Tuesday, February 26, 2008

GLBT DIGEST February 26, 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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Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Questions for Gov. Rick Perry: Troop Leader
As the governor of Texas, do you feel it is getting a little crowded therelately as the presidential candidates and their busloads of campaignerscontinue to descend in preparation for the primary on March 4? We tried tomove our primary up, and it didn't work. This is a very rare occurrence, tohave a primary of national import in Texas.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/magazine/24wwln-Q4-t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine
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Elton John's Enduring Legacy
Legendary Entertainer Uses His Fame To Help Halt The Spread Of HIV/AIDS TheWorld Over
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/23/sunday/main3869010.shtml
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Iran's 'diagnosed transsexuals'
Homosexual relationships are banned in Iran, but the country allows sexchange operations and hundreds of men have elected for surgery to changetheir lives.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7259057.stm
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Bakker reflects on family and encourages gay believers
Jay Bakker, son of the scandal-rocked televangelist Jim Bakker and the lateTammy Faye Messner, spoke at Metropolitan Community Church in South AustinSunday. He preached at both services, capping off a weekend of training forgay and lesbian families who about to embark on a campaign to confrontchurches that promote anti-homosexual teachings.
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/faith/entries/2008/02/25/bakker_reflects_on_family_and.html
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365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Poll Shows Obama Catching Clinton Or Leading Across US
(Washington) Barack Obama has taken clear leads over Hillary Rodham Clintonamong white men, middle-income earners and liberals, allowing him to catchhis faltering rival in their race for the Democratic presidentialnomination, a new national poll shows.
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Don't Count Out Clinton Yet
(Washington) History shows the folly of counting out a Clinton. If HillaryRodham Clinton's campaign is looking more and more like the Titanic, she mayyet prove to be the unsinkable Molly Brown.
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Bush Predicts GOP Will Hold White House
(Washington) President Bush predicted Monday that voters will replace himwith a Republican president who will "keep up the fight" in Iraq.
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Mother, Son Sentenced To Life For Killing Her Ex-Girlfriend
(Atlanta, Georgia) An Atlanta woman and her 20 year old son have been handedlife sentences for the brutal murder of her former lover.
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Supreme Court Sidesteps Anti-Gay Church Motion
(Washington) The US Supreme Court has decided not to get involved in anongoing legal battle between followers of the Rev. Fred Phelps and thefamily of a Marine killed in Iraq.
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Appeal Filed In NY Gay Marriage Ruling
(Rochester, New York) Gays and lesbians demonstrated in upstate New YorkMonday after Monroe County announced it will appeal a ruling that themarriages of same-sex couples performed across the border in Canada must berecognized in New York.
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Gay Jamaican Cop Seeks Asylum In Canada
(Toronto, Ontario) An openly gay police officer in Kingston wants theCanadian government to grant him asylum, saying his life is in danger athome because of his sexuality.
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Groups Seek To Increase Gay Black Politicians
(Washington) Two organizations announced Monday they will actively help gayAfrican Americans attain political office.
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Poll: Vast Majority Of Officers Support Military Gay Ban
(Santa Barbara, California) A new survey of officers in the military believethat "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" should be maintained. Only 22 percent ofofficers said that the ban on gays serving openly should be repealed.
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Few Clues In Killing Of Florida Trans Teen
(Fort Lauderdale, Florida) Fort Lauderdale police say they have few clues inthe shooting of a 17-year old and are appealing to the public for help.
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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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New Gay Series
The Ben and Dave Show' Debuts on Here!
here!, America's premium gay television network, presents The Ben and DaveShow, a groundbreaking new television series hosted by the ultra-charismaticand irreverent Ben Harvey and Dave Rubin. The show is set to debut on here!
March 14th.
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Nepali Gay Men Contesting
Poll Hope to End Taboo
At least five Nepali gay men are contesting this year's elections in thehope of shattering taboos in the conservative nation, a gay candidate said.
Homosexuality is effectively illegal in Nepal under a law banning "unnaturalsex". Offenders can be jailed for up to a year.
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Ceremony Plans Alarm Altoona Church
Plans for a same-sex commitment ceremony at University Park are stirringconcern at an Altoona Baptist church, a pastor said Monday.
The Rev. Gary G. Dull, pastor at Faith Baptist Church, said he will meetwith other church leadership today and weigh how the Blair County groupshould respond to the plans.
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A 24-year-old police officer is in hiding in Jamaica after being abused andattacked by fellow officers because of his sexuality.
Michael Hayden told the Toronto Star that he wants to seek asylum in Canada.
A leading gay rights activist from Jamaica, Gareth Henry, did so last week,claiming that thirteen of his gay and lesbian friends had died in the lastfour years.
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Gay Community Leaders Hold Emergency Meeting in Fort Lauderdale
Slaying of Transgendered Youth Prompts Sunday Night Conference CallBouquets and floral arrangements will be placed on site at the 1000 block ofSistrunk Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale
A loose consortium of gay community leaders spontaneously mobilized with astatewide conference call in response to the shooting of a young gay man inFort Lauderdale on Friday evening.
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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Man stabbed to death in gay village
Police are investigating the murder of a 25-year-old man who was stabbed to death in Manchester's gay village. At about 7.30pm on Monday 25 February 2008 the victim was on Canal Street when he was app roached by two other men. One of these men approached the victim and stabbed him in the neck. He suffered a serious stab wound in the incident and was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary.
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International gay rights convention not feasible says minister
A Labour MP has asked a series of questions in the House of Commons about what steps the government is taking to bring about the universal decriminalisation of homosexuality. Ashok Kumar, who represents Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland, also asked junior Foreign and Commonwealth Office minister Meg Munn to support the introduction of an international convention which explicitly recognises gay rights as essential human rights.
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Gay Iranian due for deportation today
A gay teenager from Iran who fled the UK for the Netherlands last year after his appeal for asylum was refused is expected to be returned to the UK today by Dutch authorities. London Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford has written to the Home Secretary to request her to urgently review the case of Medhi Kazemi, who faces possible execution by stoning if he returns to Iran.At the end of last year a court in the Netherlands ruled Medhi must bereturned back to the UK.
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Interview: Gays and the United States military
It is almost eight years since the British government moved to allow openly gay, lesbian and bisexual people to serve in our Army, Navy and Air Force.We were by no means the first. The Dutch lifted their ban in 1974, Australia followed in 1992, Canada soon after. In 2008, most of the member nations of NATO have removed their bans, with one glaring exception. The United States ontinues to operate under the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" law, a messy compromise reached in 1994.
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Sir Elton's Oscar party raises millions for AIDS
In what has become a Hollywood tradition, a host of A List stars turned outfor an Oscar Night party in aid of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
The annual gala featured performances from Mary J Blige and Jack Shears ofScissor Sisters as well as Sir Elton himself. It was one of the night's mostattended parties and raised a record breaking $5.1 million (£2.6m).
The singer-songwriter hosted the event with his partner David Furnish.
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February is LGBT History Month
Hundreds of individual events are taking place throughout the UK this month to celebrate LGBT History Month. Founded and run by volunteers, it first took place in February 2005, in the wake of the abolition of Section 28 and has grown each year. It is intended to raise awareness of, and combat prejudice against, the LGBT community - check the LGBT History Month website for further details.
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Forwarded from Gays Without Borders
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article
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The Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) this evening presented a petition,backed by 1,084 signatures, to the Nationalist Party asking for formalrecognition of the rights of same sex couples; the inclusion of an articlein the Criminal Code regarding homophobic and transphobic violence, and aclear strategy addressing homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools.
The petition also seeks legal protection against discrimination in thedelivery of goods and services expressly referring to the grounds of sexualorientation, gender identity and gender expression; the formal extension ofthe remit of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality to caterfor the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and genderexpression; and the inclusion of gender reassignment surgery and hormonetherapy for transgender persons as part of the public health services.
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BRAZILIAN GAYS DEMAND THAT FIDEL CASTRO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS FOR THE
PERSECUTION OF HOMOSEXUALS IN CUBA
Grupo Gay da Bahia, the oldest homosexual non-governmental organization inLatin America, demands that the dictator Fidel Castro, before his death,recognizes and asks for forgiveness for the grave errors of the Cubanrevolution responsible for the demoralization, persecution, imprisonment inconcentration camps, forced labor, torture, deportation, and death ofthousands of gays, transvestites and lesbians in Cuba.
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Morocco: Protect Rights to Privacy and Fair Trial
Petition Calls for Repeal of Repressive Law - Human Rights Watch isextremely proud to join in sponsoring this petition with the MoroccanAssociation for Human Rights. The Moroccan government should protect the rights to privacy and a fair trial, Human Rights Watch and the Moroccan Human Rights Association saidtoday. Human Rights Watch and the Moroccan Human Rights Association calledon the government to repeal a law that provides prison terms for consensualhomosexual acts, and launched a petition demanding that the governmentrepeal article 489 of the penal code. They also demanded the release of thesix men currently imprisoned under this article.
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International Day Against Homophobia - IDAHO - May 17
IDAHO -UK 2008 COMES OUT TO LAUNCH!
Government ministers, mayoral candidates, students and academics, nationaland international LGBT campaigners, a lesbian singer/songwriter, whoaccording to one reviewer performs like "Mary Poppins on acid" are allgearing up for the IDAHO-UK 2008 launch event at the London College ofFashion, which will take place, on the evening of March 13th.
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Nureyev's animal passions
If Rudolf Nureyev's behaviour was often disgraceful, his dancing wasanything but Biography will always be a frustrated enterprise. It will never bring the dead back to life; it will never make us privy to the secret world insidethe minds of others, or rescue us from being islanded within our own. Thisis true of all biographical subjects, as it is true of all lives; but asubject like Rudolf Nureyev - with characteristic intransigence - provesmore uncooperative than most. they called him an animal, and at times hebehaved like one. Most notoriously, there is the incident in which hedefecated on the steps of Franco Zeffirelli's villa, after he finishedsmashing up the interior. He broke the jaw of a teacher at the Paris OperaBallet, who sued and was awarded 2,500 francs in compensation; the onlyremorse he expressed was for the missed opportunity: "If I'd known it wouldbe that little, I'd have hit him a second time". He let drop a ballerina whohad gained weight; he dragged another by her hair across the floor.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/the_tls/article3403291.ece
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LGBT friendly businesses in Florida
The Mark's List Restaurant Directory now includes over 100 restaurants andmost of them come with a full review by our staff so that you know whatyou're getting into before you go. We go in unannounced and sometimes makeseveral trips before we write our review. We don't accept free meals inreturn for favorable reviews and as always, if we don't like it, we don'tput it on our list. The restaurants below have not paid us to recommendthem. After going to all of this trouble, we're sure that you're going tofall in love with the restaurants we recommend. The following restaurantsare recent additions to our ever expanding list of LGBT friendly businessesin Florida. For more map and address and more information click theunderlined links.
http://frontpage.jumponmarkslist.com/Restaurants.htm
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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 you can't access the article
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Apply now for Williams Institute and Gleason/Kettel Summer LawFellowships
For the summer of 2008, the Williams Institute will award two or more SummerFellowships, including the Gleason/Kettel Law Fellowships, which provide lawstudents, or recent law school graduates, with a $5,000 stipend to work withan organization, scholar, or research center, focused on sexual orientationlaw and public policy.
http://www.law.ucla.edu/williamsinstitute/about/Summer%20Fellowships%202008.pdf
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Today, Senator Barack Obama made the following statement on the death ofLawrence King:
"It was heartbreaking to learn about Lawrence King's death, and my thoughtsand prayers go out to his family. King's senseless death is a tragic exampleof the corrosive effect that bigotry and fear can have in our society. It'salso an urgent reminder that we need to do more in our schools to fostertolerance and an acceptance of diversity; that we must enact a federal hatecrimes law that protects all LGBT Americans; and that we must recommitourselves to becoming active and engaged parents, citizens and neighbors, sothat bias and bigotry cannot take hold in the first place. We all have aresponsibility to help this nation live up to its founding promise ofequality for all."
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Anti-Porn Crusader May Face Sanctions for 'Meritless Filings'
The Florida Supreme Court is threatening Coral Gables attorney Jack Thompsonwith sanctions for frivolous and insulting filings in his disciplinary case.
The attorney who has made a name for himself crusading against pornographywas warned about his filings last April after he submitted "pornographicmaterials" to the court, the show-cause order said. The Florida SupremeCourt issued the order Tuesday telling Thompson to explain why it shouldn'treject future court filings from him unless they are signed by anotherFlorida Bar member. Thompson responded with three court filings by Thursdayafternoon, according to the Supreme Court's online docket. The court warnedhim twice last year to stop filing motions with the court in hisdisciplinary case assigned to Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dava Tunis.
http://www.law.com
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Anti-Porn Crusader May Face Sanctions for 'Meritless Filings'
The Florida Supreme Court is threatening Coral Gables attorney Jack Thompsonwith sanctions for frivolous and insulting filings in his disciplinary case.
The attorney who has made a name for himself crusading against pornographywas warned about his filings last April after he submitted "pornographicmaterials" to the court, the show-cause order said. The Florida SupremeCourt issued the order Tuesday telling Thompson to explain why it shouldn'treject future court filings from him unless they are signed by anotherFlorida Bar member. Thompson responded with three court filings by Thursdayafternoon, according to the Supreme Court's online docket. The court warnedhim twice last year to stop filing motions with the court in hisdisciplinary case assigned to Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dava Tunis.
http://www.law.com
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Snubbed by NYC Pols, HRC Answers Its Critics
Faced with a boisterous picket line that drew a crowd of more than 50andwith the absence of every lesbian, gay, and bisexual elected officialfromNew York City -- and nearly every other prominent city Democrat --JoeSolmonese, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, used hiskeynoteaddress at the group's annual Midtown Manhattan dinner to answercritics whofault it for going along with a version of the federalEmploymentNon-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that does not include protectionsfortransgendered Americans. The non-inclusive version of ENDA passed theHouse of Representatives lastNovember 7 by a vote of 235-184. The measureawaits action in the Senate,but President George W. Bush has sent strongsignals he would veto the measure if it reaches his desk.
http://www.gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19328072&BRD=2729&PAG=461&d
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Jimmy Kimmel had a special Sunday night post-Oscar show and he finallydebuted his much buzzed about song and video for "I'm Fucking Ben Affleck."
Girlfriend Sarah Silverman showed her video "I'm Fucking Matt Damon" justover three weeks ago. Kimmel topped Silverman with video appearances by DonCheadle, Robin Williams, McLovin, Lance Bass, Good Charlotte, ascene-stealing Harrison Ford, Cameron Diaz and more in a "We are the World"type chorus, along with Brad Pitt as a Fed Ex man, Josh Groban on piano andthen some - The whole video was anchoured by Ben Affleck snuggling up toJimmy in a fitted iridescent green t-shirt and the pair walking side-by-sidein jean cutoffs.
Links to videos:
Sarah Silverman: "I'm Fucking Mat Damon"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/01/matt-damon-sings-dances-_n_84456.html

