpressGayNews.com

http://www.western-star.com/local/content/shared/news/stories/2007/07/GAY_LUTHERAN_0706_COX.html

Lutherans officially remove gay pastor
By CHRISTOPHER QUINN
Cox News Service
Friday, July 06, 2007

ATLANTA - The Rev. Bradley Schmeling lost another skirmish with the nation'slargest Lutheran denomination over the fact that he is in a gayrelationship.

But he and his flock at Atlanta's St. John's Lutheran Church intend to takethe battle national.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America announced Thursday it has removedSchmeling from its list of approved ministers because of his long-termrelationship with a man.

Schmeling and members of St. John's say they will travel to a nationalchurch conference in August to try to change the minds of delegates on gayissues.

They will host a forum, hoping that hearing Schmeling share his story willconvince delegates to change ELCA policies.



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ExpressGayNews.com

http://expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=13644

Gays elected top leaders of Young Dems
President and V.P. first to win while being out during campaigns
By ELIZABETH PERRY | Aug 2, 5:00 PM

For the first time in the group's history two openly gay men have beenelected to lead the Young Democrats of America. The elections occurred atthe group's national convention in Dallas July 21.

David Hardt, 31, from Dallas, and running mate Chris Anderson, 27, fromChattanooga, Tenn., were elected president and executive vice presidentrespectively by an overwhelming margin of 93 percent.

"Early on I didn't realize it was that big of a deal," Hardt said. "Thisjust shows that party is a true indicator, that people don't see the GLBTissue as a factor. We can lead the organization without any negative impact."

Kyle Bailey, a member of the Stonewall Democrats national board and vicechair of the Young Democrats' GLBT Caucus, said the Young Democrats have hadgay leaders before, but they came out publicly after being elected. Hardtand Andersons' election is significant because they were out long beforethey hit the campaign trail.

"The Young Democrats have a large number of LGBT people," he said. "We are100 percent for equality, including marriage equality. Their election sendsa signal to our party that there needs to be more inclusion. We have movedin that direction and this is what the Democratic National Committee willlook like in 20 years."



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ExpressGayNews.com

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_23906_5657152,00.html

New law gives gay couples right to adopt
By April M. Washington, Rocky Mountain News
August 3, 2007

Colorado today becomes the 10th state to allow gay couples to adopt and the20th to extend civil rights protections to gays and lesbians.

"We've been involved in pushing equal rights legislation for 11 years inrow. Today is a new day as we take two great strides toward equality," saidMindy Barton of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Centerof Colorado.

Colorado's new adoption law is gaining widespread attention.

Adoption attorney Seth Grob said Thursday he already has received a streamof inquiries from gay couples looking to adopt one another's children. "Thisbill has psychological benefits by fostering the parent-child relationshipwith a person in many cases who has cared for their partner's child a longtime," he said.

Colorado has permitted adoption by married couples or by single parents,straight or gay. But a second parent could not adopt unless the couplemarried, which gays can't legally do in Colorado.



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/lifestylechannel/family/080307family.htm

Where They Stand: Part Two
Our Visible Vote primer on how the Dems see GLBT issues.
by Jennifer Vanasco, 365Gay.com

The historic LOGO/HRC presidential forum on GLBT issues, to be broadcastAug. 9, will for the first time showcase the Democratic contenders responsesto our concerns.

In our comprehensive gay issue round-up, we bullet the issues that areeasily quantifiable-a candidate's stance on marriage, for instance-and thentry to sum up in a paragraph or two some of the nuances.

Part One of our series covered GLBT issues as seen by Democraticpresidential candidates Sen. Hilary Clinton, Sen. Chris Dodd, Sen. JohnEdwards, and Sen. Mike Gravel, in alphabetical order.

However, we left out a crucial candidate: Sen. Joe Biden, the only majorDemocratic contender not to be represented in the forum, because he had ascheduling conflict. His stance is included below, along with DennisKucinich, Sen. Barack Obama and Gov. Bill Richardson.

For more about next week's forum, see Visible Vote '08, which goes livetoday. 365Gay is owned by LOGO, one of the forum's sponsors.



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/08/080207moscow.htm

Moscow Gay Rights Leader Faces New Charge
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: August 2, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET

(Moscow) The leader of one of Russia's largest LGBT rights groups has beenarrested and charged with slander.

Nikolay Alexeyev said he was released after being formally charged withslandering a member of the State Duma, Russia's Parliament.

During a debate between Alexeyev and Duma Deputy Alexander Chuyev broadcastby Russian television in June Alexeyev alleged that Chuyev, who opposes LGBTcivil rights in Russia, is actually a closet gay.

Chuev, a member of the conservative Fair Russia Party is closely linked tothe Kremlin.

"Russian authorities were caught in their own trap by opening this criminalfile," said Alexayev in a statement.



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/08/080207village.htm

Village People Ex-Frontman Driven From Group Over Gay Image Publicist Says
by The Canadian Press
Posted: August 2, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET

(Toronto, Ontario) Victor Willis, the troubled ex-frontman for the VillagePeople, is mounting a comeback with a tell-all book detailing hisfrustration with his flamboyant gay bandmates and why they ultimately causedhim to leave the group in the early '80s.

Willis, best-known for portraying the cop and the naval admiral in the '70sdisco group, also reveals ``Y.M.C.A.'' was written in Vancouver and wasnever meant to refer to gay cruising, says his publicist Alice Wolf.

Wolf says the group was on tour when Willis wrote the lyrics at the behestof the band's French producer, Jacques Morali, who wrote the music. ButWillis never intended the homosexual innuendo that many fans read into thesong.

``Victor Willis wrote about the YMCA and having fun there, but the type offun he was talking about was straight fun,'' insists Wolf, adding thatWillis has nothing against homosexuality.

``When he says, `Hang out with all the boys'... he's talking about the boys,the fellas.... But it's one of those ambiguous songs that was taken that waybecause of the gay association with Village People.''



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/08/080207foreign.htm

Public Defender Guilty In 'Gay Marriage Fraud'
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: August 2, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET

(St. Louis, Missouri) The former head of the St. Louis office of theMissouri public defender's office has pleaded guilty to federal charges ofarranging a sham marriage to keep his foreign gay partner in the country.

Eric Affholter, 40, was charged with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, afederal offense. Following his arrest Affholter was released on $50,000 bondand resigned his position.

His partner, Pedro Cerna-Rojas, 31, a native of Peru, also was indicted buthas not been found. Federal authorities believe Cerna-Rojas may have fledthe country.

In his guilty plea Affholter told the court that he recruited Collette Lewiswho worked in his office to marry Cerna-Rojas.

She also has resigned but has not been charged with any offense.



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/08/080307judge.htm

Controversial Judicial Nominee Wins Senate Committee Vote
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: August 3, 2007 - 7:00 am ET

(Washington) The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10-9 on Wednesday toadvance President Bush's nomination of Leslie Southwick to the 5th CircuitCourt of Appeals.

The nomination now moves to the full Senate for a vote.

Southwick's nomination had been controversial because some Democrats wereconcerned that his writings were insensitive to blacks and gays.

One such case was a 1998 decision over an employee who had been fired forusing a racial slur. Southwick voted with the majority in the 5-4 decision,writing that the slur "was not motivated out of racial hatred or animositydirected toward her co-worker or toward blacks in general."

In 2001, Southwick joined a ruling that upheld a lower court decision totake an eight-year-old girl away from her mother and award custody to thefather, who had never married the mother, largely because the mother wasliving with another woman in a "lesbian home." (story)



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/08/080307jury.htm

Teen Claiming Homophobic Bullying Found Guilty Of Murder
by The Associated Press
Posted: August 3, 2007 - 9:00 am ET

(Baraboo, Wisconsin) A high school student was convicted Thursday night offatally shooting his principal as homecoming festivities were about to beginlast fall.

The jury deliberated for nearly 6 1/2 hours after closing arguments Thursdaybefore deciding on the first-degree intentional homicide charge against EricHainstock, 16.

Hainstock had brought his father's shotgun and .22 revolver to WestonSchools, a rural school about 65 miles northwest of Madison, on Sept. 29. Hetold detectives in an interview that day he was angry Principal John Klangand other teachers had done nothing to stop other kids from teasing him.
(story)

A janitor wrestled the shotgun from Hainstock, then a 15-year-old freshman.But the boy evaded teachers, drew the revolver and went down the hall.

He ran into Klang, who tackled him. Hainstock shot Klang three times in thescuffle. Klang, mortally wounded, managed to disarm Hainstock before anotherteacher and two students arrived to hold him down.



