GLBT DIGEST - May 13, 2009

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G.O.P. Rivals in New Jersey Tussle in First TV Debate
In Moscow, an Attempt to Wed Pushes Gay Rights
N.Y. Assembly Passes Gay Marriage Bill
White House Says Law Only Answer for Gays in Military:
Miss California USA can keep crown, Trump decides
McDonnell Addresses College Affordability
An Environmentalist's Thesaurus
She didn't win Miss USA, but she's defended free speech rights just beautifully
Rebackoff: 100 Days? Obama couldn't master job in 100 years
Beauty pageants are no place for honest answers
Miss California USA can keep crown despite semi-nude photos, pro-marriage group association
FDA says Cheerios' claims about lowering cholesterol inappropriate
Gay, lesbian contestants from South Florida sought for Amazing Race-like Travel Channel reality show
Task Force Action Fund applauds New York Assembly passage of marriage equality bill
Gay activist arrested on healthcare theft charge
Anchorage Assembly considering gay rights ordinance
Gay Issues Get Day in White House
Tyra Tackles "Gay Is the New Black"
Bradley Cooper Plays Gay Again

White House: Legislation key for gays in military
RachelWatch: The Defense Does Not Rest
Study to examine HIV among bi men
Healthcare industry lags in LGBT health issues
Gay MPs rush to pay back expenses
LGBT asylum seekers 'facing high levels of homelessness and discrimination'
Miss California allowed to keep crown
Equality Bill passes second reading in House of Commons
Transexual woman calls off week long hunger strike
Megan Fox talks about being bisexual
New York moves closer to gay marriage
Scottish minister compares supporters of gay clergy to Nazis
Gay MP Alan Duncan promises to pay back expenses
Gay Tory MP Nick Herbert defends expenses claims
Angels, Demons & Blowhards: It’s Only A Movie, Bill, Only A Movie…
Code 1, Code 2, Code 3 at Bagram Airfield

IL: Equality Illinois: The Addams Family
John Stewart Slams Pundits for OKing Torture, Attacking Wanda Sykes
Cheerios Are a Drug? FDA’s Suprising Letter to General Mills
As Attitudes Warm, Marriage Blossoms
For Gay Couples Obstacles to Health Insurance



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

G.O.P. Rivals in New Jersey Tussle in First TV Debate
With an unpopular liberal Democratic incumbent awaiting one of them in November, the Republican candidates for governor of New Jersey met in a lively first televised debate on Tuesday night, warning that the state is on the brink of financial collapse and needs a true conservative to take charge.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/nyregion/13debate.html?scp=6&sq=gay&st=cse

In Moscow, an Attempt to Wed Pushes Gay Rights
By MICHAEL SCHWIRTZ
MOSCOW — They knew they had no chance. But there they were anyway at a marriage registration office in Moscow on Tuesday. Two young women, wearing tuxedos and clutching bouquets, trying to become the first same-sex couple in Russia to legally wed.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/world/europe/13moscow.html

N.Y. Assembly Passes Gay Marriage Bill
By JEREMY W. PETERS
The State Assembly approved legislation on Tuesday night that would make New York the sixth state to allow same-sex marriage — a pivotal vote that shifts the debate to the State Senate, where gay rights advocates and conservative groups alike are redoubling their efforts.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/nyregion/13marriage.html?scp=2&sq=gay&st=cse


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

White House Says Law Only Answer for Gays in Military:
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says the president wants to do away with the "don't ask, don't tell" policy through legislation, according to the AP.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2009/05/eye_opener_federal_spending_sa.html

Miss California USA can keep crown, Trump decides
By MARCUS FRANKLIN
Miss California USA lost some goodwill with controversies over semi-nude photographs and her association with a conservative advocacy group for marriage, but she gets to keep her crown.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/13/AR2009051300351.html


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Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/public/us

-An Environmentalist's Thesaurus
'Global warming' is so passé. Some experts think the environmentalist movement has an image problem. According to them, greens are losing the battle against primeval despoilers of Nature's awesome bounty because they continue to use antiquated, in-your-face terms like "global warming," "cap and trade," and yes even "the environment." So says a new report by ecoAmerica, a cutting-edge, Washington-based nonprofit that specializes in environmental marketing and messaging, as reported in the New York Times (henceforth known as the Green Lady).
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124217566996913283.html


