GLBT DIGEST - October 19, 2008

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

-Moments in History, Converging Anew
FOR American gay culture this month marks a doubly somber anniversary. Ten years ago, on Oct. 12, Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, died in a Colorado hospital almost a week after two men viciously beat him and left him tied to a fence near Laramie, Wyo. That same night Terrence McNally's play "Corpus Christi," about 13 gay men who perform the story of Jesus, had its final preview performance at Manhattan Theater Club; due to weeks of protests and bomb threats, ticket holders had to pass through metal detectors before taking their seats.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/theater/19blan.html?scp=3&sq=gay&st=cse

-Same-Sex Marriage: Gay Couples Celebrate New Status
BETH KERRIGAN and Jody Mock returned from their twins' first overnight Boy Scout camping trip last Sunday afternoon with loads of laundry and everyone tired and hungry. They ordered in Chinese food, threw some clothes in the washing machine and read to the boys before bed.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/nyregion/connecticut/19gayct.html?scp=2&sq=gay&st=cse


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

-A Faith's Dwindling Following
The Rev. Robert Duncan, 60, is not a Lutheran, but he is a Luther, of sorts.
The former Episcopal bishop of Pittsburgh has, in effect, said the words with which Martin Luther shattered Christendom and asserted the primacy of individual judgment and conscience that defines the modern temperament: " Ich kann nicht anders" -- I cannot do otherwise. The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh recently became the second diocese (the first was in Fresno, Calif.) to secede from the U.S. Episcopal Church since, but not entirely because of, the 2003 ordination in New Hampshire of an openly gay bishop -- Gene Robinson, a classmate of Duncan's at General Theological Seminary in New York in the 1970s. Before the Robinson controversy, other Episcopalians, from South Carolina to Southern California, had disassociated from the Episcopal Church and put themselves under the authority of conservative Anglican bishops who serve where the church is flourishing -- often in sub-Saharan Africa, where a majority of Anglicans live.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/17/AR2008101702529.html

-Divides Aside, Va. GOP Agrees McCain Fumbled
Some Republicans say John McCain is in danger of becoming their party's first presidential candidate since 1964 to lose Virginia because he hasn't put enough stress on issues such as illegal immigration, gay marriage and abortion.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/18/AR2008101801940.html


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

-Thousands attend funeral of right-wing but gay Austrian politician Joerg Haider
Tens of thousands of people have lined the streets of the Austrian city of Klagenfurt for the funeral of the fascist politician Joerg Haider who died in a car crash a week ago.

-Mum's tribute to son murdered and cooked by Mr Gay UK
The mother of the man killed, cooked and eaten by a former Mr Gay UK winner has spoken of her special bond with the son she tragically lost.

-Europe cannot impose recognition of same-sex partnerships says EU Commissioner
The man responsible for the new EU directive on discrimination has said that it is up to individual member states whether or not to legally recognise gay and lesbian relationships.

-Dutch court hears evidence from victims of 'HIV gang'
The trial of three men accused of deliberately injecting others with HIV-infected blood has heard testimony from some of their alleged victims.

-I know a dozen gay professional footballers claims retired player
A former professional football player has told a forum on homophobia he knows of a dozen gay men at the top of the game.

-Police told to avoid arresting people having sex in parks
New guidelines for police officers on how to deal with public sex have recommended they avoid "knee jerk" reactions to people cottaging, dogging and cruising.

-Spanish military LGBT activist releases gay calendar
Albert Marchena and made history by being part of the first ever same-sex civil ceremony to take place between two military men in Spain in 2006.

-Gays motivated by greed, Ugandan bishop tells school
Bishop of Mukono Eria Paul Luzinda claimed that homosexuality is increasing in Uganda, and that this increase can be blamed on a desire for wealth.


