GLBT DIGEST - May 22, 2009

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RAY'S LIST ARTICLES CONTINUE BELOW:

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

The Holocaust’s European Helpers
Today’s idea: Was the Holocaust in some sense a “European project”? The collusion of non-Germans in Nazi atrocities has been largely unexplored, a German magazine says, and the Demjanjuk trial will shed light on the issue. Demjanjuk was extradited from the United States to Germany this month. His trial could begin in late summer. History | When the last big Nazi trial in Germany gets under way against the aging, Ukrainian-born alleged camp guard John Demjanjuk, it “will for the first time put the foreign perpetrators in the spotlight of world publicity,” says the German magazine Spiegel.
http://ideas.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/22/the-holocausts-european-helpers/?scp=5&sq=gay&st=cse


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

U.S. House Members File Bill to Overturn Action by D.C. Council
By Hamil R. Harris
A group of lawmakers introduced a bill in the House of Representatives yesterday that would define marriage in the District as the union of one man and one woman.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/21/AR2009052103146.html

For One Night, Baghdad Gets a Pink Zone
By Al Kamen
Change has certainly come to Baghdad. And it appears that includes the U.S. Embassy, where they are holding what the invitation says is the first-ever U.S. Embassy Gay Pride Theme Party next Friday at Baghdaddy's, which is the embassy employee association's pub.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/21/AR2009052104048.html

A Crown of Thorns for Miss California?
By Michael Kinsley
I want the next Supreme Court justice to share my views on the Constitution. I don't care how she looks in a bathing suit, or halfway out of one. Miss California is a different story. Her qualifications, as a general rule, should be up to the people of California. Here in the state of Washington, we expect our beauty-contest winners to be able to split a log and appreciate good coffee. But Miss California's views on gay marriage have nothing to do with her qualifications for the job and shouldn't disqualify her for it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/21/AR2009052103681.html


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Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/
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Texas Mayor Trades Job for Romance in Mexico
By STEPHANIE SIMON
J.W. Lown, the mayor of San Angelo in West Texas, recently narrated a video touting his town as a great place to live. Then he left to pursue another passion. Mr. Lown resigned this week -- less than a month after winning a fourth two-year term in a landslide -- saying he was leaving to carry on a relationship with a Mexican man who had been living illegally in the U.S.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124294991033245475.html


Springtime for Hitler in Germany
'The Producers' is not a musical about Nazism but about the boundaries of taste
By A.J. GOLDMANN
Berlin -- The Berlin transplant of Mel Brooks's ridiculously popular 2001 Broadway musical, "The Producers," based on his 1968 film about two Jewish con men who cook up a scheme to produce the world's worst musical and defraud the investors, was anxiously awaited in the German capital.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124293844545444631.html


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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
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Maine diocese is violating tax law with gay marriage referendum efforts
By Associated Press
A gay rights advocacy group complained to the IRS that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maine is violating tax rules by helping a referendum campaign that would repeal the state's new same-sex marriage law.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-us-gay-marriage,0,2375909.story


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

Miss California Shocker: Mom's Gay Affair!
From Star Magazine:
Beauty queen Carrie Prejean has become the poster girl for opponents of gay marriage. But in a shocking exclusive, Star has learned that the reigning Miss California USA's own mother, Francine Coppola, was entangled in a steamy lesbian love affair right up until the night Carrie placed second in the Miss USA contest! During the April 19 pageant, Carrie told the judges and a TV audience of millions, "You know what... in my country, in my family, I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anybody out there." That statement didn't sit so well with her mom's new girlfriend. Openly gay sales rep Valerie Vetrano tells Star exclusively, "Yes, Francine and I dated." To read the entire article, click here.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/05/star-magazine----miss-california-shocker-moms-gay-affair.html

White House says 'don't ask' policy under review
By PHILIP ELLIOTT
The White House insisted Thursday that officials are working to overturn a policy that bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military, pushing back against Pentagon assessments that such efforts were low priorities and Democratic activists' complaint of slow progress.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/05/white-house-says-dont-ask-policy-under-review.html

Gays find acceptance in Mexico City district
BY MAIRYS JOAQUIN, McClatchy News Service
MEXICO CITY -- Bright neon lights twinkle from bars and clubs on the otherwise dimly lit streets of the Mexican capital's trendy Zona Rosa district. Same-sex couples embrace lovingly in public or hold hands without drawing so much as a raised eyebrow. Only one word describes this place, 21-year old Antonio Flores said: freedom.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/05/gays-find-acceptance-in-mexico-city-district.html


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

Obama fitting himself to a new role
BY DAVID BRODER
No new president finds that every aspect of the job suits him at once; some duties are inevitably more comfortable than others. What we have witnessed in the last few weeks is Barack Obama trying on and fitting himself to the role of commander in chief. The most controversial decisions of this period -- expanding the troop commitment and replacing the commander in Afghanistan, opposing the release of photos of abused detainees, keeping the system of military tribunals and delaying any change in the don't ask, don't tell policy on gays in the services -- are of a pattern.
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/1060141.html

Brazil police disrupt neo-Nazi bomb plot
Associated Press
SAO PAULO -- Police disrupted an alleged neo-Nazi plot to bomb at least two synagogues in southern Brazil and are looking into whether the group has international ties, officials said Thursday. Police seized Nazi literature, knives and three homemade explosive devices earlier this week they said were to have been set off at least two synagogues in the city of Porto Alegre, according to police Inspector Paulo Cesar Jardim.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/AP/story/1060613.html


