**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT mhtml:%7BD07EF213-143A-499A-A907-131F6AEC2A28%7Dmid://00000036/!x-usc:mailto:rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.
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ArtsUnitedARTEXPLOSION VISUAL ART EXHIBIT OPENS AT ARTSERVE
Reception TonightArtsUnited's ArtExplosion Visual Art Exhibition is on display in the JM Family Enterprises Gallery at ArtServe from February 11 through 29, 2008.
A record 85 artists submitted 240 pieces of art work for this juried, mixedmedia exhibit. A reception to meet the artists and view the work will beheld on Saturday, February 16th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The gallery is locatedat 1350 East Sunrise Blvd in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Parking is always achallenge, so we recommend the free parking in Holiday Park just west of ArtServe on Sunrise and walking the block to the gallery.
Guests at the Artists Reception will be treated to vocal and musical performance, short films, dramatic readings. Published authors will be on hand to read from and sign copies of their books. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend this special night. Admission is only $5, and refreshments will be served. Admission to the exhibit at other times is free.
The visual art exhibit and reception are sponsored by ArtServe,Georgie's Alibi and Stork's Bakery Coffee Cafe. This exhibit is the centerpiece and ArtsUnited's two week gay and lesbian arts festivalArtExplosion 2008. ArtExplosion 2008 is made possible through the generous support of Tylenol PM, Comcast, AutoNation, Pride of Greater FortLauderdale, BankAtlantic Foundation, Createabilities and Pride SouthFlorida.
Funding is also provided in part by the Broward County Board ofCounty Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council. TheExpress newspaper and 411 magazine are the exclusive media sponsors and TheAtlantic Resort & Spa is the official hotel of ArtExplosion 2008.
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Saturday, February 16, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
GLBT DIGEST February 15, 2008
**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.
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From Libby Post
www.proudlyout.com
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Feel the Love
Yesterday was Valentine's Day. My partner Lynn and I can tell each all daylong how much we mean to each other, that we love each other, that we'recommitted to each other for the long haul. But, the two words we can't sayin any legally binding way are "I do." I turn fifty next week and I'd reallylike to be able to get married to the person I love before we're both tooold to enjoy all the rights and responsibilities that come with legalmarriage. With the Presidential race dominating our collectiveconsciousness, we need to watch out for stealth campaigns to make marriageequality a wedge issue in various states. Now, these may be states that willgo to the Republican candidate anyway-like Arizona which is quite likely tovote for its favorite son, John McCain.
www.proudlyout.com
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Forwarded from Gays Without Borders
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full articles
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Second Moscow Gay Pride Ban Appealed to the European Human Rights Court
Compensation of 36 million roubles sought for breach of rightsOrganisers ofMoscow Gay Pride have today sent the case that their human rights werebreached when the Mayor of Moscow banned the Pride march lastMay to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. It is the secondapplication to the Court from Gay Pride organisers in Moscow - a similarcase following the 2006 ban is awaiting a hearing.
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Gaining the right to speak in our own name at the United NationsLesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups still face discrimination in
accessing UN consultative status
February 11, 2008 - New York, U.S.A. The United Nations Committee onNon-Governmental Organizations refused ECOSOC status to three lesbian, gay,bisexual and transgender groups. In a tie vote, the committee recommendeddenial of ECOSOC consultative status to the Spanish LGBT federation,Federación Estatal de Lesbianas, Gays, Transexuales y Bisexuales (FELGTB).
It also deferred consideration of two other LGBT national federations: COC(Cultuur en Ontspanningscentrum) from the Netherlands and ABGLT (AssociaçãoBrasileira de Gays, Lésbicas, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais) fromBrazil which was deferred for the second time. Both NGOs will be thereforereconsidered in the upcoming NGO Committee session of May.
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Sexing the future - The evolution of human sexuality is likely to involvemore people having gay sex but fewer people defining themselves as gay
By Peter Tatchell
February is LGBT History Month, with hundreds of events taking place acrossthe country to promote awareness of the contribution to society of lesbian,gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
In a culture that has, until recently, persecuted queers and suppressed usfrom public life, this reclamation of hidden LGBT history is a welcome andmuch needed historical correction.
But history is about the past. What about the future?
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/peter_tatchell/2008/02/sexing_the_future.html
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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
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Kansas City Law Enforcement Seeks "Eyes" to Combat Sex and Drugs
KANSAS CITY - It's not a new concept. Totalitarian governments both ontheleft and on the right have utilized it to great effect in the past: ratoutyour fellow citizens and create a utopian society. Heck. it's evenbeentried here in the good, old U.S. of A. in the past as anyone whoremembersthe '70s and the We T.I.P. (turn in pushers) hotlines canattest.Now the Wyandotte County district attorney is asking neighborhood"leaders"to act as the eyes and ears of the police to help identifybusinesses thatmight be violating laws on obscenity and the sale of drugparaphernalia.
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Atlanta: William & Mary President Gene Nichol Resigns Amid Controversy
The College of William and Mary president Gene Nichol resigned Tuesdaymorning amid 16 months of controversy over a sex show scandal.The Board ofVisitors for the institution decided not to renew his contract.
His tenure at William & Mary is the shortest since the Civil War in school'shistory. Nichol has been president of the College since 2005. Prior to hispresidency at the College, he was the dean of the law school at theUniversity of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. ..... Four decisions led to theBoard of Visitors' final decision: his decision toremove the Wren cross, hisrefusal to ban the Sex Workers' Art Show, hissupport of the College'sGateway Program and his commitment to the College'sfaculty diversity.
http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=36265&cat=14
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LGBT Health and Wellness at the University of Pittsburgh
The need for researches and public health providers trained to deal withLGBT
communities continues to grow. In response to this need, the UniversityofPittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health now offers a certificateprogram in LGBT Health and Wellness.
This special program is designed for post-baccalaureate students,graduatestudents, and professionals who have an interest in LGBT communitiesand areseeking to develop skills necessary to effectively address LGBThealthdisparities and related issues. Course work topics include thehistoricaldevelopment of LGBT health, a review of community-basedhealthinterventions, and cultural competency skill development related toLGBThealth care delivery.
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Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp
Finally the camp you have been waiting for! Campus Pride organizes thesecondannual Summer Leadership Camp for LGBT and Ally college students.
Thefive-day camp experience works to develop stronger undergraduate studentleaders and safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities.
Participants have the opportunity to learn valuable campus organizingskills,coalition building and strategies for creating change at collegesanduniversities.
WHEN Saturday, July 19, 2008 10:00 AM -
Thursday, July 24, 2008 1:00 PM
WHERE Glen Complex
Towson University
8000 York Road
Towson, Maryland 21252
Check In: Saturday, July 19 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Glen Complex
http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Fees.aspx?e=3d4ed649-baed-4cac-a38d-80f3c986c95b
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Judge Asked to Rule in Library Internet Filter Case
SPOKANE, Washington - The American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit against theNorth Central Regional Library system could be resolved in April if afederal judge decides to forego the trial scheduled for June.
Filed in 2006 on behalf of three north-central Washington residents and aSeattle-based nonprofit organization, the suit claims the library system'sInternet filters violate the plaintiffs' First Amendment rights.
Summary judgments were presented by both sides last week to request that afederal District Court judge make a ruling without trial. A hearing isscheduled for April 15 in Richland.
http://www.avn.com/index.cfm?objectid=14F36C51-BC96-27A9-7BD545DA1F2AB677
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Sexual Vigilanteism at the 'New York Post'
Paying for erotic favors is okay, as long as your tastes are generic. That,in a nutshell, is the sexual ethic of the New York Post.
How else do you explain a paper where the top editors hang out at stripclubs at night and spend their days shaming fetish-club patrons by name?I refer to coverage of the 67-year-old man who had to be hospitalized afteran accident at the hands of a dominatrix in a Manhattan establishment calledthe Nutcracker Suite. Today, the Post crossed into ethically murky territorywith a story that named the man (citing "law-enforcement sources"), anddescribed his professional history, hometown and family situation. For goodmeasure, the Post's reporters also took it upon themselves to phone theman's wife and fill her in on the details.
http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/mixed-media/2008/02/12/sexual-vigilanteism-at-the-new-york-post
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From Scott Hall
Gay Hate crime Murder in school, openly gay student ,15 year-old LawrenceKing, the next HERO to be remembered on the Gay American Heroes NationalMemorial?
A National Memorial honoring all LGBT persons who have been murdered becauseof their sexual orientation and identity. All people who live honestly abouttheir sexual orientation or gender identity are heroic, as it takes greatstrength and courage to face the daily struggles for personal freedom in theface of enormous opposition; to utimately give their life for said freedommakes them...HEROES.
Gay student in Oxnard, California declared brain dead. Hate-crime chargeshave been filed
www.GayAmericanHeroes.com
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California: Yesterday, February 13th 15-year-old Lawrence King was declaredbrain dead after he was shot by a fellow student on Tuesday at OxnardJunior High School. King, an openly gay student, was shot during his firstperiod English Class in front of twenty four other students. According toclassmates, King was known to wear makeup and feminine jewelry to schooland was in conflict with other boys for his open display.
"He would come to school in high-heeled boots, makeup, jewelry and paintednails -- the whole thing," said Michael Sweeney, 13, an eighth-grader. "Thatwas freaking the guys out." As of today King is being kept on life supportfor possible organ donations after being declared brain dead byneurosurgeons at the St. John's Medical Center in Oxnard California.
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New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Orthodox Gays In Israel Find Support In Web Site
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An underground movement of gay Orthodox Jews in Israelhas created a website to help homosexuals cope with living in a strict,religious community that is often hostile to their lifestyle. The site isthe first public forum in the Jewish state where gay members of the Orthodoxcommunity can seek support and advice.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/technology/tech-israel-religion-gays.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=gay&st=nyt&oref=slogin
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Washington Post
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Church Criticized Over Gay Services Plan
A conservative Christian group yesterday criticized a large Methodist churchin the District for planning to offer services that recognize gay andlesbian relationships, saying they violate the United Methodist ban onsame-sex unions. Foundry United Methodist Church, which Bill and HillaryRodham Clinton attended when he was president, decided last month to supportits senior pastor's decision to lead services that "recognize and honor"committed gay relationships. Foundry clergy, however, do not perform unionceremonies, the local bishop said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403323.html
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Two Sides Testify on Same-Sex Marriage
Supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage clashed before a MarylandSenate committee yesterday, with traditionalists invoking religiousconvictions and gay rights advocates describing their cause as a civilrights struggle.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403655.html
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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HUMAN RIGHTS
Jamaicans pressured to halt attacks on gays
Religious leaders expressed to Jamaican officials in Miami their concernsabout violence against gays. Two weeks after one of their church membersbecame the latest victim in a mob attack in Jamaica, leaders of a SouthFlorida church are calling for a public awareness campaign in the Caribbeannation to encourage a more gay-friendly environment.
http://www.miamiherald.com/548/story/420079.html
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Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Lawyers propose legal clinic for gay, transgender clients
FreeState Law Project opens this fall
A group of Maryland lawyers hopes to start a legal clinic that would servegay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Marylanders -- underserved groupsthat advocates say have special legal problems.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=16630
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Supervisors: Santa Clara County should oppose FDA ban on blood donationsfrom gay men
Santa Clara County should formally oppose the U.S. Food and DrugAdministration's ban on blood donations from gay men, a board ofsupervisors' committee agreed today.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_8262469
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Gay Calif. Couples Make Symbolic Valentine Protest
In county clerks' offices all over California Thursday, same sex couplesplanned to ask for, and be denied, marriage licenses. The couples' requestsare in commemoration of the thousands of same sex weddings performed at SanFrancisco City Hall four years ago.
http://cbs5.com/local/gay.marriage.protest.2.654305.html
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Uganda boycotts Anglican meeting
The Anglican Church in Uganda is to boycott the Lambeth Conference, ameeting of the world's Anglican bishops held once every 10 years. The moveis in protest at invitations being sent to bishops who condone activehomosexuality.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7244196.stm
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The fundies on Hillary's Blade interview
Lifesite.net, one of my favorite sites for distorting news to make it seemlike gays are going to take over the world and eat your children, posted astory in response to Blade editor Kevin Naff's interview with HillaryClinton.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/blog/index.cfm?type=blog&start=2/9/08&end=2/16/08#16603
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Time to get serious about gun control
This week brought a devastating reminder of the risks inherent in livingopenly - or even just dressing differently from other kids. Lawrence King,who is just 15, was shot in the head in front of fellow students at a juniorhigh school in Oxnard, Calif. He was declared brain dead Wednesday. Thesuspect is only 14 years old and now faces a first-degree murder charge.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/blog/index.cfm?type=blog&start=2/14/08&end=2/16/08#16602
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Fla. school's ban on pro-gay symbols shreds the First Amendment
Students should be taught value of individual expression in a free societyFor gay and lesbian residents, living in South Florida is a bit like livingin the Green Zone in Iraq. Our little enclave of gay-friendliness issurrounded by hostile, anti-gay hordes that pervade most parts of Florida,with the exception of a few enclaves of tolerance in cities such as Tampaand Orlando.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2008/2-14/view/editorial/4410.cfm
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365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Romney Endorses McCain
(Boston) Republican campaign dropout Mitt Romney endorsed John McCain forthe party's presidential nomination and asked his national conventiondelegates to swing behind the likely nominee.
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Gay Former Lawmaker Steve May Seeks Shadegg's seat
(Phoenix, Ariz.)Steve May, a former Republican Arizona lawmaker who isopenly gay, announced he will seek the seat being vacated this year by Rep.John Shadegg.
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Evangelical May Be Key Pro-Gay Vote in Md.
(Annapolis, Maryland) C. Anthony Muse, a Democratic state senator andevangelical bishop, may be the key vote in Maryland's struggle over same-sexmarriage.
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Bill Would Allow Gay Divorce in RI
(Providence, R.I.) House Majority Leader Gordon Fox says he'll file a billin the General Assembly that would allow married gay couples to divorce.
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Pittsburgh Episcopals Favor Break Over Gays
(Pittsburgh) Nearly 100 lay leaders in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburghsigned an open letter supporting their bishop's plan to split the diocesefrom the national church.
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Student, Possibly Gay, Brain Dead After Classmate Shooting
(Oxnard, Calif.) A brain dead 15-year-old boy was on a ventilator Thursdayfor possible organ donation, and a classmate suspected of shooting him inthe head was under arrest on investigation of attempted murder, authoritiessaid.
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National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Gay-Themed High School Play Draws Protest, Support
A group has formed to support next week's staging of a gay-themed play atKalamazoo Central High School after a Kansas church vowed to picket the showon opening night. The Stop the Hate in Kalamazoo Coalition began a week agoin response to the possible protest from Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro BaptistChurch, which is known for picketing gay-pride events and military funerals.
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Cycling to Make a Difference
When callers to the National Gay Youth Hotline share their fears aboutcoming out to their families and friends with Alper Oztovi, he knows exactlywhat they are talking about. He knows all about how much they stand tolose - and all about how much they can gain by that breakthrough in candor.
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Man Found Guilty in Gay "Therapy" Case
A minister and former Christian college instructor has been found guilty ofsexually assaulting a young man who sought counselling after he feared hewas homosexual. A jury returned with the guilty verdict early last nightafter only a few hours of deliberations. Terrance Lewis, 60, will besentenced at a later date.
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New Bodybuilding Supplements Increase Strength and Muscle Without Steroids
Every week the media comes out with a new story of another amateur orprofessional athlete using steroids muscle strength. For athletes andbodybuilding fanatics it seems they are willing to do whatever they believeis necessary to get results, and ignore the risk involved in using illegalsubstances.
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Attorney Laura J. Maechtlen Elected President of National Lesbian and GayLaw Association
Seyfarth Shaw LLP, one of America's leading full service law firms,announced that Laura J. Maechtlen, an attorney with the Labor and EmploymentDepartment in the firm's San Francisco office, has been elected President ofthe National Lesbian and Gay Law Association.
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Noah's Arc Announces Spin-Off Movie
A full-length movie based on the Logo TV show Noah's Arc has been given thegreen light for production, the cable network announced Thursday. Noah'sArc: Jumping the Broom (working title), like the series, will revolve aroundfour black gay friends living in Los Angeles.
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Gay Softball League Out $2K
The governing board for Dallas' 400-member gay softball associationsreviewing its accounting procedures after former recruiting coordinatorJaymee Johnson admitted to misappropriating $2,000 in league funds.
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Studies Indicate Hispanic Same Sex Television Soap Operas Depict Realty
While Spanish-language soap operas may not conjure up images of real life, aSan Francisco professor believes the depiction of same-sex couples adoptingchildren in telenovelas is dead on. Recent studies show Hispanic gay andlesbian couples have a higher rate of adoption than other same-sex couples,according to Alliant International University.
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Ban on Gay Sex is Still on Books
Finney County Attorney John Wheeler Jr. recently informed an audience ofGarden City Community College students that homosexual sexual relations inKansas are a crime. Arguing such a case in court, however, would provefutile, according to the Kansas attorney general's office.
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In Romance, Looks Matters Most to the Beautiful
In the world of romance, we seek out partners who are just as "hot" or "nothot" as we are. A new study supports the idea that super models flocktogether while individuals lacking the perfect face and body also sticktogether. "Beautiful people marry beautiful people and less beautiful peoplemarry less beautiful people," said Dan Ariely, a professor of behavioraleconomics at MIT's Program in Media Arts and Sciences and Sloan School ofManagement.
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One Love?
Maxine Clarke looks at the challenges of being queer in Jamaica. The firstin a series of articles on GLBT life around the world. Jamaica. Even thesweet, cool sound of the island rolls easily off your tongue like icedcoconut. What an idyllic place to visit. Twenty-four hour party peoplereggae-dancing long into the night. Short-shorted, coconut-oiled beach boysand beautiful, brown, bikinied babes playing cricket on the beach andserving pina coladas from sundown to sunrise in a rum-soaked ganja haze. Allbeautiful smiles and laid-back, open-hearted friendliness. No worriesrastaman, right?
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Forwarded from Euro-Queer
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article:
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Ireland: Government asked to outline plan in Foy case
The High Court yesterday gave the Government two months in which to outlinehow it proposes to rectify breaches of human rights in the case of a dentistwho underwent a sex-change operation and official recognition of her newfemale identity. The High Court yesterday made formal declarations thatcertain provisions of birth registration laws here - the Civil RegistrationAct 2004 - violate the right of Dr Lydia Foy to respect for her private lifeunder Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) becausethey do not provide for "meaningful recognition" of her new female identity.
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From Jon Hoadley, Executive Director
National Stonewall Democrats
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Join Us for our Oklahoma Regional Training next weekend February 22-24. Thisevent will draw on the media expertise of GLAAD to help prepare you, andyour chapter, to grow your media exposure and organizing skills.
Registration is $50, but only $25 for students and members who book theiraccommodation through our host hotel - the Skirvin Hilton. Note: To receivethe $25 registration rate, you must have a valid room night at the SkirvinHilton under the National Stonewall Democrats block for either Friday,February 23 or Saturday, February 24. We are proud to offer a reduced rateat this luxury hotel for only $138/night. To receive your special StonewallDemocrats rate, mention code SWD when calling the hotel at (405) 272-3040.Please take a moment to register today. This is a dynamic opportunity that Idon't want you to miss.
www.stonewalldemocrats.org/okc
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Intern with Stonewall Democrats this Spring/Summer
We are seeking talented and excited interns to round out our team on staffat the National Stonewall Democrats. Positions will include opportunities atour headquarters in Washington as well as our convention site in Denver. Youcan learn more and apply at:
www.stonewalldemocrats.org/intern
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With the nation focused on the Democratic presidential contest, we areworking hard to use the intense media attention to publicly promote issuesimportant to LGBT Democrats. This week alone, we have been able to featurethe work of our members on CBS News, ABC News, XM, Sirius Satellite Radioand in publications across the country including the Associated Press.
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Will You Be Our Valentine?
We are currently ramping up efforts to place programs, staff and interns onthe ground alongside many of our chapters in 2008. This is an unprecedentedshift forward in resources, and one that we are already seeing produceresults (South Carolina: We were able to amend state party rules to make ourparty more inclusive, District of Columbia: On Tuesday, our chapter helpedto elect the most diverse slate of delegates to date for both SenatorsClinton and Obama).
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The Advocate
http://advocate.com/
Go to the link for the following article:
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Valentine's Day Forbidden by Islam
The odds are stacked against Valentine's Day in Hamas-ruled Gaza: Theholiday is considered haram, or forbidden by Islam, most residents don'thave money for frills, and the requisite red roses are grown only beyond aclosed border with Israel.
http://advocate.com/news_detail_ektid52227.asp
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Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Two women who were joined in a civil union in Vermont are seeking a courtruling to dissolve their union in West Virginia. The women, identified onlyby their first names, filed a complaint Jan. 18 in Jefferson Circuit Court,seeking uncontested declaratory judgment for termination of their civilunion so they can settle financial and personal affairs.
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Valentine's Day in Annapolis marked an afternoon of high emotions as bothsupporters and opponents of same-sex marriages crowded a Senate committeehearing room to tell their side of the story. "Mark is 'just' my partner -even the term cheapens our relationship," Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr.,D-Montgomery, who is gay, told the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.
"It sounds like we're just in business together." Madaleno is sponsoring abill that would define marriage as simply between "two individuals." Thebill does not require a religious official to sanctify the union. Madalenowas co-sponsoring the bill with Sen. Gwendolyn T. Britt, who died of heartfailure a month ago.