Jimmy Kimmel: "I'm Fucking Ben Affleck" Debuts As Response To Damon
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/25/jimmy-kimmel-im-fkin_n_88240.html
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IRANIAN GAY REFUGEE RISKS DEPORTATION FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM , URGENTAPPEAL TO EUROPE
"SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR HIS HOMOSEXUALITY, WE MUST STOP THE UMPTEENTHVIOLATION OF A REFUGEE'S RIGHTS BY THE BROWN GOVERNMENT" THE FLIGHT THATWILL TAKE YOUNG MEDHI KAZEMI FROM AMSTERDAM TO LONDON , FROM WHERE HE WILLBE DEPORTED TO IRAN , IS BOOKED FOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 26TH. EVERYONE GROUP ISAPPEALING TO THE EUROPEAN UNION TO OVERRULE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'SDECISION, AND GRANT THE 19-YEAR-OLD POLITICAL ASYLUM. MEHDI HAS RECENTLYBECOME A REGULAR MEMBER OF EVERYONE. MEDHI IS WANTED IN IRAN AFTER HISPARTNER - EXECUTED FOR HIS HOMOSEXUALITY IN APRIL 2006 - ADMITTED THEY WEREIN A RELATIONSHIP.
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Spanish PM pledges gay rights
MADRID - Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has pledged his Socialist Party would further advance gay rights if he is re-elected inMarch 9 polls, in an interview with a gay magazine. Under Zapatero, who cameto power in 2004, Spain has already become a world leader when it comes tothe rights of gays, lesbians and transsexuals. "We will continue to makereforms to improve the conditions of all," he said in an interview with themonthly gay magazine Zero, where he appeared on the cover for the third timesince 2002. "We must facilitate the implementation of the rights that wehave already approved: the right to adoption [for same-sex couples], ofcourse, and the right to legally change sex," he said.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
Go to the links for the following articles:
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GAY SPLIT MAKES NY HERSTORY
February 26, 2008 -- There's no such thing as gay marriage in New York - buta Manhattan judge says that doesn't mean there can't be gay divorce.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02262008/news/regionalnews/gay_split_makes_ny_herstory_99275.htm
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Refusing to Give Up On the Foreign Service
John A. Boland got a top score on the Foreign Service written exam and,after an all-day interview session, received a job offer from the StateDepartment, pending a medical clearance.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/24/AR2008022401634.html
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Same-sex partners struggle with status
Californians in domestic partnerships look forward to March 8 state SupremeCourt hearing
http://www.dailybruin.com/news/2008/feb/26/same-sex-partners-struggle-status/
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Obama responds to CNN's smear: Join In against 'right wing hack attacks'
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/02/25/obama-responds-to-cnns-smear-join-in-gainst-right-wing-hack-attacks/
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Elrod: His own conservative
Elrod's stance on gay marriage puts him at odds with some Republicans in hisbid for 7th District seat
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080226/LOCAL19/802260399
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He tells her he likes men. It's not so unusual, though it is hard to deal with
ALBANY, N.Y. - After dating for nearly three years and living together formore than two, Lisa and Ryan needed to have a serious talk. She wasn't sureif he was breaking up with her or proposing.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/services/newspaper/printedition/tuesday/goodliving/orl-bisexual08feb26,0,5767224.story
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UK:
No coming out for old gays
"I'M THE only gay in this care home," might be the catch-phrase of Daffydfrom Little Britain when he reaches his senior years. Because going intoresidential care may mean going back into the closet for members of thelesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) community, reports CaringBusiness (Feb).
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/career_and_jobs/public_sector/article3430960.ece
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Pakistan Bans Access to YouTube Videos
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Feb. 24 -- Pakistan's government has banned access tothe video-sharing Web site YouTube because of anti-Islamic movies that usershave posted on the site, an official said Sunday.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/24/AR2008022402016.html
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Link to video: A Surreal & Amazing Radio Exchange about Ex-Gay & Gays
You need to copy this link into your web browser - Worth your time!
mms://mediadownload.soundwaves2000.com/mediadownload/newsviews/mp3/022508.mp3
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Bakker reflects on family and encourages gay believers
Jay Bakker, son of the scandal-rocked televangelist Jim Bakker and the lateTammy Faye Messner, spoke at Metropolitan Community Church in South AustinSunday. He preached at both services, capping off a weekend of training forgay and lesbian families who about to embark on a campaign to confrontchurches that promote anti-homosexual teachings.
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/faith/entries/2008/02/25/bakker_reflects_on_family_and.html
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Homosexuality teaching ban fails
Opponents deride proposal as an election-year stunt
A proposal to ban elementary and middle schools from teaching about anythingother than heterosexuality was angrily derided in a legislative committee onTuesday as nothing more than an election-year stunt.
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008802200443
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[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
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NATIONAL & WORLD DIGEST February 26, 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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Talking With Children About Sex and AIDS: At What Age to Start?
What age is the right age to have "the talk," not just about where babiescome from, but also about sex and AIDS?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/26/health/26aids.html?_r=1&sq=gay&st=nyt&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&scp=2&adxnnlx=1204034707-mNo1v0mMtFcce6iSarUOxg
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Poll Shows Obama Is Seen as More Likely to Beat McCain
WASHINGTON - In the past two months, Senator Barack Obama has built acommanding coalition among Democratic voters, with especially strong supportamong men, and is now viewed by most Democrats as the candidate best able todefeat Senator John McCain, according to the latest New York Times/CBS NewsPoll.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/26/us/politics/26cnd-poll.html?_r=1&ex=1361682000&en=f09b4a56db9bc5f0&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
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A Little Help for His Friends
Congress needs to ensure that federal prosecutors appointed by the Bushadministration are not using their positions to throw patronage to friendsand political allies.
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/opinion/index.html
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A Little Help for His Friends
Congress needs to ensure that federal prosecutors appointed by the Bush administration are not using their positions to throw patronage to friendsand political allies.
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/opinion/index.html
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Poll Finds a Fluid Religious Life in U.S.
WASHINGTON - More than a quarter of adult Americans have left the faith oftheir childhood to join another religion or no religion, according to asurvey of religious affiliation by the Pew Forum on Religion and PublicLife.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/26/us/26religion.html
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Washington Post
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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It Just Isn't Fair
Without a Certain Magazine Bash, Oscar Parties Lack That Special Vanity
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/25/AR2008022503397_pf.html
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In Search of the Secularist Party
Dear Stumped,
For as long as I have been interested in politics, I have been staunchly Republican. Over the last year or so, however, I have had a change of opinion, namely on social issues. I generally support the "smaller government" philosophy of the party, but I am troubled by its recent gay-bashing and abortion-hating policies. Not to mention that I'm an atheist who is deeply troubled (in some cases outright scared) by the extent to which Republicans invoke religion as a justification for these policies. It feels like the "core" Republicans, theChristian evangelicals, are attempting to cut off the more moderate, secular branch of the party. I support the core values of the party, but I don't really want to be part of a party of xenophobes who hate everyone who is not like them.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/stumped/2008/02/in_search_of_the_secular_party.html
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McCain's Lobbyist Baggage
It seems odd, but for John McCain it was a blessing to have the chance tobury questions about his dealings with lobbyists beneath an alleged sexscandal. The prurient part of the story was easy to deny, and voters aresick of sex scandals.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/25/AR2008022502421.html
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Quit Now, Hillary by Richard Cohen
The more Hillary Clinton campaigns, the worse she does.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/25/AR2008022502422.html
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In Turkey, Students Test a New Policy on Head Scarves
ISTANBUL, Feb. 25 -- One of the agents of Turkey's cultural transformationstood, 5 feet tall and less than 100 pounds, at the gate of Istanbul BilgiUniversity on Monday, a flying wedge of social change in a fuzzy purplewinter coat, brown hiking boots and a black wool scarf wrapped around herhead.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/25/AR2008022502620.html?hpid=hpid=sec-world
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Obama's Victory by Eugene Robinson
Win or lose, he has proved that black America can beat white America at itsown game.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/25/AR2008022502420.html
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Eloquence Seen as Both Boon, Burden for Obama
Ability to meld rhetoric and ideas allows senator to adapt quickly torivals' complaints of plagiarism, bombast while bolstering his popularity.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/02/25/ST2008022503216.html?hpid=topnews
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China Seeks to Improve Image
Beijing declares it is willing to resume long-stalled human rights dialogueahead of Olympic Games.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/26/AR2008022600903.html?hpid=topnews
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In Turkey, Students Test a New Policy on Head Scarves
ISTANBUL, Feb. 25 -- One of the agents of Turkey's cultural transformationstood, 5 feet tall and less than 100 pounds, at the gate of Istanbul BilgiUniversity on Monday, a flying wedge of social change in a fuzzy purplewinter coat, brown hiking boots and a black wool scarf wrapped around herhead.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/25/AR2008022502620.html?hpid=hpid=sec-world
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Pew Research center
http://pewresearch.org/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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The U.S. Religious Landscape: A Fluid and Diverse Pattern
A new survey including interviews with more than 35,000 Americans finds thatmore than one-quarter of adults (28%) have left the faith in which they wereraised in favor of another religion -- or no religion at all. Read more
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An Interactive Look at America's Religions
A special interactive feature provides dynamic tools that complement thefull report, providing graphic profiles of the geographic and demographicdistributions of religious faiths across America. Learn more at pewforum.org
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McCain's Polling Problem: Age
In November, Will Age Matter?
John McCain's age has remained notably absent as a campaign issue, butearlier polling data suggest it could become a big issue for the Arizonasenator come November. Read more
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NGA Meeting: What the Governors Want
More Money for Medicaid, Real ID
Meeting in Washington, the states' chief executives made clear theirunhappiness with federal standards for driver's licenses and costly newMedicaid rules. Read more
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'Greener' Energy, Cleaner Coal
Governors have few doubts that global warming is a looming threat, but havesome major differences about how to address the problem. Read more
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The Daily Number
44% - African Americans View the Future
Fewer than half of all African Americans (44%) now say they think life forblacks will get better in the future, down from the 57% who said so in a1986 survey. Check back every weekday for another number in the news. Readmore
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Forwarded from Susan Frishkorn
frishkorn@bellsouth.net
Go to this link for the following article:
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This is the single best article I have read this campaign season thatdiscusses what Barack Obama offers this country in substantive change.
While you would know much of Barack's philosophy and character had you readhis books, this article explains how his outlook manifests itself in policy.I know it's long, but please take the time to read this. - Kirk Wagar,Florida Finance Chair, Obama for America

