GLBT DIGEST - April 08, 2009

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

-Gay Rights Groups Celebrate Victories in Marriage Push
By ABBY GOODNOUGH
Gay-rights groups say that momentum from back-to-back victories on same-sex marriage in Vermont and Iowa could spill into other states, particularly since at least nine other legislatures are considering measures this year to allow marriage between gay couples.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/us/08vermont.html?hp

-Iraq's Newly Open Gays Face Scorn and Murder
By TIMOTHY WILLIAMS and TAREQ MAHER
BAGHDAD - The relative freedom of a newly democratic Iraq and the recent improvement in security have allowed a gay subculture to flourish here. The response has been swift and deadly. In the past two months, the bodies of as many as 25 boys and men suspected of being gay have turned up in the huge Shiite enclave of Sadr City, the police and friends of the dead say. Most have been shot, some multiple times. Several have been found with the word "pervert" in Arabic on notes attached to their bodies, the police said.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/world/middleeast/08gay.html?hp

-Stonewall Anniversary as Gay Tourism Event
By Sewell Chan
The Stonewall riots of 1969, in which protesters clashed with the authorities after a violent police raid on a Greenwich Village bar, are a defining moment in the history of the gay rights movement. Now New York City officials hope to capitalize on the 40th anniversary of the uprising, this June, by promoting the city as a gay tourist destination.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/from-stonewall-riots-to-rainbow-pilgrimage/?scp=2&sq=gay&st=cse

-Being Bullied Can Make Kids Stronger
By Lisa Belkin
A reader left a note in the comments last week, asking for help. Calling herself "Worried Mom from the Midwest" she wrote:
I was wondering if you can talk about bullying and get suggestions on how to deal with it. My bright and unfortunately sensitive 7-year-old has always been on the receiving end of jabs (verbal and sometimes physical). He easily gets riled up and last night came down in the middle of night crying about this bully who has been tormenting him intermittently for 3 years.
http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/being-bullied-can-make-kids-stronger/?scp=7&sq=gay&st=cse


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

-Triumph for Equality
Common decency wins out in votes on gay marriage. THROUGH VERY different means and under very different circumstances, lawmakers in Vermont and the District yesterday came to the same conclusion: Common decency and the protections guaranteed to all citizens by the rule of law demand that the relationships of gay men and lesbians be respected and recognized.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/07/AR2009040703434.html

-White House invites gay families to Easter event
By GILLIAN GAYNAIR
The White House is allocating tickets for the upcoming Easter Egg Roll to gay and lesbian parents as part of the Obama administration's outreach to diverse communities.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/07/AR2009040702971.html

-NYC promoters woo gay, lesbian tourists
By MARCUS FRANKLIN
New York City officials are turning to gays and lesbians to help reduce a projected $4 billion budget deficit. The nation's largest city unveiled a marketing campaign Tuesday to attract more gay and lesbian tourists from around the country and the world as other U.S. cities compete to strip New York of its title of No. 1 vacation destination for gays and lesbians. The Rainbow Pilgrimage campaign comes as state and city officials grapple with diminishing revenue resulting from the global economic meltdown, which is forcing many people to forgo leisure travel plans or take so-called staycations near home. The campaign kickoff also comes months in advance of the June 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in Manhattan, considered the start of the modern gay liberation movement.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/07/AR2009040703283.html


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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Historic vote in Vermont House brings tears of joy to eyes of gay marriage
supporters
LISA RATHKE
A sign planted outside the Vermont capitol read, "Let Love Win." For gays and lesbians seeking the right to marry, it did. The state House on Tuesday narrowly achieved the votes necessary to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto of a bill that allowing gays and lesbians to marry beginning Sept. 1.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-gay-marriage-vermont,0,4423562.story

-Md. prisons to offer choice of daily kosher meals beyond Passover period
SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - Seeking to reassure their region's outspoken bishop, the presidents of four Roman Catholic institutions of higher learning in northeastern Pennsylvania say their schools do not provide condoms or other contraceptives in conflict with church teaching. The presidents of Marywood University, the University of Scranton, Misericordia University and King's College jointly wrote to Scranton Bishop Joseph Martino to address his concerns.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-rel-religion-briefs,0,5763014.story

-Nine years ago, Vermont became the first state to legally recognize civil unions. Yesterday, the state House and Senate voted to override the governor's veto of a same-sex marriage bill that was passed last week. With its 100-49 vote in the House -- exactly the number of votes needed to nullify the veto -- Vermont again set a precedent by becoming the first state to legally recognize gay marriage through a legislative act rather than a court order. Conservatives often criticize judges for legislating from the bench; last week's unanimous decision by the Iowa Supreme Court to strike down a ban on gay marriage came under fire for this very reason. But even conservatives who disagree passionately with the results in Vermont should be able to respect the right of the duly elected peoples' representatives to take such action. ...
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-ap-editorial-rdp,0,7978662.story?page=2


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

-Videos | HRC 'exposes National Organization for Marriage's fake ad for fake problems'
News release from Human Rights Campaign:
WASHINGTON -The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, released a statement and a factual rebuttal today on a television spot produced by the National Organization for Marriage and set to run on CNN, the Fox News Channel, and MSNBC in the coming days. In the ad, actors make disproven claims about marriage for lesbian and gay couples.