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As California's highest court prepares to take up a case seeking to legalizesame-sex marriage, two groups that failed to get gay marriage bans on thestate ballot two years ago are trying again, one with backing from aprominent Christian conservative organization. The groups,ProtectMarriage.com and VoteYesMarriage.com, have filed ballot language withthe California Secretary of State that would, if approved by voters, amendthe California Constitution to limit marriage to one man and one womanregardless of how the Supreme Court rules. They have until late April togather signatures from 694,354 voters to qualify the measures for theNovember election and have begun circulating petitions, fundraising andrecruiting volunteers through Southern California churches.
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Massachusetts has a law that they will not recognize marriages betweennon-residents if their marriage would not be recognized in their home state.
Because of a plethora of anti-gay amendments and the peculiarities of statelaws, only Rhode Island's gay residents may marry in Massachusetts.
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In preparation for hearing oral arguments March 4 in the same-sex marriagecase, the state's Supreme Court justices had to digest more than 90 briefsfiled by the parties to the six consolidated lawsuits and from amici curiae,or "friends of the court," with an interest in the case. The task was sodaunting that the court had to delay scheduling the case in order to allowenough time for the seven justices to read through the mountain of legalarguments the court received.
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Weddings are giddy affairs, but marriage is an institution: a legal joiningof assets and a lifetime practicing unromantic skills such as communicationand compromise. Although many think marriage is a flawed model forrelationships, in 2004, San Francisco saw gay men and women queuing up atCity Hall for the right to enter into that sacred union. But what happensafter the Champagne wears off?
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Maryland: When the captivating Rev. C. Anthony Muse took the pulpit at thefuneral of a fellow state senator last month, he repeated a phrasethroughout his eulogy like a gospel choir singing a refrain: "Well done,Senator Britt, we'll take it from here." To many listeners in the pews thatday, the phrase was a poignant way for Muse to pay tribute to the late Sen.Gwendolyn T. Britt and her long history as an activist. But the gay andlesbian attendees, who were shifting in the pews to exchange knowing looks,hoped the phrase meant something more. They hoped that Muse might literallytake up Britt's latest civil rights struggle: legalizing same-sex marriage.
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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Police warning on crystal meth use
A report from the Association of Chief Police Officers predicts a rise inthe number of people taking methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth.
An ACPO spokesman told the BBC that at present it is still a "relativelyminor" problem in the UK but there has been a "gradual rise in the reportingof the use and manufacturing of the drug." Research published in July 2006claimed that up to 20% of gay men questioned at sexual health clinics andgyms in London had taken the drug.
click here for the full article
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Romney endorses McCain for Republican nomination
Mitt Romney, the former Governor of Massachusetts who abandoned his run forthe White House earlier this month, has endorsed Senator John McCain.OnSuper Tuesday, when almost half of the states chose a Republican candidate,he was roundly defeated by Senator McCain and lost a string of Southernstates to Mike Huckabee, the former Governor of Arkansas.Romney hadaccumulated an estimated 285 delegates by the time he suspended hiscampaign.
click here for the full article
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No hope for HIV vaccine claims expert
A Nobel Prize-winning scientist has said that the HIV virus cannot becontrolled by vaccines and immunisation and efforts should be focused onstem cell and gene research. Professor David Baltimore, president of theAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), was speaking atthe assocation's annual meeting yesterday. His work has made a majorcontribution to the discovery of HIV. In 1975 he won the Nobel Prize forMedicine. click here for the full article
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Irish judge sets resolution deadline in landmark trans case
The High Court in Dublin declared yesterday that birth registration laws inIreland are in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.Mr JusticeLiam McKechnie has given the Irish government two months to decide how toresolve the issue. His ruling follows the case of Dr Lydia Foy, a dentistwho underwent gender reassignment surgery.click here for the full article
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Obama leads Clinton and McCain in national polls
Illinois Senator Barack Obama's impressive sweep of victories over the pastweek has put him ahead of rival New York Senator Hillary Clinton indelegates, making him the frontrunner for the first time in the DemocraticPresidential race. Obama also now leads Clinton in several national voterpolls. Among the 21 LGBT super delegates, over half of them still supportClinton, according to the Washington Blade. click here for the full article
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Government funds gay sauna training scheme
The Department of Health is funding a new "code of good practice" scheme forgay saunas and other venues where sex between men occurs. Play Zone: Codeof Conduct has been developed by HIV an d sexual health charity TerrenceHiggins Trust as part of the national HIV prevention programme. "TheDepartment of Health gave £20,000 of funding," a THT spokesperson toldPinkNews.co.uk. click here for the full article
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Australian government objects to same-sex ceremonies
Gay rights advocates in Australia have asked the country's Attorney-General,Robert McClelland, explain why same-sex couples in the ACT (AustraliaCapital Territory) should not be allowed to officially solemnise theirunions. Responding to the ACT government's renewed commitment to its civilpartnership law, Mr McClelland yesterday said the ceremonial aspects of theACT model are "inappropriate." ACT Liberal party Senator Gary Humphriesattacked the Labour government's position on the issue. click here for thefull article
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[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
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From Libby Post
www.proudlyout.com
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Feel the Love
Yesterday was Valentine's Day. My partner Lynn and I can tell each all daylong how much we mean to each other, that we love each other, that we'recommitted to each other for the long haul. But, the two words we can't sayin any legally binding way are "I do." I turn fifty next week and I'd reallylike to be able to get married to the person I love before we're both tooold to enjoy all the rights and responsibilities that come with legalmarriage. With the Presidential race dominating our collectiveconsciousness, we need to watch out for stealth campaigns to make marriageequality a wedge issue in various states. Now, these may be states that willgo to the Republican candidate anyway-like Arizona which is quite likely tovote for its favorite son, John McCain.
www.proudlyout.com
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Forwarded from Gays Without Borders
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full articles
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Second Moscow Gay Pride Ban Appealed to the European Human Rights Court
Compensation of 36 million roubles sought for breach of rightsOrganisers ofMoscow Gay Pride have today sent the case that their human rights werebreached when the Mayor of Moscow banned the Pride march lastMay to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. It is the secondapplication to the Court from Gay Pride organisers in Moscow - a similarcase following the 2006 ban is awaiting a hearing.
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Gaining the right to speak in our own name at the United NationsLesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups still face discrimination in
accessing UN consultative status
February 11, 2008 - New York, U.S.A. The United Nations Committee onNon-Governmental Organizations refused ECOSOC status to three lesbian, gay,bisexual and transgender groups. In a tie vote, the committee recommendeddenial of ECOSOC consultative status to the Spanish LGBT federation,Federación Estatal de Lesbianas, Gays, Transexuales y Bisexuales (FELGTB).
It also deferred consideration of two other LGBT national federations: COC(Cultuur en Ontspanningscentrum) from the Netherlands and ABGLT (AssociaçãoBrasileira de Gays, Lésbicas, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais) fromBrazil which was deferred for the second time. Both NGOs will be thereforereconsidered in the upcoming NGO Committee session of May.
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Sexing the future - The evolution of human sexuality is likely to involvemore people having gay sex but fewer people defining themselves as gay
By Peter Tatchell
February is LGBT History Month, with hundreds of events taking place acrossthe country to promote awareness of the contribution to society of lesbian,gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
In a culture that has, until recently, persecuted queers and suppressed usfrom public life, this reclamation of hidden LGBT history is a welcome andmuch needed historical correction.
But history is about the past. What about the future?
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/peter_tatchell/2008/02/sexing_the_future.html
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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
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Kansas City Law Enforcement Seeks "Eyes" to Combat Sex and Drugs
KANSAS CITY - It's not a new concept. Totalitarian governments both ontheleft and on the right have utilized it to great effect in the past: ratoutyour fellow citizens and create a utopian society. Heck. it's evenbeentried here in the good, old U.S. of A. in the past as anyone whoremembersthe '70s and the We T.I.P. (turn in pushers) hotlines canattest.Now the Wyandotte County district attorney is asking neighborhood"leaders"to act as the eyes and ears of the police to help identifybusinesses thatmight be violating laws on obscenity and the sale of drugparaphernalia.
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Atlanta: William & Mary President Gene Nichol Resigns Amid Controversy
The College of William and Mary president Gene Nichol resigned Tuesdaymorning amid 16 months of controversy over a sex show scandal.The Board ofVisitors for the institution decided not to renew his contract.
His tenure at William & Mary is the shortest since the Civil War in school'shistory. Nichol has been president of the College since 2005. Prior to hispresidency at the College, he was the dean of the law school at theUniversity of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. ..... Four decisions led to theBoard of Visitors' final decision: his decision toremove the Wren cross, hisrefusal to ban the Sex Workers' Art Show, hissupport of the College'sGateway Program and his commitment to the College'sfaculty diversity.
http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=36265&cat=14
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LGBT Health and Wellness at the University of Pittsburgh
The need for researches and public health providers trained to deal withLGBT
communities continues to grow. In response to this need, the UniversityofPittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health now offers a certificateprogram in LGBT Health and Wellness.
This special program is designed for post-baccalaureate students,graduatestudents, and professionals who have an interest in LGBT communitiesand areseeking to develop skills necessary to effectively address LGBThealthdisparities and related issues. Course work topics include thehistoricaldevelopment of LGBT health, a review of community-basedhealthinterventions, and cultural competency skill development related toLGBThealth care delivery.
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Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp
Finally the camp you have been waiting for! Campus Pride organizes thesecondannual Summer Leadership Camp for LGBT and Ally college students.
Thefive-day camp experience works to develop stronger undergraduate studentleaders and safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities.
Participants have the opportunity to learn valuable campus organizingskills,coalition building and strategies for creating change at collegesanduniversities.
WHEN Saturday, July 19, 2008 10:00 AM -
Thursday, July 24, 2008 1:00 PM
WHERE Glen Complex
Towson University
8000 York Road
Towson, Maryland 21252
Check In: Saturday, July 19 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Glen Complex
http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Fees.aspx?e=3d4ed649-baed-4cac-a38d-80f3c986c95b
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Judge Asked to Rule in Library Internet Filter Case
SPOKANE, Washington - The American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit against theNorth Central Regional Library system could be resolved in April if afederal judge decides to forego the trial scheduled for June.
Filed in 2006 on behalf of three north-central Washington residents and aSeattle-based nonprofit organization, the suit claims the library system'sInternet filters violate the plaintiffs' First Amendment rights.
Summary judgments were presented by both sides last week to request that afederal District Court judge make a ruling without trial. A hearing isscheduled for April 15 in Richland.
http://www.avn.com/index.cfm?objectid=14F36C51-BC96-27A9-7BD545DA1F2AB677
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Sexual Vigilanteism at the 'New York Post'
Paying for erotic favors is okay, as long as your tastes are generic. That,in a nutshell, is the sexual ethic of the New York Post.
How else do you explain a paper where the top editors hang out at stripclubs at night and spend their days shaming fetish-club patrons by name?I refer to coverage of the 67-year-old man who had to be hospitalized afteran accident at the hands of a dominatrix in a Manhattan establishment calledthe Nutcracker Suite. Today, the Post crossed into ethically murky territorywith a story that named the man (citing "law-enforcement sources"), anddescribed his professional history, hometown and family situation. For goodmeasure, the Post's reporters also took it upon themselves to phone theman's wife and fill her in on the details.
http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/mixed-media/2008/02/12/sexual-vigilanteism-at-the-new-york-post
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From Scott Hall
Gay Hate crime Murder in school, openly gay student ,15 year-old LawrenceKing, the next HERO to be remembered on the Gay American Heroes NationalMemorial?
A National Memorial honoring all LGBT persons who have been murdered becauseof their sexual orientation and identity. All people who live honestly abouttheir sexual orientation or gender identity are heroic, as it takes greatstrength and courage to face the daily struggles for personal freedom in theface of enormous opposition; to utimately give their life for said freedommakes them...HEROES.
Gay student in Oxnard, California declared brain dead. Hate-crime chargeshave been filed
www.GayAmericanHeroes.com
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California: Yesterday, February 13th 15-year-old Lawrence King was declaredbrain dead after he was shot by a fellow student on Tuesday at OxnardJunior High School. King, an openly gay student, was shot during his firstperiod English Class in front of twenty four other students. According toclassmates, King was known to wear makeup and feminine jewelry to schooland was in conflict with other boys for his open display.
"He would come to school in high-heeled boots, makeup, jewelry and paintednails -- the whole thing," said Michael Sweeney, 13, an eighth-grader. "Thatwas freaking the guys out." As of today King is being kept on life supportfor possible organ donations after being declared brain dead byneurosurgeons at the St. John's Medical Center in Oxnard California.
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New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Orthodox Gays In Israel Find Support In Web Site
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An underground movement of gay Orthodox Jews in Israelhas created a website to help homosexuals cope with living in a strict,religious community that is often hostile to their lifestyle. The site isthe first public forum in the Jewish state where gay members of the Orthodoxcommunity can seek support and advice.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/technology/tech-israel-religion-gays.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=gay&st=nyt&oref=slogin
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Washington Post
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Church Criticized Over Gay Services Plan
A conservative Christian group yesterday criticized a large Methodist churchin the District for planning to offer services that recognize gay andlesbian relationships, saying they violate the United Methodist ban onsame-sex unions. Foundry United Methodist Church, which Bill and HillaryRodham Clinton attended when he was president, decided last month to supportits senior pastor's decision to lead services that "recognize and honor"committed gay relationships. Foundry clergy, however, do not perform unionceremonies, the local bishop said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403323.html
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Two Sides Testify on Same-Sex Marriage
Supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage clashed before a MarylandSenate committee yesterday, with traditionalists invoking religiousconvictions and gay rights advocates describing their cause as a civilrights struggle.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403655.html
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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HUMAN RIGHTS
Jamaicans pressured to halt attacks on gays
Religious leaders expressed to Jamaican officials in Miami their concernsabout violence against gays. Two weeks after one of their church membersbecame the latest victim in a mob attack in Jamaica, leaders of a SouthFlorida church are calling for a public awareness campaign in the Caribbeannation to encourage a more gay-friendly environment.
http://www.miamiherald.com/548/story/420079.html
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Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Lawyers propose legal clinic for gay, transgender clients
FreeState Law Project opens this fall
A group of Maryland lawyers hopes to start a legal clinic that would servegay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Marylanders -- underserved groupsthat advocates say have special legal problems.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=16630
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Supervisors: Santa Clara County should oppose FDA ban on blood donationsfrom gay men
Santa Clara County should formally oppose the U.S. Food and DrugAdministration's ban on blood donations from gay men, a board ofsupervisors' committee agreed today.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_8262469
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Gay Calif. Couples Make Symbolic Valentine Protest
In county clerks' offices all over California Thursday, same sex couplesplanned to ask for, and be denied, marriage licenses. The couples' requestsare in commemoration of the thousands of same sex weddings performed at SanFrancisco City Hall four years ago.
http://cbs5.com/local/gay.marriage.protest.2.654305.html
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Uganda boycotts Anglican meeting
The Anglican Church in Uganda is to boycott the Lambeth Conference, ameeting of the world's Anglican bishops held once every 10 years. The moveis in protest at invitations being sent to bishops who condone activehomosexuality.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7244196.stm
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The fundies on Hillary's Blade interview
Lifesite.net, one of my favorite sites for distorting news to make it seemlike gays are going to take over the world and eat your children, posted astory in response to Blade editor Kevin Naff's interview with HillaryClinton.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/blog/index.cfm?type=blog&start=2/9/08&end=2/16/08#16603
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Time to get serious about gun control
This week brought a devastating reminder of the risks inherent in livingopenly - or even just dressing differently from other kids. Lawrence King,who is just 15, was shot in the head in front of fellow students at a juniorhigh school in Oxnard, Calif. He was declared brain dead Wednesday. Thesuspect is only 14 years old and now faces a first-degree murder charge.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/blog/index.cfm?type=blog&start=2/14/08&end=2/16/08#16602
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Fla. school's ban on pro-gay symbols shreds the First Amendment
Students should be taught value of individual expression in a free societyFor gay and lesbian residents, living in South Florida is a bit like livingin the Green Zone in Iraq. Our little enclave of gay-friendliness issurrounded by hostile, anti-gay hordes that pervade most parts of Florida,with the exception of a few enclaves of tolerance in cities such as Tampaand Orlando.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2008/2-14/view/editorial/4410.cfm
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365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Romney Endorses McCain
(Boston) Republican campaign dropout Mitt Romney endorsed John McCain forthe party's presidential nomination and asked his national conventiondelegates to swing behind the likely nominee.
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Gay Former Lawmaker Steve May Seeks Shadegg's seat
(Phoenix, Ariz.)Steve May, a former Republican Arizona lawmaker who isopenly gay, announced he will seek the seat being vacated this year by Rep.John Shadegg.
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Evangelical May Be Key Pro-Gay Vote in Md.
(Annapolis, Maryland) C. Anthony Muse, a Democratic state senator andevangelical bishop, may be the key vote in Maryland's struggle over same-sexmarriage.
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Bill Would Allow Gay Divorce in RI
(Providence, R.I.) House Majority Leader Gordon Fox says he'll file a billin the General Assembly that would allow married gay couples to divorce.
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Pittsburgh Episcopals Favor Break Over Gays
(Pittsburgh) Nearly 100 lay leaders in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburghsigned an open letter supporting their bishop's plan to split the diocesefrom the national church.
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Student, Possibly Gay, Brain Dead After Classmate Shooting
(Oxnard, Calif.) A brain dead 15-year-old boy was on a ventilator Thursdayfor possible organ donation, and a classmate suspected of shooting him inthe head was under arrest on investigation of attempted murder, authoritiessaid.
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National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Gay-Themed High School Play Draws Protest, Support
A group has formed to support next week's staging of a gay-themed play atKalamazoo Central High School after a Kansas church vowed to picket the showon opening night. The Stop the Hate in Kalamazoo Coalition began a week agoin response to the possible protest from Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro BaptistChurch, which is known for picketing gay-pride events and military funerals.
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Cycling to Make a Difference
When callers to the National Gay Youth Hotline share their fears aboutcoming out to their families and friends with Alper Oztovi, he knows exactlywhat they are talking about. He knows all about how much they stand tolose - and all about how much they can gain by that breakthrough in candor.
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Man Found Guilty in Gay "Therapy" Case
A minister and former Christian college instructor has been found guilty ofsexually assaulting a young man who sought counselling after he feared hewas homosexual. A jury returned with the guilty verdict early last nightafter only a few hours of deliberations. Terrance Lewis, 60, will besentenced at a later date.
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New Bodybuilding Supplements Increase Strength and Muscle Without Steroids
Every week the media comes out with a new story of another amateur orprofessional athlete using steroids muscle strength. For athletes andbodybuilding fanatics it seems they are willing to do whatever they believeis necessary to get results, and ignore the risk involved in using illegalsubstances.
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Attorney Laura J. Maechtlen Elected President of National Lesbian and GayLaw Association
Seyfarth Shaw LLP, one of America's leading full service law firms,announced that Laura J. Maechtlen, an attorney with the Labor and EmploymentDepartment in the firm's San Francisco office, has been elected President ofthe National Lesbian and Gay Law Association.
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Noah's Arc Announces Spin-Off Movie
A full-length movie based on the Logo TV show Noah's Arc has been given thegreen light for production, the cable network announced Thursday. Noah'sArc: Jumping the Broom (working title), like the series, will revolve aroundfour black gay friends living in Los Angeles.
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Gay Softball League Out $2K
The governing board for Dallas' 400-member gay softball associationsreviewing its accounting procedures after former recruiting coordinatorJaymee Johnson admitted to misappropriating $2,000 in league funds.
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Studies Indicate Hispanic Same Sex Television Soap Operas Depict Realty
While Spanish-language soap operas may not conjure up images of real life, aSan Francisco professor believes the depiction of same-sex couples adoptingchildren in telenovelas is dead on. Recent studies show Hispanic gay andlesbian couples have a higher rate of adoption than other same-sex couples,according to Alliant International University.
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Ban on Gay Sex is Still on Books
Finney County Attorney John Wheeler Jr. recently informed an audience ofGarden City Community College students that homosexual sexual relations inKansas are a crime. Arguing such a case in court, however, would provefutile, according to the Kansas attorney general's office.
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In Romance, Looks Matters Most to the Beautiful
In the world of romance, we seek out partners who are just as "hot" or "nothot" as we are. A new study supports the idea that super models flocktogether while individuals lacking the perfect face and body also sticktogether. "Beautiful people marry beautiful people and less beautiful peoplemarry less beautiful people," said Dan Ariely, a professor of behavioraleconomics at MIT's Program in Media Arts and Sciences and Sloan School ofManagement.
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One Love?
Maxine Clarke looks at the challenges of being queer in Jamaica. The firstin a series of articles on GLBT life around the world. Jamaica. Even thesweet, cool sound of the island rolls easily off your tongue like icedcoconut. What an idyllic place to visit. Twenty-four hour party peoplereggae-dancing long into the night. Short-shorted, coconut-oiled beach boysand beautiful, brown, bikinied babes playing cricket on the beach andserving pina coladas from sundown to sunrise in a rum-soaked ganja haze. Allbeautiful smiles and laid-back, open-hearted friendliness. No worriesrastaman, right?
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Forwarded from Euro-Queer
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article:
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Ireland: Government asked to outline plan in Foy case
The High Court yesterday gave the Government two months in which to outlinehow it proposes to rectify breaches of human rights in the case of a dentistwho underwent a sex-change operation and official recognition of her newfemale identity. The High Court yesterday made formal declarations thatcertain provisions of birth registration laws here - the Civil RegistrationAct 2004 - violate the right of Dr Lydia Foy to respect for her private lifeunder Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) becausethey do not provide for "meaningful recognition" of her new female identity.
