GLBT DIGEST - September 08, 2008

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New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-The Bachelor Life Includes a Family
DANIEL E. GURR, a doctor in Miami, had always wanted a baby. The yearninglasted through his 30s and early 40s, through medical school and into hisresidency. That longing created tension; he and his longtime boyfriend, hesaid, fought each time the subject came up. At 46, Dr. Gurr, who is settledin his job but now unattached, is finally fulfilling his wish. Next month,through a surrogate, he will become the single parent of a baby boy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/fashion/07single.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=gay&st=cse&oref=slogin


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Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Declaring that clergy have a constitutional right to endorse politicalcandidates from their pulpits, the socially conservative Alliance DefenseFund is recruiting several dozen pastors to do just that on Sept. 28, indefiance of Internal Revenue Service rules.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/07/AR2008090702460.html

-Russia in legal bid to ban "extremist" U.S. cartoon
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Prosecutors in Russia want to ban the award-winningsatirical U.S. cartoon South Park, calling the series "extremist" afterreceiving viewer complaints, a spokeswoman said on Monday. South Park, acartoon aimed at adults and featuring a group of nine-year olds in aColorado ski town, has courted controversy from its 1997 debut, parodyingcelebrities, politicians, religion, gay marriage and Saddam Hussein.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/08/AR2008090800408.html

-Public Display: The Picture-Perfect American Family?
These Days, It Doesn't Exist.
With the debut of the Palins before a nationwide audience, a presidentialcampaign that was supposed to be about the economy, Iraq or even race hasunexpectedly become -- for a little while, at least -- a conversation aboutfamily. But even before the surprising news of 17-year-old Bristol Palin'spregnancy, the Obamas, Bidens and McCains had spent an inordinate amount ofprecious convention time introducing us to their loved ones: videos,scripted shout-outs, smiling tableaus as the confetti came down. Bothparties clearly thought that it was crucial for the candidates to show howdeeply they value their family lives.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/05/AR2008090502652.html


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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Palin church promotes converting gays
Gov. Sarah Palin's church is promoting a conference that promises to convertgays into heterosexuals through the power of prayer. "You'll be encouragedby the power of God's love and His desire to transform the lives of thoseimpacted by homosexuality," according to the insert in the bulletin of theWasilla Bible Church, where Palin has prayed for about six years.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/politics/wire/sns-ap-2008-race-rundown,0,316466.story

-Being gay has nothing to do with parental fitness
I am troubled by a recent letter writer's comments outlining her reasons forvoting GOP. Most unsettling is her statement that since gay couples cannotproduce children, why should they be allowed to marry? Does she know howpainful and offensive that is to all of the heterosexual couples in Americathat for health/fertility reasons cannot "produce children?" Does shesuggest proof of fertility be submitted with the application of a marriagelicense? I am sick of the Republican viewpoint that only a male/female paircan effectively raise offspring. Look around you. I'm certain most of usknow at least one adult who is the result of bad parenting by a "straight"couple. Sadly, too many of us know a child or two also not benefiting from atraditional household. Let's remove sexuality from parenting ability!
I had truly been on the fence about which candidate deserved my vote, but Ithank the writer of that letter for offering me clarity. By voting Democrat,I can try to protect our Supreme Court from the antiquated and narrow-mindedviews of the GOP.
Marianne Petrino, Coral Springs
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-brmail509sbsep08,0,5738643.story


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Steve Rothaus
www.MiamiHerald.com/gay
Go to this link for the following articles:

-National Suicide Prevention Week runs through Sept. 13
News release from Switchboard of Miami: Did you know that, in the UnitedStates, one person commits suicide every 16 minutes? Or that it's estimatedthat more than 5 million people in the United States have been directlyaffected by a suicide?
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/


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Forwarded from Gay Asylum - UK
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gayasylum/messages?o=1
Contact Ray's List for the full article:

-Call for Action: An Iranian gay couple in India need your support
We are contacting you to request your assistance on a very urgent caseinvolving 2 gay Iranians, Ali and Mohammad. It is no secret that queerIranians who flee to other countries continue to face risks due tohomophobia and laws calling for punishment of homosexuals. This oftenresults in depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Ali and Mohammad,a gay Iranian couple, fled to India. Although United Nations HighCommissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has officially recognized them each asrefugees, the Canadian Embassy in New Delhi has still not acted tofacilitate their resettlement in Canada. It has been one whole year sincethe Canadian Embassy began processing their cases! In India, Ali andMohammad are illegal queer refugees.


