GLBT DIGEST - October 22, 2008

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Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/public/us

-Gay Marriage in Peril in California
A state ballot measure to ban gay marriage in California is gaining momentum, with polls showing almost even odds of it passing after trailing by double digits a month ago. In June, the state legalized same-sex marriages. The next month, Proposition 8, defining marriage as between a man and a woman, was put on the ballot for November. Initial polling showed that a majority of Californians were likely to vote against Proposition 8. A Sept. 18 poll by the San Francisco-based Field Poll found the measure losing 55% to 38% among likely voters.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122463078466356397.html


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

-LA Observed: Transgender female sports writer returns to paper as a man
Mike Penner returns to Los Angeles Times
Eighteen month after writing a column about becoming Christine Daniels, veteran sportswriter Mike Penner has quietly returned to work at the Los Angeles Times, according to multiple sources close to the LAT's Sports staff. Penner's column in April 2007 about his sexual transformation became one of the most-viewed Times' stories of the year and was followed by a story in the LAT from media writer James Rainey and tons of other media attention. Daniels for a time chronicled her transformation in a blog at LATimes.com; the blog entries have been removed and the Times has so far posted nothing about Penner's return. I emailed him and Sports Editor Randy Harvey, who replied, "We're looking forward to Mike's byline appearing in the paper and on the website with increased frequency. He continues to be a valued member of our sports staff."
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/


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

-Besen: Dobson's fib factory
I once had a revealing conversation with an A-list news reporter, when I was trying to convince him to cover the scientific distortions of Focus on the Family's James Dobson. He declined to do so because he felt that Dobson lies so frequently that it wasn't news. With the media inured to Dobson's Fib Factory and its assembly line of lies, it is difficult for the truth to gain traction. I believe, however, that the press has it backwards. Each nugget of nonsense peddled by ideologues, such as Dobson, should be on the front page of every newspaper and lead daily newscasts. Allowing falsehoods to fester has created a cynical political climate where truth is whatever a press release says it is.
http://www.365gay.com/opinion/besen-dobsons-fib-factory/

-Withers: Obama on Ellen's show but Prop 8 not talked about
I'm all prepared to eat crow on this one (some of you think I should do that every time I type a word but let's deal with that later), but from written reports Barack Obama made a surprise appearance "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" yesterday (it will air today).
http://www.365gay.com/blog/102208-obama-on-ellens-show-but-no-mention-of-prop-8/

-Palin expenses probe raises new questions
Gov. Sarah Palin charged the state for her children to travel with her, including to events where they were not invited, and later amended expense reports to specify that they were on official business.
http://www.365gay.com/news/palin-expenses-probe-raises-new-questions/

-Indian Gov't Calls Homosexuality 'A Sickness'
(Delhi) The High Court in Delhi has issued a harshly worded rebuke to the Indian government for calling homosexuality a disease that cannot be tolerated. The government assertion came during a court case challenging India's sodomy law. The case was filed by LGBT rights groups and AIDS outreach organizations.
http://www.365gay.com/news/indian-govt-calls-homosexuality-a-sickness/

-Republicans bring back the gay monster
Perhaps it was in honor of the Halloween season that residents of Mississippi have been treated to a gay-baiting political advertisement from Republican Senator Roger Wicker. Wicker, who is locked in a surprisingly close race with former governor Ronnie Musgrove, has resorted to the tried and true tactic of portraying his opponent as a terrifying "other" in a desperate attempt to pull out a win.
http://www.365gay.com/features/republicans-bring-back-the-gay-monster/

-Ruby-Sachs: Maybe a miracle in Florida?
Florida might well defeat Amendment 2, a Proposition 8 on steroids that targets rights for all unmarried couples including health care benefits for domestic partnerships. The Amendment's proponents say it's a necessary step to ensure the defeat of gay marriage in the State. In reality, it's a broad attack on every couple who chooses to not tie the knot.
http://www.365gay.com/blog/ruby-sachs-maybe-a-miracle-in-florida/

-More Equality Ride Arrests
Arrests are mounting up for members of the nondenominational Soulforce Equality Ride as they attempt to enter Christian colleges in the deep South to engage students in a discussion on gay inclusion. Two Equality Riders were arrested for trespassing when they walked onto the Mississippi College campus to deliver a letter from an anonymous gay male student who is currently enrolled at the school in Clinton, Mississippi.
http://www.365gay.com/news/more-equality-ride-arrests/