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From Jon Hoadley, Executive Director
National Stonewall Democrats
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Join Us for our Oklahoma Regional Training next weekend February 22-24. Thisevent will draw on the media expertise of GLAAD to help prepare you, andyour chapter, to grow your media exposure and organizing skills.
Registration is $50, but only $25 for students and members who book theiraccommodation through our host hotel - the Skirvin Hilton. Note: To receivethe $25 registration rate, you must have a valid room night at the SkirvinHilton under the National Stonewall Democrats block for either Friday,February 23 or Saturday, February 24. We are proud to offer a reduced rateat this luxury hotel for only $138/night. To receive your special StonewallDemocrats rate, mention code SWD when calling the hotel at (405) 272-3040.Please take a moment to register today. This is a dynamic opportunity that Idon't want you to miss.
www.stonewalldemocrats.org/okc
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Intern with Stonewall Democrats this Spring/Summer
We are seeking talented and excited interns to round out our team on staffat the National Stonewall Democrats. Positions will include opportunities atour headquarters in Washington as well as our convention site in Denver. Youcan learn more and apply at:
www.stonewalldemocrats.org/intern
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With the nation focused on the Democratic presidential contest, we areworking hard to use the intense media attention to publicly promote issuesimportant to LGBT Democrats. This week alone, we have been able to featurethe work of our members on CBS News, ABC News, XM, Sirius Satellite Radioand in publications across the country including the Associated Press.
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Will You Be Our Valentine?
We are currently ramping up efforts to place programs, staff and interns onthe ground alongside many of our chapters in 2008. This is an unprecedentedshift forward in resources, and one that we are already seeing produceresults (South Carolina: We were able to amend state party rules to make ourparty more inclusive, District of Columbia: On Tuesday, our chapter helpedto elect the most diverse slate of delegates to date for both SenatorsClinton and Obama).
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The Advocate
http://advocate.com/
Go to the link for the following article:
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Valentine's Day Forbidden by Islam
The odds are stacked against Valentine's Day in Hamas-ruled Gaza: Theholiday is considered haram, or forbidden by Islam, most residents don'thave money for frills, and the requisite red roses are grown only beyond aclosed border with Israel.
http://advocate.com/news_detail_ektid52227.asp
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Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Two women who were joined in a civil union in Vermont are seeking a courtruling to dissolve their union in West Virginia. The women, identified onlyby their first names, filed a complaint Jan. 18 in Jefferson Circuit Court,seeking uncontested declaratory judgment for termination of their civilunion so they can settle financial and personal affairs.
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Valentine's Day in Annapolis marked an afternoon of high emotions as bothsupporters and opponents of same-sex marriages crowded a Senate committeehearing room to tell their side of the story. "Mark is 'just' my partner -even the term cheapens our relationship," Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr.,D-Montgomery, who is gay, told the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.
"It sounds like we're just in business together." Madaleno is sponsoring abill that would define marriage as simply between "two individuals." Thebill does not require a religious official to sanctify the union. Madalenowas co-sponsoring the bill with Sen. Gwendolyn T. Britt, who died of heartfailure a month ago.
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As California's highest court prepares to take up a case seeking to legalizesame-sex marriage, two groups that failed to get gay marriage bans on thestate ballot two years ago are trying again, one with backing from aprominent Christian conservative organization. The groups,ProtectMarriage.com and VoteYesMarriage.com, have filed ballot language withthe California Secretary of State that would, if approved by voters, amendthe California Constitution to limit marriage to one man and one womanregardless of how the Supreme Court rules. They have until late April togather signatures from 694,354 voters to qualify the measures for theNovember election and have begun circulating petitions, fundraising andrecruiting volunteers through Southern California churches.
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Massachusetts has a law that they will not recognize marriages betweennon-residents if their marriage would not be recognized in their home state.
Because of a plethora of anti-gay amendments and the peculiarities of statelaws, only Rhode Island's gay residents may marry in Massachusetts.
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In preparation for hearing oral arguments March 4 in the same-sex marriagecase, the state's Supreme Court justices had to digest more than 90 briefsfiled by the parties to the six consolidated lawsuits and from amici curiae,or "friends of the court," with an interest in the case. The task was sodaunting that the court had to delay scheduling the case in order to allowenough time for the seven justices to read through the mountain of legalarguments the court received.
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Weddings are giddy affairs, but marriage is an institution: a legal joiningof assets and a lifetime practicing unromantic skills such as communicationand compromise. Although many think marriage is a flawed model forrelationships, in 2004, San Francisco saw gay men and women queuing up atCity Hall for the right to enter into that sacred union. But what happensafter the Champagne wears off?
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Maryland: When the captivating Rev. C. Anthony Muse took the pulpit at thefuneral of a fellow state senator last month, he repeated a phrasethroughout his eulogy like a gospel choir singing a refrain: "Well done,Senator Britt, we'll take it from here." To many listeners in the pews thatday, the phrase was a poignant way for Muse to pay tribute to the late Sen.Gwendolyn T. Britt and her long history as an activist. But the gay andlesbian attendees, who were shifting in the pews to exchange knowing looks,hoped the phrase meant something more. They hoped that Muse might literallytake up Britt's latest civil rights struggle: legalizing same-sex marriage.
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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Police warning on crystal meth use
A report from the Association of Chief Police Officers predicts a rise inthe number of people taking methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth.
An ACPO spokesman told the BBC that at present it is still a "relativelyminor" problem in the UK but there has been a "gradual rise in the reportingof the use and manufacturing of the drug." Research published in July 2006claimed that up to 20% of gay men questioned at sexual health clinics andgyms in London had taken the drug.
click here for the full article
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Romney endorses McCain for Republican nomination
Mitt Romney, the former Governor of Massachusetts who abandoned his run forthe White House earlier this month, has endorsed Senator John McCain.OnSuper Tuesday, when almost half of the states chose a Republican candidate,he was roundly defeated by Senator McCain and lost a string of Southernstates to Mike Huckabee, the former Governor of Arkansas.Romney hadaccumulated an estimated 285 delegates by the time he suspended hiscampaign.
click here for the full article
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No hope for HIV vaccine claims expert
A Nobel Prize-winning scientist has said that the HIV virus cannot becontrolled by vaccines and immunisation and efforts should be focused onstem cell and gene research. Professor David Baltimore, president of theAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), was speaking atthe assocation's annual meeting yesterday. His work has made a majorcontribution to the discovery of HIV. In 1975 he won the Nobel Prize forMedicine. click here for the full article
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Irish judge sets resolution deadline in landmark trans case
The High Court in Dublin declared yesterday that birth registration laws inIreland are in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.Mr JusticeLiam McKechnie has given the Irish government two months to decide how toresolve the issue. His ruling follows the case of Dr Lydia Foy, a dentistwho underwent gender reassignment surgery.click here for the full article
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Obama leads Clinton and McCain in national polls
Illinois Senator Barack Obama's impressive sweep of victories over the pastweek has put him ahead of rival New York Senator Hillary Clinton indelegates, making him the frontrunner for the first time in the DemocraticPresidential race. Obama also now leads Clinton in several national voterpolls. Among the 21 LGBT super delegates, over half of them still supportClinton, according to the Washington Blade. click here for the full article
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Government funds gay sauna training scheme
The Department of Health is funding a new "code of good practice" scheme forgay saunas and other venues where sex between men occurs. Play Zone: Codeof Conduct has been developed by HIV an d sexual health charity TerrenceHiggins Trust as part of the national HIV prevention programme. "TheDepartment of Health gave £20,000 of funding," a THT spokesperson toldPinkNews.co.uk. click here for the full article
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Australian government objects to same-sex ceremonies
Gay rights advocates in Australia have asked the country's Attorney-General,Robert McClelland, explain why same-sex couples in the ACT (AustraliaCapital Territory) should not be allowed to officially solemnise theirunions. Responding to the ACT government's renewed commitment to its civilpartnership law, Mr McClelland yesterday said the ceremonial aspects of theACT model are "inappropriate." ACT Liberal party Senator Gary Humphriesattacked the Labour government's position on the issue. click here for thefull article
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[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
NATIONAL & WORLD DIGEST February 15, 2008
**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.
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New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Gunman Slays 6 at N. Illinois University
DeKALB, Ill. - With minutes left in a class in ocean sciences at NorthernIllinois University on Thursday afternoon, a tall skinny man dressed all inblack stepped out from behind a curtain on the stage of the lecture hall,said nothing, and opened fire with a shotgun, the authorities and witnessessaid.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/us/15shoot.html?hp
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Black Leader, a Clinton Ally, Tilts to Obama
Representative John Lewis said he planned to cast his vote as asuperdelegate for Barack Obama in hopes of preventing a fight at theDemocratic convention.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/us/politics/15clinton.html?hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1203079043-OiDhGN9WSUv405rLjAaTCw
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Show Us the Money
The reluctance of Hillary Clinton and John McCain to reveal more about theirfinances ill-serves voters and the nominating process of both parties.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/opinion/15fri1.html?ref=opinion
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Delegates of Steel
A review of the history of superdelegates suggests they are likely to play aconstructive role in resolving the Democratic presidential nominationbattle.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/opinion/15mann.html?ref=opinion
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U.S. to Attempt to Shoot Down Faulty Satellite
WASHINGTON - The military will try to shoot down a crippled spy satellite inthe next two weeks, senior officials said Thursday. The officials laid out ahigh-tech plan to intercept the satellite over the Pacific just before ittumbles uncontrollably to Earth carrying toxic fuel.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/us/15satellite.html?hp
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House Leaves Surveillance Law to Expire
The House broke for a week's recess Thursday without renewingterrorist surveillance authority demanded by President Bush, leading him towarn of risky intelligence gaps while Democrats accused him of reckless fearmongering.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/washington/15fisa.html?hp
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Pakistan Police Arrest Another Suspect In Bhutto Case
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani police arrested on Friday another suspect inconnection with the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, asenior police investigator said. "Yes, we have arrested a suspect and weare interrogating him," said the investigator, who declined to beidentified.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-pakistan-bhutto.html
-
Warring on McCain, Limbaugh Sees No Reconciliation
Rush Limbaugh took his show on the road this week, forsaking his mainbroadcast studio in Palm Beach, Fla., for one in Midtown Manhattan. But thechange of scenery did nothing to dampen the Republican-on-Republicansmackdown he has been waging from afar against Senator John McCain, theparty's likely presidential nominee, whom Mr. Limbaugh considers toomoderate.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/us/politics/15rush.html
-
Large Union Backs Obama; Another Is Likely to Do Same
Giving Senator Barack Obama new momentum, one of the nation's largest laborunions, the United Food and Commercial Workers, endorsed him on Thursday.
Another giant, the Service Employees International Union, was on the brinkof backing him.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/us/politics/15obama.html
-
=
Washington Post
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
A Key Gap In Fighting Terrorism - Private Firms Need Liability Protection
One of the most critical weapons in the fight against terrorists and otherforeign intelligence threats -- the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act(FISA) -- has not kept up with the technology revolution we have experiencedover the past 30 years. We are on the brink of bringing this 20th-centurytool in line with 21st-century technology and threats. The Senate has passeda strong bill, by an overwhelmingly bipartisan margin, that would modernizeFISA and do the right thing for those companies that responded to theircountry's call for assistance in its hour of need. It would also protect thecivil liberties we Americans cherish. The bill is now before the House ofRepresentatives.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403103.html
-
How 'Inevitable' Got Outmaneuvered
What happened to Hillary Clinton? Last fall, she was the "inevitable"nominee whose "machine" would raise scads of cash and push her to an earlyvictory. She demonstrated poise and knowledge in debates, and party leaderslined up behind her, fearful of missing her fast-moving train.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403104.html
-
The Audacity of Selling Hope
There's no better path to success than getting people to buy a freecommodity. Like the genius who figured out how to get people to pay forwater: bottle it (Aquafina was revealed to be nothing more than reprocessedtap water) and charge more than they pay for gasoline. Or consider howGoogle found a way to sell dictionary nouns-- boat, shoe, clock -- bycharging advertisers zillions to be listed whenever the word is searched.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403105.html
-
Mr. Chavez's Bluff
If Venezuela's strongman cut off oil exports to the United States, the firstvictim would be his regime. ONE OF the more regrettable ironies ofinternational relations is that the United States, through its voraciousconsumption of oil, underwrites President Hugo Ch¿vez's regime in Venezuela.
In November alone, the United States bought more than 41 million barrels ofVenezuelan crude, roughly 10 percent of all U.S. oil imports that month. Ifthe Bush administration were really as committed to overthrowing Mr. Ch¿vezas Mr. Ch¿vez claims, the administration might be tempted to declare aboycott of Venezuelan oil. That would make a small but easily repaired dentin the U.S. economy, but it would devastate Venezuela, since it produceshigh-sulfur oil that, for the most part, can be refined only in specialU.S.-based refineries.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403325.html
-
China Reacts Defensively To Spielberg Resignation
Director Left Olympics Role Over Darfur
BEIJING, Feb. 14 -- Chinese officials defended the country's human rightsrecord regarding the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur on Thursday in thefirst official reaction to Steven Spielberg's abrupt resignation as anartistic adviser to the Beijing Olympic Games.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403598.html?hpid=topnews
-
Black Lawmakers Rethink Clinton Support
WASHINGTON -- In a fresh sign of trouble for Hillary Rodham Clinton, one ofthe former first lady's congressional black supporters intends to vote forBarack Obama at the Democratic National Convention, and a second, moreprominent lawmaker is openly discussing a possible switch.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021402746.html?hpid=sec-nation
-
In a First, Ahmadinejad To Visit Iraq Next Month
Iran Postpones Fourth Round of Talks With U.S. BAGHDAD, Feb. 14 -- IranianPresident Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will travel to Iraq next month in the firstsuch visit by a leader of the Islamic Republic, Iraqi officials saidThursday, adding that Iran had postponed a fourth round of talks with theUnited States to discuss Iraq's security.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403480.html?hpid=sec-world
-
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
=
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Gunman Slays 6 at N. Illinois University
DeKALB, Ill. - With minutes left in a class in ocean sciences at NorthernIllinois University on Thursday afternoon, a tall skinny man dressed all inblack stepped out from behind a curtain on the stage of the lecture hall,said nothing, and opened fire with a shotgun, the authorities and witnessessaid.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/us/15shoot.html?hp
-
Black Leader, a Clinton Ally, Tilts to Obama
Representative John Lewis said he planned to cast his vote as asuperdelegate for Barack Obama in hopes of preventing a fight at theDemocratic convention.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/us/politics/15clinton.html?hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1203079043-OiDhGN9WSUv405rLjAaTCw
-
Show Us the Money
The reluctance of Hillary Clinton and John McCain to reveal more about theirfinances ill-serves voters and the nominating process of both parties.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/opinion/15fri1.html?ref=opinion
-
Delegates of Steel
A review of the history of superdelegates suggests they are likely to play aconstructive role in resolving the Democratic presidential nominationbattle.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/opinion/15mann.html?ref=opinion
-
U.S. to Attempt to Shoot Down Faulty Satellite
WASHINGTON - The military will try to shoot down a crippled spy satellite inthe next two weeks, senior officials said Thursday. The officials laid out ahigh-tech plan to intercept the satellite over the Pacific just before ittumbles uncontrollably to Earth carrying toxic fuel.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/us/15satellite.html?hp
-
House Leaves Surveillance Law to Expire
The House broke for a week's recess Thursday without renewingterrorist surveillance authority demanded by President Bush, leading him towarn of risky intelligence gaps while Democrats accused him of reckless fearmongering.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/washington/15fisa.html?hp
-
Pakistan Police Arrest Another Suspect In Bhutto Case
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani police arrested on Friday another suspect inconnection with the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, asenior police investigator said. "Yes, we have arrested a suspect and weare interrogating him," said the investigator, who declined to beidentified.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-pakistan-bhutto.html
-
Warring on McCain, Limbaugh Sees No Reconciliation
Rush Limbaugh took his show on the road this week, forsaking his mainbroadcast studio in Palm Beach, Fla., for one in Midtown Manhattan. But thechange of scenery did nothing to dampen the Republican-on-Republicansmackdown he has been waging from afar against Senator John McCain, theparty's likely presidential nominee, whom Mr. Limbaugh considers toomoderate.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/us/politics/15rush.html
-
Large Union Backs Obama; Another Is Likely to Do Same
Giving Senator Barack Obama new momentum, one of the nation's largest laborunions, the United Food and Commercial Workers, endorsed him on Thursday.
Another giant, the Service Employees International Union, was on the brinkof backing him.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/us/politics/15obama.html
-
=
Washington Post
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
A Key Gap In Fighting Terrorism - Private Firms Need Liability Protection
One of the most critical weapons in the fight against terrorists and otherforeign intelligence threats -- the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act(FISA) -- has not kept up with the technology revolution we have experiencedover the past 30 years. We are on the brink of bringing this 20th-centurytool in line with 21st-century technology and threats. The Senate has passeda strong bill, by an overwhelmingly bipartisan margin, that would modernizeFISA and do the right thing for those companies that responded to theircountry's call for assistance in its hour of need. It would also protect thecivil liberties we Americans cherish. The bill is now before the House ofRepresentatives.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403103.html
-
How 'Inevitable' Got Outmaneuvered
What happened to Hillary Clinton? Last fall, she was the "inevitable"nominee whose "machine" would raise scads of cash and push her to an earlyvictory. She demonstrated poise and knowledge in debates, and party leaderslined up behind her, fearful of missing her fast-moving train.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403104.html
-
The Audacity of Selling Hope
There's no better path to success than getting people to buy a freecommodity. Like the genius who figured out how to get people to pay forwater: bottle it (Aquafina was revealed to be nothing more than reprocessedtap water) and charge more than they pay for gasoline. Or consider howGoogle found a way to sell dictionary nouns-- boat, shoe, clock -- bycharging advertisers zillions to be listed whenever the word is searched.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403105.html
-
Mr. Chavez's Bluff
If Venezuela's strongman cut off oil exports to the United States, the firstvictim would be his regime. ONE OF the more regrettable ironies ofinternational relations is that the United States, through its voraciousconsumption of oil, underwrites President Hugo Ch¿vez's regime in Venezuela.
In November alone, the United States bought more than 41 million barrels ofVenezuelan crude, roughly 10 percent of all U.S. oil imports that month. Ifthe Bush administration were really as committed to overthrowing Mr. Ch¿vezas Mr. Ch¿vez claims, the administration might be tempted to declare aboycott of Venezuelan oil. That would make a small but easily repaired dentin the U.S. economy, but it would devastate Venezuela, since it produceshigh-sulfur oil that, for the most part, can be refined only in specialU.S.-based refineries.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403325.html
-
China Reacts Defensively To Spielberg Resignation
Director Left Olympics Role Over Darfur
BEIJING, Feb. 14 -- Chinese officials defended the country's human rightsrecord regarding the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur on Thursday in thefirst official reaction to Steven Spielberg's abrupt resignation as anartistic adviser to the Beijing Olympic Games.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403598.html?hpid=topnews
-
Black Lawmakers Rethink Clinton Support
WASHINGTON -- In a fresh sign of trouble for Hillary Rodham Clinton, one ofthe former first lady's congressional black supporters intends to vote forBarack Obama at the Democratic National Convention, and a second, moreprominent lawmaker is openly discussing a possible switch.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021402746.html?hpid=sec-nation
-
In a First, Ahmadinejad To Visit Iraq Next Month
Iran Postpones Fourth Round of Talks With U.S. BAGHDAD, Feb. 14 -- IranianPresident Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will travel to Iraq next month in the firstsuch visit by a leader of the Islamic Republic, Iraqi officials saidThursday, adding that Iran had postponed a fourth round of talks with theUnited States to discuss Iraq's security.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403480.html?hpid=sec-world
-
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
FLORIDA DIGEST February 15, 2008
**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.
Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-
Local gay teacher receives award
Global peace group recognizes Loupo for safe schools work
Long-time South Florida activist Robert Loupo was honored on Saturday at areception hosted by Wingspan Seminars, a global consulting agency thatfocuses on conflict management and peaceful human relationships in society.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2008/2-14/news/localnews/4420.cfm
-
Art Walk showcases local talents
Lewis Parker's erotic photography among Feb. 15 highlights in Wilton ManorsSeveral local artists will display their works on Friday, Feb. 15, ingalleries and businesses along Wilton Drive as part of Island City, Inc.'smonthly Art Walk.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2008/2-14/locallife/pulse/4421.cfm
-
Competition heats up among local AIDS agencies
Calif.-based AHF draws criticism as groups vie for scarce federal funds.After months of renovating its corner storefront in Wilton Manors, the Outof the Closet thrift shop and adjoining pharmacy made a splashy opening onJan. 26.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2008/2-14/news/localnews/4407.cfm
-
Exquisite expressions
Art Explosion winners inspired by various life experiences
At first glance, the winners of ArtsUnited's 2008 Art Explosion visual artexhibition might seem as different as the media in which they work. Whethercreating a three-dimensional, mixed-media piece, a watercolor landscape or aphotographic print, each went beyond his individual techniques and insteadfocused on the opportunity to express himself through his art.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2008/2-14/arts/feature/4411.cfm
-
Queery
Keith Clark is a local artist who specializes abstract oil painting. Two ofhis pieces are in the Art Explosion show. He currently sells his work atMichael Joseph Gallery in Fort Lauderdale and the Peter Meyhoefer Gallery inLake Worth.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2008/2-14/view/columns/4419.cfm
-
=
From Care Resource
info@careresource.org
Please join Care Resource as Coconut Grove's hotspot CocoWalk is set to hostits first Bodies Exposed art exhibit benefiting Care Resource. Set in thecenter's courtyard, the art exhibit will showcase over 15 mannequins (a fewpictures above) each uniquely painted by local and international artists.
