GLBT DIGEST - October 23, 2008

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

-Public schools become focus of gay marriage ban
A girl in pigtails bounds into the kitchen after school and asks her mother to guess what she learned that day. "I learned how a prince married a prince, and I can marry a princess," she exclaims to her mortified mom. This television advertisement for a ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage in California urges voters to "protect children" by approving the measure.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/22/AR2008102202213.html

-Hollywood comes out in support of gay marriage
For weeks, Hollywood had been criticized for not contributing enough to defeat a ballot initiative in California that would ban same-sex marriage. Now, members of the film and TV industries are sweeping in to preserve gays' right to get hitched.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/22/AR2008102202612.html


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

-HRC religion and faith news
Holding onto one's faith can be a struggle when bombarded by the shameful promotion of discrimination in the name of religion. The radical right in collaboration with the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has used distortions and outright falsehoods to play on people's fears that loving relationships of same sex couples in California are a threat to heterosexual families.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/


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

-Gap shrinking in Calif. anti-gay amendment
A monthly tracking of California voters finds a slim margin opposing a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. The new Public Policy Institute of California survey finds that the ban, known as Proposition 8, is losing among likely voters, 52 percent to 44 percent. But when the margin of error is factored in, it is almost a dead heat.
http://www.365gay.com/news/gap-shrinking-in-calif-anti-gay-amendment/

-Elderly couple murdered in home
Indianapolis police say they have few clues in the slayings of an elderly gay couple found in their home earlier this week. Police have not divulged how Milton Lindgren, 70, and Eric Hendricks, 73, were murdered, or how long their bodies had been inside the house. A police spokesperson would say only that the men died by "violent means."
http://www.365gay.com/news/elderly-couple-murdered-in-home/

-Protest against anti-gay leader induction to Hall Of Fame
A coalition of LGBT groups will protest the induction next month of James Dobson, the head of Focus on the Family, into the National Radio Hall of Fame. Dobson and FOF are longtime opponents of LGBT civil rights with Dobson frequently speaking out against gays on his nationally syndicated radio show. He also is a proponent of the so-called ex-gay movement.
http://www.365gay.com/news/protest-against-anti-gay-leader-induction-to-hall-of-fame/


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

-New York Governor Repeats Pledge to Sign Marriage Bill
Gov. David Paterson addressed a packed Empire State Pride Agenda fund-raiser Monday night and said fighting for the equal rights of LGBT people was "as American as the signing of the Constitution."
http://advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid64216.asp

-GLAAD Donates $50,000 to No on Prop. 8
The effort to defeat California's Proposition 8 -- which would constitutionally ban same-sex marriage in the state -- just received another boost, with a $50,000 contribution from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The group, which fosters inclusive portrayals of LGBT people in media, urged its members to support the No on Prop. 8 campaign. GLAAD's donation marks a total of $150,000 contributed by the organization. "GLAAD, our board of directors, and staff are proud to stand alongside organizations and allies and play our part in ensuring all loving and committed couples in California continue to have the protections and respect that marriage provides," GLAAD president Neil Giuliano wrote in a release. "Defeating Proposition 8 is imperative to our quest for equality and we call on all our members and friends to support this campaign." (Neal Broverman, The Advocate)
http://advocate.com/news_detail_ektid64217.asp


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National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/
Go to this link for the following articles:

-Biden Says He'd Oppose Calif. Gay Marriage Ban
Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joseph Biden says if he lived in California, he would vote against a ballot measure that seeks to ban gay marriage. During an appearance Monday on the "Ellen" show, Biden called Proposition 8 "regressive" and "unfair" and added that he and running mate Barack Obama opposed a similar initiative nationally. Biden was responding to a question by the show's host, Ellen DeGeneres, who is gay and has urged California voters to oppose Proposition 8. DeGeneres married actress Portia de Rossi in August. Biden previously has said he supports partnership rights for gays and lesbians although he is opposed to same-sex marriage. Read more...
http://nationalgaynews.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/


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

-Ellen DeGeneres Slams Sarah Palin On Gay Marriage (VIDEO)
Link: Huffington Post - with Video
Ellen DeGeneres gave an emotional plea on behalf of gay marriage on her show Wednesday, and included remarks targeting Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin:
"I don't know if you saw this, but Vice Presidential Candidate, Governor Sarah Palin says she's that in favor of a federal ban on gay marriage," Ellen said. "Basically she wants to change the constitution. So if you're wondering, I'm sure you are, how I feel about this...I don't like it, I don't like it. I don't agree. Maybe it's because I'm gay that I think we should all be equal. But I feel that we're all equal."

