GLBT DIGEST - September 19, 2008

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

-Federal officials: No charges expected in former Rep. Mark Foley's page scandal
After an exhaustive two-year investigation, former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley isn't expected to face charges for sending salacious messages to underage pages, two federal law enforcement officials have told The Associated Press. Results of a state investigation were to be announced Friday. An FBI investigation hasn't been closed, but the officials said neither state nor federal charges were expected. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case. Foley resigned in 2006 after being confronted with the e-mails and instant messages he sent to pages. He has been under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-foley-investigation,0,6474787.story

-Brazil: Leader backs gay unions
Brazil's president has come out in favor of same-sex unions.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that in Brazil, "there are men living with men, and women living with women" who "build a good life together." But a proposed law that would give all same-sex couples rights equal to those enjoyed by married heterosexuals has been stalled in Brazil's Congress for more than a decade. Silva said in an interview aired late Wednesday night by the government-run TV Brasil that politicians who oppose same-sex unions and yet seek the votes of gay men and women during elections are "hypocrites."
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sfl-fla14aworlddig09190sbsep19,0,7034477.story


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Florida Blade
http://www.floridablade.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:

-Ft. Lauderdale: AIDS conference brings focus to minorities, youth
Infection rates among young minorities spur local activist's commitment More than 4000 health professionals, AIDS activists and public officials from across the country are expected to attend Fort Lauderdale this week to attend the 12th Annual United States Conference on AIDS.
http://www.floridablade.com/2008/9-18/news/localnews/5076.cfm


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

-Archbishop attacks Anglican hypocrisy over gay relationships
The leader of the Anglican Church in Wales has said he is hopeful there can be resolution among the worldwide Communion on the issue of gay priests and same-sex relationships.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9046.html

-Trans singer wants to be known for her music
A teenage singing sensation who underwent gender reassignment treatments from the age of 12 is tipped for chart success. Kim Petras, 16, became a cult hit on social networking website MySpace and landed a record deal. She is about to release her first album.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9047.html

-Border agency accused of "illegal" deportation of gay Ugandan
A gay man has been removed from the UK and deported back to his native Uganda in what his supporters call an illegal act.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9044.html

-Man accused of murdering trans teenager in court
A judge in Colorado has ruled that that a 31 year old man will stand trial for the first degree murder of an 18 year old trans woman and a "bias-motivated crime." Allen Andrade will also be charged for stealing the victim's car and debit card.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9049.html

-No prosecution for comedian over Papal jibe
The Minister of Justice in Italy has decided not to use a Fascist-era law to punish a comedian for mocking the Pope. Sabina Guzzanti was accused of "offending the honour of the sacred and inviolable person" of Pope Benedict XVI.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9045.html

-Sex education comic for six year olds causes controversy
The debate about when children should be taught about sex has intensified with the publication of a new comic for primary school children. The fpa, formerly the Family Planning Association, has produced 50,000 copies of Let's Grow with Nisha and Joe' for use in UK schools.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9043.html

-Welsh AM joins protest against deportation of gay asylum seeker
A member of the Welsh Assembly has given her support to Azerbaijani artist and gay asylum seeker Babi Badalov. It emerged today that he will be deported on Saturday evening on Azerbaijan Airlines flight J20008 from Heathrow.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9042.html


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Truth Wins Out
by Wayne Besen
http://www.truthwinsout.org/

-The Anchorage Press, wrote a large feature story today on our efforts against the so-called "ex-gay" ministries in Alaska. It did so after Truth Wins Out and local Alaskan activists squared off against Focus on the Family, which brought its "ex-gay" road show to Anchorage last week. TWO Executive Director, Wayne Besen, flew to Alaska to help organize a response. The anti-gay symposium took on national interest after GOP Vice Presidential ,nominee Sarah Palin's house of worship - the Wasilla Bible Church - promoted the event. Besen spoke at the Anchorage Metropolitan Community Church with local clergy and mental health experts to counter Love Won Out. The Anchorage Press article was in-depth and did a very good job of getting to the essence of the ex-gay industry - which is politics. Focus on the Family's Love Won Out road show is a political vehicle used to make people feel better about themselves when they vote for anti-gay legislation. Other than that, the glitzy event has no practical purpose. This TWO video is a snapshot of Alaskan activists offering powerful messages of hope, love, unity and acceptance.
article: http://www.anchoragepress.com/site/basicarticle.asp?ID=844
video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4793153693356932504&hl=en