On the final day of the festival (Monday), CocoWalk will host a cocktailreception during which patrons will have a chance to meet the artists andpurchase the unique art pieces. Admission to the cocktail reception isfree. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will benefit Care ResourceSouth Florida's oldest and largest HIV/AIDS service organization, servingboth Dade and Broward counties.
Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17 Exhibit: Noon - 9:00 p.m.
Monday, February 18 Exhibit: Noon - 6:00 p.m
Cocktail Reception and sale: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
CocoWalk - 3015 Grand Avenue
Coconut Grove, Florida 33133
www.cocowalk.net
-
=
Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Dade schools chief warns of layoffs
The Miami-Dade school district's top administrator warned that further cutsin state funding could result in substantial layoffs. Citing a bleakrevenue forecast from lawmakers in Tallahassee, Miami-Dade SchoolsSuperintendent Rudy Crew said Wednesday he would consider laying off schoolsemployees -- perhaps hundreds -- to balance the district's tight budget.
http://www.miamiherald.com/519/story/418582.html
-
Time to fix state's primary mess
When the Democratic National Committee declared last year that it wouldpunish Florida and Michigan for violating its primary election calendar byrefusing to seat delegates to the party convention, it failed to foreseetoday's state-by-state battle for votes. Now the 210 delegates from Floridaand the 156 from Michigan loom large. The two leading candidates aresquaring off for a credentials fight based on purely selfish interests. Theonly way out of this mess is to call in some grown-ups.
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/420045.html
-
=
Palm Beach Post
-
Florida losing millions in federal Medicaid money
WASHINGTON - The hurricanes that battered Florida a few years ago arehurting the state once again in an unexpected manner: Florida is losinghundreds of millions of dollars in federal Medicaid money.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/state/epaper/2008/02/13/0213medicaid.html
-
=
Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
South Florida's superdelegates are torn: Obama or Clinton?
Diane Glasser, a state Democratic Party leader from Tamarac, won't saywhether she will back Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama for president.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flpdems0215pnfeb15,0,1512254.story
-
Easy Answers Elude Mich., Fla. Delegates
MILWAUKEE - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton desperately wants meaningless winsin Florida and Michigan to turn into votes she can count on. It won't beeasy with the Democratic National Committee rules standing in her way.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/ats-ap_top12feb15,0,1262707.story
-
=
The F. Scott Fitzgerald of Gay Lit
Holleran's stark critique of '70s gay life remains a controversial classic
By Jesse Monteagudo
-
Andrew Holleran's career spans the history of post-Stonewall gay literature.His first novel, "Dancer from the Dance (1978)," a stark, tell-it-like-it-isstudy of gay life in New York and Fire Island, is perhaps the most importantgay novel of the 1970s. In its day, "Dancer from the Dance" was compared to"Faggots," Larry Kramer's scathing attack on the gay scene. But Holleran hasmixed feelings about the comparisons.
"Yes and no," he says. "Yes, in the sense that they were both about the NewYork gay community, a new subject at the time, and came out almostsimultaneously. No, because they were so different. Larry's book was blackcomedy, inspired in part by Evelyn Waugh; mine was more romantic, and wasrejected by one publisher for being too much like 'The Great Gatsby.'"
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article.
-
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-
Local gay teacher receives award
Global peace group recognizes Loupo for safe schools work
Long-time South Florida activist Robert Loupo was honored on Saturday at areception hosted by Wingspan Seminars, a global consulting agency thatfocuses on conflict management and peaceful human relationships in society.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2008/2-14/news/localnews/4420.cfm
-
Art Walk showcases local talents
Lewis Parker's erotic photography among Feb. 15 highlights in Wilton ManorsSeveral local artists will display their works on Friday, Feb. 15, ingalleries and businesses along Wilton Drive as part of Island City, Inc.'smonthly Art Walk.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2008/2-14/locallife/pulse/4421.cfm
-
Competition heats up among local AIDS agencies
Calif.-based AHF draws criticism as groups vie for scarce federal funds.After months of renovating its corner storefront in Wilton Manors, the Outof the Closet thrift shop and adjoining pharmacy made a splashy opening onJan. 26.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2008/2-14/news/localnews/4407.cfm
-
Exquisite expressions
Art Explosion winners inspired by various life experiences
At first glance, the winners of ArtsUnited's 2008 Art Explosion visual artexhibition might seem as different as the media in which they work. Whethercreating a three-dimensional, mixed-media piece, a watercolor landscape or aphotographic print, each went beyond his individual techniques and insteadfocused on the opportunity to express himself through his art.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2008/2-14/arts/feature/4411.cfm
-
Queery
Keith Clark is a local artist who specializes abstract oil painting. Two ofhis pieces are in the Art Explosion show. He currently sells his work atMichael Joseph Gallery in Fort Lauderdale and the Peter Meyhoefer Gallery inLake Worth.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2008/2-14/view/columns/4419.cfm
-
=
From Care Resource
info@careresource.org
Please join Care Resource as Coconut Grove's hotspot CocoWalk is set to hostits first Bodies Exposed art exhibit benefiting Care Resource. Set in thecenter's courtyard, the art exhibit will showcase over 15 mannequins (a fewpictures above) each uniquely painted by local and international artists.
On the final day of the festival (Monday), CocoWalk will host a cocktailreception during which patrons will have a chance to meet the artists andpurchase the unique art pieces. Admission to the cocktail reception isfree. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will benefit Care ResourceSouth Florida's oldest and largest HIV/AIDS service organization, servingboth Dade and Broward counties.
Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17 Exhibit: Noon - 9:00 p.m.
Monday, February 18 Exhibit: Noon - 6:00 p.m
Cocktail Reception and sale: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
CocoWalk - 3015 Grand Avenue
Coconut Grove, Florida 33133
www.cocowalk.net
-
=
Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Dade schools chief warns of layoffs
The Miami-Dade school district's top administrator warned that further cutsin state funding could result in substantial layoffs. Citing a bleakrevenue forecast from lawmakers in Tallahassee, Miami-Dade SchoolsSuperintendent Rudy Crew said Wednesday he would consider laying off schoolsemployees -- perhaps hundreds -- to balance the district's tight budget.
http://www.miamiherald.com/519/story/418582.html
-
Time to fix state's primary mess
When the Democratic National Committee declared last year that it wouldpunish Florida and Michigan for violating its primary election calendar byrefusing to seat delegates to the party convention, it failed to foreseetoday's state-by-state battle for votes. Now the 210 delegates from Floridaand the 156 from Michigan loom large. The two leading candidates aresquaring off for a credentials fight based on purely selfish interests. Theonly way out of this mess is to call in some grown-ups.
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/420045.html
-
=
Palm Beach Post
-
Florida losing millions in federal Medicaid money
WASHINGTON - The hurricanes that battered Florida a few years ago arehurting the state once again in an unexpected manner: Florida is losinghundreds of millions of dollars in federal Medicaid money.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/state/epaper/2008/02/13/0213medicaid.html
-
=
Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
South Florida's superdelegates are torn: Obama or Clinton?
Diane Glasser, a state Democratic Party leader from Tamarac, won't saywhether she will back Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama for president.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flpdems0215pnfeb15,0,1512254.story
-
Easy Answers Elude Mich., Fla. Delegates
MILWAUKEE - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton desperately wants meaningless winsin Florida and Michigan to turn into votes she can count on. It won't beeasy with the Democratic National Committee rules standing in her way.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/ats-ap_top12feb15,0,1262707.story
-
=
The F. Scott Fitzgerald of Gay Lit
Holleran's stark critique of '70s gay life remains a controversial classic
By Jesse Monteagudo
-
Andrew Holleran's career spans the history of post-Stonewall gay literature.His first novel, "Dancer from the Dance (1978)," a stark, tell-it-like-it-isstudy of gay life in New York and Fire Island, is perhaps the most importantgay novel of the 1970s. In its day, "Dancer from the Dance" was compared to"Faggots," Larry Kramer's scathing attack on the gay scene. But Holleran hasmixed feelings about the comparisons.
"Yes and no," he says. "Yes, in the sense that they were both about the NewYork gay community, a new subject at the time, and came out almostsimultaneously. No, because they were so different. Larry's book was blackcomedy, inspired in part by Evelyn Waugh; mine was more romantic, and wasrejected by one publisher for being too much like 'The Great Gatsby.'"
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article.
-
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
Thursday, February 14, 2008
NATIONAL & WORLD DIGEST February 14, 2008
**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.
=
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Time to Vote Contempt
If Congress fails to enforce its own subpoenas, it would be giving its tacitconsent to the dangerous idea of an imperial president.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/opinion/14thu1.html?ref=opinion
-
Notes From a Caucus
Democrats are having an exciting race for the presidential nomination, whichalways means trouble.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/opinion/14collins.html?ref=opinion
-
When We Torture
America spends millions of dollars bolstering public diplomacy to theIslamic world - and then undoes it all with Guantánamo Bay.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/opinion/14kristof.html?ref=opinion
-
House Cites 2 Bush Aides for Contempt
The resolution cites Harriet E. Miers, the former White House counsel, andJoshua B. Bolten, the president's chief of staff, for refusing to testifyabout the firing of federal officials.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/washington/14cnd-contempt.html?hp
-
Scientists Find Solar System Like Ours
Astronomers say they have found a miniature version of our own solar system5,000 light years across the galaxy - the first planetary system that reallylooks like our own, with outer giant planets and room for smaller innerplanets.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/science/space/14cnd-planet.html?hp
-
'Choking' Game Deaths on the Rise
At least 82 children have died in recent years as a result of playing the"choking" game, a bizarre but increasingly common practice, according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. The game, which involvesintentionally trying to choke oneself to create a brief high, has beenaround for years, but it appears to be spreading.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/choking-game-deaths-on-the-rise/index.html?hp
-
Judge Asks Details on Destroyed Evidence
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Bushadministration to tell him whether two CIA interrogation videos destroyed in2005 were relevant to his case. The videos showed the CIA using harshinterrogation methods on two terrorism suspects, but the government has notrevealed what information was gleaned from that questioning. The JusticeDepartment has urged judges not to demand information about the tapes,saying it would interfere with an investigation into their destruction.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-CIA-Videotapes.html
-
=
Washington Post
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
President, GOP Rebuke House Dems on Spy Bill
Capitol Briefing | Bush says he is prepared to delay his trip to Africa inorder to press Democrats to approve surveillance law.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/?hpid=topnews
-
Predatory Lenders' Partner in Crime
How the Bush Administration Stopped the States From Stepping In to HelpConsumers. Several years ago, state attorneys general and others involvedin consumer protection began to notice a marked increase in a range ofpredatory lending practices by mortgage lenders. Some were misrepresentingthe terms of loans, making loans without regard to consumers' ability torepay, making loans with deceptive "teaser" rates that later balloonedastronomically, packing loans with undisclosed charges and fees, or evenpaying illegal kickbacks. These and other practices, we noticed, were havinga devastating effect on home buyers.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021302783.html
-
Time for Legislating
President Bush should allow Congress to fine-tune legislation onsurveillance. CONGRESS has been struggling for months to resolvedisagreements over how to overhaul the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Actand whether to grant immunity to communications companies that cooperated inthe administration's warrantless wiretapping. The Senate and House have nowpassed competing versions of a measure that would bring such surveillanceunder the authority of the special court that oversees the administration ofthe FISA law, as it should be.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021303103.html
-
U.S. Plans to Shoot Down Broken Spy Satellite
President Bush, acting on the advice of his national security advisers, hasdecided to attempt to shoot down a malfunctioning spy satellite that isexpected to crash to the Earth by early next month. National SecurityCouncil spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the president made the decisionrecently and asked the military to come up with plans to destroy thesatellite -- the first attempted shoot-down of its kind.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021401704.html?hpid=topnews
-
Scientists: Human Activities Affecting World's Oceans
Human activities are affecting every square mile of the world's oceans,according to a study by a team of American, British and Canadian researcherswho mapped the severity of the effects from pole to pole.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021401992.html?hpid=topnews
-
Divided Turkey Debates Rights, Religion
ISTANBUL, Turkey -- Turkey's leader, a devout Muslim, talks a lot aboutmorality these days. It's language that alarms secular Turks, who fear thegovernment plans to make religion a part of their lives.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021302618.html?hpid=sec-religion
-
Archbishop Objects to Clinton Rally
SAN ANTONIO -- Archbishop Jose Gomez complained Wednesday about plans for arally by Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, an abortion rights supporter, at a Catholic university.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021302714.html?hpid=sec-religion
-
=
Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Obama camp cries foul over Clinton stance in Florida
Barack Obama's campaign criticized Hillary Clinton for wanting Florida andMichigan delegates to be included. After eight losses in a row and novictories in sight this month, Hillary Clinton's campaign renewed callsWednesday for the votes in Florida and Michigan to count toward delegatesthat would help her catch Barack Obama.
http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/418611.html
-
Neither party can resist pork's allure
A database finds little appetite for reforming federal spending. WASHINGTON - As Republicans in Congress try to regain the high ground onfederal pork and use the issue to embarrass the Democrats, they are runninginto a stubborn fact:
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/14/Worldandnation/Neither_party_can_res.shtml
-
Eavesdrop law may lapse amid impasse
WASHINGTON - Broad spying powers temporarily approved by Congress in Augustappear likely to lapse this week after a daylong game of chicken yesterdaybetween the White House and House Democrats produced no clear resolution.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2008/02/14/eavesdrop_law_may_lapse_amid_impasse/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Today%27s+paper+A+to+Z
-
Don't supersede voters
The Democrats' nominee should be chosen by party faithful, not a smallnumber of elite delegates.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-delegates14feb14,0,4802657.story?track=rss
-
Obama Extends Delegate Lead
(AP) Sen. Barack Obama extended his lead in the delegate race Wednesday,thanks to a few new endorsements and more complete results from Tuesday'sprimaries.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/13/ap/politics/main3829017.shtml
-
Republicans Focus On McCain Atop Ticket
Congressional Republicans Grapple With Idea Of McCain At Top Of Ticket
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/13/ap/politics/main3829008.shtml
-
=
Pew Research center
http://pewresearch.org/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-
Economic Discontent Deepens As Inflation Concerns Rise
Public views of the U.S. economy, already quite negative, have plummetedsince January. Just 17% currently rate the nation's economy as excellent orgood, down from 26% last month. Read moreCampaign Messages
-
Voter Reaction: Not Ready to Lead vs. Hard to Like
While Democrats and independents who lean Democratic believe Clinton isprepared to lead, Obama has a clear lead on three positive campaign themes:change, inspiration, and honesty.
-
Media Messages: Great Expectations
The presidential campaign again dominated news coverage but the journalisticnarratives were not really the ones for which any of the remainingcandidates were probably hoping.
-
Web Worries Online Shopping Convenient but Risky
Two-thirds (66%) of online Americans have purchased a product online, butmany worry about the safety of financial and personal data.
-
Making Tracks on the Web
Many Americans are jumping into the participatory Web without consideringall the privacy implications.
-
The Daily Number - 16% - Don't Be My Valentine
Only a tiny percentage (16%) of single American adults say they are activelyseeking a romantic partner. Some 55% of singles report no active interest inseeking a romantic partner. Check back every weekday for another number inthe news. Read more
-
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
=
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Time to Vote Contempt
If Congress fails to enforce its own subpoenas, it would be giving its tacitconsent to the dangerous idea of an imperial president.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/opinion/14thu1.html?ref=opinion
-
Notes From a Caucus
Democrats are having an exciting race for the presidential nomination, whichalways means trouble.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/opinion/14collins.html?ref=opinion
-
When We Torture
America spends millions of dollars bolstering public diplomacy to theIslamic world - and then undoes it all with Guantánamo Bay.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/opinion/14kristof.html?ref=opinion
-
House Cites 2 Bush Aides for Contempt
The resolution cites Harriet E. Miers, the former White House counsel, andJoshua B. Bolten, the president's chief of staff, for refusing to testifyabout the firing of federal officials.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/washington/14cnd-contempt.html?hp
-
Scientists Find Solar System Like Ours
Astronomers say they have found a miniature version of our own solar system5,000 light years across the galaxy - the first planetary system that reallylooks like our own, with outer giant planets and room for smaller innerplanets.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/science/space/14cnd-planet.html?hp
-
'Choking' Game Deaths on the Rise
At least 82 children have died in recent years as a result of playing the"choking" game, a bizarre but increasingly common practice, according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. The game, which involvesintentionally trying to choke oneself to create a brief high, has beenaround for years, but it appears to be spreading.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/choking-game-deaths-on-the-rise/index.html?hp
-
Judge Asks Details on Destroyed Evidence
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Bushadministration to tell him whether two CIA interrogation videos destroyed in2005 were relevant to his case. The videos showed the CIA using harshinterrogation methods on two terrorism suspects, but the government has notrevealed what information was gleaned from that questioning. The JusticeDepartment has urged judges not to demand information about the tapes,saying it would interfere with an investigation into their destruction.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-CIA-Videotapes.html
-
=
Washington Post
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
President, GOP Rebuke House Dems on Spy Bill
Capitol Briefing | Bush says he is prepared to delay his trip to Africa inorder to press Democrats to approve surveillance law.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/?hpid=topnews
-
Predatory Lenders' Partner in Crime
How the Bush Administration Stopped the States From Stepping In to HelpConsumers. Several years ago, state attorneys general and others involvedin consumer protection began to notice a marked increase in a range ofpredatory lending practices by mortgage lenders. Some were misrepresentingthe terms of loans, making loans without regard to consumers' ability torepay, making loans with deceptive "teaser" rates that later balloonedastronomically, packing loans with undisclosed charges and fees, or evenpaying illegal kickbacks. These and other practices, we noticed, were havinga devastating effect on home buyers.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021302783.html
-
Time for Legislating
President Bush should allow Congress to fine-tune legislation onsurveillance. CONGRESS has been struggling for months to resolvedisagreements over how to overhaul the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Actand whether to grant immunity to communications companies that cooperated inthe administration's warrantless wiretapping. The Senate and House have nowpassed competing versions of a measure that would bring such surveillanceunder the authority of the special court that oversees the administration ofthe FISA law, as it should be.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021303103.html
-
U.S. Plans to Shoot Down Broken Spy Satellite
President Bush, acting on the advice of his national security advisers, hasdecided to attempt to shoot down a malfunctioning spy satellite that isexpected to crash to the Earth by early next month. National SecurityCouncil spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the president made the decisionrecently and asked the military to come up with plans to destroy thesatellite -- the first attempted shoot-down of its kind.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021401704.html?hpid=topnews
-
Scientists: Human Activities Affecting World's Oceans
Human activities are affecting every square mile of the world's oceans,according to a study by a team of American, British and Canadian researcherswho mapped the severity of the effects from pole to pole.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021401992.html?hpid=topnews
-
Divided Turkey Debates Rights, Religion
ISTANBUL, Turkey -- Turkey's leader, a devout Muslim, talks a lot aboutmorality these days. It's language that alarms secular Turks, who fear thegovernment plans to make religion a part of their lives.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021302618.html?hpid=sec-religion
-
Archbishop Objects to Clinton Rally
SAN ANTONIO -- Archbishop Jose Gomez complained Wednesday about plans for arally by Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, an abortion rights supporter, at a Catholic university.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021302714.html?hpid=sec-religion
-
=
Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Obama camp cries foul over Clinton stance in Florida
Barack Obama's campaign criticized Hillary Clinton for wanting Florida andMichigan delegates to be included. After eight losses in a row and novictories in sight this month, Hillary Clinton's campaign renewed callsWednesday for the votes in Florida and Michigan to count toward delegatesthat would help her catch Barack Obama.
http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/418611.html
-
Neither party can resist pork's allure
A database finds little appetite for reforming federal spending. WASHINGTON - As Republicans in Congress try to regain the high ground onfederal pork and use the issue to embarrass the Democrats, they are runninginto a stubborn fact:
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/14/Worldandnation/Neither_party_can_res.shtml
-
Eavesdrop law may lapse amid impasse
WASHINGTON - Broad spying powers temporarily approved by Congress in Augustappear likely to lapse this week after a daylong game of chicken yesterdaybetween the White House and House Democrats produced no clear resolution.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2008/02/14/eavesdrop_law_may_lapse_amid_impasse/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Today%27s+paper+A+to+Z
-
Don't supersede voters
The Democrats' nominee should be chosen by party faithful, not a smallnumber of elite delegates.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-delegates14feb14,0,4802657.story?track=rss
-
Obama Extends Delegate Lead
(AP) Sen. Barack Obama extended his lead in the delegate race Wednesday,thanks to a few new endorsements and more complete results from Tuesday'sprimaries.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/13/ap/politics/main3829017.shtml
-
Republicans Focus On McCain Atop Ticket
Congressional Republicans Grapple With Idea Of McCain At Top Of Ticket
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/13/ap/politics/main3829008.shtml
-
=
Pew Research center
http://pewresearch.org/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-
Economic Discontent Deepens As Inflation Concerns Rise
Public views of the U.S. economy, already quite negative, have plummetedsince January. Just 17% currently rate the nation's economy as excellent orgood, down from 26% last month. Read moreCampaign Messages
-
Voter Reaction: Not Ready to Lead vs. Hard to Like
While Democrats and independents who lean Democratic believe Clinton isprepared to lead, Obama has a clear lead on three positive campaign themes:change, inspiration, and honesty.
-
Media Messages: Great Expectations
The presidential campaign again dominated news coverage but the journalisticnarratives were not really the ones for which any of the remainingcandidates were probably hoping.