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

She didn't win Miss USA, but she's defended free speech rights just beautifully
Miss California Carrie Prejean is a better role model than Perez Hilton
By Antonio Fins
No one's done a better job of building public support for embattled Miss California than Perez Hilton. In last month's Miss USA pageant, Carrie Prejean, Miss California, was asked her view on gay marriage. The customary, politically correct answer would have been: "I think gay marriage can bring about world peace.' Yes, because all beauty pageant answers must end in a call for world peace.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/todaysbuzz/wednesday/sfl-miss-usa-beauty-pageant-buzz-fins-m051309,0,4218850.htmlstory

Rebackoff: 100 Days? Obama couldn't master job in 100 years
Zach Rebackoff
I don't consider myself a political journalist; I'm closer perhaps to a political greenhorn. There's not one piece of political insight that I could offer to Obama that he or his advisors have not thought of already. Yet when I was asked to clear my throat about Obama's first 100 days, I rubbed my hands like a spaghetti western villain. I suspected I would need a crash course in political science and would perhaps need to surf the Internet for accuracy, because assessing President Obama's first 100 days is not my strong suit. It's simply my prerogative. Truth be told, and I've said it before, no one person can effectively preside over the United States. Even our forward-thinking constitutional delegates – Madison, Washington, Franklin and the like – could not have predicted the depth of our evolution.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news/wellington/forum/sfl-flwfrebackoff0513rpfmay13,0,3427647.story

Beauty pageants are no place for honest answers
Controversy is not beautiful, and it does not win votes, and it does not capture that bejeweled crown.
By Nicole Brochu
Personally, I stand up and applaud Miss California for her honest answer on gay marriage, even though I totally disagree with her. Because, let's face it, the unadulterated truth does not make a frequent showing on any Miss USA stage. It's about as foreign a concept as, well, standing up for what you truly believe in.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/todaysbuzz/wednesday/sfl-miss-usa-beauty-pageant-buzz-brochu-m051309,0,3135695.htmlstory

FDA says Cheerios' claims about lowering cholesterol inappropriate
Cereal's maker says health claims backed by science
The Associated Press
Federal regulators are scolding the maker of Cheerios, saying it made inappropriate claims about the popular cereal's ability to lower cholesterol and treat heart disease. The Food and Drug Administration says in a warning letter to General Mills that language on the Cheerios box suggests the cereal is designed to prevent or treat heart disease. Regulators say that only FDA-approved drugs are allowed to make such claims.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/sfl-cheerios-fda-copy-051309,0,2764154.story


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

Gay, lesbian contestants from South Florida sought for Amazing Race-like Travel Channel reality show
An email I received from TV casting associate Jonathan Tanzman:
Hello! I am coming to Miami in two weeks to cast a new show for the Travel Channel. It is a mini "Amazing Race"that is going to take place all around Miami. I was hoping to get the word out to your readers and patrons who might want to audition for the competition. We really want to get the Miami gay community involved in this show have at least two gay and lesbian teams on the show. http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/05/gay-lesbian-contestants-from-south-florida-sought-for-amazing-race-like-travel-channel-reality-show.html

Task Force Action Fund applauds New York Assembly passage of marriage equality bill
News release from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:
Urges Senate to pass critical legislation
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund applauds the New York Assembly’s passage today of legislation extending the freedom to marry to same-sex couples. The measure passed by a vote of 89 to 52; the Assembly first passed a marriage equality bill in 2007 by a vote of 85 to 61. Consideration of the legislation now shifts to the Senate.
Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/05/task-force-action-fund-applauds-new-york-assembly-passage-of-marriage-equality-bill.html


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

Gay activist arrested on healthcare theft charge
Saul 'Ron' Brenesky is accused of taking a $58,000 payment for a home healthcare agency that wasn't on the market.
BY STEVE ROTHAUS
Saul ''Ron'' Brenesky -- a well-known South Florida gay activist, businessman and political operative -- has been charged with grand theft for allegedly taking $58,000 in payment for a home healthcare agency that he didn't own and that wasn't for sale.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/1045331.html