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/08/080307hiv.htm

Early Treatment For HIV Act Reintroduced
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: August 3, 2007 - 11:00 am ET

(Washington) A bipartisan bill that advocates say will save lives byallowing states to provide Medicaid coverage to low-income, HIV-positiveAmericans has been reintroduced in Congress.

The bill was filed by Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA),and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and maintains the 54 original sponsors -evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans.

This bill addresses a gap in healthcare coverage for low-income peopleliving with HIV/AIDS.

Despite the fact that Medicaid is the largest single provider of HIV/AIDScare in the U.S., currently, most adults with HIV are not eligible forMedicaid until they have progressed to full blown AIDS.

Without Medicaid coverage, many low-income Americans are left without thecritical care and medication needed to help slow the progression of thedisease.


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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/03/opinion/03fri1.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

August 3, 2007
Editorial
Stampeding Congress, Again

Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Bush administration has repeatedlydemonstrated that it does not feel bound by the law or the Constitution whenit comes to the war on terror. It cannot even be trusted to properly use theenhanced powers it was legally granted after the attacks.

Yet, once again, President Bush has been trying to stampede Congress into acompletely unnecessary expansion of his power to spy on Americans. And, hardas it is to believe, Congressional Republicans seem bent on collaborating,while Democrats (who can still be cowed by the White House'swith-us-or-against-us baiting) aren't doing enough to stop it.

The fight is over the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, whichrequires the government to obtain a warrant before eavesdropping onelectronic communications that involve someone in the United States. Thetest is whether there is probable cause to believe that the person beingcommunicated with is an agent of a foreign power or a terrorist.



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The New York Times

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

August 3, 2007
Op-Ed Contributor
Put Out This Tobacco Bill
By PATRICK BASHAM
Washington

ACCORDING to anti-smoking groups, the current Congressional attempt to givethe Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco is the mostimportant piece of legislation since the surgeon general spoke out on thedangers of smoking 40 years ago. Surprisingly, it is not just the foes ofBig Tobacco that support the proposed law, which was approved by the SenateHealth, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Wednesday.

Philip Morris, the world's largest tobacco company, is also firmly behindthe bill. In fact, it played a pivotal role in writing the legislation,working with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. What these strangebedfellows came up with is bad for competition in the tobacco industry andbad for public health.

One problem is that under the proposed law, the F.D.A. would regulate anynew "reduced-risk" tobacco products. And in so doing, the agency would beresponsible for setting standards to determine which tobacco products pose areduced health hazard. Since the F.D.A. has neither the resources nor theexpertise to do this job itself, it most likely would need to turn to theindustry for help.



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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/03/washington/03attorneys.html?pagewanted=print

August 3, 2007
White House Aide Won't Answer Questions of a Senate Panel
By NEIL A. LEWIS

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 - J. Scott Jennings, a 29-year-old White House aide,refused repeatedly on Thursday to answer questions before the SenateJudiciary Committee, saying he was under orders from President Bush not torespond.

"I must respectfully decline to respond at this time," Mr. Jennings saidabout a dozen times to questions about the White House's role in thedismissals of federal prosecutors. Each time Mr. Jennings was asked aboutthe removals, he looked at a sheet of paper and said in a rote manner thathe could not reply, "pursuant to President Bush's directive invokingexecutive privilege."

His appearance before the committee was the latest act in the ripeningshowdown between the White House and Congressional Democrats over the issueof executive privilege.

Mr. Jennings's explanation was treated scornfully by the committee'sDemocrats, who said they did not accept Mr. Bush's assertion that he has theauthority to prevent former and present officials from testifying toCongress.



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The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/02/AR2007080202621.html?hpid=topnews

Three Top Democrats Share Lead In Iowa Poll
Clinton, Obama, Edwards Are Tied
By Jon Cohen and Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, August 3, 2007; A01

Less than six months before Iowa voters open the 2008 presidentialnomination battles, the Democratic contest in the Hawkeye State is adeadlock, with Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards in avirtual tie for first place, according to a new Washington Post-ABC Newspoll.

While Clinton has a clear and consistent lead over Obama in national polls,with Edwards generally running a distant third, the contours of the campaignin Iowa appear far different. Edwards's strong base of support, built on thefoundations of his second-place finish in the state's precinct caucuses in2004, has turned Iowa into the most competitive early state for theDemocratic field.



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The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/02/AR2007080202024.html

What Matters About Romney's Religion
By Michael Gerson
Friday, August 3, 2007; A15

The first Mormon to run for president was the first Mormon. Joseph Smith,the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, formallyannounced his candidacy on Jan. 19, 1844, urging his supporters to "tell thepeople we have had Whig and Democrats presidents long enough. We want apresident of the United States." Smith's campaign lasted about five monthsbefore it -- along with his life -- was ended by a violent mob in Carthage,Ill.

Mitt Romney's campaign has been better received. He possesses a winningpublic personality, enough personal wealth to ensure that he will be aroundwhen the voting starts and durable strength in Iowa and New Hampshire thatcould slingshot him to the nomination. As the author of an impressiveoxymoron -- Republican governor of Massachusetts -- Romney stakes a strongclaim to electability. And even after some recent ideological reinvention onsocial issues, he has successfully courted conservatives. The only criticismI have heard of Romney after these meetings is that he may be "too perfect"because of his Osmond-like looks and wholesomeness -- which is another wayof saying he might seem "too Mormon."

Without intending or desiring it, the Romney campaign has poked the sleepingbear of debate about the role of religion in American politics. Liberalstend to argue that all theological beliefs, including Mormonism, arefundamentally private and dangerously coercive as the basis of publicpolicy. Some religious conservatives are concerned that this particulartheology is too eccentric to be welcomed at the White House.



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Forwarded from Ron Mills

precinct114r@yahoo.com

Senator Dodd Stomps The S*** Out Of Bill O'Liely

Check Out The Video, It Is GREAT

CLICK HERE
http://ronnmills.blogspot.com/2007/08/senator-dodd-stomps-s-out-of-bill.html



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http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0807/5210.html

Democrats embrace gay agenda
By: Ben Smith
Aug 2, 2007 06:16 AM EST

The 2004 election turned out to be the year, for Democrats, of gay panic.

It was a year in which Sen. John F. Kerry backed away from his longtime pro-gay record to support a state amendment banning gay marriage -- and in which former President Bill Clinton reportedly urged Kerry to go even further in standing against same-sex marriage.

But the mood among Democrats this election cycle seems closer to liberation. The party's leading presidential candidates will gather in Los Angeles on Aug. 9 for a forum sponsored by the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign and broadcast live on the gay cable channel Logo.

They're expected to reiterate their universal commitments to a broad range of gay rights in areas ranging from health care to immigration -- a substantive package that amounts to virtually everything short of the word "marriage."



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USA TODAY

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-08-02-doctors-side_N.htm?csp=34

Doctors accused of using faith to violate gay bias laws
By Laura Parker, USA TODAY

When does the freedom to practice religion become discrimination?The California Supreme Court is being asked to answer that question when it hears a legal dispute between a lesbian mom and two doctors who refused to artificially inseminate her for religious reasons.

The first-of-its-kind case is shaping up as one of the most controversial before the court in years. The court has not set a date to hear the case, but more than 40 groups already have filed briefs asking to be heard.


GROWING TREND: Some doctors refuse services for religious reasonsThe court is being asked to decide how to accommodate a physician's religious views without violating California's anti-discrimination laws.

California is a major testing ground for this issue.

Longstanding dispute

What distinguishes the case of Guadalupe Benitez is that the physicians involved refused to provide a medical procedure to one patient that they readily provide to others, says Jill Morrison, legal counsel to the National Women's Law Center, an advocacy group that works to protect women's rights in the workplace, schools, sports, and health care. "Usually, providers who object to certain services object to them for everyone: 'I won't provide ontraception.' In this case, they don't object to the service, just the patient. You can't pick and choose. You can't say, 'I will perform it for white people, but not for black people.' "

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

Thursday, August 02, 2007

GLBT DIGEST August 2, 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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BrowardPalmBeach.com

http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2007-08-02/news/sex-on-the-beach/

New Times - Broward - Palm Beach
Sex on the Beach
Testing Naugle's fantasy
By Brandon K. Thorp
Published: August 2, 2007

I'm sitting with my legs crossed on a bench outside of a restroom in HolidayPark, screaming for sodomy.

There's a way you're supposed to look if you're trying to get laid in apublic park, and I've got it down: I'm 24, tall and gangly, blond by choice.I'm wearing a little too much lipstick and just the right amount ofeyeliner, tight blue jeans, and a light-green, little girl's T-shirt with acartoon of a flying cat emblazoned with the words SUPER PUSSY!

The knowing smirks at passing joggers, the come-hither winks at geezers inwhite Caddys: Despite my years in this city as an out homosexual, this isall very new to me. I didn't think things were even done this way anymore.