-
Web Worries Online Shopping Convenient but Risky
Two-thirds (66%) of online Americans have purchased a product online, butmany worry about the safety of financial and personal data.
-
Making Tracks on the Web
Many Americans are jumping into the participatory Web without consideringall the privacy implications.
-
The Daily Number - 16% - Don't Be My Valentine
Only a tiny percentage (16%) of single American adults say they are activelyseeking a romantic partner. Some 55% of singles report no active interest inseeking a romantic partner. Check back every weekday for another number inthe news. Read more
-
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
FLORIDA DIGEST February 14, 2008
**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.
=
Miami: Winter Party Youth Event
-
It is officially time to begin the process of inviting youth to the 2008Winter Party Youth Event - Hollywood Nights: You are the Star! The event isscheduled for Saturday February 23rd from 6pm to 9pm at City of Miami -Legions Park. Admission to the event is $5 (at the door); dressrequirement - totally casual. Additionally, the event will be supervisedwith 15 volunteers. South Florida LGBTQ youth and their allies (ages 13 to20) will be the stars of this red carpet event! Dance to the music of DJAngel Infiniti, enjoy great food, strut your stuff in the lip synch contest,and learn about LGBTQ happenings in your community. The National Gay andLesbian Task Force's 2008 Winter Party FestivalSM runs from Wednesday,February 27, to Monday, March 3. All net proceeds benefit the LGBTQcommunity.
Please forward this e-blast to individuals involved in with LGBTQ Youth.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email orcall me cell 954.540.6857.
Warmest Regards,
Dr. Tony Bright
=
2008 Stars of the Rainbow Gala &
Celebration Ticket Information
The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida (GLCC) is proud toannounce the Stars of the Rainbow Crystal Ball Gala & Celebration. Thisannual and much anticipated Stars of the Rainbow event, formally recognizesremarkable individuals and organizations who contribute to the Greater FortLauderdale LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community. Stars ofthe Rainbow will be held at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort, 3030 HolidayDrive in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, February 17, 2008. The event issignificant, as 2008 marks the GLCC's 15th anniversary of providing criticalprograms and services to the LGBT community. The "Crystal Ball Gala &Celebration" theme recognizes the GLCC's 15-year anniversary.
Tickets are available for $125 at the Gala level (6pm-10pm) or $195 at theVIP level (5pm-10pm). Complimentary valet parking is included.
=
ARTEXPLOSION VISUAL ART EXHIBIT OPENS AT ARTSERVE
ArtsUnited's ArtExplosion Visual Art Exhibition is on display in theJM Family Enterprises Gallery at ArtServe from February 11 through 29, 2008.
A record 85 artists submitted 240 pieces of art work for this juried, mixedmedia exhibit. A reception to meet the artists and view the work will beheld on Saturday, February 16th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The gallery is locatedat 1350 East Sunrise Blvd in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Guests at the Artists Reception will be treated to vocal and musicalperformance, short films, dramatic readings. Published authors will be onhand to read from and sign copies of their books. The public is welcome andencouraged to attend this special night. Admission is only $5, andrefreshments will be served. Admission to the exhibit at other times isfree.
The visual art exhibit and reception are sponsored by ArtServe,Georgie's Alibi and Stork's Bakery Coffee Cafe. This exhibit is thecenterpiece and ArtsUnited's two week gay and lesbian arts festivalArtExplosion 2008. ArtExplosion 2008 is made possible through the generoussupport of Tylenol PM, Comcast, AutoNation, Pride of Greater FortLauderdale, BankAtlantic Foundation, Createabilities and Pride SouthFlorida. Funding is also provided in part by the Broward County Board ofCounty Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council. TheExpress newspaper and 411 magazine are the exclusive media sponsors and TheAtlantic Resort & Spa is the official hotel of ArtExplosion 2008.
=
From Adriane Reesey - Candidate for Broward Supervisor of Elections
-
I LOVE A PARADE!!!
Especially when I am riding a wonderful horse named "Brisco" in the 71st
Annual Orange Blossom Parade in Davie!!!
Saturday February 23rd @ 8:30am
News release:
www.votereesey2008.com
ADRIANE REESEY RIDES "BRISCO" in the 71st Annual Orange Blossom Parade inDavie
Saturday February 23rd - 8:30am
The Town of Davie is Sponsoring the 71st Annual Orange Blossom Parade onFebruary 23, 2008. Adriane will actually be riding "Brisco" a wonderfulDemocratic horse in the parade! There will also be a booth, and plenty ofactivities for everyone. Please come join Adriane and walk with her in theparade!!!!
You may call the Town of Davie for more information on the event at954-797-1153.
=
ArtExplosion 2008 is in high gear, and there are programs to suit everytaste! Check the website www.artexplosiononline.org for a complete listingand share this information with your email lists. We are expecting a bigaudience on Saturday for the Artist Reception, so you may want to park inHoliday Park's lot just west of ArtServe on Sunrise and walk the one blockto the gallery.
The finale is going to be spectacular! If you have not purchasedtickets, you need to do so now. Here's the line up that is sure to have youand your friends entertained:
The finale on Saturday, February 23rd is a night of sketch comedy in thegrand tradition of Saturday Night Live, featuring The Gay Mafia, hosted bydrag magician Cashetta and with musical guest Lisp and Havana. Tickets forthe ArtExplosion Finale featuring The Gay Mafia are $30 or $45 and availableonline at www.browardcenter.org or by calling 954 462-0222.
Chuck Williams
President
ArtsUnited, Inc.
954-530-2723
=
Broward: 2008 Dolphin Democrats Executive Officers
Justin Flippen, President - Adriane Reesey, Vice President
Bill Vayens, Treasurer - Waymon Hudson, Secretary
2008 Dolphin Democrats Board Directors
Ted Adcock, Michael Albetta, Bob Bernhardt, Julie Bruno, Ronald Catena, Edie Hambright, Mark LaFontaine
Ron Mills, Dick Rogers, Tom Runyan, Adam Sanders, Gloria Stien, Barbara Stuart
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
=
Miami: Winter Party Youth Event
-
It is officially time to begin the process of inviting youth to the 2008Winter Party Youth Event - Hollywood Nights: You are the Star! The event isscheduled for Saturday February 23rd from 6pm to 9pm at City of Miami -Legions Park. Admission to the event is $5 (at the door); dressrequirement - totally casual. Additionally, the event will be supervisedwith 15 volunteers. South Florida LGBTQ youth and their allies (ages 13 to20) will be the stars of this red carpet event! Dance to the music of DJAngel Infiniti, enjoy great food, strut your stuff in the lip synch contest,and learn about LGBTQ happenings in your community. The National Gay andLesbian Task Force's 2008 Winter Party FestivalSM runs from Wednesday,February 27, to Monday, March 3. All net proceeds benefit the LGBTQcommunity.
Please forward this e-blast to individuals involved in with LGBTQ Youth.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email orcall me cell 954.540.6857.
Warmest Regards,
Dr. Tony Bright
=
2008 Stars of the Rainbow Gala &
Celebration Ticket Information
The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida (GLCC) is proud toannounce the Stars of the Rainbow Crystal Ball Gala & Celebration. Thisannual and much anticipated Stars of the Rainbow event, formally recognizesremarkable individuals and organizations who contribute to the Greater FortLauderdale LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community. Stars ofthe Rainbow will be held at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort, 3030 HolidayDrive in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, February 17, 2008. The event issignificant, as 2008 marks the GLCC's 15th anniversary of providing criticalprograms and services to the LGBT community. The "Crystal Ball Gala &Celebration" theme recognizes the GLCC's 15-year anniversary.
Tickets are available for $125 at the Gala level (6pm-10pm) or $195 at theVIP level (5pm-10pm). Complimentary valet parking is included.
=
ARTEXPLOSION VISUAL ART EXHIBIT OPENS AT ARTSERVE
ArtsUnited's ArtExplosion Visual Art Exhibition is on display in theJM Family Enterprises Gallery at ArtServe from February 11 through 29, 2008.
A record 85 artists submitted 240 pieces of art work for this juried, mixedmedia exhibit. A reception to meet the artists and view the work will beheld on Saturday, February 16th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The gallery is locatedat 1350 East Sunrise Blvd in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Guests at the Artists Reception will be treated to vocal and musicalperformance, short films, dramatic readings. Published authors will be onhand to read from and sign copies of their books. The public is welcome andencouraged to attend this special night. Admission is only $5, andrefreshments will be served. Admission to the exhibit at other times isfree.
The visual art exhibit and reception are sponsored by ArtServe,Georgie's Alibi and Stork's Bakery Coffee Cafe. This exhibit is thecenterpiece and ArtsUnited's two week gay and lesbian arts festivalArtExplosion 2008. ArtExplosion 2008 is made possible through the generoussupport of Tylenol PM, Comcast, AutoNation, Pride of Greater FortLauderdale, BankAtlantic Foundation, Createabilities and Pride SouthFlorida. Funding is also provided in part by the Broward County Board ofCounty Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council. TheExpress newspaper and 411 magazine are the exclusive media sponsors and TheAtlantic Resort & Spa is the official hotel of ArtExplosion 2008.
=
From Adriane Reesey - Candidate for Broward Supervisor of Elections
-
I LOVE A PARADE!!!
Especially when I am riding a wonderful horse named "Brisco" in the 71st
Annual Orange Blossom Parade in Davie!!!
Saturday February 23rd @ 8:30am
News release:
www.votereesey2008.com
ADRIANE REESEY RIDES "BRISCO" in the 71st Annual Orange Blossom Parade inDavie
Saturday February 23rd - 8:30am
The Town of Davie is Sponsoring the 71st Annual Orange Blossom Parade onFebruary 23, 2008. Adriane will actually be riding "Brisco" a wonderfulDemocratic horse in the parade! There will also be a booth, and plenty ofactivities for everyone. Please come join Adriane and walk with her in theparade!!!!
You may call the Town of Davie for more information on the event at954-797-1153.
=
ArtExplosion 2008 is in high gear, and there are programs to suit everytaste! Check the website www.artexplosiononline.org for a complete listingand share this information with your email lists. We are expecting a bigaudience on Saturday for the Artist Reception, so you may want to park inHoliday Park's lot just west of ArtServe on Sunrise and walk the one blockto the gallery.
The finale is going to be spectacular! If you have not purchasedtickets, you need to do so now. Here's the line up that is sure to have youand your friends entertained:
The finale on Saturday, February 23rd is a night of sketch comedy in thegrand tradition of Saturday Night Live, featuring The Gay Mafia, hosted bydrag magician Cashetta and with musical guest Lisp and Havana. Tickets forthe ArtExplosion Finale featuring The Gay Mafia are $30 or $45 and availableonline at www.browardcenter.org or by calling 954 462-0222.
Chuck Williams
President
ArtsUnited, Inc.
954-530-2723
=
Broward: 2008 Dolphin Democrats Executive Officers
Justin Flippen, President - Adriane Reesey, Vice President
Bill Vayens, Treasurer - Waymon Hudson, Secretary
2008 Dolphin Democrats Board Directors
Ted Adcock, Michael Albetta, Bob Bernhardt, Julie Bruno, Ronald Catena, Edie Hambright, Mark LaFontaine
Ron Mills, Dick Rogers, Tom Runyan, Adam Sanders, Gloria Stien, Barbara Stuart
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
GLBT DIGEST February 14, 2008
**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.
==
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Love In The Air From Bondi to Bangkok to Beijing
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australians seeking love on Valentine's Day speed-datedin deckchairs on Bondi Beach, while Japanese trekked through snow in searchof romance and Filipinos sang syrupy ballards.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/news/news-valentine.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=gay&st=nyt
&oref=slogin
-
Bomb in Syria Kills Militant Sought as Terrorist
BEIRUT, Lebanon - A top Hezbollah commander long sought by the United Statesfor his role in terrorist attacks that killed hundreds of Americans in the1980s, died Tuesday night in Damascus, Syria, when a bomb detonated underthe vehicle he was in, Syrian officials said.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/world/middleeast/14syria.html?scp=3&sq=gay&st=
nyt
-
2 Sue to Void Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
DENVER - A lesbian couple from nearby Englewood are seeking to overturnColorado's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, in what is thought to bethe first challenge to the 2006 ballot initiative that established it.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/us/14gay.html?scp=5&sq=gay&st=nyt
-
Orthodox Gays In Israel Find Support In Web Site
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An underground movement of gay Orthodox Jews in Israelhas created a website to help homosexuals cope with living in a strict,religious community that is often hostile to their lifestyle.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/technology/tech-israel-religion-gays.html?scp=6&s
q=gay&st=nyt
-
Senate Ethics Committee Admonishes Larry Craig
WASHINGTON - Senator Larry E. Craig was admonished by his colleagues onWednesday for conduct that reflected poorly on the Senate as the result ofhis arrest and guilty plea last summer in an undercover sex sting in a men'sbathroom at the Minneapolis airport.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/washington/14craig.html?scp=7&sq=gay&st=nyt
-
=
Washington Post
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Browns QB Brady Quinn Denies Altercation
CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn denied that he wasinvolved in an altercation on New Year's Day in which a man claimed on anemergency phone call that Quinn made a slur at him. On a 911 call earlyJan. 1, Seth Harris told Columbus police that Quinn was with a group at LaFogata Grill and that they were insulting gays outside the restaurant.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021302865.
html
-
=
Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Valentine's Day, marriage and politics Residents tire of public policiesA group of social conservatives, seeking social conservatives, is blowingFlorida same-sex couples a raspberry instead of a kiss for Valentine's Day.
After a stuttering three-year effort, the dealers of direct democracy havecollected signatures needed to prompt a statewide citizen's vote. They hopea constituent initiative will chisel into our state's constitution words notcarved into the stone tablets - language to specifically define marriage asthe exclusive union of one man and one woman. Their gesture is a departurefrom traditional holiday activities where children are encouraged to delivervalentines to classmates universally, without regard to gender.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-forum14plakassbfeb14,0,372903.story
-
=
Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Rally to protest attacks on gays in Jamaica
South Florida religious leaders and others plan to rally at the JamaicanConsulate in downtown Miami Thursday in an effort to draw attention torecent attacks against gays, lesbians and transgender individuals on theCaribbean island.
http://www.miamiherald.com/466/story/419135.html
-
Zoo show explores animals' sex lives
Metrozoo's 'Sex and the Animals' show describes the ins and outs of naturalintimacy. Flamingo voyeurism. Tiger birth control. Frog three-ways andpanda porn. Everything was on the table -- more accurately, on a videoprojector -- at Miami Metrozoo's Sex and the Animals event, a Valentine'sDay tradition.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/west_kendall/story/418581.html
-
Former Heat star Hardaway apologizes again
Former Miami Heat player Tim Hardaway, who believes some fans are stillangry at him for making anti-gay comments, apologized again for the commentshe made during an interview with 790 The Ticket last year.
http://www.miamiherald.com/593/story/418674.html
=
Palm Beach Post
by Donald Cavanaugh
Opposing amendment fine, but anti-gay laws no better
I was saddened by The Post's editorial "Same ol' same-sex ban" with thesubhead "No need to amend Florida's Constitution" (Feb. 6). It was as ifThe Post were endorsing legislated second-class citizenship for the state'sgay residents - as long as the bigotry is not enshrined in the constitution.
Where is the outrage that in the 21st century, 41 states and the federalgovernment have the equivalent of Jim Crow laws against an entire class ofcitizens because of who we are and whom we love? Where is the horror thatour citizenry not only has stood by while "they came for the homosexuals,but I wasn't a homosexual so I didn't say anything," (to paraphrase MartinNiemöller) but has even encouraged our legislatures to discriminate againstus? Who is next?
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2008/02/12/a21a_edle
tters_0212.html
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=
Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Retired Kolbe backs McCain for president
Presumptive nominee's record sparks debate among activists
Former Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.), who is gay, voiced his support for thepresidential candidacy of Sen. John McCain in an interview with the Bladethis week.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=16584
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Oxnard student declared brain dead
An Oxnard junior high student who was shot in the head by a classmateearlier this week was declared brain dead Wednesday, and the 14-year-oldmale suspect now faces a first-degree murder charge, authorities said.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-oxnard14feb14,1,955781
.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
-
Church Split Over Gay Bishop Invites Gays To Attend
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A bishop came to Bakersfield to talk about thedivision of the Episcopal Church over the appointment of a gay bishop. InDecember 2007, numerous churches within the San Joaquin Archdiocese voted toleave the national church after a gay bishop was appointed.
http://www.turnto23.com/news/15292562/detail.html?rss=bak&psp=news
-
Capitol Hill sees spike in malicious harassment attacks
"Humiliating." "Embarrassing." "Terrifying." That's how a transgender womandescribed being accosted by a man who she says called her names andthreatened her as she walked down a Capitol Hill street in the middle of theday.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004180221_webgays13m.html
-
Know thy anti-gay Florida residents
Know Thy Neighbor, an organization that wants to "protect marriage for ALLfamilies" in Florida, has published a list of the names of people who signedthe petition to get the gay marriage ban on the Florida ballot in November.
There are over 92,000 names, which is pretty scary. Florida4Marriage, theorganizers behind getting the signatures, also have a list of the prominentendorsers on their site. It's chock full of lawmakers and ministers. Checkout the list, as there are some stories of potential fraud.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/blog/index.cfm?type=blog&start=2/8/08&end=2/15/08#
16577
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Reasons why I don't like "marriage equality"
Evan Wolfson has a letter up about this year's Freedom to Marry Week andFreedom to Marry Day telling everyone, for the love of Christ, stop saying"gay marriage."
http://www.bilerico.com/2008/02/reasons_why_i_dont_like_marriage_equalit.php
-
=
National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-
Poway Again Wins Free Speech Decision Over Anti-Gay T-Shirt
A federal judge ruled - again - that Poway school officials did not violatethe free speech rights of a student whom they pulled from class for wearinga T-shirt with an anti-gay slogan. The decision Tuesday by U.S. DistrictJudge John Houston is the latest win for school officials in a long-runninglegal battle with students Tyler Chase Harper and his sister, Kelsie.
-
One Love?
Maxine Clarke looks at the challenges of being queer in Jamaica. The firstin a series of articles on GLBT life around the world. Jamaica. Even thesweet, cool sound of the island rolls easily off your tongue like icedcoconut. What an idyllic place to visit. Twenty-four hour party peoplereggae-dancing long into the night. Short-shorted, coconut-oiled beach boysand beautiful, brown, bikinied babes playing cricket on the beach andserving pina coladas from sundown to sunrise in a rum-soaked ganja haze. Allbeautiful smiles and laid-back, open-hearted friendliness. No worriesrastaman, right?
-
Poway Again Wins Free Speech Decision Over Anti-Gay T-Shirt
A federal judge ruled - again - that Poway school officials did not violatethe free speech rights of a student whom they pulled from class for wearinga T-shirt with an anti-gay slogan. The decision Tuesday by U.S. DistrictJudge John Houston is the latest winfor school officials in a long-running legal battle with students TylerChase Harper and his sister, Kelsie.
-
Anna Nicole's Bodyguard Takes Aim At Larry Birkhead
Last week marked the first anniversary of the death of Anna Nicole Smith.Though the former Playboy playmate died in Hollywood, Florida at the age of39, the interest surrounding her hasn't. Now, in a new interview, Anna'sbodyguard, Big Moe takes aim at Dannielynn's father, Larry Birkhead.
-
=
The Advocate
http://advocate.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-
Bullied Student Shot at California Junior High School
A 15-year-old who boy was shot and wounded in an Oxnard, Calif., junior highschool computer lab Tuesday was declared brain-dead on Wednesday at 2:30p.m., according to the Associated Press. The Oxnard medical examiner saidLawrence King was declared brain-dead by two neurosurgeons and is clinicallydead but remains on a ventilator for possible organ donation.
http://advocate.com/news_detail_ektid52197.asp
-
Federal Appeals Court Overturns Texas Sex Toys Ban
A federal appeals court has overturned a Texas statute outlawing sex toysales, essentially leaving Alabama as the only state with such a ban. Thefifth U.S. circuit court of appeals ruled that the Texas law making itillegal to sell or promote obscene devices, punishable by up to two years injail, violated the Constitution's Fourteenth Amendment on the right toprivacy.
http://advocate.com/news_detail_ektid52203.asp
-
Obama Partly Blames Clinton, McCain for Weak US Economy
Hillary Rodham Clinton, struggling to stop the momentum of new Democraticpresidential front-runner Barack Obama, is testing a line of criticism thataims to portray him as a smooth talker who is short on details. The formerfirst lady, considered the overwhelming Democratic favorite just a few weeksago, has now lost eight straight contests with her defeats this weeks inVirginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
http://advocate.com/news_detail_ektid52211.asp
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Federal Court Rules Against Homophobic T-Shirt
A federal judge ruled that officials from the Poway school district near SanDiego did not violate the First Amendment rights of a student they punishedfor wearing a homophobic T-shirt to class. Tyler Chase Harper sued theschool district in 2004, arguing that his rights were violated when he wasremoved from class for wearing the antigay shirt on the Day of Silence,which is intended to promote tolerance of gays and lesbians. The shirt read"I Will Not Accept What God Has Condemned" on one side and "Homosexuality IsShameful, Romans 1:27" on the other side.
http://advocate.com/news_detail_ektid52202.asp
-
=
Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-
The state attorney general's office has issued a nonbinding opinion that thedecision by the Moscow City Council in north-central Idaho to extenddomestic partner benefits to city employees violates the Idaho Constitution.
Sen. Russ Fulcher, R-Meridian, requested the opinion soon after Moscowapproved extending the benefits in December.
"I would just like to see them follow what the voters of the state of Idahosaid when they passed the marriage amendment," Fulcher told the IdahoStatesman.