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

-k.d. lang's 'Watershed' Moment
By DYANA BAGBY
She's a Buddhist vegetarian lesbian. And k.d. lang is also quite the soulful singer and songwriter, with her latest album, "Watershed," marking her first album of original work since 2000. Dubbed a "Canadian chanteuse," lang, 47, began her career in country music and won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her 1989 album, "Absolute Torch and Twang" during her "cowpunk" early years. Read more

-Riley Hopes to be GA's First Openly Gay State Senator
By MATT SCHAFER | Southern Voice
Tim Riley could make history on Nov. 4, but that hasn't been a focus of his campaign. A candidate for the District 47 seat in the Georgia Senate, Riley has been quietly running as an openly gay man and said it hasn't been an issue in his largely rural district. Read more

-Catholic Women March in Rome for Female Priesthood
By ALESSANDRA RIZZO | Associated Press Writer | Omaha World Herald
ROME (AP) - Catholic women seeking to become priests denounced the church's ban on female ordination as sexist and unjust, bringing their campaign close to the Vatican on Wednesday during a worldwide gathering of bishops. Read more

-Iranian Queer Railroad Launched
By: DOUG IRELAND | Gay City News
Arsham Parsi, a gay sexual refugee living in Toronto, (seen here at right accepting this year's Felipa Award from IGLHRC, alongside Chilean trans activist Andrès Ignacio Rivera Duarte) is pressing the fight to help queer Iranian refugees find suitable resettlement Arsham Parsi, a gay sexual refugee living in Toronto, (seen here at right accepting this year's Felipa Award from IGLHRC, alongside Chilean trans activist Andrès Ignacio Rivera Duarte) is pressing the fight to help queer Iranian refugees find suitable resettlement. Arsham Parsi, the well-known Iranian gay activist, has announced the launch of the Iranian Queer Railroad (IRQR), a new organization designed specifically to help the growing number of LGBT Iranians forced to leave their country by the violently homophobic policies of the ayatollahs' theocracy. Homosexuality is a capital crime in Iran. Parsi, 28, founded the first Iranian gay group, the Persian Gay and Lesbian Organization (PGLO), in 2004 while still living in Iran. With the police on his tail for his gay activism, Parsifled to Turkey in 2005, where he continued his work to publicize the plight of LGBT Iranians, and eventually was granted asylum as a sexual refugee by Canada, where he moved two years ago and changed the name of the PGLO to the Iranian Queer Organization (IRQO).


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

-Iran: IGLHRC Welcomes Moratorium on the
Death Penalty for Juveniles
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) welcomed the announcement this week by the Deputy Attorney General of Iran that judicial authorities would put a moratorium on the death penalty for juveniles. The moratorium will take effect immediately, with plans to seek final parliamentary approval. "The ban on juvenile execution is an important human rights development for sexual minorities, particularly those perceived to be gay," said IGLHRC executive director Paula Ettelbrick. "All too frequently, young Iranian men have been executed as juveniles after being charged with sodomy and other sexual crimes.
http://www.iglhrc.org


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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

-Free Comprehensive Florida VOTER Guide nowavailable for whole state....please use it!
http://www.eqfl.org/ElectionCenter/

-Do Babies Matter in Science?
A true measure of gender equity in academe would look at both the career and family outcomes of female Ph.D.'s
http://chronicle.com/temp/email2.php?id=ZynxddZm9tbs3NCqGjSGqrHxccdDxztn

-Joerg Haider was drinking in a gay bar before he crashed
The Austrian far-Right politician Joerg Haider was seen drinking in a gay bar shortly before his fatal car crash.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/austria/3217869/Joerg-Haider-was-drinking-in-a-gay-bar-before-he-crashed.html

-Judge Dismisses Transgendered Model's Sex Assault Claim Against Financier
A Manhattan judge has thrown out a sexual assault suit filed by a 24-year-old transgendered model against financier Jeffrey Epstein on statute-of-limitations grounds. State Supreme Court Justice Edward H. Lehner rejected plaintiff Maximilia Cordero's motion to toll the statute on the basis of her insanity, finding that her ability to function within society demonstrated she was not "insane" under the state guidelines.
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202425327649&pos=ataglance

-Maryland Sex Offenders Must Post 'No Candy' Signs
Really want to scare the bejesus out of your neighbors this Halloween?
Consider posting the sign at right, which the Washington Times reports was recently sent in the mail to all registered sex offenders in Maryland. The paper signs began arriving last week in the mailboxes of the roughly 1,200 violent and child-sex offenders across the state with a letter explaining how they are to comport themselves on Oct. 31. "Halloween provides a rare opportunity for you to demonstrate to your neighbors that you are making a sincere effort to change the direction of your life," the letter states.
http://dcist.com/2008/10/15/maryland_sex_offenders_must_post_no.php