-Video | Anti-gay marriage 'Gathering Storm'
Following the decisions in Iowa and Vermont to allow same-sex marriages, a conservative group, NationForMarriage.org ("Protecting Marriage and the Faith Communities that Sustain It"), has released a video titled Gathering Storm:

-NYC promoters woo gay, lesbian tourists
By MARCUS FRANKLIN, Associated Press
New York City officials are turning to gays and lesbians to help reduce a projected $4 billion budget deficit. The nation's largest city unveiled a marketing campaign Tuesday to attract more gay and lesbian tourists from around the country and the world as other U.S. cities compete to strip New York of its title of No. 1 vacation destination for gays and lesbians. The Rainbow Pilgrimage campaign comes as state and city officials grapple with diminishing revenue resulting from the global economic meltdown, which is forcing many people to forgo leisure travel plans or take so-called staycations near home. The campaign kickoff also comes months in advance of the June 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in Manhattan, considered the start of the modern gay liberation movement. To read the entire article, click here.

-Transgender: Susan Stanton hired as city manager in Palm Beach County's
Lake Worth
From The Palm Beach Post:
Susan Stanton, the former Largo city manager who drew national media attention after being fired for announcing plans for a gender change, was selected as Lake Worth's city manager today by a 4-1 vote. To read the entire article, click here.

-AP File/St. Petersburg Times, Douglas R Clifford
Video | Bjorn Borg - 'Love for All' TV commercial To read the entire article, click here.


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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Tony Blair criticizes Vatican attitude toward gays
The Associated Press
LONDON -- Roman Catholic leaders are out of step with ordinary believers in their attitude toward homosexuals, former Prime Minister Tony Blair said in an interview published Wednesday. Blair, who formally converted to Catholicism in 2007, said he believes there is a big generational difference on the issue, and that ordinary Catholics are more liberal-minded than their leaders.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/world/AP/story/989913.html

-Jack Wrangler, gay porn idol, dead at 62
By JENNIFER PELTZ
The 1970s gay porn idol Jack Wrangler has died at age 62. Lewis Tice, director of publicity and marketing for TLA Releasing, a distributor of gay-themed independent films, says Wrangler died in New York City of complications of lung disease.
http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/AP/story/990500.html

-Details sketchy in beatings of gay men in Broward
BY DAVID SMILEY
The Broward Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the brutal beatings of two gay men in Oakland Park earlier this week.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/990538.html


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South Florida Blade
http://www.floridablade.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:

-Gov. joins anti-gay marriage campaign
Says decision should be left up to voters
by Nancy Krause and Danielle North
A group against gay marriage has a very prominent politician in its corner. Gov. Donald Carcieri and his wife, Sue, joined the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Organization for Marriage Wednesday morning at the State House as it launched its new media campaign.
http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/local_wpri_gov_carcieri_joins_anti_gay_marriage_campaign_20090408


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

-White House Responds To Iowa
By Kerry Eleveld
UPDATE: A White House spokesperson sent the following corrected statement in response to the Iowa court decision:
"The President respects the decision of the Iowa Supreme Court, and continues to believe that states should make their own decisions when it comes to the issue of marriage. Although President Obama supports civil unions rather than same-sex marriage, he believes that committed gay and lesbian couples should receive equal rights under the law."
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid77464.asp

-Oprah, Lesbianism, and a Colonoscopy
Gays steaming it up at a Jersey sports bar, Oprah trendsetting with an episode on sudden lesbianism, and a bit too much info from Tyra Banks re: her colonoscopy
By Dave White
The gays are bringing the heartwarmth to the airwaves lately. Don't ask me why. Maybe it's sweeps.
http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid77441.asp


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

-Man denies torching ex-lover
By 365gay Newscenter Staff
(London) A man accused of murdering his former lover by pouring gasoline over his head and then setting him on fire has told a jury he is innocent.
http://www.365gay.com/news/man-denies-torching-ex-lover/

-Lesbian mom wins deportation delay
By 365gay Newscenter Staff
Shirley Tan has won a temporary delay so that she can appeal the deportation order that would have torn her from her life partner and their 12-year-old twin sons.
http://www.365gay.com/news/lesbian-mom-wins-deportation-delay/