The mayor begs to differ. On July 4, Mayor Jim Naugle revealed his plan toput a $250,000, one-stall toilet in the parking lot at Sebastian Beach. Thiswas necessary, he said, to thwart the gay sex going down in FortLauderdale's public bathrooms. Naugle knew that Sebastian Beach isfrequented by gay folks. He said he feared that anonymous gay sex in itsbathrooms would traumatize any straight family unlucky enough to stumbleupon it.

Naugle has actually made some good policy decisions during his slog acrossthe Fort Lauderdale political scene, but his primary contribution has alwaysbeen his genius for saying exactly the wrong thing. Even by Naugle'sstandards, this john debacle was a doozy — and then he eagerly compounded itby protesting the move of the gay and lesbian Stonewall Library to cityspace at ArtServe, in Holiday Park. Still not satisfied, he held a July 23news conference on the steps of City Hall and apologized — for havingunderestimated the incidence of anonymous gay sex in Fort Lauderdale.

If you're gay and you were alive in the 1970s, you may have happy memoriesof bathhouse craziness and backroom banging. You may even have a glory-holestory to share, or a dozen. Are those days gone now? Are there no more studswith moustaches and hairy chests stalking the wilds beyond monogamy andconvention? The gay community used to be Athens. Has it become Weston soquickly?

Not if you believe Naugle. And not if you get your cues from gayentertainment, especially gay cinema. Examine the roadside pickups ofL.I.E., the sluttiness of The Edge of Seventeen, the relentless hookups ofLatter Days, the sex-obsessed Another Gay Movie and it seems as though thefilmmakers have conspired with Naugle to paint the gay community as onecontinuous orgy. Get Real, a lovely depiction of the lonely gay teenexperience, is full of anonymous bathroom sex involving a 16-year-old boy.Ditto Todd Stephens' Gypsy '83. The gay community appears perfectly happywith this image of itself, so long as conservative Christians have nothingto say about it. But is it accurate?

It is if you read Damron, the popular gay travel guide. Published annuallysince 1964, Damron began life as an underground publication. Now it's soldat Barnes & Noble. It lists gay-friendly clubs, restaurants, cafés,boutiques, and accommodations, and it also offers tips on "cruisy" places.Damron advises readers to visit such places at their own risk and warnsabout vice cops. In the 2007 edition of the Damron Men's Travel Guide, fivecruisy places are listed near Naugle's domain, and two are the same placesNaugle has singled out for concern: Sebastian Beach and Holiday Park.

So I went to Sebastian Beach. I stood in the parking lot in my dark-brownJocko swim shorts and pursed my lips at passersby, and nobody said a thing.I walked up and down the beach, looking as slutty as possible, bending overin the surf and wetting my hair, careful of the eyeliner. Still, nobody saida thing.

So I came to Holiday Park on this gray evening, in my SUPER PUSSY! shirt,still in search of the anonymous sex that Damron and Naugle have promisedme. I'm near a sports field now, sitting on a bench outside a bathroom.

more....



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WashingtonPost.com

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2007/08/02/BL2007080200511_pf.html

The Story of Wife No. 3
By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 2, 2007; 7:36 AM

Let's see: We the media have done Jeri the trophy wife. Elizabeth thecancer-stricken, Coulter-challenging strategist. Bill the questionable,once-philandering spouse. Andrew the disaffected son. Chelsea theonce-and-possibly-future First Daughter.

And now it's Judith Giuliani's turn.

Rudy's former mistress already had a big rollout in the media when thecouple sat down with Barbara Walters and the former mayor said she could sitin on Cabinet meetings. Then there was the revelation about the secondex-husband who she had somehow failed to mention. Judith disappeared forawhile.

The problem for her is that she can't freely talk about how they met (in aManhattan cigar bar, it turns out) and courted because she was, at the time,the Other Woman in one of the ugliest public divorces in modern history.Even by New York tabloid standards, the accusations that were hurled betweenHizzoner's camp and Donna Hanover's side were extraordinarily personal.

How interested should we be in Rudy's third wife? After all, Giuliani isn'tone of these David Vitter Republicans who preached about family values. Sohe's had a messy love life -- so what?



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Sun-Sentinel.com

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/services/newspaper/printedition/local/sfl-flesbstonewall0802esbaug02,0,2739671,print.story

Stonewall Library's explicit material reignites debate
By ELIZABETH BAIER
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
August 2, 2007

It was born from the private collection of a local college student. Nowit's one of the nation's leading libraries of gay and lesbian literature andhistory.

Inside the Gay and Lesbian Community Center, the Stonewall Library andArchives boasts the largest private collection of gay and lesbian writings,videos and historical documents in the southeastern United States.

That's about 18,000 titles and 7,000 historical archives. Items thatchronicle the history of the gay movement, from the pre-World War II dayswhen most gay men and women stayed in the closet to the New York riots thatspurred the modern gay-rights movement. It also features biographies onfamed gay writers such as Tennessee Williams.

The collection existed with fairly little attention until last month whenFort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle objected to the library and materialsmoving into a city-owned building. He argued the collection was tantamountto pornography and fought library plans to move to a 4,200-square-foot spaceat a Fort Lauderdale branch of the Broward County Library at Holiday Park.

Naugle lost the debate, and city commissioners approved the move to theSunrise Boulevard building.



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The Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/custom/consumer/sfl-fldffmarkl0802dffaug02,0,4301558,print.story

Deerfield native brings financial background to state race
By ELIZABETH ROBERTS
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
August 2, 2007

As the Florida legislature ponders a third special session in September,Mark LaFontaine says he has the answer to the budget dilemma: electing himto the Florida State House District 92 in 2008.

The 40-year-old alumnus and parishioner of St. Ambrose Catholic Church saidhe would bring to Tallahassee "a fresh perspective, specifically relating tofiscal responsibility."

"Consider the fact that there seems to be very little budget oversight,"said LaFontaine, an accountant and one of two candidates with solid ties toDeerfield Beach in a four-way Democratic race to represent parts ofDeerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Pompano Beach and WiltonManors. "…I believe the community in general is looking for more of that."

An Eagle Scout, LaFontaine graduated from Deerfield Beach High School thenwon a Congressional appointment to the Merchant Marine Academy. He left theacademy early to serve two years in the U.S. Coast Guard in Guam, thenearned a degree in taxation from Florida International University.

Before opening his own accounting practice eight years ago, he worked forthe Veterans Administration in Oakland Park and has been an unceasingadvocate for human rights issues. The national treasurer and local presidentof American Veterans for Equal Rights, LaFontaine has taken his campaign forSouth Florida veterans as far as local, state and national offices andincluded gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender veterans. As treasurer ofOakland Park Main Street, a nonprofit group devoted to economicredevelopment in blighted areas, LaFontaine has grown concerned about anissue he understands well.



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The Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flmcfbriefsb0802mcfaug02,0,7516265.story

Broward County Main Library is organizing a Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,Transgender Bookfest Expo from 2 to 5 p.m., Sept. 30, at the Main Libraryauditorium, 100 S. Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Locally publishedauthors are invited to discuss their books and hold book signings.

Published authors may call for information Lorraine Woods, Broward CountyLibrary Outreach Services Department, at 954-357-7348, or e-maillwoods@browardlibrary.org.



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Sun-Sentinel.com

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/letters/sfl-brmail986nbaug02,0,5439931,print.story

Judge not, but God won't condone sin
August 2, 2007

It is not my wish to judge anyone. It doesn't matter who you are, for I knowwhere all judgment will come from on that appointed day.

After speaking with a man who approached me at the [gay rights] rally andbrought up the subject of public officials who make offensive remarksagainst the gay community, I was more concerned when he mentioned certainaspects of the Bible. I was left with the impression that God is one whosits in heaven playing a harp and sends nothing but sweet music to Earth andthat He is a God, who with his Tinkerbell wand, using Harry Potter magic,will declare to us, "Ya'll come on up now, trick or treat, April fool."

God's word needs no defense. He alone has decreed by whom all judgment hasbeen given to. One person mentioned in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel claimsthat Jesus loves everyone (no argument).

But to assign to deity the irresponsible act of condoning sin shows acomplete lack of truth, understanding and knowledge of God. Yes, judgment isinevitable for everyone and I am prepared to let Jesus alone do the judging.

I am only a messenger.

John Black
Fort Lauderdale



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The Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/letters/sfl-brmail995nbaug02,0,5505467,print.story

Lauderdale issue is bigotry
August 2, 2007

Re "No backlash from gay tourists": In 1939, glass windows of shops ownedby Jews in German cities were smashed and dripping painted stars and uglywords defaced buildings, the act of Nazis fueled by hate.