-The Right to be Left Alone 07; Age of Consent
The right to sexual freedom is regulate in all states. In some states it is not just age of consent but also what one is allowed to do sexually in their given state. There is nothing so fundamental then a human being and his or her sexuality. To some it is the God given right to procreation to others a way of enjoying a deeper since of self, but no matter why or how one choices to have sex it is important to understand just what is allowable even in the privacy of our own beds. The right to be left alone in one's own bed or with the consent of one's partner is regulated as are many of the rights bestode upon the citizen by the state. Check out the following link on the right of the age of consent; A list by country and state:
http://www.ageofconsent.com/ageofconsent.htm

-Two Britons Sentenced to Prison for Their Public Display of Affection
Two British citizens were found guilty on Thursday of having sex in public and were sentenced to three months in prison to be followed by deportation. Hassan Matar, a lawyer for the defendants, Michelle Palmer and Vince Acors, left, said they would appeal. Under the laws of the United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is a part, the maximum sentence for sex outside of marriage is a year in prison and the minimum is three months. "The verdict shows that the judge was convinced that they did not have sexual intercourse, but he punished them for the indecent act of kissing," Mr. Matar said. Dubai is a popular destination for European tourists, but it also adheres to some strict Islamic rules, among them a ban on sex out of wedlock.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/world/middleeast/17briefs-TWOBRITONSSE_BRF.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y&oref=slogin

-Gay Hate in Miami Beach
A condo association rejects a dream tenant and his partner.
Miami Beach, Tower 41 Condominium
The call came in to Tower 41 Condominium, a salmon-pink set of buildings on Pine Tree Drive, on February 22, 2006. Why, asked real estate broker Ricardo Herran, had his client's application to live there been rejected? In a hushed voice, a curly-haired secretary told him: "It's two men.... Residents are conservative." Herran's client, Steven Bloomfield, is gay. He is also a dream tenant. The slight, bespectacled 48-year-old makes six figures, has stellar credit, and is about as imposing as a granny in a rocking chair. "My face got hot with humiliation and rage," he says. "I felt like a piece of shit."
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2008-10-16/news/gay-hate-in-miami-beach?src=newsletter


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From Transgender Equality
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article

-I found this article about a transgendered teacher. Is amazing how accepting kids can be but adults always have an issue with what they don't understand.
http://www.kcra.com/cnn-news/17714619/detail.html


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From Ron Mills
http://RonMills.us

-On the October 17 episode of MSNBC's Hardball, Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota claimed that Barack Obama and other members of Congress share anti-American views. To Watch The Video and sign the petition go to http://RonMills.us

-Top Tampa GOP Figure Circulates Joke About Killing Obama
Al Austin, a longtime, high-level Republican fundraiser from Tampa, today sent to his list of political contacts an e-mail containing a joke that refers to the assassination of Barack Obama. When asked about the e-mail, Austin said it was a mistake and apologized and that he wouldn't knowingly have circulated it. He said he planned to send an apology and retraction to the same e-mail list. if you can not access the above link go to http://BrowardForChange.com


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Soulforce
http://www.soulforce.org/
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article

-The Soulforce Q Equality Ride launched on October 1, 2008. This year it will focus on the South, journeying to fifteen schools of various denominations, including some faith-based historically black colleges and universities. True to its purpose of going where it is needed, the 2008 Equality Ride will visit both undergraduate schools and graduate level seminaries. Come meet the new Equality Riders and read what they have to say about this exciting project! More on the Equality Ride - Meet the 2008 Riders -Donate to the Ride - 2008 Equality Ride Route - Blogging from the Road - Video from Liberty
http://www.soulforce.org/index.php

-Equality Ride Under Attack by Mississippi Newspaper -- Write Your Letter
Today
The Soulforce Equality Ride needs your help. The Clinton News in Clinton, Mississippi has published an inaccurate and dismissive commentary suggesting that the Equality Riders "like to get arrested" and that publicity "fuels their anger."
http://www.soulforce.org/sendstudio/link.php?M=35882&N=617&L=1919&F=H


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365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:

-Corvino: Scared in California
If the election were held tomorrow, it's quite likely that gays would lose marriage in California. That's California, our most populous state, home of San Francisco and Nancy Pelosi and the liberal Hollywood elite. What progressive California giveth, progressive California may taketh away.
http://www.365gay.com/opinion/corvino-scared-in-california/

-Three equality riders arrested in Alabama
Three Equality Riders were arrested for trespassing today at Heritage Christian University. They were on campus to deliver letters describing their personal experiences and advocating for the safety and acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students.
http://www.365gay.com/news/three-equality-riders-arrested-in-alabama/