-TWO plans to work with local organizations to hold protest rallies at the following venues in 2008. TWO is also placing a national call for volunteers to help us in the cities and regions we are visiting. "We are urging volunteers to get involved now to help us at these events and to further our important message," said Wayne Besen, Executive Director, TruthWinsOut.org. "We look forward to educating people across America on the ex-gay industry and right wing extremism."
Sept. 21 Dallas Pride
Nov. 7-9 NARTH Conference Denver - Renaissance Denver Hotel
Nov. 8 Protest: Radio Hall of Fame, For Honoring James Dobson
The Renaissance Chicago Hotel


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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Go to the links for the following articles:
Contact rays.list@comcast.net if can't access the article

-GLBT History Month October 2008
October is GLBT History Month - and it's two weeks away! Each day in October 2008, an Icon is featured with a video, biography, bibliography, images and other resources. Our redesigned and enhanced GLBT History Month 2008 Web site is now completeand ready for viewing. Just click on the link below.
http://www.glbthistorymonth.com/glbthistorymonth/2008/

-Campus Pride Launches National Voice & Action Award to Recognize Young Adult Leaders across the United States
Application process opens now until December 1, 2008 "To be a leader in our movement, you do not need to be in charge of a national nonprofit organization or be on a board of directors raising thousands of dollars. Young adults have always been a force locally in communities and on college campuses creating systemic, long term change -- but seldom are they recognized for their efforts nationally," said Shane Windmeyer, Executive Director of Campus Pride. "The Voice & Action Award finally gives visible national recognition where it has long been overdue."
http://www.campuspride.org/voiceandaction.asp


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

-Two gay asylum seekers at serious and real risk of attack, imprisonment and possible killing are currently at the last stage before being deported by the British government. gayasylumuk has been notified that gay Ugandan John Bosco Nyombi has been transferred from a detention centre to Heathrow. Azerbaijani Babi Badalov has been transferred to a detention centre with a flight booked for this Saturday. The government plans to return Nyombi to a country which actively - led by its President - persecutes LGBT. Newspapers print the names and addresses of gays and lesbians and demands 'action' is taken against them. Badalov has been threatened with death by 'honour killing' and his sexuality has already led to persecution and would definitely lead to more persecution if he is returned.

-KATHMANDU: A 21-year-old lesbian has become the first person in Nepal to be officially recognised as a third gender person under the Maoist-led new government, a move being hailed as a landmark for sexual minorities in a country still dominated by a strong feudal society. Bishnu Adhikari, who was forced to leave her home in Pokhara town by outraged relatives and neighbours, on Wednesday became the first person in Nepal to be given an official identity card that described her sex as "third gender" instead of the usual male and female categories. She was issued an official ID that gave her gender as "Third". Naulo Bihani (New Dawn), a Nepali NGO that works for the rights of gays and lesbians in Kaski district in central Nepal, said Adhikari had applied for citizenship at the Kaski district administration office asking for an ID that would identify her as third gender.


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Pink Choice September Newsletter

-Thank you to all our members who have taken the time to share their experiences on Pink Choice for other gay and lesbian travelers. Based on the eviews, ratings and traffic to the site we are able to announce the top ten destinations, and top ten properties for September. Your opinion really counts, so please tell us about your hotel, inn or guesthouse experiences. Remember that every review posted before October 31, 2008 provides an entry into the Pink Choice Getaway competition where you could win a vacation valued at $1,500!
http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/261098/030b827a35/1277001601/cdd10845c7/


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Human Rights Campaign - HRC
Joe Biden to address HRC National Dinner in Washington D.C. - October 4
http://hrcnationaldinner.org/

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