-
Rhode Island:
Like many people diagnosed with a serious illness, Susan Heroux spent a lotof sleepless nights.
It wasn't the fear of her own mortality that kept her awake - though therewas that - it was the nagging worry of what would happen to her wife, StaceyHeroux, and their 12-year-old daughter, Lena, should her congestive heartfailure worsen.
Would Stacey be allowed to take a leave of absence from her job to care forher? And worse, would her wife be permitted to make her funeral arrangementsshould it come to that?
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Colombia: Norberto Salamanca might not be a gay but he's certainly seen hisshare of same-sex couples come through his office doors to request hisservices.
Norberto is a notary public in a country that relies on notary offices for awide assortment of legal agreements and Notary Office 76 - which heoversees - happens to be in the heart of the Chapinero neighborhood which isgay central in Bogota.
It's been a year since Colombia's Constitutional Court ruled "that gaycouples in long-term relationships should have the same rights to sharedassets as heterosexual couples" (AP, Feb. 8, 2007).
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Patricia Nell Warren:
As I said in my recent post "Gender, Gay Marriage and Galileo" -- we have toget past the mental obstacle that marriage is for specifed categories ofpeople. We have to stop tying it to notions of gender or chromosomes orsexual orientation. The noisy political arguments always develop around howto define these categories....which is how the religious right wind upwanting to deny marriage rights to the "gay" category. It's also how LGBTpeople wind up arguing whether it should be called "gay marriage" or"same-gender marriage." Instead, we could be talking about "universalmarriage." This is a far more human, and user-friendly idea, with a clearprecedent in American history.
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In an hour-long call-in show called "Vox Pop" on WAMC Northeast Public Radioin Albany, Governor Spitzer talks about marriage equality. You can hear this
three-minute discussion with "Vox Pop" host Alan Chartock beginning at 2'45"on the audio clip. The Governor share his views in response to a callernamed Phil who identified himself as man in his upper 70's who has been in arelationship for over twenty years. He said about his partner and himself:"We Pay taxes, we vote, we pay our dues to our community." His question forthe Governor: "Do you have any sense that within our lifetimes the statewill recognize our relationship so that we can benefit from the privilegesand responsibilities that other married couples enjoy in New York State?"
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They were playing in a movie, but marchers who gathered in San Franciscolast week to recreate a 1970s gay rights protest were not just acting.
Hundreds of people came to the Castro district, long favored by homosexualresidents, to be extras in a movie that stars actor Sean Penn as HarveyMilk, the country's first prominent openly gay leader, who won election tothe San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977.
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This year's state budget is a billion dollars short, and the number isgrowing. Fortunately, our legislators are taking bold and decisive action tostaunch the considerable bleeding. They're proposing a ban on gay marriage.
That's right. On Monday, top Republican leaders in the Arizona House andSenate introduced a bill to put a constitutional amendment on the Novemberballot, defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
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=
Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-
Jamaican activist seeks asylum in Canada
A prominent member of gay rights group J-FLAG, Jamaica's Forum for Lesbians,All-Sexuals and Gays, is claiming refugee status in Canada. Gareth Henry,who spoke at Pride London last year about the plight of lesbian and gaypeople in his country, told CBC News that 13 of his friends have been killedin the last four years. On this day last year Mr Henry was one of three gaymen stoned by a huge mob in a homophobic attack.
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Crackdown on gays proposed in Bahrain
MPs in the Gulf state of Bahrain are calling for a range of measures to betaken against gay people in the country, including deporting foreignerssuspected of being gay. The foreign affairs, defence and national securitycommittee has backed proposals to tighten immigration checks to stop foreigngay people entering the country. "The Interior Ministry has told us that italready bans suspected homosexuals as they try entering the country fromBahrain International Airport," committee secretary Jalal Fairooz told GulfDaily News.
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Gay groups' observer status at UN blocked
LGBT rights groups from Spain, the Netherlands and Brazil have been refusedobserver status that allows Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) toparticipate in United Nations business. The UN Committee on NGOs was tied,with Columbia, Dominica, Israel, Peru, Romania, UK and the USA voting yesand Burundi, China, Egypt, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia and Sudan voting no.Angola, Guinea, India and Turkey abstained while Cuba was not present. TheUK representative on the committee said they were discriminating againstLGBT NGO applicants.
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England vs Scotland in gay football match
The first LGBT football team north of the border are to take on London'sLeftfooters FC this Sunday, the first time gay teams from England andScotland have clashed.HotScots FC was founded last year with the aim oforganising socials and regular kick-abouts and to provide a social outletfor LGBT people who wish to watch and participate in football with otherlike-minded people. the club now boasts more than 75 members and holdkickabouts every Thursday and Sunday.
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Ugandan bishops will boycott Lambeth conference
The Archbishop of Uganda said today that bishops from the country will notbe attending the Lambeth conference later this year.The conference ofAnglican church leaders from across the world is held once a decade. The2008 gathering has been dominated by fights about the place of gay andlesbian people in the Anglican church. The Archbishop of Canterbury saidthat 70% of bishops had already accepted invitations to attend.
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Sex sting Senator "acted improperly"
The US Senate Ethics Committee has criticised Senator Larry Craig over inincident in an airport bathroom which led to him being arrested forcruising, but has decided to take no further action against him.The Senatorfrom Idaho, who married with three children, denies he is gay. He wasarrested on June 11th by an undercover police officer in a Minneapolisairport toilet.
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Irish gays picket parliament over marriage equality
A recently former pressure group will protest at the Irish parliament todayand present the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) with 1,000 messages demandingfull civil marriages for gay people, something the Irish government hasruled out as contrary to the country's constitution.Lesbian Gay BisexualTransgendered (LGBT) Noise is highlighting the lack of rights gay coupleshave in relation to care of children, inheritance, pensions and wills.
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Moscow Pride ban challenged in human rights court
The organisers of the banned Moscow Pride have sent an application to theEuropean Court of Human Rights claiming the ban breached their rights andseeking compensation of 1 million euros.
Documents were sent to the court in Strasbourg today. Last year Moscow Pride organisers, MEPs and prominent British gay activists were among 31 peoplearrested as they attempted to deliver a letter of protest about the ban tothe mayor's office.
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Gay-friendly US cities are "miserable"
According to a new survey by Forbes Magazine, some of the cities mostpopular with American gays are also among 'the most miserable' places tolive in the US. It used the economic indicator most often referred to asthe 'Misery Index,' which adds the unemployment rate to inflation, alongwith the 'Misery Score' which measures the sum of corporate, personal,employer and sales taxes as well as factors including commute times,weather, crime and the number of toxic waste dumps in proximity to a givencity.
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Same-sex couples to stage St Valentine's Day protest
Getting married has been a goal for long-time partners Robin Tyler and DianeOlson for each of the past six Valentine's Days, and this year will be nodifferent. They'll be turned away, of course, since their home state ofCalifornia doesn't allow same-sex marriages, but Tyler hardly seemsheartbroken by that inevitability."It's all about raising awareness," saysthe Los Angeles-based activist, comedienne and producer.
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Rainbow flag flies over police headquarters
A police force named as the best employer for gay, lesbian and bisexualpeople in Scotland is celebrating LGBT History Month by flying the rainbowflag.The public display of support at Lothian and Borders Policeheadquarters in Edinburgh has been welcomed by gay rights organisationStonewall, who compile the list of top employers. However, not everyone waspleased.
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Census question is about sexuality not sex
A proposal to include a question on sexuality in the next UK-wide census hasbeen backed by trade unionists and the Green party, but caused confusionamong some people.A senior researcher who is an expert on LGBT issues toldPinkNews.co.uk that any question must focus on sexual identity and notorientation.The academic, who asked not to be named, explained: "Some haveput forward the argument that such a question involved someone's privatesexual behaviour.
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Copenhagen Pride threatened by financial crisis
The city authorities in the Danish capital Copenhagen have turned down afunding application from gay Pride organisers, which could threaten theweek-long event. "We need to find a more suitable solution, a spokesman forthe mayor's office told leading Danish LGBT media outlet PrideRadio.dk. "Wehad to turn down the Copenhagen Pride 08 application due to new procedures.It is important that no-one sees this rejection as discrimination towardsthe Danish gay community."
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Heavy metal star encourages fans to come out
The lead singer of legendary British heavy metal band Judas Priest hasspoken about being a role model to his gay fans.Rob Halford came out in 1998in an interview with MTV. The band, nicknamed "Metal Gods," have sold morethan 35 million albums. Halford left Judas Priest in 1993 after 20 years,but rejoined in 2003. He said coming out was like "freeing yourself" andsaid that his action had helped other metal fans to do the same.
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Germany criticised by EU over gay discrimination
The European Union commissioner for employment, social affairs and equal opportunities has started an infringement procedures against Germany andeleven other member states for failing to implement EU equal opportunitieslegislation correctly. Vladimir Spidla said that the German government hasfailed to bring provisions on equal treatment of gay and lesbianpartnerships in line with EU directives. He said that the partnershipregistration scheme available to German same-sex couples do not representequal rights.
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=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
==
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Love In The Air From Bondi to Bangkok to Beijing
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australians seeking love on Valentine's Day speed-datedin deckchairs on Bondi Beach, while Japanese trekked through snow in searchof romance and Filipinos sang syrupy ballards.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/news/news-valentine.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=gay&st=nyt
&oref=slogin
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Bomb in Syria Kills Militant Sought as Terrorist
BEIRUT, Lebanon - A top Hezbollah commander long sought by the United Statesfor his role in terrorist attacks that killed hundreds of Americans in the1980s, died Tuesday night in Damascus, Syria, when a bomb detonated underthe vehicle he was in, Syrian officials said.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/world/middleeast/14syria.html?scp=3&sq=gay&st=
nyt
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2 Sue to Void Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
DENVER - A lesbian couple from nearby Englewood are seeking to overturnColorado's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, in what is thought to bethe first challenge to the 2006 ballot initiative that established it.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/us/14gay.html?scp=5&sq=gay&st=nyt
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Orthodox Gays In Israel Find Support In Web Site
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An underground movement of gay Orthodox Jews in Israelhas created a website to help homosexuals cope with living in a strict,religious community that is often hostile to their lifestyle.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/technology/tech-israel-religion-gays.html?scp=6&s
q=gay&st=nyt
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Senate Ethics Committee Admonishes Larry Craig
WASHINGTON - Senator Larry E. Craig was admonished by his colleagues onWednesday for conduct that reflected poorly on the Senate as the result ofhis arrest and guilty plea last summer in an undercover sex sting in a men'sbathroom at the Minneapolis airport.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/washington/14craig.html?scp=7&sq=gay&st=nyt
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=
Washington Post
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Browns QB Brady Quinn Denies Altercation
CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn denied that he wasinvolved in an altercation on New Year's Day in which a man claimed on anemergency phone call that Quinn made a slur at him. On a 911 call earlyJan. 1, Seth Harris told Columbus police that Quinn was with a group at LaFogata Grill and that they were insulting gays outside the restaurant.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021302865.
html
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=
Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Valentine's Day, marriage and politics Residents tire of public policiesA group of social conservatives, seeking social conservatives, is blowingFlorida same-sex couples a raspberry instead of a kiss for Valentine's Day.
After a stuttering three-year effort, the dealers of direct democracy havecollected signatures needed to prompt a statewide citizen's vote. They hopea constituent initiative will chisel into our state's constitution words notcarved into the stone tablets - language to specifically define marriage asthe exclusive union of one man and one woman. Their gesture is a departurefrom traditional holiday activities where children are encouraged to delivervalentines to classmates universally, without regard to gender.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-forum14plakassbfeb14,0,372903.story
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=
Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Rally to protest attacks on gays in Jamaica
South Florida religious leaders and others plan to rally at the JamaicanConsulate in downtown Miami Thursday in an effort to draw attention torecent attacks against gays, lesbians and transgender individuals on theCaribbean island.
http://www.miamiherald.com/466/story/419135.html
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Zoo show explores animals' sex lives
Metrozoo's 'Sex and the Animals' show describes the ins and outs of naturalintimacy. Flamingo voyeurism. Tiger birth control. Frog three-ways andpanda porn. Everything was on the table -- more accurately, on a videoprojector -- at Miami Metrozoo's Sex and the Animals event, a Valentine'sDay tradition.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/west_kendall/story/418581.html
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Former Heat star Hardaway apologizes again
Former Miami Heat player Tim Hardaway, who believes some fans are stillangry at him for making anti-gay comments, apologized again for the commentshe made during an interview with 790 The Ticket last year.
http://www.miamiherald.com/593/story/418674.html
=
Palm Beach Post
by Donald Cavanaugh
Opposing amendment fine, but anti-gay laws no better
I was saddened by The Post's editorial "Same ol' same-sex ban" with thesubhead "No need to amend Florida's Constitution" (Feb. 6). It was as ifThe Post were endorsing legislated second-class citizenship for the state'sgay residents - as long as the bigotry is not enshrined in the constitution.
Where is the outrage that in the 21st century, 41 states and the federalgovernment have the equivalent of Jim Crow laws against an entire class ofcitizens because of who we are and whom we love? Where is the horror thatour citizenry not only has stood by while "they came for the homosexuals,but I wasn't a homosexual so I didn't say anything," (to paraphrase MartinNiemöller) but has even encouraged our legislatures to discriminate againstus? Who is next?
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2008/02/12/a21a_edle
tters_0212.html
-
=
Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Retired Kolbe backs McCain for president
Presumptive nominee's record sparks debate among activists
Former Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.), who is gay, voiced his support for thepresidential candidacy of Sen. John McCain in an interview with the Bladethis week.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=16584
-
Oxnard student declared brain dead
An Oxnard junior high student who was shot in the head by a classmateearlier this week was declared brain dead Wednesday, and the 14-year-oldmale suspect now faces a first-degree murder charge, authorities said.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-oxnard14feb14,1,955781
.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
-
Church Split Over Gay Bishop Invites Gays To Attend
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A bishop came to Bakersfield to talk about thedivision of the Episcopal Church over the appointment of a gay bishop. InDecember 2007, numerous churches within the San Joaquin Archdiocese voted toleave the national church after a gay bishop was appointed.
http://www.turnto23.com/news/15292562/detail.html?rss=bak&psp=news
-
Capitol Hill sees spike in malicious harassment attacks
"Humiliating." "Embarrassing." "Terrifying." That's how a transgender womandescribed being accosted by a man who she says called her names andthreatened her as she walked down a Capitol Hill street in the middle of theday.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004180221_webgays13m.html
-
Know thy anti-gay Florida residents
Know Thy Neighbor, an organization that wants to "protect marriage for ALLfamilies" in Florida, has published a list of the names of people who signedthe petition to get the gay marriage ban on the Florida ballot in November.
There are over 92,000 names, which is pretty scary. Florida4Marriage, theorganizers behind getting the signatures, also have a list of the prominentendorsers on their site. It's chock full of lawmakers and ministers. Checkout the list, as there are some stories of potential fraud.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/blog/index.cfm?type=blog&start=2/8/08&end=2/15/08#
16577
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Reasons why I don't like "marriage equality"
Evan Wolfson has a letter up about this year's Freedom to Marry Week andFreedom to Marry Day telling everyone, for the love of Christ, stop saying"gay marriage."
http://www.bilerico.com/2008/02/reasons_why_i_dont_like_marriage_equalit.php
-
=
National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-
Poway Again Wins Free Speech Decision Over Anti-Gay T-Shirt
A federal judge ruled - again - that Poway school officials did not violatethe free speech rights of a student whom they pulled from class for wearinga T-shirt with an anti-gay slogan. The decision Tuesday by U.S. DistrictJudge John Houston is the latest win for school officials in a long-runninglegal battle with students Tyler Chase Harper and his sister, Kelsie.
-
One Love?
Maxine Clarke looks at the challenges of being queer in Jamaica. The firstin a series of articles on GLBT life around the world. Jamaica. Even thesweet, cool sound of the island rolls easily off your tongue like icedcoconut. What an idyllic place to visit. Twenty-four hour party peoplereggae-dancing long into the night. Short-shorted, coconut-oiled beach boysand beautiful, brown, bikinied babes playing cricket on the beach andserving pina coladas from sundown to sunrise in a rum-soaked ganja haze. Allbeautiful smiles and laid-back, open-hearted friendliness. No worriesrastaman, right?
-
Poway Again Wins Free Speech Decision Over Anti-Gay T-Shirt
A federal judge ruled - again - that Poway school officials did not violatethe free speech rights of a student whom they pulled from class for wearinga T-shirt with an anti-gay slogan. The decision Tuesday by U.S. DistrictJudge John Houston is the latest winfor school officials in a long-running legal battle with students TylerChase Harper and his sister, Kelsie.
-
Anna Nicole's Bodyguard Takes Aim At Larry Birkhead
Last week marked the first anniversary of the death of Anna Nicole Smith.Though the former Playboy playmate died in Hollywood, Florida at the age of39, the interest surrounding her hasn't. Now, in a new interview, Anna'sbodyguard, Big Moe takes aim at Dannielynn's father, Larry Birkhead.
-
=
The Advocate
http://advocate.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-
Bullied Student Shot at California Junior High School
A 15-year-old who boy was shot and wounded in an Oxnard, Calif., junior highschool computer lab Tuesday was declared brain-dead on Wednesday at 2:30p.m., according to the Associated Press. The Oxnard medical examiner saidLawrence King was declared brain-dead by two neurosurgeons and is clinicallydead but remains on a ventilator for possible organ donation.
http://advocate.com/news_detail_ektid52197.asp
-
Federal Appeals Court Overturns Texas Sex Toys Ban
A federal appeals court has overturned a Texas statute outlawing sex toysales, essentially leaving Alabama as the only state with such a ban. Thefifth U.S. circuit court of appeals ruled that the Texas law making itillegal to sell or promote obscene devices, punishable by up to two years injail, violated the Constitution's Fourteenth Amendment on the right toprivacy.
http://advocate.com/news_detail_ektid52203.asp
-
Obama Partly Blames Clinton, McCain for Weak US Economy
Hillary Rodham Clinton, struggling to stop the momentum of new Democraticpresidential front-runner Barack Obama, is testing a line of criticism thataims to portray him as a smooth talker who is short on details. The formerfirst lady, considered the overwhelming Democratic favorite just a few weeksago, has now lost eight straight contests with her defeats this weeks inVirginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
http://advocate.com/news_detail_ektid52211.asp
-
Federal Court Rules Against Homophobic T-Shirt
A federal judge ruled that officials from the Poway school district near SanDiego did not violate the First Amendment rights of a student they punishedfor wearing a homophobic T-shirt to class. Tyler Chase Harper sued theschool district in 2004, arguing that his rights were violated when he wasremoved from class for wearing the antigay shirt on the Day of Silence,which is intended to promote tolerance of gays and lesbians. The shirt read"I Will Not Accept What God Has Condemned" on one side and "Homosexuality IsShameful, Romans 1:27" on the other side.
http://advocate.com/news_detail_ektid52202.asp
-
=
Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-
The state attorney general's office has issued a nonbinding opinion that thedecision by the Moscow City Council in north-central Idaho to extenddomestic partner benefits to city employees violates the Idaho Constitution.
Sen. Russ Fulcher, R-Meridian, requested the opinion soon after Moscowapproved extending the benefits in December.
"I would just like to see them follow what the voters of the state of Idahosaid when they passed the marriage amendment," Fulcher told the IdahoStatesman.
-
Rhode Island:
Like many people diagnosed with a serious illness, Susan Heroux spent a lotof sleepless nights.
It wasn't the fear of her own mortality that kept her awake - though therewas that - it was the nagging worry of what would happen to her wife, StaceyHeroux, and their 12-year-old daughter, Lena, should her congestive heartfailure worsen.
Would Stacey be allowed to take a leave of absence from her job to care forher? And worse, would her wife be permitted to make her funeral arrangementsshould it come to that?
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Colombia: Norberto Salamanca might not be a gay but he's certainly seen hisshare of same-sex couples come through his office doors to request hisservices.
Norberto is a notary public in a country that relies on notary offices for awide assortment of legal agreements and Notary Office 76 - which heoversees - happens to be in the heart of the Chapinero neighborhood which isgay central in Bogota.
It's been a year since Colombia's Constitutional Court ruled "that gaycouples in long-term relationships should have the same rights to sharedassets as heterosexual couples" (AP, Feb. 8, 2007).
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Patricia Nell Warren:
As I said in my recent post "Gender, Gay Marriage and Galileo" -- we have toget past the mental obstacle that marriage is for specifed categories ofpeople. We have to stop tying it to notions of gender or chromosomes orsexual orientation. The noisy political arguments always develop around howto define these categories....which is how the religious right wind upwanting to deny marriage rights to the "gay" category. It's also how LGBTpeople wind up arguing whether it should be called "gay marriage" or"same-gender marriage." Instead, we could be talking about "universalmarriage." This is a far more human, and user-friendly idea, with a clearprecedent in American history.
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In an hour-long call-in show called "Vox Pop" on WAMC Northeast Public Radioin Albany, Governor Spitzer talks about marriage equality. You can hear this
three-minute discussion with "Vox Pop" host Alan Chartock beginning at 2'45"on the audio clip. The Governor share his views in response to a callernamed Phil who identified himself as man in his upper 70's who has been in arelationship for over twenty years. He said about his partner and himself:"We Pay taxes, we vote, we pay our dues to our community." His question forthe Governor: "Do you have any sense that within our lifetimes the statewill recognize our relationship so that we can benefit from the privilegesand responsibilities that other married couples enjoy in New York State?"
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They were playing in a movie, but marchers who gathered in San Franciscolast week to recreate a 1970s gay rights protest were not just acting.