The Audacity of Data
Barack Obama's surprisingly non-ideological policy shop.
As a young economics professor in the late 1970s, Richard Thaler begannoticing small but nagging ways in which ordinary people defied thepredictions of economic theory. .... Sociologically, the Obamanauts have a lot in common with the last gang of Democratic outsiders to make a credible run at the White House. Like BillClinton in 1992, Obama's campaign boasts a cadre of credentialed achievers.Intellectually, however, the Obamanauts couldn't be more different.
http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=4d40a39e-8f57-4054-bd99-94bc9d19be1a
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Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Proposal puts state sales-tax increase on November ballot
A state panel voted unanimously Monday to put a proposal on the Novemberballot that would raise the state sales tax by a penny, close billions ofdollars worth of sales-tax loopholes and use the money to replace $8 billionin school property taxes.
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080226/CAPITOLNEWS/802260322/1010/NEWS01
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AP Poll: Obama Catches Clinton Across US
AP Poll: Obama Catches Clinton Nationally As He Takes Big Leads Among WhiteMen And Liberals
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/25/ap/politics/main3876330.shtml
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Finger-pointing, frustration in Clinton camp
With a week to go before climactic tests in Texas and Ohio, Hillary RodhamClinton's campaign team has slipped into full recriminations mode.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8692.html
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Democrats, beware
A fractious political convention can fatally wound the surviving candidate.
Thus, the Clinton-Obama duel could leave one man standing: John McCain.
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/02/democrats-bewar.html
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A War We Must End
Despite the Democratic presidential candidates' expressed commitment toending the war in Iraq, there is unease among the party's base. Some ardentactivists have suggested that upon election, a new Democratic president willcome under inordinate pressure to sustain the U.S. military commitment toIraq, albeit with some modifications. This concern demonstrates both thedifficulty of ending a controversial war and the necessity of doing so.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/25/AR2008022502438.html
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Rendell: 'The Media Does Not Like the Clintons'
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) said Monday that the media's pro-Obama (oranti-Clinton) bias explains in part why Barack Obama is portrayed as runningaway with the Democratic presidential nomination (instead of being locked ina close fight with Hillary Rodham Clinton).
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/02/rendell_the_media_does_not_lik.html?nav=rss_blog
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#####

FLORIDA DIGEST February 26, 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.