On the upper east side in Manhattan, at the same time, German-Americanrestaurants and butchers, owned and operated by non-Jews, shops thrived,business as usual, with many Jewish patrons.

The issue is bigotry. Not the tourism dollar.

Amazingly, it took two people, Scott Wyman and Doreen Hemlock to collaboratea bottom line of "Well, DUH?"

Bob Bride
Oakland Park



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The Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flb3bdigest08020nbaug02,0,4908636,print.story

Oakland Park: Commissioners back transgender protection
August 2, 2007

Commissioners agreed unanimously Wednesday night to proceed with addinggender identity and gender expression to the city's anti-discriminationpolicy.

About 20 gay, lesbian and transgender activists spoke at the meeting insupport of the proposal. No one opposed it.

Commissioners asked City Attorney D.J. Doody to prepare an ordinance, whichthey will vote on in the next few weeks.

If approved, the policy would ban discrimination against transgendermunicipal employees. The city already protects employees based on race,religion, sex, national origin, age and/or disability.

More than 100 governments nationwide offer some form of protection totransgender people, including Lake Worth, West Palm Beach and Miami Beach.



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The Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/lifestyle/sfl-shaud3sbaug03,0,7641728,print.story

Auditions
August 3, 2007

Gay Men's Chorus — 7:30 p.m. Tue. at Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW Ninth Ave.,
Fort Lauderdale. 954-791-4714.


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The Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/travel/print/sfl-gayphillybraug05,0,5844748,print.story

Philadelphia freedom
By RUBINA MADAN
The Associated Press
August 5, 2007

When Philadelphia rolled out a national ad campaign aimed at gay touristsfour years ago, some of the commercials featured same-sex couples inColonial costumes.

"Come to Philadelphia," the ads said. "Get your history straight and yournightlife gay."

Since then, the city has become more sophisticated in its effort to attractpart of the annual $55 billion gay tourism market, targeting subgroupswithin the gay and lesbian community.

"Destinations will need to further refine what they're offering the gaytraveler. No longer will it be enough to say, 'Hey, we're gay-friendly. Youshould come here,'" said Jeff Guaracino of the Greater Philadelphia TourismMarketing Corp.

Philadelphia has been focusing recent marketing efforts on lesbians, who areless likely to have visited the city than gay men, according to DeborahDiamond, director of research and strategy for the Greater PhiladelphiaTourism Marketing Corporation.



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The Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/health/sfl-flaprinters0801nbaug01,0,7676184,print.story

Study finds some printers emit as many particles as cigarettes
By Amber Dance
Los Angeles Times
August 1, 2007

That laser printer sitting on your desk could be emitting high levels ofpotentially hazardous particles, according to a study reported today.

Some printers released almost as many ultrafine particles as a smolderingcigarette, the study authors said.

There have been few studies on the health hazards of printing, and thecurrent research, appearing in the journal Environmental Science andTechnology, provides the most extensive look yet at particle emissions ofoffice printers, including Canon, Hewlett-Packard, Ricoh and Toshiba models.The researchers did not analyze the particles' content.

"Particles have been shown beyond any doubt to be a health hazard," saidstudy author Lidia Morawska, a physicist at the Queensland University ofTechnology in Australia.

Inhaling fine particles can cause health problems, including respiratoryirritation, cardiovascular ailments and cancer, Morawska said.



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NationalGayNews.com

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,149821.shtml

Gays Voted as a Block in Philadelphia Mayoral Election

PHILADELPHIA, July 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A study by Equality Forum,an international gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) civil rights organization, suggests that gay and lesbian voters voted as a block in therecent mayoral primary election in Philadelphia and that gay and lesbianvoters were markedly more likely to support their candidate than theirneighbors. The study found that gays voted by about two to every one votefor Michael Nutter, the winning candidate, in the citywide vote.

"The study is important both in its methodology and the result," saidMalcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum. "It demonstrates thateven in a field of gay-friendly candidates, a candidate who can provide theright cues can be the beneficiary of a GLBT block vote. Block votingincreases a group's political importance and power."

The May 15, 2007 Democratic primary, which is tantamount to election inheavily-Democratic Philadelphia, featured five well-known politicians: twolongtime Members of Congress, a former City Councilman, a StateRepresentative who chairs the Appropriations Committee in the PennsylvaniaHouse of Representatives, and a wealthy former Deputy Mayor. The former CityCouncilman, Michael Nutter, spent most of the race lagging in fourth placebefore he surged to victory, garnering 36.6% of the citywide vote.

The Equality Forum study reviewed the votes cast in seven distinctPhiladelphia gay neighborhoods and found that Nutter garnered 74% of thevote in these neighborhoods. A review of the top 12 Philadelphia tractsidentified in the U.S. Census as having the most same-sex couples residingin the same household found that Nutter received 69% of the vote in thesecensus tracts.

The study compared the percentage of votes from the gay neighborhoods andcensus tracts to the percentage of votes each candidate received in therespective wards. The gay voting divisions averaged a 17% higher percentagevote for Nutter than the respective overall ward percentage.



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NationalGayNews.com

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=12c234cd-7f8d-4053-8f98-458d5e497992&k=44152

Imeson leaves hospital under police escort
Nico Coburne and Andrew Seymour
Ottawa Citizen
Wednesday, August 1, 2007

ARNPRIOR, Ont. - Former fugitive Jesse Norman Imeson, facing multiplecharges for the murder of three people in southwestern Ontario, was taken toan airport in Arnprior Wednesday night and placed on a plane that took offshortly after 9:45 p.m.

It was not immediately clear where the plane was headed although London,Ont., had been mentioned in some reports as a possible destination.

Earlier in the evening, Imeson had been released from a hospital inShawville, Que., where he was taken for examination after he complained ofstomach pains.

On his release from hospital, Imeson was shackled and wearing a light-bluejumpsuit and black boots and under police escort. He stared and said nothingto reporters as he was led by a plain-clothes officer to one of two brownImpalas waiting outside the hospital at about 6:45 p.m.

Two uniformed officers followed, while another pair of officers, wearingsuits, also ushered him along.



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NationalGayNews.com

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=47812

British offer settlement to gay soldiers
By Bryan Mitchell, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, August 2, 2007

RAF MILDENHALL, England — The British Ministry of Defence is offering 3million pounds (about $6 million) to dozens of former servicemembers whowere wrongly ejected from the military because they are gay.

The settlement being offered — about $100,000 each to 60 formerservicemembers — comes as a result of a court case settled several years agothat was filed by a homosexual servicemember, according to MOD spokesmanPaul Leat.

“After the trial, we have a duty to pay compensation to any servicememberwho was ejected for being homosexual,” Leat said.

Leat said that each individual may accept the payment, or refuse and pursueseparate court action.

The settlement offer comes nearly eight years after the MOD allowed openlyhomosexual servicemembers in the armed forces.



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NationalGayNews.com

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070801/ap_en_ot/photos_kissing_ban_2&printer=1;_ylt=ApbTWOXkVQ5AiMCeoLBlamRY24cA

Singapore bans gay kissing photos By GILLIAN WONG, Associated Press Writer
Wed Aug 1, 2:37 PM ET

Singapore's censors have banned an exhibition of photographs depicting gaymen and women kissing, a gay rights activist said, calling the move"absurd."

The city-state's Media Development Authority denied organizers a licensebecause the photographs "promote a homosexual lifestyle," Alex Au, founderof a Singapore gay rights group, People Like Us, told The Associated PressWednesday.

The exhibition, entitled "Kissing," is a selection of 80 posed shots ofsame-sex kissing between fully clothed models, said Au, who shot thephotographs.

"Kissing" was canceled after organizers received a letter from the MediaDevelopment Authority on Monday saying it was rejecting their applicationfor a license to hold the exhibition, Au said. The media regulator confirmedin an e-mail that it rejected Au's application for a license to hold theexhibition.

"Presently, homosexual content is allowed in the appropriate context but itshould not be of a promotional or exploitative nature," Amy Tsang, deputydirector of media content, said in the statement. "The proposed exhibition... which focuses mainly on homosexual kissing is deemed to promote ahomosexual lifestyle, and cannot be allowed."



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NationalGayNews.com

http://www.miamiherald.com/851/v-print/story/188817.html

Posted on Wed, Aug. 01, 2007
Politically inept in Fort Lauderdale
BY MICHAEL PUTNEY

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle, whose off-the-cuff and sometimesout-to-lunch comments have gotten him in trouble before, says that hislatest woes are the result of being politically incorrect. In fact, he's inhot water because of being politically inept. For having a tin ear when itcomes to a large segment of his constituents, the gay and lesbian community.

Naugle started this furor a few weeks ago by telling a Sun-Sentinel reporterthat he refuses to use the word ''gay'' because most homosexuals ``aren'thappy.''

