GLBT DIGEST - March 04, 2009

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

-2 Indicted in Fatal Beating of Ecuadorean Immigrant
By KAREEM FAHIM
The two men accused of fatally beating an Ecuadorean immigrant with a bat and a bottle after shouting epithets about Hispanics and gays face 78 years to life in prison if convicted on charges handed up by a Brooklyn grand jury and unsealed on Tuesday.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/04/nyregion/04ecuadorean.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=gay&st=cse


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Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
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-Russian scholar says US will collapse _ next year
By MIKE ECKEL
MOSCOW -- If you're inclined to believe Igor Panarin, and the Kremlin
wouldn't mind if you did, then President Barack Obama will order martial law this year, the U.S. will split into six rump-states before 2011, and Russia and China will become the backbones of a new world order.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/04/AR2009030400327.html

-Penn says he assumes Calif. gov will honor Milk
The Associated Press
Sean Penn, who won an Oscar for playing gay rights hero Harvey Milk, says he is confident California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will sign a bill recognizing Milk's birthday.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/04/AR2009030401229.html


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

-Utah the USA's Online Porn Capital
Utah not only led the charge with donations to pass California's gay marriage ban -- the state also leads the pack with the highest level of online pornography usage. In fact, traditionally "red" states fill out the top three spots. Alaska is close behind, followed by Mississippi. California is way down the list at number 39. People in the 27 states banning gay marriage boast 11 percent more porn subscribers than states which don't specifically restrict same-sex marriage. Out of every 1,000 broadband users in the state of Utah, the report says 5.47 are porn subscribers.
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid74249.asp


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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
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-California Attorney General: 'Prop 8 comparable to 1960s racism'
The Attorney General of California, Jerry Brown, has called for Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage in the US state, to be deemed unconstitutional and stricken down.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11429.html

-THT launches new guide for teachers on gay relationships
A free guide for teachers with ideas they can use to help discuss topics like same sex relationships and homophobia with their students has been produced. Click here for full article
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11434.html

-Men with prostate cancer have "worst" NHS experience
A new survey has revealed a lack of knowledge that men living with prostate cancer - the most common cancer in men - continue to have to deal with the 'historical legacy of neglect' surrounding the disease. Click here for full article
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11433.html

-Pelosi cites hate crimes and employment protection as priorities
The Speaker of the US House of Representatives has said that three gay equality issues will be tackled. The Democrats control both Houses of Congress as well as the White House. Click here for full article
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11431.html

-Barack Obama 'consulting advisors on lifting military gay ban'
Barack Obama is discussing how to lift the ban on gay men and women serving in the US military, according to reports. Click here for full article
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11428.html

-Increased rights for Colombian same-sex partners "not automatic"
Gay and lesbian couples in Colombia still face challenges after a ruling granting them increased rights. Click here for full article
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11419.html

-Director receives death threats over Channel 4 documentary about gay Muslims
Executives at Channel 4 are bracing themselves for a backlash against a programme showing gay and lesbian Muslims. Click here for full article
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11416.html

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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Go to the links for the following articles:
Contact rays.list@comcast.net if you can't access the article

-Maker of Mormon beefcake calendar won't get degree
SALT LAKE CITY -- Brigham Young University has denied an appeal to award a diploma that the creator of a Mormon beefcake calendar says he earned. Chad Hardy's diploma was withheld by BYU last fall after he was excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which owns and runs the school. Hardy was excommunicated during the month between completing his courses and graduation ceremonies.Hardy appealed and met with Dean of Students Vernon L. Heperi on Feb. 13. In the meeting, Heperi sought to determine whether Hardy's life is guided by the school's honor code, which reflects the values of the Mormon church.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/bizarre/6290585.html

- Church-goers bought less online porn on Sundays - a 1% increase in a postal code's religious attendance was associated with a 0.1% drop in subscriptions that day. However, expenditures on other days of the week brought them in line with the rest of the country, Edelman finds. Residents of 27 states that passed laws banning gay marriages boasted 11% more porn subscribers than states that don't explicitly restrict gay marriage.
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/02/27/red-states-consume-m.html

-Same-sex marriage laws at odds with separation of church and state
The United States of America is supposed to be the land of freedom. Yet, inane restrictions abound, turning us into a rather hypocritical society. Why, in this day and age, are we even debating the issue of same-sexmarriage? Progress and change should bring with it open-mindedness, tolerance and acceptance. Unfortunately, our country seems trapped in irrational fear, prejudice and intolerance. It's shameful, sad and embarrassing. Banning same-sex marriages is a clear-cut violation of the basic rights we've been entitled to as a people since this country was established. We've all been taught that our forefathers declared us to all be created equal, be entitled to the pursuit of happiness, freedom of religion and the separation of church and state.
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20090228/OPINIONS/902280303/1006/OPINIONS

-Slain Teen's Family "Sues Everybody For Not Destroying His Gayness"
Headline courtesy of Joe.My.God, who has provided extensive coverage of the Lawrence King tragedy since the California student was murdered one year ago. Another high school student is currently facing trial for the murder, which has been charged as a hate crime and which shocked civil rights activists across the country. In a suit filed last year, the King family claimed their son 's school was at fault for failing to enforce its dress code. Their theory was that the teen's gender-nonconforming attire and makeup made him a target for violence. That's right: since they can't exactly blame the victim, their own son, they're doing the next best thing:
blaming his gender expression, and the school authorities for failing to suppress it.
http://polyperversity.blogspot.com/2009/02/slain-teens-family-lawrence-kings.html

-Campus Pride to Examine LGBT Campus Climate & Safety
at U.S. Colleges & Universities
CHARLOTTE, NC, March 2, 2009 - Do you consider your campus to be gay-friendly? Does your campus have work to be done on transgender issues? What does it mean to be a lesbian, gay, bisexual or a transgender (LGBT) student, staff, or faculty member on your campus? LGBT students, faculty, staff, and administrators are encouraged to respond to the Call for Participation for Campus Pride's National LGBT College Climate Survey announced today. Go online to http://www.campuspride.org/research.


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Truth Wins Out - TWO
by Wayne Besen
http://www.truthwinsout.org/

-Do Tell, Live In Hell
Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) introduced a bill this week to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, a law that prohibits gay and lesbian military personnel from serving openly. While this is welcome news, there is no guarantee of a "welcome mat" for gay and lesbian soldiers if the ban is lifted. In the years since Don't Ask, Don't Tell was adopted in 1993, there has been a rigorous effort to force religion into the barracks. Fundamentalist Christian groups have infiltrated some of our leading military bases and have made life uncomfortable for anyone who does not conform. This first came to light in 2005 after the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs had become a bastion of Anti-Semitism and Christian proselytizing. The problem escalated as some cadets were reportedly harassed and called "filthy Jews." A chaplain who complained about the Biblical abuse was unceremoniously demoted and shipped off to Japan. To stop the attempted conversions, the military brass had to meet with the Anti-Defamation League.
http://www.truthwinsout.org/blog/do-tell-live-in-hell/


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