=
Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Fort Lauderdale: Service to honor shooting victim, 17
A memorial service will be held Thursday for Simmie Williams Jr. on the samecorner of the Sistrunk neighborhood where the 17-year-old was gunned downlast week.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-fl8boverflowdig02260sbfeb26,0,908593.story
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How does same-sex marriage affect other unions?
I ask because voters are being asked to approve an amendment to our stateConstitution that would forever deny her the right to a legal union of anykind. Why? Certainly not because it harms anyone else. I have racked mybrain and can come up with no ideas about how it would affect anyone else'slife.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-pbmail752pnfeb26,0,1740927.story
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Days Without Sunshine-Anita Bryant's Anti-Gay Crusade: Stonewall Library & Archives presents the exhibit on the campaign and how the gay civil rightsmovement mobilized against it. Includes a traveling exhibit entitled GayAmerican Heroes that honors the lives of LGBT people who died as a result ofhae crimes based on their sexual orientation and gender identity; 9 a.m. to5 p.m., Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Dr., MiamiBeach; free. 305-571-1924.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/story/433100.html
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THE REV. IRENE MONROE, THEOLOGIAN AND WRITER,
TO SPEAK AT WINTER PARTY FESTIVAL'S INTERFAITH SERVICE
Winter Prayer, Winter Praise:
The 2nd Annual Interfaith Service of Winter Party Festival
Thursday, February 28, 2008 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Temple Israel, 137 NE 19th Street, Miami
Join LGBT-friendly congregations and spiritual groups -- representingJewish, Christian, Buddhist, and other faith traditions -- as we gathertogether in downtown Miami's beautiful and historic Temple Israel for apowerful interfaith service and joyous musical celebration presented byProCLaiM - a voice for Progressive Clergy and Laypeople in Miami-Dade.
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=
Forwarded from Michael Emanuel Rajner
merajner@gmail.com
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article
-
FORT LAUDERDALE: Service to honor shooting victim, 17
A memorial service will be held Thursday for Simmie Williams Jr. on the samecorner of the Sistrunk neighborhood where the 17-year-old was gunned downlast week. The event is to take place at 4:30 p.m. on the 1000 block ofSistrunk Boulevard. A town hall meeting focusing on hate crimes in Floridais scheduled for after the service at 6:30 p.m. at the Gay & LesbianCommunity Center of South Florida at 1717 N. Andrews Ave. Equality Floridaand the Transgender Equality Rights Initiatives (TERI), two statewideadvocacy groups, are sponsoring the event. Police say Williams was attackedFriday by two young men who might live in the neighborhood. Williams waswearing women's clothing when he was shot, authorities say.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-fl8boverflowdig02260sbfeb26,0,908593.story
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Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Proposal puts state sales-tax increase on November ballot
A state panel voted unanimously Monday to put a proposal on the Novemberballot that would raise the state sales tax by a penny, close billions ofdollars worth of sales-tax loopholes and use the money to replace $8 billionin school property taxes.
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080226/CAPITOLNEWS/802260322/1010/NEWS01
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Republican budget knife trained on public good
Some Republican legislators are using the state budget crisis as convenientcover for renewing their partisan attack against public campaign financing.
Their time would be better spent repairing the damage they already have doneinstead of asking voters to kill it.
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/26/Opinion/Republican_budget_kni.shtml
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Legislator battles for license plate to honor Confederacy
A Panhandle legislator with a proud disdain for political correctness and nofear of bucking Gov. Charlie Crist or the state Republican Party wantsFlorida to issue license tags honoring Confederate Heritage - complete withimages of Dixie flags and buttons from Rebel uniforms.
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080226/CAPITOLNEWS/802260331/1010/NEWS01
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Web site teaches South Floridians how to conserve water
After South Florida's driest back-to-back years on record, a new Web siteaims to teach residents and businesses how to save water beyond just turningdown sprinklers.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flwaterwebsite0225pnfeb25,0,3394378.story
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#####

Monday, February 25, 2008

GLBT DIGEST February 25, 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:
-
'No Country for Old Men' Wins Best Picture
By DAVID M. HALBFINGER and MICHAEL CIEPLY
No film ran away with the night, as the 80th Academy Awards gave the filmindustry a chance to move beyond labor strife. Above, Marion Cotillard,left, and Daniel Day-Lewis won awards for best actress and best actor.
Winners »
Picture: "No Country for Old Men"
Director: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "No Country for Old Men"
Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood"
Actress: Marion Cotillard, "La Vie en Rose"
Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men"
Supporting Actress: Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton"
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/movies/awardsseason/25osca.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Taunts forced gay Australian policeman out
DURING his three years as a NSW police officer, Dallas McCarthy enduredtaunts of "poofter boy" and "fag dog" - not from criminals but from his owncolleagues.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/
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Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Leaders: Gainesville's reaction to transgender laws not the norm
The public response in Gainesville to an ordinance that outlaweddiscrimination on the basis of gender identity is not the norm, according tovarious city leaders.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20080224/NEWS/802240323/1002/NEWS
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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 Community Leaders Hold Emergency Meeting in Fort Lauderdale
Slaying of Transgendered Youth Prompts Sunday Night Conference Call -
By Norm Kent
Bouquets and floral arrangements will be placed on site at the 1000 block ofSistrunk Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale - A loose consortium of gay communityleaders spontaneously mobilized with a statewide conference call in responseto the shooting of a young gay man in Fort Lauderdale on Friday evening. Theshooting death of the transgendered teenage boy, who was dressed in women'sclothing when his body was found, is being investigated as a possible hatecrime, the Sun-Sentinel reported today. Meanwhile, detectives are trying todetermine whether he was targeted because of his sexual orientation orgender identity.
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Dallas Schools Must Repay Misused HIV Funds
The Dallas Independent School District has been ordered by a judge to repaythe federal government $336,000 for misusing grant money that was supposedto be geared toward HIV education programs. The Centers for Disease Controlgrant, to be paid over three years, was to provide two full-time employeesfor the program, the Dallas Morning News reported.
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First-Ever Program to Help Black Gays Get Elected by Deb Price
When Joe Angelo ran for city commissioner of tiny Wilton Manors in SouthFlorida four years ago, he pledged to control development, build a new cityhall and clean up neighborhoods to fight crime. But when he won, theheadline in the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel spotlighted his history-makingtraits: "Florida's First Gay Black Public Official." "It was scary to seethat big headline," recalls Angelo, 42, who's ended up liking politics somuch he's considering running for mayor. "But the day after the headline wasthe best day, because I realized I was liberated." Although it might seemeasy to "liberate" yourself from the political closet in Wilton Manors --which was the second U.S. city to elect a gay-majority legislative body --Angelo still had to jump past his gut-level fear that voters would rejecthim because he's gay. Layering race on top of sexual orientation only makessuch a jump scarier. "Gay black people are reticent to jump in because theythink it is shallow water," Angelo says. "Once they see more people likethemselves are in the political water and doing fine, then it'll be easierfor them to jump in."
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GLAAD Congratulates Freeheld's Oscar Win for Best Documentary Short SubjectThe Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today congratulateddirector-producer Cynthia Wade on her Oscar® win for her short documentary,Freeheld. The award was presented this evening at the 80th Annual AcademyAwards®, held at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles.
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Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-
A volunteer news poster is sought for To Form a More Perfect Union: MarriageEquality News.
The news poster would join the two existing bloggers for posting duties twoor three days a week, as well as occasional fill-in coverage in event ofvacations or emergencies. Duties require an hour or two a day at your convenience. We will provide youwith search engine materials and the (minimal) training required to searchfor materials to post and to format them for the weblog.
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Organizers of the third annual Queer Voices of the North Film Festivalwanted to send a message of inclusiveness. "We want people to know we arejust regular guys who are gay," said Bob Hughes, a festival organizer. "It'sabout educating the heterosexual community as well as being inclusive." Heldlast night at Galaxy Cinemas in conjunction with Shadows of the Mind FilmFestival, the theme of the 2008 Queer Voices was youth and hockey.
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Washington state: The state House of Representatives approved legislation aweek ago Friday to greatly expand Washington's domestic partnership law,which went into effect just seven months ago. The vote, 62-32, was takenafter very little debate, according to Associated Press writer Rachel LaCorte. The measure now is in the Senate, where a public hearing as beenscheduled for Monday in the Committee on Government Operations andElections.
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Vermont: I find it unbelievable that Stephen Cable and his friends put somuch energy into trying to hurt other families ("Traditional marriage chafesUVM," Feb. 10). First of all, especially as the Christians they profess tobe, in what truly compassionate way are they intending to treat families ofsame-sex couples in the future? Because those families are not going tocease to exist just because Mr. Cable wants them to. It seems his goal is toactively and intentionally keep such families at a disadvantage in oursociety and make sure they have fewer rights and advantages than he does. Itsure doesn't seem to me that a better community will come from that.
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Adamant that Canadian views on same-sex marriage shouldn't be allowed todefine American law, a New York county is appealing a recent landmark U.S.court ruling that forces the border state to fully recognize gay couples wedin Canada. In a unanimous Feb. 1 decision that drew attention across theU.S. for its precedent-setting potential, a New York appeals court orderedthe Monroe County Community College in Rochester to grant full spousalbenefits to two women legally married in Canada in 2004.
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In the Feb. 10 edition of the Sunday Rutland Herald and Times Argus, StephenCable claims he and his "internationally recognized experts" base theirarguments against same-sex marriage on a "wealth of social scienceresearch." I've listened to the "experts'" talks and read their Powerpointsand perused Cable's Vermont Marriage Advisory Council Web site. Neither theexperts nor the research ever compares same-sex marriage to heterosexualmarriage. Instead, they show the benefits to children of being raised by twolegally married parents. It looks to me like all that research actuallysupports gay and lesbian couples who want to marry so their children willhave greater security.
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This year, Florida will have a similar [marriage] amendment on its ballot,leading to speculation that it will affect voter turnout and maybe electionoutcomes - particularly since the apparent GOP nominee, Arizona Sen. JohnMcCain, isn't popular with religious and social conservatives. The amendment"absolutely" will drive conservative voters to the polls, said state GOPspokeswoman Erin VanSickle. "It's a Republican issue."
Opponents of the amendment even have suggested it was planned to helpRepublicans. But political scientists who have studied the effect of ballotissues on voter turnout say that the conventional wisdom is probably wrong.
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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Story of dying lesbian cop's pension struggle wins Oscar
Director Cynthia Wade and producer Vanessa Roth were among the winners atthe 80th Annual Academy Awards yesterday, taking home a statue for BestDocumentary Short Subject for the short film Freeheld.
Freeheld documents the struggle of New Jersey Detective Lieutenant LaurelHester in her effort to transfer her pension to her domestic partner, StacieAndree. With less than six months to live as cancer spreads to her brain,Laurel battles the Ocean County Freeholders and her elected officials.
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Catholics unhappy at rights for gay Kosovans
The draft constitution of Europe's newest nation is under attack from aRoman Catholic political organisation because it seeks to protect gay peoplefrom discrimination. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia earlier thismonth, backed by the US, the UK and other leading nations. Its draftconstitution contains specific provisions to protect Kosovans fromdiscrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and enshrines the rightto marry but does not limit that right to a man and a woman.
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Raul Castro confirmed as Cuban President
The younger brother of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro has been approved asthe country's President by the National Assembly. Fidel, 81, stepped downlast week, but will remain as head of the Communist party and is expected tocontinue to have a strong influence on his brother. At a two-day discussionon homosexuality in Cuba held earlier this year in Madrid poet Leon de laHoz said that many people on the island refer to Raul as "the little Chineseman with the sad eyes," a reference to his supposed repressed homosexuality.click here for the full article
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Microsoft millions form largest ever gay donation
A gay man who was one of the founding employees of computer companyMicrosoft has bequeathed $65m (£33m) to the Pride Foundation of Seattle. RicWeiland joined the company started by two of his high school classmates BillGates and Paul Allen. He died in died in June 2006, at the age of 53,committing suicide after struggling with depression. He is survived by hispartner, Mike Schaefer of Seattle and his nieces and nephews. $160m of hisestate was donated to charitable organisations. He also left $60m toStanford University.
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Ralph Nader enters US Presidential race
Perennial Presidential candidate Ralph Nader announced on NBC's Meet thePress yesterday that he will be entering the race for the White House yetagain. Nader, 73, ran as an Independent in 2004 and as a Green Partycandidate in 2000, a race in which he was blamed for spoiling former VicePresident Al Gore's chance for a clear victory. Blogger Sandy Sand onOpEdNews.com perhaps summed up the response of many to the announcement bysaying: "Just what we need."
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Forwarded from Gays Without Borders
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article
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Europe Must Stop Deportation of Iranian Queers (Feb 25, 08)
He lived a marginalized and terrorized life as an Iranian homosexual inIran; the burden of such a life became so strenuous that he finally leftIran forthe UK with a student visa. Mehdi Kazemi is another Iranian gay refugee wholeft his home country with the hope of securing a more dignified life forhimself in the West; and yet he is another young refugee who sees his hopesfor safety and human dignity fading in the face of European governments'lack of respect for even the most basic human rights.
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#####