Hundreds of people came to the Castro district, long favored by homosexualresidents, to be extras in a movie that stars actor Sean Penn as HarveyMilk, the country's first prominent openly gay leader, who won election tothe San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977.
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This year's state budget is a billion dollars short, and the number isgrowing. Fortunately, our legislators are taking bold and decisive action tostaunch the considerable bleeding. They're proposing a ban on gay marriage.
That's right. On Monday, top Republican leaders in the Arizona House andSenate introduced a bill to put a constitutional amendment on the Novemberballot, defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Jamaican activist seeks asylum in Canada
A prominent member of gay rights group J-FLAG, Jamaica's Forum for Lesbians,All-Sexuals and Gays, is claiming refugee status in Canada. Gareth Henry,who spoke at Pride London last year about the plight of lesbian and gaypeople in his country, told CBC News that 13 of his friends have been killedin the last four years. On this day last year Mr Henry was one of three gaymen stoned by a huge mob in a homophobic attack.
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Crackdown on gays proposed in Bahrain
MPs in the Gulf state of Bahrain are calling for a range of measures to betaken against gay people in the country, including deporting foreignerssuspected of being gay. The foreign affairs, defence and national securitycommittee has backed proposals to tighten immigration checks to stop foreigngay people entering the country. "The Interior Ministry has told us that italready bans suspected homosexuals as they try entering the country fromBahrain International Airport," committee secretary Jalal Fairooz told GulfDaily News.
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Gay groups' observer status at UN blocked
LGBT rights groups from Spain, the Netherlands and Brazil have been refusedobserver status that allows Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) toparticipate in United Nations business. The UN Committee on NGOs was tied,with Columbia, Dominica, Israel, Peru, Romania, UK and the USA voting yesand Burundi, China, Egypt, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia and Sudan voting no.Angola, Guinea, India and Turkey abstained while Cuba was not present. TheUK representative on the committee said they were discriminating againstLGBT NGO applicants.
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England vs Scotland in gay football match
The first LGBT football team north of the border are to take on London'sLeftfooters FC this Sunday, the first time gay teams from England andScotland have clashed.HotScots FC was founded last year with the aim oforganising socials and regular kick-abouts and to provide a social outletfor LGBT people who wish to watch and participate in football with otherlike-minded people. the club now boasts more than 75 members and holdkickabouts every Thursday and Sunday.
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Ugandan bishops will boycott Lambeth conference
The Archbishop of Uganda said today that bishops from the country will notbe attending the Lambeth conference later this year.The conference ofAnglican church leaders from across the world is held once a decade. The2008 gathering has been dominated by fights about the place of gay andlesbian people in the Anglican church. The Archbishop of Canterbury saidthat 70% of bishops had already accepted invitations to attend.
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Sex sting Senator "acted improperly"
The US Senate Ethics Committee has criticised Senator Larry Craig over inincident in an airport bathroom which led to him being arrested forcruising, but has decided to take no further action against him.The Senatorfrom Idaho, who married with three children, denies he is gay. He wasarrested on June 11th by an undercover police officer in a Minneapolisairport toilet.
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Irish gays picket parliament over marriage equality
A recently former pressure group will protest at the Irish parliament todayand present the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) with 1,000 messages demandingfull civil marriages for gay people, something the Irish government hasruled out as contrary to the country's constitution.Lesbian Gay BisexualTransgendered (LGBT) Noise is highlighting the lack of rights gay coupleshave in relation to care of children, inheritance, pensions and wills.
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Moscow Pride ban challenged in human rights court
The organisers of the banned Moscow Pride have sent an application to theEuropean Court of Human Rights claiming the ban breached their rights andseeking compensation of 1 million euros.
Documents were sent to the court in Strasbourg today. Last year Moscow Pride organisers, MEPs and prominent British gay activists were among 31 peoplearrested as they attempted to deliver a letter of protest about the ban tothe mayor's office.
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Gay-friendly US cities are "miserable"
According to a new survey by Forbes Magazine, some of the cities mostpopular with American gays are also among 'the most miserable' places tolive in the US. It used the economic indicator most often referred to asthe 'Misery Index,' which adds the unemployment rate to inflation, alongwith the 'Misery Score' which measures the sum of corporate, personal,employer and sales taxes as well as factors including commute times,weather, crime and the number of toxic waste dumps in proximity to a givencity.
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Same-sex couples to stage St Valentine's Day protest
Getting married has been a goal for long-time partners Robin Tyler and DianeOlson for each of the past six Valentine's Days, and this year will be nodifferent. They'll be turned away, of course, since their home state ofCalifornia doesn't allow same-sex marriages, but Tyler hardly seemsheartbroken by that inevitability."It's all about raising awareness," saysthe Los Angeles-based activist, comedienne and producer.
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Rainbow flag flies over police headquarters
A police force named as the best employer for gay, lesbian and bisexualpeople in Scotland is celebrating LGBT History Month by flying the rainbowflag.The public display of support at Lothian and Borders Policeheadquarters in Edinburgh has been welcomed by gay rights organisationStonewall, who compile the list of top employers. However, not everyone waspleased.
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Census question is about sexuality not sex
A proposal to include a question on sexuality in the next UK-wide census hasbeen backed by trade unionists and the Green party, but caused confusionamong some people.A senior researcher who is an expert on LGBT issues toldPinkNews.co.uk that any question must focus on sexual identity and notorientation.The academic, who asked not to be named, explained: "Some haveput forward the argument that such a question involved someone's privatesexual behaviour.
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Copenhagen Pride threatened by financial crisis
The city authorities in the Danish capital Copenhagen have turned down afunding application from gay Pride organisers, which could threaten theweek-long event. "We need to find a more suitable solution, a spokesman forthe mayor's office told leading Danish LGBT media outlet PrideRadio.dk. "Wehad to turn down the Copenhagen Pride 08 application due to new procedures.It is important that no-one sees this rejection as discrimination towardsthe Danish gay community."
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Heavy metal star encourages fans to come out
The lead singer of legendary British heavy metal band Judas Priest hasspoken about being a role model to his gay fans.Rob Halford came out in 1998in an interview with MTV. The band, nicknamed "Metal Gods," have sold morethan 35 million albums. Halford left Judas Priest in 1993 after 20 years,but rejoined in 2003. He said coming out was like "freeing yourself" andsaid that his action had helped other metal fans to do the same.
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Germany criticised by EU over gay discrimination
The European Union commissioner for employment, social affairs and equal opportunities has started an infringement procedures against Germany andeleven other member states for failing to implement EU equal opportunitieslegislation correctly. Vladimir Spidla said that the German government hasfailed to bring provisions on equal treatment of gay and lesbianpartnerships in line with EU directives. He said that the partnershipregistration scheme available to German same-sex couples do not representequal rights.
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Wednesday, February 13, 2008
GLBT DIGEST February 13, 2008
**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.
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New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Ariz. Leaders Mull Gay Marriage Ban Anew
PHOENIX (AP) -- Republican lawmakers on Monday proposed asking voters in November to amend the Arizona Constitution to ban same-sex marriage in the state, which was the first to turn down such a measure.The proposal was backed by 16 of 30 state senators, and an identical proposal was introduced in the House. Both chambers would have to approve the measure in a vote for it to be included on the ballot.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Gay-Marriage-Arizona.html?_r=1&scp=2sq=gay&st=nyt&oref=slogin
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Washington Post
http://www.miamiherald.com/
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Evangelical Leader Bauer Endorses McCain
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Republican John McCain challenged the notion he isstruggling to rally conservative critics as he picked up the endorsementMonday of evangelical leader Gary Bauer. "We're doing fine. We're doingfine," McCain told reporters in Annapolis, dismissing the notion that lossesin two states on Saturday had hurt his campaign. McCain lost in Kansas andLouisiana on Saturday to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, although he wonnarrowly in Washington state. The Arizona senator is all but assured hisparty nod after rolling up huge numbers of delegates, 719, to the nationalconvention. Huckabee has 234.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/11/AR2008021100883.html
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Polls show some U.S. evangelicals vote Democrat
DALLAS (Reuters) - Exit polls during the U.S. presidential primaries inMissouri and Tennessee last week show the Democratic Party has some supportfrom white evangelicals, a group strongly associated with the RepublicanParty. Commissioned by Faith in Public Life, a non-partisan resourcecenter, and conducted by Zogby International during the primaries onFebruary 5, the surveys were the first to ask Democratic voters if they wereevangelical or born-again Christians. The findings reinforce other surveysshowing that Republicans still command most of the support of this votingbloc but by no means have a monopoly on its affections.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/11/AR2008021101488.html
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
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Gender identity rights on Broward agenda
Broward County will decide Tuesday whether to join a growing number ofcounties that ban discrimination against transgender residents. Stares fromstrangers. Remarks about how ''weird'' she looks. Even getting kicked out ofbars and restaurants. Nikki Hatch, who had surgery to become a woman lastOctober, has endured it all. But she worries about being accepted in a placecloser to home: her future condominium association.
http://www.miamiherald.com/548/story/415625.html
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Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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An interview with Hillary Clinton
Reiterates support for gay issues, knocks Obama over McClurkin flap
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Gay D.C. Council member endorses Clinton
Former Republican makes announcement at D.C. event
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Calif. Rep. Tom Lantos dies
Was a champion of human rights, Holocaust survivor
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Whitman-Walker layoffs draw employee complaints
Staffers say 'restructuring' caused disruption of client services
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365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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McCain Rejects Public Primary Funds
(Washington) Sen. John McCain, a passionate advocate of limits on campaignfinances, is turning down government matching funds for the primary to freehim to spend more money as he prepares for a general election contest.
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(Detroit) With attendees that included homeless youth, LGBT and straightelders, civil rights leader Julian Bond and New Hampshire Episcopal BishopGene Robinson, the National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Changecelebrated its 20th anniversary last weekend.
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Clinton Leads Superdelegates
(Washington) Hillary Rodham Clinton retains her lead among suddenly criticalDemocratic Party insiders even as Barack Obama builds up his delegate marginwith primary and caucus victories across the country, according to a surveyby The Associated Press.
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Detroit News - by Deb Price
Log Cabin Republicans win in Romney's defeat
"No, no, no," Mitt Romney supporters cried out at the Conservative PoliticalAction Conference as he announced he was ending his campaign for the GOPpresidential nomination. A short distance away, a different reaction couldbe heard at the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the gay Log CabinRepublicans: "We did it!" Romney had run a hard-right campaign. It was alosing strategy. Despite Romney's attacks on Sen. John McCain, primaryvoters picked the Goldilocks of the GOP presidential field:
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080211/OPINION03/802110309/1031
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National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Gay Adverts to be Displayed Across Britain
For the next two weeks people across the country will be confronted with apositive message about gay people from 600 billboards.The advertising spacein England, Scotland and Wales has been donated to gay equality organisationStonewall by Titan Outdoor Advertising Ltd.
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Data Shows Specialized Drug Addiction Treatment for the Gay Community is theWay
After years in the business, Lakeview Health Systems recognized a need forspecialized drug rehab and addiction treatment in the gay community andafter several months in operation, gone through much updating. By using themost innovative techniques in drug addiction treatment and alcoholism detoxand pairing them break-out sessions to help those dealing with internalissues and potential societal pressures of living an alternative lifestyle,the gay-rehab.com program is making new strides in drug addiction treatment.
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GLAAD Appoints Six New Members to National Board of Directors
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today announced theappointment of six new members to its 35-member board of directors at itswinter board meeting: Gary Bitner of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Carlos Carrerasof Los Angeles, Calif.; Leslie Donovan of Princeton, N.J.; Collin Sam ofPasadena, Calif.; Mike Schaefer of Seattle, Wash.; and Bill Stewart ofChicago, Ill. GLAAD is a national media advocacy organization dedicated topromoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representations ofpeople and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia anddiscrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
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Out4Immigration Supports National Freedom to Marry Week
The 11th annual Freedom to Marry Week (February 10-16) is here, and whilesome gay and lesbian Americans see this as a cause to celebrate how far theissue of gay marriage in the US has advanced, one sector of the communityhas good cause to say that domestic partnerships, civil unions and statemarriage laws are not enough.
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Weatherman in Trouble Over Homophobic Outburst
A popular television personality in Denmark is facing calls for hisresignation after he expressed disgust at the idea of two men being inlove.Peter Tanev, who presents weather reports on the national channel TV2,made his comments during the evening news.
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Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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After four months of public hearings, the The Vermont Commission on FamilyRecognition and Protection is ready to prepare a report for state lawmakers.The commission held its final public hearing in Williston on Monday night.From Johnson to Williston and eight stops in between the message was almostalways the same. A vast majority of the Vermonters who attended the publichearings say civil unions fall far short of the full protections ofmarriage, and create a system that is separate but not quite equal.
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The gay marriage war is raging once again on Utah's Capitol Hill. This timethe battle is being waged over Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker's newDomestic Partnership Registry. Sen. Chris Buttars doesn't like the registrybecause it recognizes domestic partnerships other than marriage. His SenateBill 267 would prohibit city and county officials from creating suchregistries.
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To keep up with the times, Arizona should support equal rights among all ofits residents by extending marriage benefits to same-sex couples, a statesenator said Monday. This is not stepping on anybody," said Sen. PaulaAboud, D-Tucson. "This is a civil rights issue."
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Israel: The attorney general did well in not passing along the hot potato ofsame-sex couple adoption to the High Court of Justice again. Had he chosenthis familiar and safe method, he would have spared himself a great deal ofcriticism from religious circles. But then the issue would have been on holdfor years at the expense of homosexual and lesbian couples as well aschildren who are candidates for adoption.
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Gay-rights activists rallied in Annapolis Monday and met with dozens oflawmakers to lobby for same-sex marriage, predicting they are close tohaving the necessary votes in the legislature only five months afterMaryland's highest court upheld the state's ban on such unions.Severalhundred people in Lawyers Mall held signs that read "Protect our families"and "Love does not discriminate."
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A lesbian couple who were charged last year when they staged a sit-inprotest after being denied a marriage license have filed a motion asking thecourt to throw out Colorado's constitutional ban on gay marriage.
Kate Burns and Sheila Schroeder of Englewood contend the ban violates theirfederal and Colorado constitutional rights.
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Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker's first diplomatic test hit a brick wallMonday: A legislative committee voted unanimously to pass to the Senatefloor a bill that would kill the capital city's domestic-partnershipregistry. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted 4-0. Sen.Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake City was in another committee and unable to vote tomove SB267 to the full Senate.
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It's Freedom to Marry Week, and I thought I'd mark the occasion by talkingabout why marriage matters to me.
Legal protections are part of the story, but only part. Civil unions anddomestic partnerships can cover some (but not all) of the same rights andresponsibilities. The greater reason for marriage, in my mind, is so that Ican tell my son, "Yes, we're married," without any hesitancy or the thoughtthat when he is older, I will have to explain why there's an asterisk onthat statement: "Void where prohibited."
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The former Chief Justice of Vermont's Supreme Court authored numerousopinions during his seven years of service, but Jeffrey Amestoy will alwaysbe best remembered for one:Baker vs. the State of Vermont, the landmarkdecision that made Vermont the first state in the nation to legalize samesex civil unions.
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Sober reconsideration time... In my exuberance about the recent decision bythe N.Y. Appellate Division, 4th Department, in the Martinez case, holdingthat a same-sex marriage validly performed elsewhere would be recognized inNew York, I incautiously jumped to the conclusion that this meant nowsame-sex couples from N.Y. could be married in Massachusetts, then come backand have their marriages recognized in N.Y. It turns out that is likelynot the case.
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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Unions demand gay question on 2011 census
The General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress Brendan Barber has joinedwith gay equality organisation Stonewall's chief executive Ben Summerskillto ask for questions on sexual orientation to form part of the census.Thenext national survey will take place in 2011. It is conducted every 10 yearsby the Office of National Statistics (ONS), who announced last year thatthey did not think a question about sexual orientation would not besuitable.
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Rugby star Cohen backs gay players
England rugby union player Ben Cohen has spoken out about the absence of anyopenly gay players in the sport. Cohen, 29, who has a following in the gaycommunity and has appeared at events in gay venues, last year moved toFrench club Brive after 11 years at Northampton Saints. Speaking toOutSports.com the winger said that in his opinion it "would be fine" for arugby player to come out as gay.
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South African police to act against homophobic officers
South Africa's Police Inspectorate has promised "decisive action" againstofficers who ridicule gay people or ignore homophobic hate crimes. Last weekhuman rights groups and gay activists launched the 07-07-07 Campaign. Onthat day last year two lesbian women, 34 year old Sizakele Sigasa and 23year old Salome Masooa, were raped, tortured and killed in Meadowlands,Soweto.
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Gay rights leader attacked in Brazil
The President of Sao Paulo's Gay Pride Association was hospitalised after hewas attacked at their offices yesterday.Alexandre Peixe dos Santos wasgagged, hooded and beaten by an unknown number of attackers. The associationorganises one of the largest gay rights parades in the world. Last yearthree million revellers packed the streets of the Brazilian city in whatofficials have called the largest party in the world.
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Clinton tries to lock down gay voters
Presidential hopeful Senator Hillary Clinton has given an interview to anAmerican gay newspaper in an attempt to portray herself as the obviouscandidate for LGBT votes. The former First Lady, who is facing a serious andsustained challenge for the Democratic party nomination from Barack Obama,spoke to the Washington Blade on Sunday about issues such as workplaceprotection and hate crimes legislation. Her comments came just two daysahead of today's primaries in the states of Maryland and Virginia andWashington DC.
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Irish mostly comfortable with gay family
A new survey published ahead of proposed legislation to legally recognisesame-sex relationships has found that more than half of Irish people wouldbe unconcerned if their child or sibling is gay.The SundayIndependent/Millward Brown IMS poll did find that significant proportion ofpeople would be "concerned." The high figures of acceptance, 53% unconcernedabout a gay child and 56% a gay sibling, highlight the growing acceptance ofLGB people in a society that only decriminalised homosexuality 15 years ago.
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New gay travel portal launched
A new online travel information and social networking portal launches thisweek with the aim of becoming the largest database of destinations, venuesand events specifically designed for the gay and lesbian community.
gaypedia.com provides top five destinations, venues and events; review,rating and blogging capabilities alongside member profiling and socialnetworking tools. It is a user-generated and editorially produced travelinformation website that allows gays and lesbians to search for venues.
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Huckabee challenges result in Washington
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is refusing to concede a loss toArizona Senator John McCain in the Washington Republican caucuses. TheHuckabee campaign is asking for a full recount of the caucus votes in orderto determine the true winner of the contest. McCain believes he won therace, but has conceded to Huckabee's right to ask for a recount.
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Romania moves to exclude same-sex marriage
A leading human rights group has condemned an attempt by Senators in theRomanian parliament to change the country's Family Code on marriage.Thefar-right Greater Romania Party's amendment, which defines marriage asbetween a man and a woman, was passed unanimously by the Senate JudicialCommittee. It will need full Senate approval before it moves to the Chamberof Deputies.
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Swedish lesbians have a legal right to puppies
An unusual case of discrimination in Sweden has led to a court ruling infavour of a women turned away from buying a puppy because she is a lesbian.
The Local reports that the court of appeal in Stockholm confirmed that akennel owner must pay 20,000 kronor (£1,580) for discrimination andharassment on the grounds of sexual orientation. During a phone call to thekennel owner enquiring about a puppy advertised for sale, the lesbian womanmentioned her partner. The owner then refused to sell the puppy to her.
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Archbishop unerpentant over Sharia comments
The Archbishop of Canterbury has told the General Synod of the Church ofEngland that he accepts responsibility for confusion about his comments onIslamic law in the UK. But he added that is was right of him to raise theconcerns of faith communities and some of his remarks had beenmisinterpreted.
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Forwarded from Euro-Queer
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article:
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UK - Homosexuality is a family matter
How would you feel if a close relative invited you to their same-sexwedding, asks Donal Lynch
Most polls that have asked about gay issues in Ireland in the last fiveyears reveal ever-growing levels of acceptance of gay people. It has beenvariously shown that people overwhelmingly don't have a problem withhomosexuality, are in favour of gay marriage and wouldn't care if a memberof their favourite boy band turned out to be homosexual. But this is all inthe abstract, involving other people. When you ask people what theirattitudes would be if someone in their own family turned out to be gay,people are far less positive. Over a third of people surveyed in the SundayIndependent's Millward Brown IMS poll said that they would be 'concerned' iftheir child or sibling turned out to be gay.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
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Contact rays.list@comcast.net if can't access the article
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GLAAD ACTION PROMPTS NEW YORK DAILY NEWS TO CHANGE DEFAMATORY HEADLINE,PROBLEMATIC STORY ABOUT TRANSGENDER WOMAN'S MURDER
On Feb. 10, the New York Daily News published the headline "Fooled johnstabbed Bronx tranny," above a story about the brutal murder of a 25 yearold transgender woman named Sanesha Stewart. GLAAD immediately informed theDaily News that use of the dehumanizing term "tranny" as well as itsinsinuation that the victim had "fooled" her murderer was both defamatoryand irresponsible.
http://www.glaad.org/action/calls_detail.php?id=4228
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Today NCTE mourns the passing of Congressman Tom Lantos
(D-CA). On March 1, 2000, Rep. Lantos introduced a resolution, "expressingthe concern of Congress regarding human rights violations against lesbians,gay men, bisexuals, and trangendered [sic] individuals around the world."
This resolution is thought to be the first explicitly pro-transgender actionever proposed in the U.S. Congress. The resolution he introduced would have condemned, "all violations ofinternationally recognized human rights norms based on the real or perceivedsexual orientation or gender identity of an individual."