Naugle is entitled to believe that, of course. Undeniably it's true thatsome gays and lesbians have been tormented by their sexual orientation andthe stigma that comes with it, or used to. But that was true back in the'50s, which is where the good mayor and most of his social views seem to bestuck.

Fort Lauderdale has grown up; the mayor hasn't.

Naugle told me he made the gays-aren't-happy comment in passing and didn'tthink the reporter would print it. Naive for a guy who has been the mayor ofa big city for 16 years. Unless Naugle didn't care if his comment offended alarge part of his constituency. And why wouldn't it? What would the reactionbe if Mayor Susan Gottlieb of Aventura went around making disparagingcomments about Jews? Or if Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina singled out Cubansfor complaint? Or if Opa-locka's Joseph Kelley pointed an accusing finger atblacks? Pandemonium. Revolution. Calls for their resignation.



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The Advocate

http://www.advocate.com/print_article_ektid47819.asp

August 02, 2007
Joint Chiefs nominee signals willingness to revisit "don't ask, don't tell"

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is reporting that Adm. MichaelMullen, President Bush’s nominee to succeed Gen. Peter Pace as chairman ofthe Joint Chiefs of Staff, was questioned about the military’s “don’t ask,don’t tell” policy on lesbian, gay, and bisexual personnel during a Senatehearing Tuesday.

Mullen said that while he would continue to implement the policy and dismissgay soldiers, he added, “I really think it is for the American people tocome forward, really through this body, to both debate that policy and makechanges, if that's appropriate.” Mullen indicated that he would likeCongress "to make its own decisions" with respect to considering a repeal ofthe ban. Pace, the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs, ignited controversyin March when he referred to gay sex as "immoral."

Just prior to his nomination as chairman, SLDN says Mullen told TtheBrookings Institution in Washington, “If it’s time to revisit thatpolicy...the American people ought to raise that issue and we’ll have thedebate. As a member of the Joint Chiefs and obviously the head of one of theservices, I will contribute to that and give my best military advice."

“Admiral Mullen’s remarks are a welcome change of pace among militaryleadership, where there has long been an adversity to encouraging debate onopening the services to lesbian and gay patriots,” said Sharra E. Greer,director of law and policy for SLDN. “As Senator [Susan] Collins rightlypointed out, there is growing concern among the national securityestablishment that the loss of talented gay troops is having a detrimentalimpact on our armed forces. Admiral Mullen should be applauded for hiswillingness to take part in a national conversation about that issue, andfor his open-minded approach to working with Congress as they consider thefuture of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’”

During her questioning, Collins noted that she had recently met with aretired admiral in Maine who "urged" her to press Mullen to reexamine the‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy.” According to SLDN, the Military ReadinessEnhancement Act (H.R. 1246), a bill to lift the ban on open service, is nowsupported by 126 members of the House of Representatives. The supporters aredrawn from both parties. A recent poll of military personnel found that 73%of those surveyed were comfortable around gays, and CNN found last monththat 79% of the American public support repeal. (The Advocate)



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The Advocate

http://www.advocate.com/print_article_ektid47831.asp

August 02, 2007

Formerly jailed gay couple allowed contact with each other

In a decision handed down Wednesday in Philadelphia, a gay couple jailed forselling drugs will be allowed contact with each other while they serve outsupervised releases.

It's customary for the U. S. Probation Office to bar people from associatingwith other felons while on supervised release, but it ordinarily makesexceptions for close family members. Steven Roberts and Daniel Mangini weredenied their request to be together during their probationary period,however, because their relationship was not heterosexual, according to theAmerican Civil Liberties Union, who represented the two men in their lawsuitagainst the probation department.

When Mangini learned the good news, he promptly contacted partner Roberts.Until that moment, Mangini had been barred from speaking with Roberts formore than a year.

"This opens possibilities,” Mangini said. “Finally we get to resume ourlives together and dream for the future."

The couple, together for 20 years, owned property together and raisedRoberts’s niece to adulthood but later became addicted to meth. When Robertsand Mangini were charged with selling the drug, they pled not guilty andeach received a sentence of imprisonment, followed by five years ofsupervised release, according to a statement.



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/08/080107que.htm

Gay Couple Awarded $10,000 In Harassment Complaint
by The Canadian Press
Posted: August 1, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET

(Montreal, Quebec) A Quebec human rights group has ordered that a gay couplebe awarded $10,000 for being harassed by young people in their neighborhood.

Theo Wouters and Roger Thibault said four youths targeted them because oftheir sexual orientation.

The Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission says the parents of oneof the youths must pay the two men $10,000.

Three other adolescents who were mentioned in the case now live in Calgaryand are not targeted by the ruling of the human rights group.

Wouters and Thibault have lived together for more than 30 years and gotmarried a few years ago.



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/08/080107judge.htm

Judge Nominee Runs Into Senate Confirmation Trouble
by The Associated Press
Posted: August 1, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET

(Washington) Senate Democrats stymied an effort by Republicans on Wednesdayto force a floor vote on a controversial Mississippi judge in a new fight inthe well-trod arena of judicial confirmations.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he would move to table, or kill, asymbolic resolution calling for a vote of the full Senate on the appealscourt nomination of retired Judge Leslie Southwick of Mississippi. ButSenate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy put Southwick's nominationback before his panel when it meets Thursday.

President Bush nominated Southwick to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals,which serves Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

Democrats have concerns about Southwick's writing in several cases.

One such case was a 1998 decision over an employee who had been fired forusing a racial slur. Southwick voted with the majority in the 5-4 decision,writing that the slur "was not motivated out of racial hatred or animositydirected toward her co-worker or toward blacks in general."



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/08/080207thompson.htm

Thompson Finds Road Bumpy
by The Associated Press
Posted: August 2, 2007 - 9:00 am ET

(Washington) Not yet a declared White House candidate, Republican FredThompson may as well be for all his recent stumbles, from a staff shake-upto subpar fundraising to inconsistent answers about his resume.

Despite the difficulties, the "Law & Order" actor and former Tennesseesenator continues to post strong marks in national surveys and early primarystate polls five months before voting begins.

And his challenge is unchanged: living up to the hopes of dispiritedRepublicans searching for a conservative to rally around in the wide-openrace.

"The expectation levels are sky high right now, so that means if you don'tmeet them financially, you don't meet them organizationally and you don'tmeet them message-wise, you're in trouble," said Joe Gaylord, a Republicanconsultant close to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who also may enterthe GOP race.

Thompson has had difficulty on all three fronts in recent weeks:



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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/2007/7-26/view/editorial/3897.cfm

Is American healthcare ‘Sicko’?
Gays should pay close attention to the debate over future of medicine
By DALE CARPENTER
Thursday, July 26, 2007

MICHAEL MOORE’S, documentary “Sicko,” has started a new round of thinkingabout reforming America’s healthcare system. For gay Americans, especiallygay men, the stakes in this debate are unusually high and the answers arenot obvious.

“Sicko” has two basic messages. The first is that America’s system ofprivately run healthcare is broken, leaving millions without insurance andmany of the rest frustrated by inadequate and expensive coverage. The resultis a country that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), ranks37th in healthcare.

The second message of “Sicko” is that other countries — like Canada,Britain, and France — do a much better job of giving all citizens qualityhealthcare through government-run programs.

Along the way, Moore tells us horror stories about Americans whose insurancecompanies would not cover some life-saving treatment they need, aboutelderly and sick people dumped by the side of the road and about 9/11 rescueworkers who have to go to Cuba to get medical care.

These anecdotes are compared to happy tales from countries like France,where doctors make house-calls free of charge, new mothers are given astate-paid assistant to do the laundry and life expectancy soars.



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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/2007/8-2/view/columns/3921.cfm

Is Naugle really envious of gay people?
Mayor thinks being gay is all about sex — a sexual freedom that he can’thave

By JESSE MONTEAGUDO
Thursday, August 02, 2007

H. L. Mencken once wrote that Puritanism is “the haunting fear that someone,somewhere, may be happy.” The idea that those who we hate might enjoythemselves better than we do came to mind during Fort Lauderdale Mayor JimNaugle’s most recent anti-gay tirades. Some gay critics attribute Naugle’senduring homophobia to his own suppressed homosexuality. Nothing could befurther from the truth. If nothing else, Jim Naugle is a Kinsey One,dyed-in-the-wool, 100 percent heterosexual man. But, like the puritan thathe is, Naugle seems obsessed with the idea that gay men — the mayor does notcare about lesbians — might be having a good time. In spite of hisoften-quoted statement that “homosexuals ... are unhappy,” Naugle can’t helpbut worry that gay men are really happy; perhaps happier than he could everbe.