NATIONAL & WORLD DIGEST February 25, 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:
-
It's All About Him
Can our broken souls be fixed by voting for Barack Obama?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/opinion/25kristol.html?ref=opinion
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Sex in the Cities
The French now seem obsessed by their leaders' love lives, the Americans notat all.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/opinion/25cohen.html?ref=opinion
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Constraining the Medicare Debate
The Bush administration has made no effort to reduce the unjustifiedsubsidies granted to the private health plans that participate in Medicare.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/opinion/25mon2.html?ref=opinion
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Got a Problem? Ask the Super By GERALDINE A. FERRARO
AS the race for the Democratic presidential nomination nears its end andattention turns to the role of so-called superdelegates in choosing thenominee, it is instructive to look at why my party created this class ofdelegates. .... Superdelegates were created to lead, not to follow. Theywere, and are, expected to determine what is best for the Democratic Partyand best for the country.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/opinion/25ferraro.html?ref=opinion
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In Memories of a Painful Past, Hushed Worry About Obama
Some voters are invoking the memories of the killings of the Rev. Dr. MartinLuther King Jr. and Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/us/politics/25memo.html?hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1203941201-Yfwyu+nwyHgEf+XzpFgdHw
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At Cuba Helm, Castro Brother Stays the Course
In his first words as president, RaĆŗl Castro made it clear that any changeswould be limited and he promised to continue to consult his brother, Fidel.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/world/americas/25cuba.html?hp
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An Article Brings Sharp Responses From Russians
MOSCOW - Some readers called it blatant propaganda from the West. Othersviewed it as a depressing exposƩ that rang true. A third group said thefacts did not matter, outsiders simply had no right to train a critical eyeon their country.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/world/europe/25russia.html?hp
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Brown Ends Tuition for Lower-Income Students
Brown University is eliminating tuition for students whose parents earn lessthan $60,000, after decisions by fellow Ivy League universities to bolsterfinancial aid as their endowments grow.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/education/25brown.html
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Nader to Run, Citing Events of 2004 Race
When Ralph Nader ran as a third-party candidate in 2000 and drew 96,837votes in Florida, he was widely derided by Democrats, who saw him as aspoiler who siphoned crucial votes from Al Gore and tipped the election toGeorge W. Bush. When he ran again in 2004, Democrats in many states tried tokeep him off their ballots.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/us/politics/25nader.html
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Washington Post
http://www.wasingtonpost.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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With Allegations of Impropriety, the Charges Can Bounce Both Ways
When Gennifer Flowers held a news conference in 1992 to announce that shehad carried on an affair with Bill Clinton, the New York Times devoted oneparagraph of a news story to her charges.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/24/AR2008022402080.html
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Who Will Tell Hillary? By Robert D. Novak
Even before Sen. Barack Obama won his ninth straight contest against Sen.
Hillary Clinton, in Wisconsin last Tuesday, wise old heads in the DemocraticParty were asking this question: Who will tell her that it's over, that shecannot win the presidential nomination and that the sooner she leaves therace, the more it will improve the party's chances of defeating Sen. JohnMcCain in November?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/24/AR2008022401666.html
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Scare Tactics on a Surveillance Bill
by Jay Rockefeller, Patrick Leahy, Silvestre Reyes and John Conyers
President Bush is using FISA as a wedge issue, not as a way to protectAmerica or the Constitution.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/24/AR2008022401668.html
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It's Not Your Father's Religious Right By David Kuo
Who will govern the new religious right?
History may look back at this Republican primary season and judge thatanswering that question -- not determining the nominee -- could be itsgreatest significance. Even if Sen. John McCain wins the race for the WhiteHouse, he's likely, at his age, to be a one-term, caretaker president. But anewly reconstituted religious right will be helping determine who wins thepresidency for decades. So whoever ends up heading it will potentially enjoya much more powerful position. That there's now a pitched battle for thesoul of the religious right is a horrifying thought to Republican leaderslong familiar with the old religious right, a hierarchical group dominatedby larger-than-life figures who'd anointed themselves Jesus's politicalrepresentatives.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/22/AR2008022202383_pf.html
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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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They're Republican red, and true blue to Obama
GOP renegades seeking a candidate capable of ending the Washingtonpartisanship are surfacing in the senator's campaign in surprising numbers.
'Obamacans,' he calls them.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/elections/la-na-gopobama25feb25,0,4073913.story
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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NAFTA good for countries involved
''NAFTA bad'' has become Democratic shorthand to explain the miseryspreading through America's industrial heartland. Barack Obama threw thispunch at Hillary Clinton: ''She says, well, speeches don't put food on thetable. Well, you know what? NAFTA didn't put food on the table inYoungstown, either.'' He was trying to tie her to Bill Clinton's role inpushing the North American Free Trade Agreement
http://www.miamiherald.com/851/story/431948.html
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Obama's success tied to his eloquence By LEONARD PITTS JR.
A few words in defense of words. This, in light of the latest knock on Sen.Barack Obama, which is that, while he's good with words, words are all he'sgot. He is eloquent and inspiring, this analysis goes, but eloquence andinspiration do not a president make.
http://www.miamiherald.com/851/story/429279.html
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Bleaker picture of betting revenue painted
State economists said revenue from gambling for schools will be lower thanpredicted by gaming companies.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/429798.html
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Inside Higher Education
http://www.insidehighered.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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SMU's Deal With Bush
University will be site not only of library, but of institute that will notbe governed by standard academic rules and that many fear will put apartisan taint on scholarship. ... Despite the concerns of many of itsfaculty members and historians nationwide, Southern Methodist Universityagreed to terms Friday for becoming the home of President Bush's library andof an institute that will promote the president's views and that will not becontrolled by the university.
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/02/25/smu
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Antioch College to Suspend Operations (Probably)
Once again, it looks like Antioch College won't be operating in the fall.
Antioch University's Board of Trustees announced Friday that it had"reconfirmed" plans to shutter the undergraduate institution in YellowSprings, Ohio, for several years of planning on how to revive theinstitution academically and financially. That's what the board firstannounced in June - igniting fury from students, alumni and professors - andleading to several proposals to keep the college operating.
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/02/25/antioch
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#####

FLORIDA DIGEST February 25, 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.