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Evan Wolfson Executive Director, Freedom to Marry
New York, February 11, 2008 - Gay and non-gay organizations have scheduledover 100 events in 21 states across the nation in honor of the 11th AnnualFreedom to Marry Week (Feb. 10-16), seizing an opportunity to highlight howthe denial of marriage harms families, while helping no one. The renewedconversations come as major court decisions, legislative progress, andballot-measures all will be claiming space on the country's calendar thiselection-year.
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Berlin film fest brings fringe Muslims into focus
BERLIN (AFP) - People living on the margins of Muslim society, from a heavymetal band in Iraq to transsexual Iranians and a gay Kurdish man in Turkey,managed to get their voices heard at this year's Berlin Film Festival.
A clutch of documentaries examining subjects considered taboo in Muslimcountries have played to packed audiences at the annual event, together withfeature films offering different takes on contemporary life in Egypt, Iranand Pakistan. Setting the tone was Indian director Parvez Sharma's "A Jihadfor Love," about gays and lesbians who are also devout Muslims, which kicked off the
10-day festival's Panorama Documentary section.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jGE4JIl-J1atzGrfvMikiQMRBOEw
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Women across America will no doubt drop their vibrators in disappointmentwhen they learn that the "Erotic Adonis" gracing the September 2001 PlaygirlMagazine cover is, in fact, a proud gay man. On the aforementioned cover,Playgirl Magazine proclaims, "This Gorgeous God Will Make Your FantasiesCome True!" It turns out, however, that only the fantasies are true. Sorryladies, the object of your affection describes his sexual orientation as"male to male only." In fact, Playgirl's September discovery--AntonioPerdomo--lives in Las Vegas, has a boyfriend of three years, and is aprofessional dancer.
http://www.gaylinkcontent.com/storydetail.cfm?storyid=58
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An interview with Hillary Clinton By KEVIN NAFF
Reiterates support for gay issues, knocks Obama over McClurkin flapDemocratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.)reiterated her "strong" support for a range of gay rights initiatives in anexclusive interview with the Washington Blade on Sunday. She called forextending federal recognition to same-sex couples, repealing "Don't Ask,Don't Tell" and rejected claims that she doesn't speak forcefully enough ongay issues - something that supporters of rival Sen. Barack Obama haveasserted during the campaign. "I talk about gay issues frequently," shesaid. "I've been a longtime friendof the gay community - I've been talkingabout these issues since 1999 when I first ran for Senate and went on recordas the first major candidate to say we're going to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don'tTell.' I talk about ending discrimination all the time."
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From Human Rights Campaign
WASHINGTON - Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese released thefollowing statement today on the passing of Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA). TheCongressman died this morning at Bethesda Naval Medical Center at the age of80. "Congressman Lantos will be remembered as a tremendous advocate for allpeople, including the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Asthe only survivor of the Holocaust to serve in Congress, he had a deepunderstanding of the consequences of hatred and discrimination. He was thefounder of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, which has played a vitalrole in addressing human rights concerns in the U.S. Congress and in makinghuman rights a more visible and important issue on Capitol Hill." "Over histenure in Congress, Rep. Lantos was a strong ally in our community's fightfor equality. He voted against a constitutional amendment defining marriagebetween one man and one woman, but also took the rare and courageous step byvoicing support for same-sex marriage. He believed GLBT people should beallowed to adopt, and supported worker employment protections and hate crimelegislation." "On behalf of the Human Rights Campaign we remember the workof Rep. Tom Lantos and say thank you."
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[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
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New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Ariz. Leaders Mull Gay Marriage Ban Anew
PHOENIX (AP) -- Republican lawmakers on Monday proposed asking voters in November to amend the Arizona Constitution to ban same-sex marriage in the state, which was the first to turn down such a measure.The proposal was backed by 16 of 30 state senators, and an identical proposal was introduced in the House. Both chambers would have to approve the measure in a vote for it to be included on the ballot.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Gay-Marriage-Arizona.html?_r=1&scp=2sq=gay&st=nyt&oref=slogin
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Washington Post
http://www.miamiherald.com/
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Evangelical Leader Bauer Endorses McCain
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Republican John McCain challenged the notion he isstruggling to rally conservative critics as he picked up the endorsementMonday of evangelical leader Gary Bauer. "We're doing fine. We're doingfine," McCain told reporters in Annapolis, dismissing the notion that lossesin two states on Saturday had hurt his campaign. McCain lost in Kansas andLouisiana on Saturday to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, although he wonnarrowly in Washington state. The Arizona senator is all but assured hisparty nod after rolling up huge numbers of delegates, 719, to the nationalconvention. Huckabee has 234.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/11/AR2008021100883.html
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Polls show some U.S. evangelicals vote Democrat
DALLAS (Reuters) - Exit polls during the U.S. presidential primaries inMissouri and Tennessee last week show the Democratic Party has some supportfrom white evangelicals, a group strongly associated with the RepublicanParty. Commissioned by Faith in Public Life, a non-partisan resourcecenter, and conducted by Zogby International during the primaries onFebruary 5, the surveys were the first to ask Democratic voters if they wereevangelical or born-again Christians. The findings reinforce other surveysshowing that Republicans still command most of the support of this votingbloc but by no means have a monopoly on its affections.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/11/AR2008021101488.html
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
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Gender identity rights on Broward agenda
Broward County will decide Tuesday whether to join a growing number ofcounties that ban discrimination against transgender residents. Stares fromstrangers. Remarks about how ''weird'' she looks. Even getting kicked out ofbars and restaurants. Nikki Hatch, who had surgery to become a woman lastOctober, has endured it all. But she worries about being accepted in a placecloser to home: her future condominium association.
http://www.miamiherald.com/548/story/415625.html
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Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
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An interview with Hillary Clinton
Reiterates support for gay issues, knocks Obama over McClurkin flap
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Gay D.C. Council member endorses Clinton
Former Republican makes announcement at D.C. event
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Calif. Rep. Tom Lantos dies
Was a champion of human rights, Holocaust survivor
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Whitman-Walker layoffs draw employee complaints
Staffers say 'restructuring' caused disruption of client services
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365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
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McCain Rejects Public Primary Funds
(Washington) Sen. John McCain, a passionate advocate of limits on campaignfinances, is turning down government matching funds for the primary to freehim to spend more money as he prepares for a general election contest.
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(Detroit) With attendees that included homeless youth, LGBT and straightelders, civil rights leader Julian Bond and New Hampshire Episcopal BishopGene Robinson, the National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Changecelebrated its 20th anniversary last weekend.
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Clinton Leads Superdelegates
(Washington) Hillary Rodham Clinton retains her lead among suddenly criticalDemocratic Party insiders even as Barack Obama builds up his delegate marginwith primary and caucus victories across the country, according to a surveyby The Associated Press.
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Detroit News - by Deb Price
Log Cabin Republicans win in Romney's defeat
"No, no, no," Mitt Romney supporters cried out at the Conservative PoliticalAction Conference as he announced he was ending his campaign for the GOPpresidential nomination. A short distance away, a different reaction couldbe heard at the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the gay Log CabinRepublicans: "We did it!" Romney had run a hard-right campaign. It was alosing strategy. Despite Romney's attacks on Sen. John McCain, primaryvoters picked the Goldilocks of the GOP presidential field:
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080211/OPINION03/802110309/1031
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National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/
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Gay Adverts to be Displayed Across Britain
For the next two weeks people across the country will be confronted with apositive message about gay people from 600 billboards.The advertising spacein England, Scotland and Wales has been donated to gay equality organisationStonewall by Titan Outdoor Advertising Ltd.
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Data Shows Specialized Drug Addiction Treatment for the Gay Community is theWay
After years in the business, Lakeview Health Systems recognized a need forspecialized drug rehab and addiction treatment in the gay community andafter several months in operation, gone through much updating. By using themost innovative techniques in drug addiction treatment and alcoholism detoxand pairing them break-out sessions to help those dealing with internalissues and potential societal pressures of living an alternative lifestyle,the gay-rehab.com program is making new strides in drug addiction treatment.
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GLAAD Appoints Six New Members to National Board of Directors
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today announced theappointment of six new members to its 35-member board of directors at itswinter board meeting: Gary Bitner of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Carlos Carrerasof Los Angeles, Calif.; Leslie Donovan of Princeton, N.J.; Collin Sam ofPasadena, Calif.; Mike Schaefer of Seattle, Wash.; and Bill Stewart ofChicago, Ill. GLAAD is a national media advocacy organization dedicated topromoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representations ofpeople and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia anddiscrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
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Out4Immigration Supports National Freedom to Marry Week
The 11th annual Freedom to Marry Week (February 10-16) is here, and whilesome gay and lesbian Americans see this as a cause to celebrate how far theissue of gay marriage in the US has advanced, one sector of the communityhas good cause to say that domestic partnerships, civil unions and statemarriage laws are not enough.
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Weatherman in Trouble Over Homophobic Outburst
A popular television personality in Denmark is facing calls for hisresignation after he expressed disgust at the idea of two men being inlove.Peter Tanev, who presents weather reports on the national channel TV2,made his comments during the evening news.
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Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/
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After four months of public hearings, the The Vermont Commission on FamilyRecognition and Protection is ready to prepare a report for state lawmakers.The commission held its final public hearing in Williston on Monday night.From Johnson to Williston and eight stops in between the message was almostalways the same. A vast majority of the Vermonters who attended the publichearings say civil unions fall far short of the full protections ofmarriage, and create a system that is separate but not quite equal.
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The gay marriage war is raging once again on Utah's Capitol Hill. This timethe battle is being waged over Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker's newDomestic Partnership Registry. Sen. Chris Buttars doesn't like the registrybecause it recognizes domestic partnerships other than marriage. His SenateBill 267 would prohibit city and county officials from creating suchregistries.
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To keep up with the times, Arizona should support equal rights among all ofits residents by extending marriage benefits to same-sex couples, a statesenator said Monday. This is not stepping on anybody," said Sen. PaulaAboud, D-Tucson. "This is a civil rights issue."
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Israel: The attorney general did well in not passing along the hot potato ofsame-sex couple adoption to the High Court of Justice again. Had he chosenthis familiar and safe method, he would have spared himself a great deal ofcriticism from religious circles. But then the issue would have been on holdfor years at the expense of homosexual and lesbian couples as well aschildren who are candidates for adoption.
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Gay-rights activists rallied in Annapolis Monday and met with dozens oflawmakers to lobby for same-sex marriage, predicting they are close tohaving the necessary votes in the legislature only five months afterMaryland's highest court upheld the state's ban on such unions.Severalhundred people in Lawyers Mall held signs that read "Protect our families"and "Love does not discriminate."
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A lesbian couple who were charged last year when they staged a sit-inprotest after being denied a marriage license have filed a motion asking thecourt to throw out Colorado's constitutional ban on gay marriage.
Kate Burns and Sheila Schroeder of Englewood contend the ban violates theirfederal and Colorado constitutional rights.
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Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker's first diplomatic test hit a brick wallMonday: A legislative committee voted unanimously to pass to the Senatefloor a bill that would kill the capital city's domestic-partnershipregistry. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted 4-0. Sen.Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake City was in another committee and unable to vote tomove SB267 to the full Senate.
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It's Freedom to Marry Week, and I thought I'd mark the occasion by talkingabout why marriage matters to me.
Legal protections are part of the story, but only part. Civil unions anddomestic partnerships can cover some (but not all) of the same rights andresponsibilities. The greater reason for marriage, in my mind, is so that Ican tell my son, "Yes, we're married," without any hesitancy or the thoughtthat when he is older, I will have to explain why there's an asterisk onthat statement: "Void where prohibited."
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The former Chief Justice of Vermont's Supreme Court authored numerousopinions during his seven years of service, but Jeffrey Amestoy will alwaysbe best remembered for one:Baker vs. the State of Vermont, the landmarkdecision that made Vermont the first state in the nation to legalize samesex civil unions.
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Sober reconsideration time... In my exuberance about the recent decision bythe N.Y. Appellate Division, 4th Department, in the Martinez case, holdingthat a same-sex marriage validly performed elsewhere would be recognized inNew York, I incautiously jumped to the conclusion that this meant nowsame-sex couples from N.Y. could be married in Massachusetts, then come backand have their marriages recognized in N.Y. It turns out that is likelynot the case.
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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
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Unions demand gay question on 2011 census
The General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress Brendan Barber has joinedwith gay equality organisation Stonewall's chief executive Ben Summerskillto ask for questions on sexual orientation to form part of the census.Thenext national survey will take place in 2011. It is conducted every 10 yearsby the Office of National Statistics (ONS), who announced last year thatthey did not think a question about sexual orientation would not besuitable.
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Rugby star Cohen backs gay players
England rugby union player Ben Cohen has spoken out about the absence of anyopenly gay players in the sport. Cohen, 29, who has a following in the gaycommunity and has appeared at events in gay venues, last year moved toFrench club Brive after 11 years at Northampton Saints. Speaking toOutSports.com the winger said that in his opinion it "would be fine" for arugby player to come out as gay.
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South African police to act against homophobic officers
South Africa's Police Inspectorate has promised "decisive action" againstofficers who ridicule gay people or ignore homophobic hate crimes. Last weekhuman rights groups and gay activists launched the 07-07-07 Campaign. Onthat day last year two lesbian women, 34 year old Sizakele Sigasa and 23year old Salome Masooa, were raped, tortured and killed in Meadowlands,Soweto.
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Gay rights leader attacked in Brazil
The President of Sao Paulo's Gay Pride Association was hospitalised after hewas attacked at their offices yesterday.Alexandre Peixe dos Santos wasgagged, hooded and beaten by an unknown number of attackers. The associationorganises one of the largest gay rights parades in the world. Last yearthree million revellers packed the streets of the Brazilian city in whatofficials have called the largest party in the world.
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Clinton tries to lock down gay voters
Presidential hopeful Senator Hillary Clinton has given an interview to anAmerican gay newspaper in an attempt to portray herself as the obviouscandidate for LGBT votes. The former First Lady, who is facing a serious andsustained challenge for the Democratic party nomination from Barack Obama,spoke to the Washington Blade on Sunday about issues such as workplaceprotection and hate crimes legislation. Her comments came just two daysahead of today's primaries in the states of Maryland and Virginia andWashington DC.
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Irish mostly comfortable with gay family
A new survey published ahead of proposed legislation to legally recognisesame-sex relationships has found that more than half of Irish people wouldbe unconcerned if their child or sibling is gay.The SundayIndependent/Millward Brown IMS poll did find that significant proportion ofpeople would be "concerned." The high figures of acceptance, 53% unconcernedabout a gay child and 56% a gay sibling, highlight the growing acceptance ofLGB people in a society that only decriminalised homosexuality 15 years ago.
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New gay travel portal launched
A new online travel information and social networking portal launches thisweek with the aim of becoming the largest database of destinations, venuesand events specifically designed for the gay and lesbian community.
gaypedia.com provides top five destinations, venues and events; review,rating and blogging capabilities alongside member profiling and socialnetworking tools. It is a user-generated and editorially produced travelinformation website that allows gays and lesbians to search for venues.
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Huckabee challenges result in Washington
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is refusing to concede a loss toArizona Senator John McCain in the Washington Republican caucuses. TheHuckabee campaign is asking for a full recount of the caucus votes in orderto determine the true winner of the contest. McCain believes he won therace, but has conceded to Huckabee's right to ask for a recount.
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Romania moves to exclude same-sex marriage
A leading human rights group has condemned an attempt by Senators in theRomanian parliament to change the country's Family Code on marriage.Thefar-right Greater Romania Party's amendment, which defines marriage asbetween a man and a woman, was passed unanimously by the Senate JudicialCommittee. It will need full Senate approval before it moves to the Chamberof Deputies.
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Swedish lesbians have a legal right to puppies
An unusual case of discrimination in Sweden has led to a court ruling infavour of a women turned away from buying a puppy because she is a lesbian.
The Local reports that the court of appeal in Stockholm confirmed that akennel owner must pay 20,000 kronor (£1,580) for discrimination andharassment on the grounds of sexual orientation. During a phone call to thekennel owner enquiring about a puppy advertised for sale, the lesbian womanmentioned her partner. The owner then refused to sell the puppy to her.
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Archbishop unerpentant over Sharia comments
The Archbishop of Canterbury has told the General Synod of the Church ofEngland that he accepts responsibility for confusion about his comments onIslamic law in the UK. But he added that is was right of him to raise theconcerns of faith communities and some of his remarks had beenmisinterpreted.
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Forwarded from Euro-Queer
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article:
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UK - Homosexuality is a family matter
How would you feel if a close relative invited you to their same-sexwedding, asks Donal Lynch
Most polls that have asked about gay issues in Ireland in the last fiveyears reveal ever-growing levels of acceptance of gay people. It has beenvariously shown that people overwhelmingly don't have a problem withhomosexuality, are in favour of gay marriage and wouldn't care if a memberof their favourite boy band turned out to be homosexual. But this is all inthe abstract, involving other people. When you ask people what theirattitudes would be if someone in their own family turned out to be gay,people are far less positive. Over a third of people surveyed in the SundayIndependent's Millward Brown IMS poll said that they would be 'concerned' iftheir child or sibling turned out to be gay.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
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GLAAD ACTION PROMPTS NEW YORK DAILY NEWS TO CHANGE DEFAMATORY HEADLINE,PROBLEMATIC STORY ABOUT TRANSGENDER WOMAN'S MURDER
On Feb. 10, the New York Daily News published the headline "Fooled johnstabbed Bronx tranny," above a story about the brutal murder of a 25 yearold transgender woman named Sanesha Stewart. GLAAD immediately informed theDaily News that use of the dehumanizing term "tranny" as well as itsinsinuation that the victim had "fooled" her murderer was both defamatoryand irresponsible.
http://www.glaad.org/action/calls_detail.php?id=4228
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Today NCTE mourns the passing of Congressman Tom Lantos
(D-CA). On March 1, 2000, Rep. Lantos introduced a resolution, "expressingthe concern of Congress regarding human rights violations against lesbians,gay men, bisexuals, and trangendered [sic] individuals around the world."
This resolution is thought to be the first explicitly pro-transgender actionever proposed in the U.S. Congress. The resolution he introduced would have condemned, "all violations ofinternationally recognized human rights norms based on the real or perceivedsexual orientation or gender identity of an individual."
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Evan Wolfson Executive Director, Freedom to Marry
New York, February 11, 2008 - Gay and non-gay organizations have scheduledover 100 events in 21 states across the nation in honor of the 11th AnnualFreedom to Marry Week (Feb. 10-16), seizing an opportunity to highlight howthe denial of marriage harms families, while helping no one. The renewedconversations come as major court decisions, legislative progress, andballot-measures all will be claiming space on the country's calendar thiselection-year.
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Berlin film fest brings fringe Muslims into focus
BERLIN (AFP) - People living on the margins of Muslim society, from a heavymetal band in Iraq to transsexual Iranians and a gay Kurdish man in Turkey,managed to get their voices heard at this year's Berlin Film Festival.
A clutch of documentaries examining subjects considered taboo in Muslimcountries have played to packed audiences at the annual event, together withfeature films offering different takes on contemporary life in Egypt, Iranand Pakistan. Setting the tone was Indian director Parvez Sharma's "A Jihadfor Love," about gays and lesbians who are also devout Muslims, which kicked off the
10-day festival's Panorama Documentary section.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jGE4JIl-J1atzGrfvMikiQMRBOEw
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Women across America will no doubt drop their vibrators in disappointmentwhen they learn that the "Erotic Adonis" gracing the September 2001 PlaygirlMagazine cover is, in fact, a proud gay man. On the aforementioned cover,Playgirl Magazine proclaims, "This Gorgeous God Will Make Your FantasiesCome True!" It turns out, however, that only the fantasies are true. Sorryladies, the object of your affection describes his sexual orientation as"male to male only." In fact, Playgirl's September discovery--AntonioPerdomo--lives in Las Vegas, has a boyfriend of three years, and is aprofessional dancer.
http://www.gaylinkcontent.com/storydetail.cfm?storyid=58
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An interview with Hillary Clinton By KEVIN NAFF
Reiterates support for gay issues, knocks Obama over McClurkin flapDemocratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.)reiterated her "strong" support for a range of gay rights initiatives in anexclusive interview with the Washington Blade on Sunday. She called forextending federal recognition to same-sex couples, repealing "Don't Ask,Don't Tell" and rejected claims that she doesn't speak forcefully enough ongay issues - something that supporters of rival Sen. Barack Obama haveasserted during the campaign. "I talk about gay issues frequently," shesaid. "I've been a longtime friendof the gay community - I've been talkingabout these issues since 1999 when I first ran for Senate and went on recordas the first major candidate to say we're going to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don'tTell.' I talk about ending discrimination all the time."
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From Human Rights Campaign
WASHINGTON - Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese released thefollowing statement today on the passing of Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA). TheCongressman died this morning at Bethesda Naval Medical Center at the age of80. "Congressman Lantos will be remembered as a tremendous advocate for allpeople, including the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Asthe only survivor of the Holocaust to serve in Congress, he had a deepunderstanding of the consequences of hatred and discrimination. He was thefounder of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, which has played a vitalrole in addressing human rights concerns in the U.S. Congress and in makinghuman rights a more visible and important issue on Capitol Hill." "Over histenure in Congress, Rep. Lantos was a strong ally in our community's fightfor equality. He voted against a constitutional amendment defining marriagebetween one man and one woman, but also took the rare and courageous step byvoicing support for same-sex marriage. He believed GLBT people should beallowed to adopt, and supported worker employment protections and hate crimelegislation." "On behalf of the Human Rights Campaign we remember the workof Rep. Tom Lantos and say thank you."
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