Though there are many reasons why one might be homophobic, envy of lesbiansor gay people is certainly one of them.

According to Gregory M. Herek of the University of California at Davis,“Heterosexual men may envy gay men because the latter are not constrained bythe masculine ideal. Heterosexuals may also envy the sexual freedompresumably enjoyed by lesbians and gay men. In either case, the envy ispresumably translated unconsciously into hostility.”

In laymen’s terms, many straight men hate us because we score more oftenthan they do. But rather than admit that they wish they could be like us,they condemn us as sex-driven, promiscuous libertines.



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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/2007/8-2/news/localnews/3918.cfm

Anti-gay graffiti greet Haulover Beach visitors
‘Homos Die’ and other slurs scrawled on walls of tunnel leading to beach
By JONATHAN CANAMELLA
Thursday, August 02, 2007

South Florida residents and guests were greeted with hateful anti-gaymessages at Haulover Beach this week as they crossed under U.S. 1 in thetunnel that leads to the beach.

Homophobic slurs and hate speech were scrawled in thick black graffitiacross both sides of the tunnel’s walls. “Homos Die, Faggot Mother F--kersand Dick Sucker Go To Hell” were a small sample of the various derogatoryphrases used by the perpetrator.

The Express was first alerted to the story by Jon Jon, a resident fromHallandale Beach who prefers to use his nickname and asked that we notpublish his full name. Jon Jon is a frequent visitor to Haulover Beach,which is world-renowned for its pristine sands, water sports and nudesunbathing. A section of the beach is popular with gay visitors.

Jon Jon stated that he was at the beach both Saturday, July 28, and Sunday,July 29, and that the graffiti appeared overnight between the two days. Theanti-gay graffiti covered the walls of the breezeway from one end to theother.



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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/2007/8-2/news/localnews/3916.cfm

Former St. Regis Hotel employee files complaint with civil rights board
Worker claims bias based on sexual orientation and sexual harassment
By PHIL LAPADULA
Thursday, August 02, 2007

A former employee of the St. Regis Hotel in Fort Lauderdale has filed acomplaint with the Broward County Civil Rights Division, alleging that hewas discriminated against based on his sexual orientation and was alsosexually harassed.

Demetrius Pratt was hired as a laundry attendant on March 28, about a monthbefore the hotel’s grand opening on May 1. In his complaint, Pratt, who isgay, alleges that he was “subjected to derogatory comments from mysupervisor about my sexual orientation.” He also said his supervisor“treated me differently from heterosexual employees.”

Pratt said the “hostile climate” forced him to quit his job.

The hotel’s manager said the St. Regis “expressly denies that theseallegations are correct.”

In an interview with the Express, Pratt said his supervisor made disparagingremarks and jokes about gay people.



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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/2007/8-2/locallife/feature/3910.cfm

Putting out the welcome mat
Rainbow Alliance showcases all the colors of Fort Lauderdale’s gayhospitality
By SHERI ELFMAN
Thursday, August 02, 2007

Instead of competing with each other for business, the owners of some localgay guesthouses decided to join forces. Figuring that they could be morepowerful and attract more tourists to the area as a united front, the gayhoteliers formed the Rainbow Alliance in 2000.

“What we wanted to do was kind of unify everyone,” says Richard Gray, ownerof Royal Palms Resort and founder of Rainbow Alliance. “Build bridgework asa group to promote Fort Lauderdale first.”

In addition to Gray, Rainbow Alliance’s board includes Roger Handevidt ofOrton Terrace; Bill Hiddemen of Cheston House; Ohad Soberano of La Casa DelMar; Keith Blackburn of Mary’s Resort; and Jennifer Morales of SidelinesSports Bar. The group started working with the Broward County Convention &Visitors Bureau in 2006 to bring in more gay visitors and gay businesses.

The group put together a website, www.southfloridafun.com, and a map andguide of Greater Fort Lauderdale, which are distributed around the UnitedStates, Canada and Europe. Members of Rainbow Alliance also travel to gayand lesbian travel shows, Pride festivals and mainstream travel events toget the word out.

The members, owners of local businesses and guesthouses, team together whenit comes to marketing. “We are pooling our resources,” Gray says. “We areeducating more and more people about how massive Fort Lauderdale really is.”



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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/2007/8-2/news/localnews/3907.cfm

Former GLCC board president arrested on Southwest flight
Moody allegedly made unwanted sexual advances and assaulted a flightattendant, investigators say
By PHIL LAPADULA
Thursday, August 02, 2007

The former board president of the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of SouthFlorida is facing federal charges after he allegedly assaulted a flightattendant and interfered with his ability to do his job during a drunkenincident aboard a Southwest Airlines flight in June.

John Michael Moody II resigned as president of the board of directors of theFort Lauderdale gay center shortly after his June 12 arrest.

According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court inJacksonville, Moody was “extremely rowdy” and made unwanted sexual advancestoward a flight attendant on a Southwest flight that originated inIndianapolis and was bound for Fort Lauderdale.

Reached by phone, Moody declined a request for an interview. His lawyer alsodid not respond to an interview request.

The Southwest flight attendant, Cory Cash, told FBI investigators that Moodyasked him and other flight attendants, “Where is the gay section?” duringthe pre-boarding procedures for the flight.



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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/2007/8-2/news/localnews/3906.cfm

The fallout from Naugle’s negativism
Will mayor’s insults drive away gay tourists?
By PHIL LAPADULA
Thursday, August 02, 2007

After Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle escalated his fight with the localgay community with more anti-gay remarks at a press conference last week,local gay hoteliers and others are now trying to gauge the possible effectsof a story that has received national attention.

Naugle has appeared on CNN denouncing the gay Stonewall Library as a threatto little leaguers. He has given news conferences to castigate gays forengaging in public sex, even though local police officials have said thatpublic sex is not a problem in the city.

Naugle’s negative comments about gays come at a time when tourist visits tothe area in general, and international visits in particular, are alreadydown, due to a sluggish economy, tourist officials say. They come at a timewhen many gay guesthouse owners are struggling to survive because of thedouble whammy of high property taxes and soaring insurance rates.

But despite the bad timing, gay guesthouse owners seemed to agree that thegay market in Fort Lauderdale is strong enough to weather the Naugle storm.There were, however, varied opinions about what impact it will have.

“I would say that it’s not going to have any impact at all,” said RichardGray, owner of the Royal Palms Resort and a member of the Broward CountyTourist Development Council. He noted that his resort had received nocancellations as a result of the Naugle controversy. He also pointed outthat the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau has been a“pioneer” in promoting gay tourism going back to the early 1990s.



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Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-802trans,0,3143631.story

Oakland Park commissioners back transgender protection
By Elizabeth Baier | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

11:19 PM EDT, August 1, 2007

Oakland Park - The city is one step closer to protecting the rights of itstransgender employees.

Commissioners agreed unanimously Wednesday night to proceed with addinggender identity and gender expression to the city's anti-discriminationpolicy.

Commissioner Suzanne Boisvenue proposed adding the two categories to thecity's policy, which already protects municipal employees based on race,religion, sex, national origin, age and/or disability. The city passed itscurrent anti-discrimination policy in July 2002. It is unclear how many, ifany, transgender people work for the city.

"Discrimination, should not be tolerated, any place, any time," Boisvenuesaid. "Oakland Park is known, rightfully so, for fair and equal treatment ofpeople."

Others on the dais echoed the remarks.

"We've proven, over and over again, that we don't tolerate discriminationhere," Commissioner Layne Walls said.

About 20 gay, lesbian and transgender activists spoke at the meeting insupport of the proposal, including four transgender women. No one spokeagainst it.

"My knowledge base did not change just because I put on a skirt," saidJacqui Charvet, a North Lauderdale resident who told commissioners she losther job five years ago when she came out to her employer as a transgenderwoman.

"I have been denied access to restrooms and fitting rooms," Charvet said."Even though I feel I am successful, I am still attacked for my genderexpression."



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TOWN HALL TO DISCUSS TRANSGENDER DISCRIMINATION IN FLORIDA

Join the Equality Florida and HRC at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center ofSouth Florida for a town hall discussion about the discriminationtransgender Floridians face on a daily basis and what we all can do to stopit.

WHAT:
Over the past several months, there have been many stories highlighted inthe media about the ways transgender people continue to face rampantdiscrimination. From Susan Stanton's firing in Largo for transitioning, toLos Angeles Times sports columnist Mike Penner's announcement that he wastaking a leave of absence from his job in order to transition to female, theissues facing transgender people across the country have been widelypublicized.

Guest speakers Susan Stanton and transgender activist Blue will share theirpersonal experiences with discrimination during a panel discussion.

