GLBT DIGEST - May 20, 2009

**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:

Gay Marriage Slow to Draw an Opposition in New York
By Jennifer 8. Lee
As the Legislature considers whether to make New York the next state to legalize same-sex marriage, social conservatives say they feel outgunned and underfinanced.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/gay-marriage-slow-to-draw-an-opposition-in-ny/?scp=3&sq=gay&st=cse


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

Steele, but No Magnet
By Kathleen Parker
It's not yet clear how the one-armed-midget demographic is shaping up, but everybody else seems to be bailing on the GOP.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/19/AR2009051902839.html

Mass. campaign urges Obama to nix gay marriage ban
The Associated Press
Gay marriage supporters in Massachusetts are urging President Barack Obama to honor a campaign promise to seek repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/20/AR2009052000133.html


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

HIV immigrant ban complicates Cuban’s asylum request
Attorney says gay man faces persecution, quarantine
By LOU CHIBBARO JR
Raul Hernandez, a gay man who defected from Cuba in 1993 to live in Brazil, had hoped to obtain permanent U.S. residency under the 1966 Cuban Adjustment Act after he arrived in 2000.
http://www.floridablade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=25461


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

Marriage Foes Come Late to N.Y. Debate
Click the byline to view more stories by this author.By Julie Bolcer
Social conservatives, often the animating force of marriage-equality opposition nationwide, have been slow to engage the debate on same-sex marriage legislation in New York and the surrounding Northeast states, says an article in The New York Times on Wednesday. The story posits that same-sex marriage opponents, who are accustomed to statewide ballot propositions and referendums, are confounded when presented with the different task of lobbying legislatures, as in Vermont, Maine,New Hampshire, and New York.
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid84832.asp

DP Benefits OK’d for Pa. Employees
Click the byline to view more stories by this author.By Julie Bolcer
Beginning in July, same-sex partners of Pennsylvania state employees who have lived together for at least six months will be eligible for full healthcare benefits, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Pennsylvania Employees Benefits Trust Fund approved the policy unanimously in September after four years of review, including a cost-estimate study.
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid84816.asp


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

Will Obama flip flop on gay marriage?
By 365gay
Fears are mounting that the Obama administration is about to flip-flop on its opposition to the Federal Defense of Marriage Act. Last March, a federal lawsuit was filed in Boston challenging the law which bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage. The Justice Department has until June 22 to respond to the lawsuit. So far there has been no comment from either the department or the White House.
http://www.365gay.com/news/will-obama-flip-flop-on-gay-marriage/

Gay Pride hit by recession cutbacks
By The Associated Press
The leaders of the “Sunday Out” festival watched thousands brighten a gray day in early May by celebrating in the wet Philadelphia streets with multicolored umbrellas, rainbow-hued hats and colorful necklaces in the name of gay pride.
http://www.365gay.com/news/gay-pride-hit-by-recession-cutbacks/

Obama Court nominee to be asked about gay rights
By The Associated Press
Questions about abortion, gay rights, rights of suspected terrorists and the meaning of a new judicial buzz word - empathy - await President Barack Obama’s eventual Supreme Court nominee. Just don’t expect much in the way of answers.
http://www.365gay.com/news/obama-court-nominee-to-be-asked-about-gay-rights/

Ruby-Sachs: Obama, Don’t Defend DOMA
By Emma Ruby-Sachs
Two weeks ago, the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD - the group that brought you gay marriage in Massachusetts) served Obama’s administration with a lawsuit that challenges Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act. Their argument is simple: DOMA treats legally married same-sex couples differently from legally married heterosexual couples and in doing so, denies them access to federal tax deductions, social security benefits and other tangible economic gains.
http://www.365gay.com/blog/ruby-sachs-obama-dont-defend-doma/

Lowenstein: CA Supreme Court decision is imminent
By Jenna Lowenstein
Late last night, JoeMyGod reported that the San Fransisco Police Department had started moving barricades into the Castro. While some commenters on the blog joked that the move might be in preparation for the American Idol finale, the more likely explanation is that the California Supreme Court is planning on handing down its decision on Proposition 8 tomorrow, and they warned local police forces to start their preparations for protests.
http://www.365gay.com/blog/lowenstein-ca-supreme-court-decision-is-imminent/

RachelWatch: Maximum Insecurity
By Ali Davis
Right To Serve
Air Force fighter pilot Lieutenant Colonel Victor Fehrenbach is, after 18 years, 88 combat missions, and nine medals, being discharged from the Air Force.
http://www.365gay.com/living/rachelwatch-maximum-insecurity/


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

100 arrested in hate crime raids across London
One hundred people were arrested today as part of a police swoop on hate crimes in London. The Metropolitan Police Service began a series of raids on addresses across the capital this morning to crack down on domestic, homophobic, transphobic, race and other forms of hate crime.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12524.html

Comment: Peter Tatchell on how Moscow's ban on the gay parade led to massive media coverage of LGBT issues
Gay rights activist Peter Tatchell on how Russia's repression of last Saturday's gay parade inadvertently promoted LGBT rights
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12516.html

Elton John: 'HIV/AIDS is still winning'
Sir Elton John has spoken out on the issue of HIV/AIDS, saying governments and the medical industry are not doing enough to prevent the world epidemic.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12522.html

Vigilantes 'patrolling woods with chainsaws' to discourage cottaging
A group of vigilantes apparently armed with chainsaws and shotguns have been patrolling a Derbyshire wood to discourage gay men meeting for sex.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12521.html

Obama has four weeks to decide on Defence of Marriage Act
President Barack Obama, who promised in his election campaign to repeal the controversial DOMA law, must respond to a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of eight gay married couples and three surviving spouses in the next four weeks.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12518.html

New Hampshire to vote today on amendments to gay marriage bill
The New Hampshire House and Senate are to vote today on whether to pass an amended gay marriage bill in the state.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12520.html

London team victorious at gay football championship
Richmond-based London Falcons FC are celebrating after winning the annual Gay Footballers' Support Network National five-a-side Championship in Cardiff.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12515.html

Police complaints body publishes new guidelines on homophobia
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has published new guidelines on dealing with allegations of discriminatory behaviour, including homophobia.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12514.html

Scottish church supports gay minister
The church at the centre of a row threatening to split the Church of Scotland has offered public support to openly gay minister Scott Rennie.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12513.html

Gay men urged to stay safe on World Hepatitis Day
Gay and bisexual men are being urged to raise their awareness of hepatitis today for World Hepatitis Day. It is estimated that one in 12 people around the globe are infected with hepatitis B or C.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12512.html


=

[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####