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Forwarded from Gays Without Borders
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article
gayasylum@yahoo.co.uk

-Was Cardinal Newman gay?
Vatican claims of heterosexuality unsubstantiated
Celibacy probable, but unproven
"The Vatican is panicked that allegations about Cardinal Newman's sexualorientation may derail its plans to make him a saint," said human rightscampaigner Peter Tatchell of the London-based gay rights group OutRage!"The Pope's spin doctors have gone into over-drive to denounce claims thatNewman was gay and to justify his exhumation and reburial. This reburial iscontrary to Newman's instructions to his executors. He wanted to be buriedwith the man he loved and with whom he lived for much of his life, FatherAmbrose St John.
http://www.google.co.uk/books?id=b6O01T7JsvQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Alan+Bray,+The+Friend&lr=&as_brr=0&ei=YYi2SNrXCJWyyQSXuZSGBw&sig=ACfU3U3yK482o_HYMtOEdWS5WlnllgqrmQ#PPA290,M1

-This is a first look at a new film about the lives of LGBT in Africa.
From a Times interview with the film makers: The stories include atransgendered male-to-female Nigerian, a partnered lesbian activist in Uganda, a transgendered male-to-female Ugandan, a Kenyan who was abused along with his twin brother by an uncle, a gay Ugandan farmer, gay partners in Kenya who dream of having their union blessed and a gay Nigerian who was beaten badly simply for being gay. Considering the penalties in Africa for being actively gay - in Uganda it carries a life sentence - these people must be applauded for their bravery.
http://madikazemi.blogspot.com/2008/09/voices-of-witness-africa.html


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Forwarded from Euro-Queer
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article:

-RUSSIA: Special Rapid Reaction Unit of Krasnoyarsk made a raid on a gayclub
Once again In Krasnoyarsk there happened an arbitrariness of the authoritiesrelative to the citizens of Russia, people of homosexual orientation.According to gaynews.ru, late at night from 30th-31st of august officers ofSpecial Rapid Reaction Unit rushed into the local club "Hunter" wheretraditional Saturday meeting for gays and lesbians was taking place.According to the words of Igor N., one of the witnesses and involuntaryparticipant of the events, that took place in the club and outside of it,Special Rapid Reaction Unit burst into the club about midnight. Their comingwas accompanied by obscene language, clinking of broken glass, turning thefurniture over and also by shots in the air. Officers of SRRU orderedeverybody to lie with their faces down and their hands behind their head.Some of the people were kicked, others were injured because of the pieces ofbroken glass.
http://lgbtrights.ru/eng/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=1

-The Observer
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/
Italy's gay policemen join forces to come out
In a country where masculine values hold sway, gay recruits to Italy'spolice and armed forces have avoided going public about their sexuality forfear of suffering ostracism and forced transfers. That is until lastweek, when a group of openly gay men in uniform announced they were planningto set up an organisation to combat discrimination and that they wereplotting a collective coming-out event to show Italy's police chiefs andarmy generals that they are a force to be reckoned with.


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Dr. Laura Rips Sarah Palin a New One
Homophobic radio host and right wing crusader Dr. Laura has little love for Sarah Palin becoming John McCain's VP candidate and the new star of the Republican Party.
In a post on her blog, Dr. Laura calls Palin an unsuitable role model: I am extremely disappointed in the choice of Sarah Palin as the Vice Presidential candidate of the Republican Party...I'm stunned - couldn't the RepublicanParty find one competent female with adult children to run for VicePresident with McCain? I realize his advisors probably didn't want a"mature" woman, as the Democrats keep harping on his age. But really, whatkind of role model is a woman whose fifth child was recently born with aserious issue, Down Syndrome, and then goes back to the job of Governorwithin days of the birth? I am haunted by the family pictures of the Palinsduring political photo-ops, showing the eldest daughter, now pregnant withher own child, cuddling the family's newborn.
Let the Celebrity Deathmatch begin!
http://www.bgay.com/news/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=559&Itemid=23


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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:

-New group to pressure US government on gay rights worldwide
An openly gay former US Ambassador is to work as an adviser to a newcoalition of gay and straight human rights groups. The Council for GlobalEquality wants the American government to defend the rights of lesbian, gay,bisexual and trans people across the world.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-8929.html

-Colombian police get LGBT training
650 police officers in Bogota, Colombia, have taken part in a workshop runby an LGBT group on the rights of the community. One of the group'srecommendations was having female officers deal with gay men in certaincases.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-8927.html

-Gay Congressman attacks VP candidate over pregnant daughter
A veteran US politician has said that the teenage pregnancy of Republicancandidate for Vice President Sarah Palin "underscores the flaws in thepolitical philosophy that was critical to her being selected by JohnMcCain." Barney Frank has represented the 4th District of Massachusettssince 1981, and is one of two out gay people in the House ofRepresentatives.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-8926.html

-Tutu claims "God is weeping" over gay arguments in Anglican church
A leading Anglican has castigated his church for obsessing over gay issueswhile poverty, disease and hunger are ravaging the human race. Speaking ata conference of church leaders in London organised by global poverty charityTearfund, Archbishop Desmond Tutu accused his church of "persecuting thealready persecuted" in its attitude to gay people.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-8921.html


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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
www.dailyqueernews.com
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Commentary: Public Display
by Andrew J. Cherlin
With the debut of the Palins before a nationwide audience, a presidentialcampaign that was supposed to be about the economy, Iraq or even race hasunexpectedly become -- for a little while, at least -- a conversation aboutfamily. But even before the surprising news of 17-year-old Bristol Palin'spregnancy, the Obamas, Bidens and McCains had spent an inordinate amount ofprecious convention time introducing us to their loved ones: videos,scripted shout-outs, smiling tableaus as the confetti came down. Bothparties clearly thought that it was crucial for the candidates to show howdeeply they value their family lives.