-Hate crimes bill reintroduced in Congress
By 365gay Newscenter Staff
Legislation to add sexual orientation to the list of categories covered under federal hate crime law has been reintroduced in Congress.
http://www.365gay.com/news/hate-crimes-bill-reintroduced-in-congress/


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Daily Queer News
www.dailyqueernews.com
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Polish Gay Movement Gains Momentum
Lyndon Barnett | Star Observer
After losing his job because of discrimination, Warsaw-born Szymon Niemiec, 31, was inspired to become a gay activist. He became an organiser of Poland's first Pride parade after watching Sydney's 2001 Mardi Gras on television. "While at a gay bar with friends watching Sydney's parade we asked ourselves, 'Why not?' From this moment Equality Parade was born," Szymon said. "Our group, ILGCN Poland, had always one goal: to build acceptance in Poland for LGBT people by culture, help and support. From the beginning we used art and culture to make Polish gays visible and proud of their achievements." Read more

-NY: Stonewall Anniversary as Gay Tourism Event
Sewell Chan
Rainbow Pilgrimage announcementPhotos: Julienne Schaer/NYC & Company Announcing a new marketing campaign aimed at gay tourists were George A. Fertitta, chief executive of NYC & Company, Christine C. Quinn, the City Council speaker, and Rosie Mendez, a Manhattan councilwoman. The Stonewall riots of 1969, in which protesters clashed with the authorities after a violent police raid on a Greenwich Village bar, are a defining moment in the history of the gay rights movement. Now New York City officials hope to capitalize on the 40th anniversary of the uprising, this June, by promoting the city as a gay tourist destination. Announcing a new marketing campaign under the slogan "Rainbow Pilgrimage," tourism officials said on Tuesday that the new marketing campaign would seek to portray a visit to New York "as a 'rite of passage' for the gay and lesbian traveler." City officials found little remarkable in using an event associated with violence and resistance as the centerpiece of a marketing campaign. Read more

-IL: Pro-Gay Quigley Replaces Emanuel in Chicago
On Top Magazine
A pro-gay Democrat handily won a special election held Tuesday to fill the seat that Rahm Emanuel gave up to be President Barack Obama's chief of staff, reports ABC 7, a Chicago television station. Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley won nearly 70 percent of the vote with 98 percent of precincts reporting. Quigley clobbered Republican rival Rosanna Pulido and Green Party candidate Matt Reichel to claim Illinois' fifth Congressional District seat. The district stretches from Chicago's wealthy lakefront neighborhoods to outlying suburbs and includes much of Chicago's largest gay neighborhood that straddles along North Halsted street. Read more

-Iowa OKs Gay Marriage, WWCD? (What Will California Do?)
Bill Berkowitz | Religion Dispatches
The unanimous decision last week by the Iowa Supreme Court allowing same-sex marriage appears to have surprised many same-sex marriage advocates around the country, and no doubt shocked and shook up many Religious Right leaders. A post-ruling joint statement issued by Iowa's Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and House Speaker Pat Murphy pointed out that the court's decision is in keeping with that state's "long history of justice." "Iowa has always been a leader in the area of civil rights, read Gronstal and Murphy's statement:
.. In 1839, the Iowa Supreme Court rejected slavery in a decision that
found that a slave named Ralph became free when he stepped on Iowa soil, 26
years before the end of the Civil War decided the issue. In 1868, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that racially segregated "separate but equal" schools had no place in Iowa, 85 years before the U.S. Supreme Court reached the same decision. In 1873, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled against racial discrimination in public accommodations, 91 years before the U.S. Supreme Court reached the same decision. In 1869, Iowa became the first state in the union to admit women to the practice of law. In the case of recognizing loving relationships between two adults, the Iowa Supreme Court is once again taking a leadership position on civil rights.. Jim Burroway, the editor of Box Turtle Bulletin, an invaluable source of information on anti-gay movements and activities, compiled a collection of comments from a handful of Religious Right leaders: Read more

-Senegal: Nine Men Contest Gay Prison Sentences
Jessica Geen | Pink News
Nine Senegalese men who were sentenced to eight years in prison for "indecent conduct and unnatural acts" are appealing against the decision. The men, most of whom belong to a group set up to combat HIV/AIDS, appeared at the Dakar Court of Appeal yesterday with their attorneys. The men's counsel argued that there was no material proof for the accusations, no specific complainant had filed charges against the men and that the time of their arrests (after 10pm) was illegal. Read more

-TX: Christian University Offers Separate Accommodations for Gay Students
Sophie Wilkinson | Pink News
Texas Christian University is to provide LGBT students and their straight "allies" with special accommodation as part of a new scheme designed to allow like-minded students to live together. Shelly Newkirk, a TCU sophomore who is gay, helped create the community inclusion scheme in the Fort Worth campus. It is available as part of the US university's Learning Living Community programme. The Star Telegram reports that Newkirk helped lead the effort for the DiversCity Q housing area. Read more


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