Tobias Packer from Equality Florida and Marty Rouse from the HRC will alsobe present and inform attendees how to get involved on a local, state andnational level.

WHO:
Equality Florida, HRC and the GLCC of South Florida present:

Susan Stanton, the former city manager of Largo, Fla., who was fired afterannouncing she was transitioning, andBlue, transgender youth activist.

WHEN:

Friday, Aug. 3, 2007
7 - 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:

Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida
1717 N Andrews Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311



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For Immediate Release

For More Information phone (954) 567-8599, ext. 3

Cong. Etz Chaim Men's Club Hosts Rosh Hashanah Luncheon (Sept. 13)

The Men's Club of Congregation Etz Chaim will host its annual Rosh HashanahLuncheon on Thursday, September 13, at 1:30 p.m., at Tropics Restaurant on“the Drive” (2000 Wilton Drive, in Wilton Manors). Luncheon includes achoice of several entrees, Tropics’ popular soup, salad and dessert bar, andcoffee, tea or soft drinks. The Rosh Hashanah Luncheon is the Men’s Clubbiggest and most popular event that brings together the entire Synagoguecommunity; not just the members of the Men’s Club. The Rosh HashanahLuncheon is $20 per person (regardless of membership) and is open toeveryone. Those interested in attending the Luncheon must RSVP by Friday,Sept. 7, either by phoning the Men’s Club at (954) 567-8599, ext. 3 or byspeaking to one of the Men’s Club board members before or after Cong. EtzChaim's 8:30 p.m., Friday Night Services. Cong. Etz Chaim is located at1881 N.E. 26 Street, in Wilton Manors.



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Progressive San Antonio Police Chief William McManus will be attacked attoday's San Antonio City Council meeting.

The San Antonio City Council will meet today, August 2nd at 5:45 p.m. andhear from religious political extremists and right wing nuts. These kooksare calling on San Antonio City Council to condemn Chief McManus for beingthe grand Marshall in the recent Gay Pride Parade.

Please contact the San Antonio Mayor and the City Council and let them knowthat you support Police Chief McManus as a fair and progressive leader: http://www.sanantonio.gov/council/



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

St. Petersburg [Russia] gay pride parade to be rescheduled

http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=3420

St. Petersburg, August 1, Interfax - The organizing committee of the gaypride parade in St. Petersburg, which was scheduled for September 8, the dayof the beginning of the Siege of Leningrad, is planning to conduct theparade on another day.

"We respect city holidays and understand very well the feelings of localresidents, so we have decided to change the date. The event will be held inearly September, but the date will not coincide with any important holidayor any commemorative date," head of the organizational committee EdwardMurzin said in a statement posted on the community's website.

It was reported earlier that in early July the organization committee saidit was planning to conduct a gay pride parade on September 8, a memorabledate for all city residents.




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

[euro-queer] More from Moscow officials: Moskovsky Kosomolets

Deputy head of staff of Moscow city mayor and government denies gay rightsviolations

Moscow, July 27, Interfax - Deputy head of staff of Moscow city mayor andgovernment Vladimir Shukshin denies that sexual minorities experience anydiscrimination from the city government.

'What discrimination are you talking about? Turn on your TV and watch anyshow or concert. There are plenty of gay clubs in Moscow and no one closesthem,' Shukshin told Moskovsky Komsomolets daily in his interview publishedon Friday.

It is law and order that should be prioritized in this situation, he said.

'It is not gays but law and order that matters here. For instance, when NewYork gay community wanted to parade on the same day the local Irish hadtheir St. Patrick's Day, they were forbidden to do that in order not to hurtRoman Catholics' religious feelings. And the gays did not parade indeed,' hesaid.

In Moscow, Shukshin added, the situation was quite the contrary as the gaycommunity ignored the city government's ban and tried to go parading anyway.

'They went out ignoring the ban. They invited some foreigners to join them,some of which were bitten. By the way, the individual who kicked theEnglishman was detained at the spot. But afterwards they blamed the Moscowgovernment,' he said.



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

INTERNATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
PAKISTAN: TRANSGENDER MAN FACES ADDITIONAL LAWSUITS



Summary

This is an update on the legal status of Shumail Raj, a female to maletransgender man and Shahzina Tariq, his wife, who were imprisoned byPakistani authorities. IGLHRC has followed this case closely and been inregular contact with Nighat Khan, a women's right's activist in Pakistan whohas been supporting Shumail and Shahzina from the time they were arrested.The following observations are based on information provided by Ms. Khan.

Shumail, 31, had undergone two surgeries to remove breasts and uterus andlived for 16 years as a man. He and his longtime sweetheart, Shahzina Tariq,26, were married in September last year. Shahzina's father, Tariq Hussain,who had planned to sell her into marriage to another man to settle a familygambling debt, rejected the marriage and used police officers from theirhometown to harass the couple. Shumail and Shahzina sought and receivedprotection from the court but the father's harassment continued. With thehelp of a lawyer, the couple went to the High Court for help, at whichpoint, Shahzina's father informed the judge that Shumail was not a man.Judge, Khawaja Sharif ordered a medical examination, following which hecensured the couple for "lying" about Shumail's gender and consequently alsolying about the legality of their marriage (same-sex marriages are notallowed in Pakistan). On May 28, 2007, Shumail and Shahzina were eachsentenced to three years in prison and fined 10,000 rupees ($166).

On June 22, an appeal was filed by a Supreme Court lawyer, Babar Awan, whoargued that since Shumail had undergone gender re-assignment surgery and hisphysical characteristics conformed to social and cultural expectations ofmasculinity, there was no perjury. On June 28, the Supreme Court agreed tohear the case and ordered the couple released on bail set at 50,000 rupees($825) each.



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Inside Higher Education

http://insidehighered.com/news/2007/08/02/coache

The Satisfaction Gap

Colleges that want to recruit new faculty talent talk frequently about thisnew policy or that — or about efforts to promote a certain environment foryoung scholars. But a study released Wednesday suggests that those policieshave had mixed effectiveness — and that the experience of junior facultymembers continues to vary based on gender and race.

White and male junior faculty members experience a better campus climatethan do their minority and female counterparts, according to the results ofa study of the views of 6,773 tenure-track faculty members at 77 four-yearcolleges and universities around the country. Those working at collegesgenerally experience a better climate than those working at universities,the survey also found. The study was conducted by the Collaborative onAcademic Careers in Higher Education, a research project based at theHarvard University Graduate School of Education. COACHE, as the project isknown, has become a leading source of information on how colleges canattract the next generation of professors and keep them happy — even astheir demographics and priorities may differ in key ways from their seniorcolleagues.

Cathy Trower, director of COACHE, said that the study pointed to theimportance of remembering the difference between establishing sound policies(which many institutions have done) and making sure that they are effectiveand working for everyone (which is more difficult). “A change in policy doesnot necessarily mean a change in practice or climate,” she said. In manycases, colleges that have adopted policies may need “to drill down” to thedepartment level to see why they are or aren’t working.



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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=13622

Robinson still hopes to be included in international meeting
First openly gay Episcopal bishop hopes Anglicans can stay together
LONDON (AP) | Aug 1, 4:16 PM

The first openly gay Episcopal bishop, whose 2003 consecration has moved theAnglican fellowship to the brink of schism, says he remains hopefulAnglicans can stay together.

"I think we need each other," said New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson, inan interview with The Times of London, published July 27. "We need to learnand grow with the presence of each other. I think it would be a terribleloss to all of us."

The Episcopal Church is the U.S. province of the world Anglican Communion.Theological conservatives are demanding that the American church pledge bySept. 30 not to consecrate any more gay bishops or face losing fullmembership in the communion.

In an attempt to ease tensions, Robinson and Bishop Martyn Minns, who leadsa network of breakaway conservative Episcopal parishes, have not beeninvited to a once-a-decade gathering of the world's Anglican bishops. Themeeting, called the Lambeth Conference, is set for next year.



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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=13619

Same-sex registry begins in Lawrence
Lawrence first city in Kansas to offer option for couples
LAWRENCE (AP) | Aug 1, 1:56 PM

The state's first domestic partnership registry goes into effect today,allowing same-sex couples living in this city to register in a state wherevoters rewrote the constitution two years ago to ban gay marriages.

City Clerk Frank Reeb said the registry, which also is open to unmarriedheterosexual couples, doesn't mean those signing up will enjoy any new legalrights. He said from 40 to 50 couples are expected to register either inperson or online.

"On the online registry, we ask them to acknowledge that this creates nolegal rights for them other than they will be in the city registry asdomestic partners," Reeb said.

Lori Messinger, a board member of the Lawrence-Douglas County chapter of theKansas Equality Coalition, said the registry will make it easier fordomestic partners to qualify for health insurance and other benefits fromemployers. More than half of the Fortune 500 companies extend some type ofbenefits to partners.