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

Switchboard of Miami pitches GLBT virtual community center
Organization attempting to reach web-savvy youth
By TONY ADAMS
On Saturday May 16th, Switchboard of Miami’s GLBTQ Helpline head Ed Straub presented a program called “Developing a GLBTQ Virtual Community Center.” The program, held at the Conrad Miami Hotel, led thirty-four South Florida community service providers through a proposal for the creation of a GLBT Virtual Community Center for South Florida. 
http://www.floridablade.com/2009/5-21/news/localnews/5867.cfm

Business on The Drive: new meat + cheap shoes = success
New shopping and dining options for Wilton Manors
By BOB KECSEMETY
Deli delights: The word on “The Drive” is that soon, not one but two New York-style delis will be opening on Wilton Drive. One deli will be on east end of The Drive (which people like to call the “north” end) and the other will be at the western end (which people like to call the “south” end). One will be brought to you by the people who bring you Matty’s On the Drive, and will be right next door. On the west (south) end will be a deli brought to you by the people from Urban Dwell Furnishings.
http://www.floridablade.com/2009/5-21/news/localnews/5869.cfm

Justice with a Snap: Miami’s David Young comes to radio
Show will feature wide array of topics
By BOB KECSEMETY
The first openly gay judge on television is taking his law advice to the airways. Judge David Young, known for his two-season stint on his eponymous court TV show, is now hosting his own Sirius Satellite Radio show called “Justice With A Snap.’ It will air on Saturdays at noon ET exclusively on OutQ, the nation's only 24/7 radio channel for the LGBT community, on SIRIUS channel 109 and XM channel 98.
http://www.floridablade.com/2009/5-21/news/localnews/5870.cfm


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

Happy Birthday, Harvey Milk!
By Julie Bolcer
Today marks the birthday of Harvey Milk. The gay rights leader, who was assassinated in 1978, would have turned 79 on May 22. Born in New York, Milk rose to prominence in California, where in 1977, he became the first openly gay man elected to public office in the state as a San Francisco supervisor.
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid85337.asp

Did Denny's Break the Law?
By Andrew Harmon
A transgender woman barred from using a Denny's restroom consistent with her gender identity was likely the victim of illegal discrimination under Maine law, an investigation by the state’s human rights commission concluded this week.
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid85233.asp


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

Lesbian student wins $25,000 payout over homophobic harassment
A lesbian student who claimed she was the victim of anti-gay harassment and discrimination at a California school has received $25,000 (£15,950) in a settlement.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12533.html

New Hampshire gay marriage bill stalls
New Hampshire has voted against an amended bill to allow gay marriage in the state. The Senate yesterday approved the bill 14-10 but the House of Representatives voted it down by 188 votes to 186.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12534.html

Prop 8 decision draws closer
The California Supreme Court's decision on whether to strike down Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in the state, could come as soon as Tuesday.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12538.html

BBC star Jonathan Ross loses live radio show after gay 'joke'
Jonathan Ross's Radio 2 show is to be pre-recorded after his latest controversy over a 'homophobic' joke. Last week, PinkNews.co.uk revealed that complaints had been received after he said boys who ask for a Hannah Montana MP3 should be adopted before they brought their gay partner home.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12548.html

Clinton to give equal benefits to gay US diplomats
Gay partners of US diplomats stationed overseas are to receive equal benefits in plans unveiled by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12542.html

Evangelical groups call on Church of Scotland to back gay minister
Ten Evangelical groups have urged the Church of Scotland to back the ordination of openly gay Reverend Scott Rennie. Rennie, who lives openly with his partner, was appointed as minister of Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen by his congregation.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12552.html

Texas mayor resigns for gay partner
The mayor of San Angelo, Texas, has resigned just ten days after a landslide re-election victory to pursue his relationship with his gay partner, an illegal immigrant.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12554.html

Stephen Fry: Public anger over MPs' expenses is 'revolting'
Openly gay broadcaster Stephen Fry has waded into the row over MPs' extravagant expenses claims, saying public anger over the scandal was "revolting".
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12560.html

Comment: Is America ready for a gay Idol?
Following gay singer Adam Lambert's loss in the final of American Idol, Omar Hassan questions whether 'Glambert's' sexuality dissuaded voters.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12543.html

Churches to be banned from turning down gay staff
Religious groups are to be forced to accept gay youth workers, secretaries and other staff under new anti-discrimination laws.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12537.html


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

CO: Comment: Governor Quietly OKs Gay Benefits
John Ingold | The Denver Post
Gov. Bill Ritter this week quietly signed into law a bill that will allow gay and lesbian state employees to share benefits with their partners in the way married couples already can. Ritter signed Senate Bill 88 on Monday, and, as he did with another gay- rights measure this year and one last year, he did so with scant public notice. Reached Wednesday, Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, one of the bill’s sponsors, said he hadn’t been told that Ritter signed the measure. Nonetheless, Ferrandino said he is pleased with the governor’s decision, which he said will help the state maintain a strong workforce. “It’s an important piece of legislation that will help make sure the state can attract and retain good employees and compete with the private sector,” Ferrandino said. Read more
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/7215/


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