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

-Gay Comic: Troy
http://www.365gay.com/troy/troy-214-a-matter-of-size/

-Mormons Bankroll Anti-Gay Marriage Amendments in California, Arizona
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has mobilized followers to give an estimated 77% of donations to support California's proposed marriage ban. Californians Against Hate released figures Tuesday showing that $17.67 million was contributed by 59,000 Mormon families since August to groups like Yes on 8. Contributions in support of Prop. 8 total $22.88 million. Additionally, the group reports that Mormons have contributed $6.9 million to pass a a similar law, Proposition 102, in Arizona.
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid64163.asp

-Boston College Study: Why Gay Couples Marry
A recently released Boston College study indicates that legal recognition and the opportunity to make a public statement are the prime motivators for Massachusetts gay and lesbian couples to marry. The college conducted the study 13 months after Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage. (The state began marrying gay couples in May 2004.) Professor Pamela J. Lannutti surveyed 263 couples, including those who were legally married in Massachusetts and those who plan to marry. The average relationship duration was 7.5 years.
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid64157.asp

-Florida Anti-Marriage Equality Rally Draws 700
Some 700 supporters of Florida's Amendment 2, which would ban same-sex marriage, turned out at a rally in Orlando on Monday night. That was far fewer than the thousands of people organizers had said would show up at the First Baptist Church, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid64125.asp


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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

-Uganda: Just three weeks ago, two prominent trans/gay activists in Uganda were arrested, beaten with batons, and held in jail for a week without bail or access to a lawyer. Their crimes? "Spreading homosexuality" - a crime that does not exist - and carnal knowledge against the order of nature - a crime that they were not engaged in at the time of arrest. In many parts of the world, sodomy laws are still fully enforced, giving the government unbridled power to frighten and silence lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities. The fight to ensure equal rights of LGBT people to love, to speak, and to live free from imprisonment and discrimination is an ongoing global struggle requiring an equally global response. Because homophobia does not stop at the border of any country, each violent threat from a political or religious leader anywhere in the world creates abacklash that threatens and affects us all.
http://www.iglhrc.org/site/iglhrc/

-AETNA FIRST HEALTH PLAN TO LINK GAY AND LESBIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION PROVIDER DIRECTORY TO ITS OWN ONLINE DOCTOR RESOURCE
SAN FRANCISCO: Aetna (AET) and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) today announced that Aetna is the first health benefits company in the U.S. to link its online provider directory -- DocFind® -- to GLMAâ?Ts growing online database of more than 1,200 health care providers. The database includes primary care providers, specialists, therapists, and dentists who welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) patients. In addition, Aetna has awarded GLMA a $50,000 grant as the diamond sponsor of GLMAâ?Ts 26th Annual Conference scheduled for October 22-25 in Seattle. The conference is remarkable for its size, scope, and diversity of programming, with presentations and workshops on HIV/AIDS; lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual health; substance abuse; aging; families and relationships; and legal issues.
www.aetna.comhttp://www.witeckcombsmail.com/util/link.jsp?e=9gm1_Fa32ZdnSxEAc2RwVx989Vzt337an32fxPpijX7pqL_Yt7j2GWrXPVkGjz4aG&s=4uNsvfQ..A&v=5fdWyvHbsoXXI7Rk3Xa4dnA..A

-UCLA¹S WILLIAMS INSTITUTE RELEASES NEW STUDY SHOWING THERE ARE MORE THAN 14,570 ASIANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS WHO ARE IN SAME-SEX COUPLES; 31% OF API WOMEN AND 21% OF API MEN RAISING CHILDREN WITHIN THESE COUPLES
The full report may be found at:
www.law.ucla.edu/williamsinstitute