Companies extending such benefits often accept registration as proof of anongoing relationship and require more detailed documentation without it.



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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=13612

Singapore bans photo exhibition on gays, lesbians kissing
Exhibition's organizers denied license
SINGAPORE (AP) | Aug 1, 11:22 AM

Singapore’s censors have banned an exhibition of photographs depicting gaymen and women kissing, a gay rights activist said Wednesday, calling theove "absurd."

The city-state’s Media Development Authority denied the exhibition’sorganizers a license on the grounds that the photographs "promote ahomosexual lifestyle," Alex Au, founder of a Singapore gay rights group,People Like Us, said.

The Media Development Authority had no immediate comment.

The exhibition, entitled "Kissing," is a selection of 80 posed shots ofsame-sex kissing between fully clothed models, said Au, who shot thephotographs.

"Kissing" was canceled after organizers received a letter from the mediaregulator on Monday saying it was rejecting their application for a licenseto hold the exhibition, Au said.

The exhibition was part of a two-week gay pride series of forums, filmscreenings, lectures and other events that was scheduled to start laterWednesday.

"It’s absurd to think that gay people do not also kiss, and thatrepresentation of such a reality would be subversive," Au said. "There is avery stereotypical representation of gays and lesbians as deviants and Ithink it is important to correct the stereotype."



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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/blog/index.cfm?type=blog&start=7/27/07&end=8/3/07#13617

Hopeful sign from U.S. military

Michael Mullen, Bush's nominee for chair of the Joint Chiefs, has alreadyexceeded his predecessor, Gen. Peter Pace, as far as gay rights areconcerned.

During a Senate hearing Tuesday, Mullen, the chief of Naval operations, wasquestioned about the military's ban on gay personnel, according to PRNewswire.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) asked Mullen about his stance on "Don't Ask,Don't Tell." Collins has a moderate voting record and opposed the FederalMarriage Amendment.

Mullen said that he would implement the current law but also said that "[he]really think[s] it is for the American people to come forward, reallythrough this body, to both debate that policy and make changes, if that'sappropriate."

"I'd love to have Congress make its own decisions," he said on the repeal of"Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

In contrast, Pace told the Chicago Tribune that homosexuality is "immoral"and that he "believe[s] that homosexual acts between individuals areimmoral, and that we should not condone immoral acts."



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Kentucky

http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/137672.html

Posted on Tue, Jul. 31, 2007
Domestic-partner benefit foes rally
By Megan Boehnke
MBOEHNKE@HERALD-LEADER.COM

Children holding signs that read "Marriage: God's Way" and senior citizensin wheelchairs with stickers demanding protection of marriage joined a crowdthat filled the Capitol Rotunda yesterday protesting domestic-partnerbenefits.

But those who urged lawmakers to take up a proposal that would bandomestic-partner benefits at state universities saw the measure die onlyhours later when the House and Senate adjourned the special session Gov.Ernie Fletcher called earlier this month.

Further, House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, said Democrats willnot return to Frankfort for an anticipated Aug. 13 special session ifFletcher puts any issue other than incentives for alternative fuel plants onthat session's agenda.

The Democratic-controlled House refused yesterday even to take possession offive bills, including a ban on domestic-partner benefits, which theRepublican-controlled Senate approved overwhelmingly earlier this month.

"I think the Democrats in the House are going to have a hard time explainingwhy they wouldn't even accept the bills," said Minority House Leader JeffHoover, R-Jamestown.

The hourlong rally, organized by the Family Foundation of Kentucky, came onthe same day Attorney General Greg Stumbo announced the University ofLouisville will comply with his June 1 opinion on the matter.



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Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_6512655

Texan picked to replace Ted Haggard
New Life committee tabs pastor after 8-month hunt
By John Ingold Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 08/01/2007 01:01:47 PM MDT

The committee charged with picking a candidate to replace the Rev. TedHaggard, ousted as the leader of New Life Church in Colorado Springs amidallegations of gay sex and drug use, has chosen a Texas pastor.

After eight months of searches and interviews, New Life's Pastoral SelectionCommittee chose the Rev. Brady Boyd, an associate senior pastor at GatewayChurch in Southlake, Texas, according to a message posted Tuesday night onNew Life's website from Lance Coles, New Life associate pastor.

"We believe his heart and vision align closely with the heart and vision ofNew Life Church," the message reads. "He has strong leadership gifts,significant experience and training in senior pastoral ministry, and apassion or teaching the Scriptures. He is a man of character, provenexperience and good reputation."



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New York

http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?a=302489&z=2

Lesbian couple's lawyers reject athletic club's defense
8/1/2007 10:33:04 AM
By Janice Gregorson
Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

Efforts by a Rochester athletic club to have a discrimination lawsuitdismissed should be rejected, according to the plaintiffs.

At issue is whether Amy and Sarah Monson of Rochester and their 11-year-olddaughter were discriminated against by the Rochester Athletic Club.

The Monsons, identified in court papers as lesbian women in a committedrelationship raising a child, filed the lawsuit earlier this year, allegingsexual orientation discrimination. The complaint alleges the Monsons triedto purchase a family membership at the club last year and were turned downbecause they are not legally married.

Named as defendants are the club and its owner, John D. Remick. Thedefendants have moved for summary judgment, saying their policy doesn'tviolate the state Human Rights Act, that the policy requires all couples tobe married under Minnesota law to qualify for a family membership.



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Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/2007/8-2/news/localnews/3919.cfm

A ‘WIN’ning organization
Women In Network celebrates its 20th anniversary
By SHERI ELFMAN
Thursday, August 02, 2007

Twenty years ago, being a lesbian in South Florida was a completelydifferent experience than it is today.

“There wasn’t a place for women to go and be themselves,” said Women InNetwork President Flo Crea.

Women in Network, a networking and social group, was formed in 1987 toprovide a safe place for lesbians to come together and meet like-mindedladies. The group also promotes health education.

“Thousands of women have passed through these doors,” Crea said. “I have metsome of the finest women, and there have been close friendships, close ties,and some people met those they are spending the rest of their lives with.”

Two of WIN’s founding members met at a meeting and have been together 20years.

Don’t change what works

Crea said that WIN is a rare organization, because it has survived 20 yearsand hasn’t really changed too much.



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The Miami Herald

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/story/190058.html

Posted on Thu, Aug. 02, 2007
President Bush to veto $21 billion water bill

President Bush will veto a national water bill that includes nearly $2billion for Everglades restoration and other South Florida projects.

The White House spelled out its objections to the ''excessive'' $21 billionbill in a letter sent to four members of Congress that was obtained by TheNational Audubon Society.

Some congressional staffers think there are enough votes to do that, judgingby the sweeping 91-4 vote to approve it originally.

Florida lawmakers and environmentalists called the bill, which cleared acongressional negotiating committee this week, critical to getting stalledEverglades restoration efforts back on track. Federal funding for the $15billion project has dwindled since 2000, in part because previous waterbills have stalled in Congress since 2002.

The White House letter, signed by Budget Director Bob Portman and John PaulWoodley Jr., an assistant secretary of the Army who oversees the Corps ofEngineers, said the legislation would authorize ``excessive spending andprojects.''

The new water bill approves $5 billion more in civil works projects thaneither the initial House or Senate versions and is triple the Bushadministration's proposal.

The Corps, the letter said, already is backlogged with $38 billion inunfunded, long-delayed projects.


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“Meet Your Congressman”

Congressman Ron Klein Hosts
Town Hall Meetings to Discuss Issues Important to You Ranging from Your
Insurance Premiums to

Your Health Care Costs
Date: Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Place: Dixon Hall, 2220 NE 38th Street Lighthouse Point, FL 33064
Date: Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Place: Ft. Lauderdale City Hall Commission Chambers,100 North Andrews Ave.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Please feel free to call our office if you have any questions or need directions (954) 522-4579

**************************************************************************************************
“Meet Your Congressman”
Congressman Ron Klein Hosts

Town Hall Meeting to Discuss Issues Important to You Ranging from Your
Insurance Premiums to
Your Health Care Costs
Date: Tuesday, August 16, 2007
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Place: FAU, Boca Raton Campus
Live Oak Pavilion A&B
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991

Directions to FAU Live Oak Pavilion: Take I-95 to Glades Road. Go east on Glades Road to first entrance to FAU. Entrance is on north side of road and has a lighted marquee sign (NW 10th Ave). Make a right onto Volusia and the parking garage will be on your left (parking garage #1). From the garage, follow the overhang the Live Oak Pavilion which will be the building directly south from the garage on your left.

Please feel free to call our office if you have any questions or need directions (954) 522-4579


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