-CA: ACLU puts in $1.2 million for No on 8
Link: Sacramento Bee Capitol Alert
The American Civil Liberties Union reported donating $1.2 million to defeatProposition 8, the ban on gay marriage, on the November ballot. The $1.2million donation is the single largest check written to the campaign, thoughEquality California, a gay-rights group, and the Human Rights Campaign, asimilar group, have bundled more total donations.

-Sam Brownback lets his hair down with Mike Signorile
Link: Pam's House Blend
Next week should be fun on Mike's show. [...] Get a load of this encounterwith Kansas Senator and failed presidential candidate Sam Brownback. Sam istruly off the charts batsh*t insane: Last night I got a chance to interviewKansas Senator Sam "Snowflake Baby" Brownback, a man obsessed with embryosand women's uteruses, not to mention homosexuality. As someone who ran forthe nomination he of course hoped he'd be up there last night giving hisacceptance speech, but nonetheless it helped him to highlight his issues andshape the party platform. He told me, ominously, that even if ten morestates legalize marriage for gays and lesbians over the next 10 or 15 yearsand millions of gays and lesbians get married, he and Christianconservatives will work to ultimately turn that around and take away therights of those millions.

-Newt Gingrich Falsely Claims Calif. Gay Marriage Judges Appointees
Link: On Top Magazine
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich has released a video on YouTubeurging Californians to vote for Proposition 8 - the constitutional amendmentthat would make gay marriage in the State illegal once more - where hefalsely claims that California Supreme Court judges are appointees.

-San Francisco Mayor Newsom Predicts Obama and McCain Permanently Damaged ByNot Embracing Marriage Equality For All
Link: San Francisco Sentinel
The Milk preview trailer was released Tuesday, with San Francisco MayorGavin Newsom predicting both Barack Obama and John McCain will bepermanently damaged by their lack of support for marriage equality. "Thisis going to permanently damage any politician in their future," Newsom toldthe Sentinel.

-Two male convicts marry in Belgian jail
Link: Telegraph
Raoul Simon married a life prisoner, named only as Christophe, after lovebloomed between the two serving convicts in the grim Mons prison, in theFrench-speaking Walloon part of Belgium. Mr Simon was released from theprison in June, but his partner Christophe, sentenced to "perpetuity" injail can not expect freedom any earlier than 2013.


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Victoria Lavin
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article:

-Pacific Islands 'Must Decriminalize Gay Sex'
GayNZ
The Pan Pacific Gathering for HIV+ People has called on Pacific regiongovernments to decriminalise sex between men and to outlaw discriminationagainst people with HIV. The call comes in the final Declaration issued atthe conclusion of a four day conference of HIV positive people and supportworkers, convened in Auckland last week and attracting delegates from mostPacific nations. Pacific nations in which consensual sex between adultmales is still a criminal offense include the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru,Niue, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tongaand Tuvalu. In some of those countries penalties as severe as fourteen years' imprisonment are still on the statutes. It is increasingly recognised aroundthe world that fear of discrimination or legal punishment drives same-sexactivities underground, leading to inaccurate HIV statistics and hinderingeducation programmes.

-4 N. Texas Firms Earn 1st Perfect Equality Scores
By Ben Briscoe | Dallas Voice
A new report from the Human Rights Campaign has local gay business peopleboasting that Dallas is a great place to be an LGBT employee. In the 2009edition of HRC's Corporate Equality Index - released on Tuesday, Sept. 2 -the number of companies nationwide that scored a perfect 100 rose from 195to 259. But in North Texas, the number doubled, going from four to eight -and with the move of AT&T from San Antonio to Dallas, nine.

-Palin's Record Poor on LGBT Issues
Dallas Voice
Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin supported a constitutionalamendment banning same-sex marriage in Alaska and opposed domestic partnerbenefits for state employees there. Meanwhile, Time magazine reported thatthe church where the Alaska governor's family worships, Wasilla BibleChurch, recently was promoting an "ex-gay" reparative therapy programsponsored by the right-wing group Focus on the Family. "America may notknow much about Sarah Palin, but based on what our community has seen ofher, we know enough," Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign,said in a statement this week. "Sarah Palin not only supported the 1998Alaska constitutional amendment banning marriage equality but, in her lessthan two years as governor, even expressed the extreme position ofsupporting stripping away domestic partner benefits for state workers.

-Obama Speech an 'Emotional Moment' for Gay Leaders
CHRIS JOHNSON | Washington Blade
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's nomination speech last weekimpressed and excited many gay rights activists. Joe Solmonese, presidentof the Human Rights Campaign, called Obama's speech an "emotional moment"and a "brilliant opportunity" for Obama "to speak to more Americans than he's probably ever spoken to before or may speak to again before the election."He said he hoped people took away a sense of the candidate's vision forAmerica, which "very much includes GLBT Americans." "GLBT Americans, Ihope, would feel as inspired as I do coming away from it," Solmonese said.Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, saidObama's speech was extraordinary and demonstrated "the energy for a newtime.

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