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Anything but Straight
by Wayne Besen
http://www.waynebesen.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Radio Hall of Shame
I once had a revealing conversation with an A-list news reporter, when I was trying to convince him to cover the scientific distortions of Focus on the Family's James Dobson. He declined to do so because he felt that Dobson lies so frequently that it wasn't news. With the media inured to Dobson's Fib Factory and its assembly line of lies, it is difficult for the truth to gain traction. I believe, however, that the press has it backwards. Each nugget of nonsense peddled by ideologues, such as Dobson, should be on the front page of every newspaper and lead daily newscasts. Allowing falsehoods to fester has created a cynical political climate where truth is whatever a press release says it is. This lack of accountability has allowed Dobson, and others of his ilk, to portray themselves as spokespersons for morality, even though they are regularly engaged in glaring examples of moral turpitude. Occasionally, they are even honored for their sinister "success" and showered with undeserved adulation.
http://www.waynebesen.com/


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

-Fresno Bee editorial: No on Prop. 8
Link: Fresno Bee
Proposition 8, which would define marriage in California as only between a man and a woman, raises a number of issues. But one question stands out: Should we use the state constitution to take the right to marry from a particular group of people? We believe that notion is wrong, and recommend a "no" vote on Proposition 8. [.] The notion that same-sex marriages somehow threaten the sanctity and strength of heterosexual marriages is simply absurd. Those who worry about the health of heterosexual marriages should focus their attention on divorce, which is the real threat to marriage.

-Oregon tribe's marriage law faces challenge
Link: The World- Coos Bay, Oregon
A Coquille Indian Tribe member is challenging a recent decision by the Tribal Council to allow domestic partnerships and marriages regardless of sexual orientation. Brady Metcalf, who lives in Pahoa, Hawaii, said he believes the Marriage and Domestic Partnership Ordinance should be placed on a special tribal ballot, allowing the general council to weigh in on the topic. The general council includes every adult tribal member, of which there are about 580.


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

-Irish gay rights group says civil partnerships "a matter of immediate urgency"
Despite considerable progress in the last year, there remain significant challenges for gay and lesbians in Ireland, according to the annual report from the nation's leading homosexual rights group. Earlier this year the Irish government published draft legislation on civil partnerships, which the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) described as "a matter of practical and immediate urgency for lesbian and gay couples."
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9361.html

-Decision on Chicago's LGBT high school delayed
The Chicago school board will not vote on plans for a high school for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans students until next month. A decision was expected to be taken today, but has been delayed until November 19th.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9363.html

-LGBT Alzheimer's suport group recognised with special award
The Alzheimer's Society has honoured the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Support Group for their "outstanding contribution to people with dementia and their carers." The group provides a dedicated support helpline across the UK for anyone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and who is, or who has been, caring for someone with dementia.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9362.html

-Bahrain MP calls for action against homosexuals
The new session of Parliament in the Gulf state of Bahrain began this week with calls for a crackdown on gays. Al Menbar MP Shaikh Mohammed Khalid Mohammed wants the government to begin a number of initiatives designed to rid the country of gay people.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9360.html

-Gays are "recruiting" claims Ugandan paper
The gay community in Uganda is recruiting new members, according to a leading newspaper in the East African nation. "Recruitment is reportedly highest in secondary schools and in prisons," reports The Independent.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9356.html


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

-Teens in Transition
By Gloria Hochman | For The Inquirer | Philadelphia Inquirer
Shortly after school began in the fall of 2004, an eighth grader named Tye Clark delivered a jolting message to her classmates."I'm the same person I was last year and the year before, but I am transgender and will now come to school as a boy," Tye told four assemblies at Cedarbrook Middle School in Cheltenham Township. "You may not agree, but I hope you will respect me and my right to get a good education." Eyes misting with tears, Tye asked to be known as Ty. The transgender teen finished to rounds of applause. Ty celebrated his 18th birthday yesterday. He was born female, but as far back as he can remember, he felt in his brain and his heart that he was a boy.
Read more

-IL: Chicago Homeless Shelters Get Training on Gay Issues
Southern Voice
Homeless shelters across Chicago are getting a crash course in how to better serve members of the gay community. The Chicago Department of Human Services is conducting four days of mandatory sensitivity training at the Center on Halsted, the city's gay community center. About 160 people are attending the training, which includes sessions on the barriers faced by members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and the effects of prejudice, said Lisa Elkuss, communications director for the human services department. "We're all really very pleased that this is taking place," Elkuss said Monday. "We're glad that things have evolved to this point, and we're pleased with the response of the shelters." Read more


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