-Arkansas: Vote no on Act 1
Link: Pam's House Blend
Arkansas Initiated Act 1 is a measure that if passed would ban unmarried co-habitating couples from fostering or adopting children. Arkansas Families First has released this powerful ad:

-WY: pro-equality U.S. Senate candidate Nick Carter
Link: Pam's House Blend
In a Red state, here's a pol who supports equality -- Wyoming U.S. Senate candidate Nick Carter. In this video he debates anti-gay incumbent John Barrasso on marriage equality. Via the Casper Star-Tribune:


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

-Trans woman claims violation of human rights over marriage refusal
A woman in Malta who has been refused the right to get married to her male partner because she used to be male has challenged the decision in court. The Director of Public Registry's decision to refuse to issue marriage banns is a breach of her fundamental human rights, claims Joanne Casser.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9376.html

-Leader of Austrian right sacked for revealing Haider was his gay lover
The man who had taken over the leadership of right wing political party Alliance for the Future of Austria after the death of Joerg Haider has revealed that they were lovers. Stefan Petzner, 27, said in a radio interview about Mr Haider's death last week in a car accident: "We had a relationship that went far beyond friendship.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9373.html

-Little Britain star's civil partnership dissolved
Matt Lucas and Kevin McGee's relationship legally ended today when their civil partnership was dissolved by the family court in London. Mr Lucas, one of the stars of comedy show Little Britain, was granted a dissolution on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour by Mr McGee, a TV researcher.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9366.html


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

-Two Methodist Women Get 'Extraordinary Ordination'
By Frank D. Roylance | Baltimore Sun
Annie Britton and Rev. Jonathan Almond
Two women blocked from ordination as United Methodist ministers because one is a married lesbian and the other disagrees with church rules on gay rights received "extraordinary ordination" in Baltimore yesterday. Organizers said it was the first such action by dissenters hoping to change Methodist policies toward gays. Neither woman will be eligible for assignments to lead Methodist churches under existing policies, but they both believe their new credentials will make them eligible for other jobs within the church, or as ministers in other denominations. "This day is historic. We have all chosen to live the future now," said Annie Britton. Her legal marriage three years ago to another woman in Massachusetts ended her path to ordination within her church. Now the Rev. Annie Britton, she plans to work in church ministry and outreach with a United Church of Christ congregation in Rhode Island. Read more


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Southern Poverty Law Center
http://www.splcenter.org/

-SPLC threat alert
from Morris Dees
Our trial against the Klan in November promises to be one of the greatest security challenges we've ever faced. As soon as we filed the lawsuit, the threats started rolling in, including a web post stating "I say we should blow up their building." We've recently learned that one of the Klan leaders we're facing in our upcoming trial is suspected by an undercover FBI informant of being involved in a plot to kill me. Ron Edwards, Imperial Klans of America (IKA) leader, is a hardened veteran of the white supremacist movement with connections throughout the violent world of neo-Nazis and skinheads. When I took his deposition, he showed up carrying a concealed pistol. The words "F*** SPLC" were tattooed on his shaven head. I hope you will send a special gift today to help with the security measures we're taking to protect our staff at the upcoming trial against the IKA. Over the past 25 years, more than 30 individuals have been convicted of crimes in connection with plots to kill me or in some way harm the Center or its staff.
https://secure.splcenter.org/donate/online/online.jsp?ondntsrc=MBS081070SCE&splcnewsletter=dnewsgen-102308


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Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-No on 8 lead is eroding in polls
Most voters reject a ban on gay marriage but the margin is closing. Experts say the tally is hard to predict. While California voters remain closely divided on the question of gay marriage, a majority oppose a measure to ban it, according to a poll released Wednesday by the Public Policy Institute of California.
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-gaymarriage23-2008oct23,0,3080119.story?track=rss


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