Anchorage Assembly considering gay rights ordinance
By Megan Holland
The Anchorage Daily News
A proposed ordinance to ban discrimination against homosexuals in hiring, housing and education will be considered by the Anchorage Assembly next month. It would also ban discrimination against military veterans.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1045802.html


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

Gay Issues Get Day in White House
By Kerry Eleveld
Gay Issues Get Day in White House
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs took three separate questions about LGBT issues during Tuesday's press briefing -- one on civil unions and two about the military's ban on allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the Armed Forces.
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid83800.asp

Tyra Tackles "Gay Is the New Black"
Tyra Banks took to the airwaves last week to discuss a topic The Advocate tackled on its cover in the weeks following the passing of Prop. 8 -- Is gay the new black? Tyra held up the magazine’s cover and offered up speakers on both sides of the debate. Check out the video from four parts of the episode.
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid83785.asp

Bradley Cooper Plays Gay Again
By Corey Scholibo
Bradley Cooper, whose new film The Hangover opens this summer, has been cast in his second gay role, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The publication reports that New Line Cinema has cast Cooper as a gay character in the upcoming feature film Valentine's Day.
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid83766.asp


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

White House: Legislation key for gays in military
By The Associated Press
The White House says it won’t stop gays and lesbians from being dismissed from the military while the Obama administration works to repeal a decade-old policy banning openly gay people from serving in uniform.
http://www.365gay.com/news/white-house-legislation-key-for-gays-in-military/

RachelWatch: The Defense Does Not Rest
By Ali Davis, Contributing writer
Best When Used by 1/20/09
You’ll never guess who’s been surfing the airwaves again. Cheney, you say? Oh, I guess you will. Rachel led us through a brief history of Cheney’s best sound bites, including my personal favorite, the assertion that because of torture “we successfully defended the nation against a follow-up attack for seven and a half years.”
http://www.365gay.com/living/rachelwatch-the-defense-does-not-rest/


Study to examine HIV among bi men
By 365gay Newscenter Staff
The Center for Sexual Health Promotion in Indiana University’s School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation has received a $425,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health for a study of HIV among bisexual men.
http://www.365gay.com/news/study-to-examine-hiv-among-bi-men/


Healthcare industry lags in LGBT health issues
By 365gay Newscenter Staff
The healthcare industry is failing LGBT patients, according to a report released Tuesday by the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association.
http://www.365gay.com/news/healthcare-industry-lags-in-lgbt-health-issues/


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

LGBT asylum seekers 'facing high levels of homelessness and discrimination'
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans asylum seekers are suffering from high levels of discrimination, homelessness and exploitation, a report has claimed.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12391.html

Equality Bill passes second reading in House of Commons
The Equality Bill passed its second reading in parliament yesterday despite concerns it may burden businesses at a time of financial pressure. Leader of the House of Commons and Minister for Equality, Harriet Harman said public bodies must "lead the way" in abolishing discrimination, adding the Bill would make Britain "fairer and more prosperous".
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12386.html

Transexual woman calls off week long hunger strike
A transsexual woman from Nottingham has ended her week long huger strike after NHS officials agreed to reconsider whether they can fund gender reassignment treatment.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12388.html

Megan Fox talks about being bisexual
Transformers actress Megan Fox is the latest Hollywood star to discuss her bisexuality However, the actress said she would only date lesbians, rather than bisexual women.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12396.html

New York moves closer to gay marriage
The New York Assembly passed a bill last night to legalise gay marriage. After four hours of debate, the bill passed 89-52 and will now go to the Senate for a vote.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12389.html

Scottish minister compares supporters of gay clergy to Nazis
Anti-gay Scottish minister Rev Ian Watson has compared the supporters of an openly gay minister to the Nazis.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12395.html