=
Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Revamp of sex ed will better help kids face tough decisionsISSUE: Sexeducation revamped.
While much of the country leans on a failing abstinence-only sex educationapproach, Palm Beach County's public school district is increasingly headedin a more constructive direction.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-editnbsexedpnfeb25,0,2192987.story
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-
Bleaker picture of betting revenue painted
State economists said revenue from gambling for schools will be lower thanpredicted by gaming companies.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/429798.html
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=
Democratic Professionals Council -
DPC Happy Hour on Las Olas with your Friends!
Monday February 25th 5:30PM
Enjoy a drink and good ole intellectually stimulating conversation with yourDemocratic friends! Bring new people to the mix. A networking reception willbegin at 5:30 PM in the Riverside Hotel
Cost is $15 per person. Payment in advance required (mail-in check or
PayPal) We invite you to bring any guests. - RSVP Now!
Riverside Hotel
620 East Las Olas
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
http://www.democraticprofessionalscouncil.org/rsvp.php?event=80&e=info@dolphindems.org
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Condolences go out to Former Ft. Lauderdale Vice Mayor and Former DolphinDemocrat President, Dean Trantalis. Dean's father passed away on Thursdayand he is with his family in Connecticut.
-

=

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######

Sunday, February 24, 2008

GLBT DIGEST February 24, 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:
-
Film of Gay Partners' Rights in the Running for an Oscar
POINT PLEASANT - IT'S not the kind of portrayal that will leave most residents beaming with pride, but New Jersey features prominently in at least one of the films in the running for an Academy Award on Sunday.
"Freeheld," a 38-minute documentary by the Brooklyn-based director Cynthia Wade, tells the story of Laurel Hester, a Point Pleasant policewoman dying of lung cancer who fought a legal battle to leave her pension to the woman she considered her wife, Stacie Andree.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/24filmnj.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=gay&st=nyt&oref=slogin
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Attacks Show Easygoing Jamaica Is Dire Place for Gays
MANDEVILLE, Jamaica - One night last month, Andre and some friends werefinishing dinner when a mob showed up at the front gate. Yelling antigayslurs and waving machetes, sticks and knives, 15 to 20 men kicked in thefront door of the home he and his friends had rented and set upon them.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/world/americas/24jamaica.html?scp=3&sq=gay&st=nyt
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Vaccinating Boys for Girls' Sake?
HOW cool are those Gardasil Girls? Riding horses, flinging softballs,bashing away on drum sets: on the television commercials, they arepugnacious and utterly winning. They want to be "One Less," they chant - oneless victim of cervical cancer. Get vaccinated with Gardasil, they urgetheir sisters. Protect yourselves against the human papillomavirus, orH.P.V., which causes cervical cancer.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/fashion/24virus.html?scp=5&sq=gay&st=nyt
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Elusive Equality
In 2006, New Jersey's Supreme Court declared that same-sex couples must beguaranteed all the rights and benefits that come with marriage, but left itto the State Legislature to figure out how. Instead of simply granting gaypeople the right to marry, the Legislature joined Vermont and Connecticut increating a lesser category, civil unions. Predictably, civil unions areproving to be an inadequate remedy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/opinion/24sun3.html?scp=11&sq=gay&st=nyt
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Birds Do It. Bees Do It. Dragons Don't Need To.
DRAGONS and virgin births are the stuff of myth and religion. Except, thatis, in Kansas, where they have recently come together in a way that shouldalter the way many of us look at nature and demonstrate the risks in ourhabit of using it to help us make ethical decisions.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/opinion/24shubin.html?ref=opinion
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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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New York:
S&M festival a slamming good time
Shoppers browsed among the whips, chains, and T-shirts with slogans like"Real tears excite me" at the city's first S&M street festival Sunday, evenas some neighborhood residents lashed out at the fair's adult content.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/custom/fringe/am-feti1008,0,4967019.story
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Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Jamaican anti-gay violence gaining worldwide attention
State Department responds after protest at consulate in Miami
Increasing acts of violence and repressive anti-sodomy laws continue to makelife difficult and dangerous for gay men and lesbians in Jamaica. But theplight of the island's gay population has recently been receiving moreattention from the international community, including the U.S. StateDepartment.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2008/2-21/news/localnews/4428.cfm
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365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Gay Microsoft Pioneer Leaves $65M To LGBT Groups
(Seattle, Washington) Ric Weiland, one of the first five employees hired byMicrosoft, and the first who was openly gay, has left $65-million to LGBT,HIV/AIDS, and education organizations.
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Prosecutors Tell Judge Sen Craig Plea Should Stand
(Minneapolis, Minnesota) Prosecutors argued Friday that Sen. Larry Craig'sappeal misinterprets the disorderly conduct law and his guilty plea in abathroom sex sting should stand.
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Superdelegates Moving To Obama
(Washington) The Democratic superdelegates are starting to follow thevoters - straight to Barack Obama.
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McCain Sees Obama As Most Likely Foe
(Columbus, Ohio) His nomination assured, John McCain got an early jump onthe general election this week with a swing through Midwestern states likelyto be pivotal in the fall and a fresh line of criticism against BarackObama.
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Poaching Health Care Workers Should Be Crime AIDS Groups Say
(Toronto, Ontario) The poaching of doctors, nurses and pharmacists fromsub-Saharan Africa by developed countries ought to be viewed as aninternational crime, a group of public health researchers from Canada andother countries argue in a leading medical journal.
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LGBT Center Wins Tax Fight With City
(Kingston, New York) The Hudson Valley LGBT Community Center has settled itslawsuit against the City of Kingston over the Center's property taxexemption.
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Dying Lesbian's Partner Denied Access To Her
(Miami, Florida) Janice Langbehn and Lisa Pond had planned to take theirthree children on a family cruise. The Olympia, Washington couple had beentogether 18 years and with their children were looking forward to theholiday.
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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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Israel Stands Out
The attorney general of Israel ruled last week that gay couples will beallowed to jointly adopt children that are not biologically linked to eitherpartner. Menachem Mazuz announced that there was no legal basis fordiffering treatment of gay couples to straight couples.Meanwhile, is thereany doubt about how, in a future Palestinian state, gays will be treated? Ifnot subject to execution as in Iran, they'll certainly be subject to arrest,as in Egypt. (Awhile back, Paul Varnell wrote about the persecution of gaysby the Palestinian Authority, as did Jamie Kirchick.)
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Being Fit Can Lower Stroke Risk
Being merely moderately fit _ walking briskly half an hour a day _ can lowerthe risk of having a stroke, according to a new study whose findings applyto women as well as men.Much of the previous research on stroke and fitnesshas been on men and relied on participants to report their physicalactivity, said Steven Hooker, who heads the University of South Carolina'sPrevention Research Center in Columbia and led the study. About a quarter ofthose in the new study were women, and everyone had a treadmill test tomeasure his or her fitness level.
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It's a Man's Game When it Comes to Fighting Prejudice
I Peter Ross do solemnly pledge that in this article about Scotland's onlygay football team I will avoid any and all cheap references to balls,communal baths and playing for the other side. I swear this on my copy ofthe 1978 Roy Of The Rovers annual and a foxed paperback of MyraBreckinridge. The gay football team in question are HotScots FC. They have played only three matches so far, but managed to beat an English side, the LondonLeftfooters, and will represent Scotland in the gay world cup this August. Roll over James McFadden and tell Smeato the news, the HotScots are nationalheroes in the making.
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Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/
Go to this link for the following articles:
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Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA) today examines the amicus brief written bythese Communities of Faith and also the amicus brief written by the Councilfor Secular Humanism, which both seek to highlight the essentialConstitutional tenets of the separation of church and state and theprinciples of religious liberty and freedom from state-imposed religiousbeliefs. This article is just one in a series where MEUSA is partnering withthe Bay Area Reporter to highlight each of the 30 amicus "friend of thecourt" briefs filed by hundreds of supportive organizations, professionalassociations, and religious institutions filed before the California SupremeCourt in favor of same-sex couples' freedom to marry.
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On Thursday, U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Tammy Baldwin, Howard Bermanand Gary Ackerman sent this letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice:
"We have followed with great interest and concern the media coverage of theworkplace inequities facing gays and lesbians in the U.S. Department ofState. "By not including same-sex partners in the definition of an "EligibleFamily Member" (EFM), the Department excludes them from many of thebenefits, protections, and services that are enjoyed by family members ofmarried FSOs [Foreign Service Officers], and that are important to thesafety, effectiveness, and morale of our communities abroad."
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A TV3 poll has found that 72% of viewers back the Irish government'sproposal to introduce legal recognition for gay and lesbian couples. MarkMcCarron and Paul Kenny (pictured right), campaigners for the gay rightspressure group LGBT Noise appeared on popular breakfast show 'Ireland AM' aspart of a segment on gay civil unions Legislation for civil unions isexpected to be unveiled at the end of March, but McCarron and Kenny areadvocating full and equal gay marriage.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Instant Lottery Ticket for HIV/AIDS Unveiled
After overcoming a hurdle last year, the nation's first instant lotteryticket where 100 percent of the net proceeds go towards HIV/AIDS preventionservices is now available at Illinois Lottery retail locations.
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=17539
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Pro-Trans Ruling in Name Case
Illinois' highest court ruled that a suburban disabled transgender womanshould no longer be denied access to the judicial process because of hergender identity or financial status.
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=17540
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Iranian homosexuals living on the edge
Islamic Republic proves a dangerous place to be gay, as refugee tells oflife in fear in a place that 'kills people for falling in love'; If we fightGod's will why did he created us like this, he asks
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3509570,00.html
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Bishop clarifies criticisms of government 'intrusion'
THE Bishop of Carlisle is embroiled in fresh controversy after comparing thegovernment to a demonic seven-headed beast for imposing its morality onsociety. The Right Revd Graham Dow has criticised the government for"acting as if it is god" over social issues such as gay adoption, and calledfor Christian morals to be taken more seriously.
http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=794694
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Israeli MP blames gays for earthquakes in the Holy Land
Recent earthquakes in Israel are the fault of gays and the Israeliparliament's acceptance of them, an Israeli MP declared yesterday.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=517190&in_page_id=1811&ito=1490