-Evangelicals are in the news, but not in newsrooms
Here is a foolproof way for politicians to score points with evangelical voters: Attack the media, an institution widely seen as lacking conservative Christian voices.
http://www.365gay.com/news/evangelicals-are-in-the-news-but-not-in-newsrooms/

-Evangelist in court for transporting minors for sex
Evangelist Tony Alamo appeared in court Friday for a five-minute hearing on a federal charge accusing him of transporting minors across state lines for sex.
http://www.365gay.com/news/evangelist-in-court-for-transporting-minors-for-sex/

-Fla. anti-marriage group begins ad campaign
A group attempting to constitutionally ban gay marriage in Florida began an advertising campaign today that warned gay activists were trying to scare voters.
http://www.365gay.com/news/fla-anti-marriage-group-begins-ad-campaign/

-Gay-friendly rental car companies
Last summer, my partner and I flew to North Carolina for a friend's wedding.
When we arrived at the Avis counter to pick up our rental car, I asked if I could add her as an additional driver, and was told it would cost $35. As the woman behind the counter ran my credit card, she casually drawled, "Yep. It's thirty-five dollars unless you're co-workers, spouses or domestic partners." My partner and I exchanged a look and I knew we were both thinking the same thing: "Is it worth thirty-five dollars to convince someone that we're gay? In public? In a red state?"
http://www.365gay.com/features/gay-friendly-rental-car-companies/


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The Advocate
http://advocate.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:

-Ellen Buys $100K in Airtime for No on 8 PSA
On the heels of an announcement that talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres would be starring in her own PSA urging Californians to vote against Prop. 8 comes the news the gay community has been waiting for -- she's giving money to the campaign by paying for the ad to air on television.
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid63964.asp

-Video Takes Aim at Arkansas's Divisive Act 1
A new video challenging the merits of Arkansas's Act 1 -- a ballot measure that would bar unmarried couples, including gay couples, from adopting children or being foster parents -- has hit YouTube.
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid63939.asp

-Obama Campaign Unveils Plan to Fix Underfunded HIV/AIDS Programs
Sen. Barack Obama's campaign held a conference call Thursday intended to highlight his policy prescriptions for combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic -- including increased funding for research, care, and prevention as well as developing a national HIV/AIDS strategy within the first year of his administration.
http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid63934.asp

-The Battle Over Florida's Amendment 2
By Nadine Smith
In the midst of an ugly battle, something beautiful is happening in Florida.
Despite a too-close-to call battle over Amendment 2 -- which would go further than California's Prop. 8 by stripping away all legal protections for unmarried couples, gay or straight -- LGBTs are organizing in hanging-chad, butterfly-ballot, nail-biter, presidential-election-decider Florida.
http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid63909.asp

-Fort Lauderdale Mayor's Race Heats Up With Two Gay Candidates
Remember the Fort Lauderdale mayor who wanted to spend $230,000 on a "robo-toilet" to cut down the number of men who have sex with men in public restrooms? His name is Jim Naugle, and after 18 years in office, come spring 2009, the homophobic mayor will bid adieu to City Hall. Two gay men are seeking to take his place and, in aligning themselves with Barack Obama's bid for the White House, hoping to make Florida a blue state in 2008.
http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid63845.asp

-Congress, Washington Culture to Blame for Foley Vindication
Lane Hudson became a household name when he revealed to the Human Rights Campaign that he was the anonymous blogger who exposed the scandal that brought down congressman Mark Foley. Now he responds to Advocate writer James Kirchick's analysis of how the Foley investigation led to the shamed lawmaker being vindicated of all crimes.
http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid63877.asp


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Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/
Go to this link for the following articles:

-Gay and Lesbian Medical Association launches Marriage Equality Initiative
Link: Pam's House Blend
by Pam Spaulding
We always see studies touting the benefits of marriage in terms of health and wellness; it's wonderful to see medical professionals speak out to educate why those mental and physical health benefits should be available to gay and lesbian couples. (GLMA):

-Religious leaders rally to shoot down Florida marriage ban
Link: Miami Herald
A coalition of religious leaders from across Florida joined forces Thursday to speak against a proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage. Florida Clergy for Fairness, a group of interfaith clergy, say that Amendment 2 is mean-spirited and an nfringement upon the religious freedoms of all Floridians.


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