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

Angels, Demons & Blowhards: It’s Only A Movie, Bill, Only A Movie…
Rob Boston | Talk 2 Action
On Friday morning, I trekked to the Fox News Channel studio in Washington to debate Bill Donohue of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights about President Barack Obama’s upcoming speaking engagement at Notre Dame. I’d prefer to have a civil discussion over these matters, but Donohue has two settings: “Obnoxious” and “Even More Obnoxious,” so things got heated right away. Actually, I was surprised Donohue had time to talk about this issue. He’s been awfully busy lately getting all worked up over the new Tom Hanks movie “Angels & Demons.” The League’s Web site is studded with press releases expressing outrage over this film, which opens on Friday. In a May 4 media missive, Donohue demanded that the movie be issued with some type of disclaimer explaining that’s it a work of fiction. Good heavens. Talk about an overreaction. Read more
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/7035/

Code 1, Code 2, Code 3 at Bagram Airfield
Chris Rodda | Talk 2 Action
The preferred response from the military when U.S. troops are caught red-handed committing moral and ethical atrocities or violating military regulations or the law is that it didn’t happen. But, when such irrefutable evidence of an incident is uncovered that a complete denial, known as “Code 1,” becomes impossible, they resort to “Code 2″ — this was an “isolated incident” — or “Code 3″ — it was taken out of context. The video released last week by Al Jazeera of U.S. military members at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan discussing the distribution of Dari and Pashtu language Bibles to the local Afghans, a blatant violation of CENTCOM’s General Order 1-A, was one of those incidents where the military couldn’t use “Code 1.” The video showed stacks of these Bibles on the floor, so they were undeniably there. So, this one had to be handled with “Code 2″ and “Code 3″ responses. For those who haven’t seen the Al Jazeera video yet, here it is: Read more
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/7034/

IL: Equality Illinois: The Addams Family
Here’s news about an exciting advance opportunity for Equality Illinois members:
The Addams Family starring two-time Tony Award® winners Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth is opening in Chicago this Fall. The weird and wonderful family created by New Yorker cartoonist Charles Addams comes to devilishly delightful life in a Broadway musical—and you can see it first. Don’t miss out on a potential blockbuster premiere before the show leaves for Broadway! Individual tickets are not yet available to the public, but you can get tickets from Equality Illinois for our special benefit performance! Watch your email in the next 48 hours for a special link that will allow you to buy tickets online for The Addams Family direct from Equality Illinois. Your ticket purchases using the Equality Illinois link will support our crucial work to secure, protect and defend equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in our State.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/7033/

John Stewart Slams Pundits for OKing Torture, Attacking Wanda Sykes
Isaac Fitzgerald, AlterNet
Jon Stewart had some fun last night pointing out the ridiculousness of those pundits who think torture is OK, but that Wanda Sykes’ Limbaugh joke went too far. Obviously “bad jokes and gay marriage are destroying this country, but torture can save it.” Read and Watch Video
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/7027/

As Attitudes Warm, Marriage Blossoms
Deb Price | Creators.com
Last summer, I could almost smell the glorious fragrance of my favorite flowers, sweet peas, as I planted them in the warm, sunny, well-drained soil that the seed packet promised they would thrive in. They spouted quickly, but never became more than seedlings. Actually, “seedlings” sounds way more robust than they looked. “Threads” is more like it. Early this spring, my sweet peas shocked me by returning — with stems as thick as my thumb. Looking like they spent the winter working out in a gym, my sweet peas are bound to blossom, if not this year, then next. When gay marriage suddenly burst into full bloom across much of New England and in Iowa this spring, I immediately thought of my sweet peas: When conditions are right, some seeds produce very quickly. Others take a bit of time. Read more
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/7025/

For Gay Couples Obstacles to Health Insurance
WALECIA KONRAD | New York Times
“IT’S not easy being gay,” said Mary Jo Hudson, director of the Ohio Department of Insurance. She wasn’t referring to political opposition and other obstacles, but the plight of same-sex couples who are trying to get and keep health insurance. “You’ve got to go through a lot of hoops,” said Ms. Hudson, who is gay and has lived with her partner for eight years. Same-sex couples have been making headlines; Maine followed the lead of Iowa and Vermont this week in legalizing same-sex marriage, and several other state legislatures are now considering it. But Ms. Hudson says that fairer and more comprehensive health care coverage for partners — whether they are legally married or not — is not necessarily part of the package. “For the vast majority of gay couples,” she said, “getting health insurance for a omestic partner is still a challenge.” Read more
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/7023/


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