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Boy Scouts' policy on gays discriminatory
I have chosen not to renew my membership in the National Eagle Scout
Association because of the Boy Scouts' official policy of discriminationagainst gay people. I am ashamed an organization to which I owe so much haschosen to take such a myopic stance on this issue and hide behind a gossamerlegal veil to exclude gays.
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008802210484
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Why a McCain Nomination is Good for Gays - and a Presidency May be Better
What I am going to say may seem counter-intuitive, but hear me out. No, JohnMcCain is not as good on many gay issues as the leading Democraticcandidates, who at least pay lip service to gay issues like ENDA andrelationship recognition, and who did show up to LOGO's debate last year -but John McCain's nomination as the GOP candidate for president is very goodnews for GLBT Americans, and his presidency would be even better.
http://www.interstateq.com/archives/2613/
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Domestic-partner rights plan passes first Dade hurdle
Plans to create domestic-partnership rights in Miami-Dade County passed afirst test Tuesday, winning a preliminary 8-4 vote by the County Commission.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2008/02/domestic-partne.html
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GLBT caucus seeks support at Democratic National Convention
We have a record 55 GLBT candidates who have applied to be delegates to the2008 Democratic National Convention in August in Denver.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2008/02/glbt-caucus-see.html
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'Evil' rhetoric violates premise of a civil democracy
I have been listening to the Iowa Family Policy Center, which wishes toamend the Iowa Constitution to permanently prohibit same-sex marriage. Whatstruck me was the allegation that the battle is one of good versus evil.
Children should be raised by a man and a woman and to allow otherwise isevil. Heterosexual marriages that result in children are good, all else isevil.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008802170317
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Ombuds provides Safe Zone for affectional minorities
As the UA reaches record enrollment levels, faculty and staff are comingtogether to ensure all students feel welcome on campus, through theUniversity Ombuds Office's Safe Zone Allies Program.
http://media.www.thetraveleronline.com/media/storage/paper688/news/2008/02/20/News/Ombuds.Provides.Safe.Zone.For.Affectional.Minorities-3220221.shtml
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Will & Grace creators to produce new gay-themed comedy
American TV network ABC has ordered a pilot of a gay-themed comedy from thecreators of Will & Grace.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-6896.html
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Partner benefits future uncertain
The Kentucky Senate passed Bill 112, which would restrict health insurancecoverage for University of Louisville employees as well as their familymembers on Jan. 30.
http://media.www.louisvillecardinal.com/media/storage/paper964/news/2008/02/19/News/Partner.Benefits.Future.Uncertain-3217698.shtml
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Same Sex Religion Debate
Gay marriage debates coming up in court are bringing out conflicts withreligions in California. On March 4th there will be a hearing at the stateSupreme Court on the constitutionality of state law that only allows couplesof opposite sex to marry. There's arguments from religious organizationsfrom both sides. The "Chronicle," says the Mormon, California Catholicchurch and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations are saying a marriagebetween a man and woman is very important to the community. Other religiousorganizations like Buddhists, Reform Jews, and The United Church of Christare arguing for allowing same sex-unions.
http://www.kfiv1360.com/cc-common/mainheadlines2.html?feed=127840&article=3295088
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Irish Students Call on Iranian Government to Halt Executions of Two 'Gay'Men
DUBLIN, February 18, 2008 - The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) hastoday called on the Iranian Government to halt the planned executions ofTayyeb Karimi and Yazdan who are both thought to be gay.
http://ukgaynews.org.uk/Archive/08/Feb/1801.htm
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Depression a major problem for gays
MORE than half of Irish gay people surveyed as part of new research hadsought help for mental health problems because of discrimination.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/depression-a-major-problem-for-gays-1291777.html
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Algerian transsexual returns to Alicante after government revokesdeportation order
Application for asylum is one avenue to avoid returning to Algeria forpossible prosecution as a homosexual. The Algerian transsexual who was dueto be deported as an illegal immigrant by order of an Alicante court has nowbeen released from the Valencia internment centre where she was being held.
Europa Press said the deportation order was revoked by central governmentoffices in Alicante, and M.B. has returned to the home she shares with herpartner in Alicante following her release last Thursday night.
http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_15139.shtml
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Stacey Campfield's 'Gay Talk' Law Ain't Smart
Tennessee House Representative Stacey Campfield makes us say "Hmmmm."
The single 40-year old proposed legislation earlier this month that ouldprohibit "gay speak" in the state's elementary and middle school. SaidCampfield: We're not going to teach about topics that I think should be taught at home in the first place. We're not going to teach about homosexuality, thehomosexual lifestyle, the lesbian lifestyle, the transgendered lifestyle.
We're going to leave that up to families to decide when it's age appropriate, whenit isn't appropriate, and what they want to tell their children.
http://www.queerty.com/stacy-campfields-gay-speak-law-aint-smart-20080218/
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Barkley Comes Out Against Gay Nup Opposing "Fake Christians"
Former NBA superstar turned political expert Charles Barkley appeared on CNN'ssensational Situation Room last week to discuss his electoral love forBarack Obama.
http://www.queerty.com/barkley-comes-out-against-gay-nup-opposing-fake-christians-20080217/
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Just One More Dead Faggot
I have no words for how I feel today. Not only was a 15-year-old boy shot inthe back of the head by someone who hated him because he was gay, because hewas not masculine, because he wore jewelry and makeup, but also a10-year-old boy hung himself in England.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sara-whitman/just-one-more-dead-faggot_b_87280.html
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Students protest high school's handling of gay issues
Belleville . Sara Dunn says her high school oppresses gay rights.
The Belleville East High senior and about a dozen others protested theschool Monday in the town's public square, on the center steps of theBelleville Courthouse.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/education/story/00E25EA389DC0D32862573F40004050F?OpenDocument
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Gay footballers score a historic victory over the Auld Enemy
SCOTLAND'S first gay football team thrashed their English counterparts atthe weekend and now have their eyes on the ultimate prize - the World Cup.Edinburgh-based HotScots FC's 4-1 win over London Leftfooters was theirfirst victory, and chairman Kevin Rowe said he hoped it will help raise theprofile of the side.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Gay-footballers-score-a-historic.3787539.jp
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Ex-Gay 'Touch Therapy' Leads to Sexual Assault Conviction
The story is a familiar one. A young man is found by family to be sexuallyattracted to men and coerced through a fear of hell to seek "therapy" to gostraight. This is the story that led a young Canadian man to seek out thehelp of Terrance Lewis, a minister and (former) counselor at ProvidenceCollege and Seminary.
http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2008/02/ex-gay-touch-therapy-leads-to-sexual-assault-conviction/
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Nashville Public Library and the Brooks Fund announce agreement to houseGLBT oral histories
An ongoing multimedia archive of GLBT life in Middle Tennessee. The H.Franklin Brooks Philanthropic Fund of The Community Foundation of MiddleTennessee has donated the first phase of The Brooks Fund History Project tothe Special Collections Center at the Nashville Public Library. The HistoryProject is an ongoing multimedia archive of gay, lesbian, bisexual,transgender (GLBT) life in Middle Tennessee.
http://outandaboutnewspaper.com/article.php?id=2387
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Gala supports lesbian, gay rights
Change in schedule, soft economy lead to drop in attendance at event
About 1,200 people gathered at the Charlotte Convention Center Saturday forthe 2008 Human Rights Campaign Carolinas Gala in support of gay and lesbianrights.
http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/497137.html
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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?
http://mcv.e-p.net.au/features/one-love-2580-3.html
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Same sex couples talk about married life
In December 2005, ground-breaking legislation was introduced in the UKallowing same sex couples to form civil partnerships and enjoy the samerights and responsibilities as heterosexual married couples.
Hannah Gray speaks to two couples about what their civil partnership meansto them.
http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/features/Same-sex-couples-talk-about.3771671.jp
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Gay to Straight in One Weekend!
A critique of the Journey Into Manhood claims of change.
Recently, People Can Change issued a press release (PDF) suggesting 79% ofrespondents reported (PDF) a decrease in frequency or intensity ofhomosexual feelings as a result of participating in a Journey Into Manhoodweekend retreat. Furthermore, in supporting documents, they indicate 13% ofthe respondents now consider themselves to be straight, all thanks to atwo-day retreat. However, as with so many other claims of change, they arewithout any substance.
http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2008/02/gay-to-straight-in-one-weekend/
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Family Freedom Intensive
Societal and cultural influences have made our children vulnerable toincreased assault while undermining the family unit designed by God toprotect and nurture children into adulthood. The internet age has providedour young people constant access to experiences that can leave them sexuallyand relationally broken.Many parents are not equipped to respond to theseissues when they surface in their children, and restoring safety andcommunication in the home can be a difficult process.
http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2008/02/the-intolerance-of-love-in-action/#more-2792
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Don't ask, don't tell: Has difficulty in filling ranks led to more toleranceof homosexuals in the military?
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may be doing what presidential executiveorders and congressional actions could not - end discrimination againsthomosexuals in the U.S. military.
http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/02/13/opinion/editorials/doc47b08f1adcc11044843119.txt
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High schooler spars with Rove over gay marriage.During his controversialspeech at New England prep school Choate Rosemary Hall yesterday, formerBush adviser Karl Rove was challenged by a student "to explain how givinggay people the right to marry would endanger other people." Rove dodgedanswering her at first, saying that the issue "should be resolved by alegislature or a referendum, not a court." But the student, Choate seniorMarla Spivack, continued to press him:
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/high-schooler-spars-with-rove-over-gay-marriage
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Theologian Claims Bible Does Not Condemn Gays
A Presbyterian theologian is visiting several churches this fall refutingthe common Christian interpretation of the Bible that Jesus and Scriptureopposes homosexuality.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071006/29599_Theologian_Claims_Bible_Does_Not_Condemn_Gays.htm
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Formerly gay survivors go forth -- still gay and OK
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/feb/17/formerly-gay-survivors-go-forth----still-gay-and/
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Florida: Christian groups lose SGA funding
Money withheld from campus organizations whose anti-discrimination policiesdon't include gay and lesbians
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080217/NEWS01/802170312
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The National Gay News Endorses Barack Obama
http://nationalgaynews.com/content/view/2836/173/
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[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####

NATIONAL & WORLD DIGEST February 24, 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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Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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WHY THE GOP LOST VOTERS LIKE ME
IMMIGRATION, LATINOS AND THE POLITICS OF FEAR
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02242008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/why_the_gop_lost_voters_like_me_98990.htm
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New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Putin's Iron Grip on Russia Suffocates His Opponents
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia - Shortly before parliamentary elections inDecember, foremen fanned out across the sprawling GAZ vehicle factory here,pulling aside assembly-line workers and giving them an order: vote forPresident Vladimir V. Putin's party or else. They were instructed to phonein after they left their polling places. Names would be tallied, defiancepunished.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/world/europe/24putin.html?scp=4&sq=gay&st=nyt
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What That McCain Article Didn't Say
If a newspaper is going to suggest an improper sexual affair by apresidential candidate, it owes readers more proof than The Times was ableto provide.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/opinion/24pubed.html?ref=opinion
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Somber Clinton Soldiers On as the Horizon Darkens
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has not given up, but she no longer exudesthe supreme confidence that was once her trademark.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/us/politics/24mood.html?hp
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It Must Be Ohio
The Democrats need to articulate a coherent vision for how America cancompete in and benefit from a globalized world.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/opinion/24sun1.html?ref=opinion
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The Audacity of Hopelessness
The Clinton camp has been the slacker in this presidential race, and itscandidate's message, for all its purported high-mindedness, isself-immolating.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/opinion/24rich.html?ref=opinion
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¿QuiĆ©n Es Less Macho?
The first serious female candidate for president may be rejected by votersdrawn to the more feminine management style of her male rival.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/opinion/24dowd.html?ref=opinion
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Elusive Equality
Gov. Jon Corzine will need political courage, not more dawdling, to achievereal marital equality in New Jersey.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/opinion/24sun3.html?ref=opinion
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After War, New Battle to Become Citizens
Some immigrant members of the military have waited years for theircitizenship applications to be processed.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/us/24vets.html?hp
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Once Immune, Utah Is Feeling Economic Dip
The state's unexpectedly sharp economic knock is a reminder of how globaland local are intertwined.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/us/24utah.html?hp
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Washington Post
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Useful Inexperience
We are the last major nation to make the transition from Cold War thinking.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/22/AR2008022202175.html
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The Obama Enigma
Where would he lead America?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/23/AR2008022301816.html
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Burma's Charade
The junta's plans for a faux democracy
IF YOU haven't been paying close attention, you might think some recentannouncements out of Burma denoted progress in this broken Southeast Asianstate.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/23/AR2008022301817.html
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Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Case May Get Closure
Lawsuit reaches Supreme Court 14 years after Alaskans were granted $5B indamages for 1989 disaster and after thousands of them have died.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/23/AR2008022302354.html?hpid=topnews
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Talk of Change Rings Hollow
Democratic hopefuls are hard-pressed to offer viable, popular solutions forOhio's job losses.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/23/AR2008022302164.html?hpid=topnews
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Cuba's Mini-Capitalists Hopeful
Castro's departure could open doors for nation's budding entrepreneurs,ushering in a new era.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/23/AR2008022302307.html?hpid=artslot&hpid=topnews
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Senators Diverting Campaign Funds to Kin
Loophole in Ethics Rules Is One That the Senate Did Not Close Last Year
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/23/AR2008022302182.html?hpid=moreheadlines
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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Cuba's president to be selected today
When Cuba's National Assembly meets to select the island's highest rulingbodies, Raul Castro is the leading contender to replace his ailing81-year-old brother as president.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/cuba/sfl-flrndcuba0224sbfeb24,0,5585780.story
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Ray of hope in `world's most dangerous place'
Voters in Pakistan sent Washington a wake-up call last week. The notion thatthe iron rule of Gen. Pervez Musharraf is the only thing that keeps Pakistanfrom falling into the hands of Islamic extremists has governed U.S. policyfor years. On Monday, however, the electorate rejected both Musharraf'sdictatorship and the jihadists in a resounding cry for democracy that oughtto signal the end of this country's all-out support for the general.
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/429270.html
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Obama's success tied to his eloquence By LEONARD PITTS JR.
A few words in defense of words. This, in light of the latest knock on Sen.Barack Obama, which is that, while he's good with words, words are all he'sgot. He is eloquent and inspiring, this analysis goes, but eloquence andinspiration do not a president make.
http://www.miamiherald.com/851/story/429279.html
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Racists remain undeterred
Last week, at a ceremony in the White House commemorating Black History
Month, President Bush condemned two centuries of ''rampant'' lynching inAmerica as ''a shameful chapter'' in our nation's history and, moreover,deplored the rising incidence of nooses in schools, workplaces and themedia. ''The noose is not a symbol of prairie justice,'' he said, ``but ofgross injustice.''
http://www.miamiherald.com/851/story/429885.html
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National Assembly convenes to choose Castro's successor
Nearly 400 new faces in Cuba's National Assembly will choose Cuba's nextpresident. A full 72 percent are too young to have any recollection ofcapitalism. Only a third are incumbents.
http://www.miamiherald.com/457/story/430912.html
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Now that Mexico is officially describing Cuba's newly retired PresidentFidel Castro as an ''outstanding figure,'' the Brazilian president calls hima ''mythical'' leader and the world media are doing verbal pirouettes toavoid calling him a dictator, it's a good time to take a dispassionate lookat Castro's record.
http://www.miamiherald.com/418/story/430868.html
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FLORIDA DIGEST February 24, 2008

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AIDS Walk Miami - Walk Talk
Our online donations continue to grow daily and with your help, we willreach our goal of $700,000. This is only $100 for each of the 7,000+ clientswe serve in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.Log on to www.aidswalkmiami.orgnow and sign up yourself as an individual, or sign up your company as ateam, then rally your friends, families and co-workers to join with you forthis amazing event. The top three teams are invited to lead off the walkfrom the Miami Beach Convention Center. The front line is always a greatphoto opportunity and company teams use this as a way to advertise theirbusiness's participation in the AIDS Walk by putting team members inmatching corporate shirts.
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Washington Post
http://www.miamiherald.com/
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Florida Zoo Takes in Expunged Exotics
MIAMI -- With alternately tearful goodbyes and barely contained impatience,more than 100 South Floridians surrendered their exotic animals Saturday ata zoo event designed to give owners an alternative to simply turning themloose.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/23/AR2008022301985.html?hpid=sec-nation
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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
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Fort Lauderdale: Police seek information about two fatal shootings
Police on Saturday continued to seek the public's help in solving twoslayings that left an openly gay teen and a landscaper dead.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flsb3bdig02243sbfeb24,0,865950.story
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More homeowners facing foreclosures
The number of Broward County homeowners facing foreclosure more than tripledin 2007, creating an economic plague that's spreading.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flzforeclosurebr0224sbfeb24,0,7178295.story
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Broward County youths among 300 children who become U.S. citizens
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbkids0224sbfeb24,0,117583.story
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Haitian president wants temporary protective status for Haitians in America
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-221edithaiti,0,3175784.story
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Let Broward's voters decide on countywide mayor
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-editafcrcsbfeb24,0,1105228.story
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Don't lock up 12-year-old murder suspect indefinitely
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-editajj12yearoldsbfeb21,0,4155651.story
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Lip sync: At Oakland Park restaurant, drag queens serve, entertain
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/430813.html
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Record-tying temperatures hit South Florida
http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/430881.html
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End of an era: Longtime WPLG-ABC 10 anchor Dwight Lauderdale, a fixture onSouth Florida TV since 1974, is expected to announce his retirement Mondayon the 11 p.m. news. His contract expires June 1, and talk is he'll leave inlate May.
http://www.miamiherald.com/418/story/430871.html
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Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
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Florida runs on growth, and when growth grinds to a halt, the state can'tbalance its checkbook. That's the crux of the spending squeeze that will force legislators to cut$2-billion from the budget when they meet in March for their annual session.
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/24/Opinion/Short_term_budget__Th.shtml
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The Crist Veep-O-Meter nudges a tad closer to vice president this week,though it has less to do with Charlie Crist than some other prospects forJohn McCain's running mate.
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/24/State/Crist_s_VP_prospects_.shtml
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Dark clouds hang over the Sunshine State. Florida desperately needs toinvest in higher education, health care and transportation, yet legislatorsare cutting more than $2-billion from the state budget because of recorddeclines in tax revenue. The fourth-largest state's antiquated tax structureis ill-equipped for a service-based, global economy, yet there is no urgencyin Tallahassee to fix it.
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/24/Opinion/More_vision__less_den.shtml
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