GLBT DIGEST - July 23, 2009

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New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
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Judge Finds Racial Bias in Fire Dept. Tests
By Sewell Chan
New York City used tests that discriminated against black and Hispanic applicants to the Fire Department and had little relation to firefighting, a federal judge in Brooklyn ruled on Wednesday, dealing a blow to the administration of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/judge-finds-racial-bias-in-fire-dept-tests/?scp=5&sq=gay&st=cse


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Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
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Law Extends Parental Rights for Gays
Lesbians in the District no longer will need the written consent of their partners to adopt children born to their partners through artificial insemination, under a new law that took effect Saturday. The name of a consenting spouse or unmarried partner will appear on the child's birth certificate as the legal parent, a status that previously had to be obtained by same-sex parents through a complicated adoption process.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/22/AR2009072203467.html

A Different Kind of Church Wedding
Two Episcopal Parishes Consider Merging to Keep the Faith Economically
By Greg Gaudio
At St. James Episcopal Church in Bowie, children are free to roam during services, and they often amble up to the altar and hold the priest's hand. At St. George's Episcopal, three miles down Lanham Severn Road in Glenn Dale, the congregation is an eclectic, quirky collective of straight and gay men and women of various races.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/22/AR2009072201964.html


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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
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Southern California boy, 15, to stand trial in fatal shooting of gay classmate
A Southern California junior high school student has been ordered to stand trial in the fatal shooting of a gay classmate. Ventura County Superior Court Judge Ken Riley said Wednesday that there was enough evidence to try 15-year-old Brandon McInerney for the February 2008 shooting death of Larry King, also 15. McInerney will be tried as an adult.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-gay-student-killed,0,222415.story


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

Naked Cowboy runs for NYC mayor -- in his underwear
By VERENA DOBNIK, Associated Press
The Naked Cowboy wants to be the city's mayor, promising transparency in politics - while running almost buck naked. "I know how to do more with less," said entertainer Robert Burck, clad as usual in a pair of white briefs, boots and a cowboy hat, as he announced his bid Wednesday in Times Square.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/07/naked-cowboy-runs-for-nyc-mayor-_-in-his-underwear.html

WPLG takes Charles Perez off weeknight anchor duty; gay newsman hires employment lawyer
By JOAN FLEISCHMAN, joanfleischman@yahoo.com
Bumped from WPLG-ABC 10's weeknight anchor desk: Charles Perez. Laurie Jennings now flies solo. Perez's new assignment: weekend anchor and part-time reporter. Station brass say the decision to move Perez was driven by economics, not performance, and that it is simply a cost-saving maneuver. Perez says it's a flat-out demotion, and scoffs at the notion that his reassignment is budget-related. ``They're not saving any money by putting me in the field,'' he says. ``They're still paying me my full salary, and will continue to, until the end of my contract. I will be a very well paid weekend anchor and street reporter.''
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/07/wplg-takes-charles-perez-off-weeknight-anchor-duty-gay-newsman-hires-employment-lawyer.html


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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
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Gov. Charlie Crist urged to stop 'chemical restraint' of foster kids
A pair of adoptive parents are urging Gov. Charlie Crist and lawmakers to stop the `chemical restraint' of children in state care.
BY MARC CAPUTO
As Gov. Charlie Crist barnstormed the state to boast about record adoptions in Florida, two adoptive parents urged him Tuesday to go a step further and stop what they called the ``chemical restraint'' of over-medicated children in state care.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/legislature/story/1153602.html


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The Advocate
http://advocate.com/
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Price: NAACP and Gays Can Work Together
By Layla Dhere
Detroit News columnist Deb Price says the NAACP may be a key ally in the LGBT community’s fight for equality. In her column on Wednesday, "Gays Need NAACP in Fight Against Bias," Price argues that the 100-year-old organization “could play an amazing role in the fight to free black gay men and lesbians from the pain of discrimination.” The opinion piece was written as a response to President Barack Obama's speech at the NAACP centennial celebration last Thursday, where he encouraged unity between LGBT people and racial minorities as a way to “eradicate prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination.”
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid100455.asp

Crist Will Think About Gay Adoption Ban
Florida governor Charlie Crist -- who in the past has been a vocal supporter of the state’s ban on adoptions by same-sex couples -- appears to have softened his stance on the issue. While touring to promote “Explore Adoption Day,” Crist said it would be the legislature's responsibility to change the law barring gay couples from adoption. When pressed on whether he would support the effort, Crist said, "I'd have to think about it."
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid100418.asp

Three Cities Compete For Gay Games
By Chris Jai Centeno
With just two months left before final voting takes place in Cologne, Germany, decision day is drawing near for three U.S. cities vying to be host city of the 2014 Gay Games.
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid100390.asp


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365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
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Gay director denies telling gay actors not to come out
By 365gay Newswire
Openly gay director Todd Holland recently explained remarks he made during a panel discussion at the California Outfest film festival. Holland has been accused of telling gay actors to stay in the closet during the panel discussion, an accusation he denies.
http://www.365gay.com/news/gay-director-denies-telling-gay-actors-not-to-come-out/

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

Savage Garden singer attacks gay media stereotypes
Darren Hayes, the former singer of Savage Garden, has complained about the mainstream media "dumbing down" homosexuality.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13366.html

Culture secretary tells PinkNews.co.uk he will look into BBC 'homophobia'
Culture minister Ben Bradshaw has told PinkNews.co.uk he will look at the evidence of alleged homophobia by BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13364.html

Vandals attack American Apparel's 'Legalize Gay' display
The clothing store American Apparel has had its shop in Washington DC vandalised today for displaying 'Legalize Gay' t-shirts, and telephoned a follow up threat to another store.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13386.html

Gay man, 79, killed in London
A gay man has been found dead in Greenwich, south-east London. Edward Highwood, 79, was found dead at his home in Hollymount Close on Saturday July 18th by his housemate.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13378.html

Exclusive: Gay culture secretary Ben Bradshaw calls for British ambassadors to promote gay rights in Arab world
Following the condemnation of British ambassadors for promoting gay rights in eastern European countries such as Poland and Bulgaria, openly gay culture secretary Ben Bradshaw has suggested those in Arabic and Asian countries should follow suit.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13367.html

Scottish police force to display rainbow flag in offices
Grampian Police, one of the country's largest police forces, is to display the rainbow flag in all of its offices to support gay rights. Stickers of the flag will be seen in all of the force's windows.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13389.html

Rupert Everett says Michael Jackson is better off dead
Outspoken gay actor Rupert Everett has described Michael Jackson as a "freak", adding that it was "fortuitous that he died".
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13387.html

Queen to watch Bruno?
Buckingham Palace has ordered a copy of Bruno, the 18-certificate film about a gay Austrian journalist. Universal Studios reportedly received an email request from the palace this week asking for a copy of the controversial movie to show at a private screening at Balmoral.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13388.html

Men banned from lesbian event in Australia
A company in Australia specialising in lesbian parties has won a case allowing it to ban men from its events. The judgement comes just days after a row involving a gay bar in Torquay, where a lesbian was turned away.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13392.html

British churches performing 'exorcisms' on gays
A number of fundamentalist Christian churches in London are thought to be performing 'exorcisms' on gays and lesbians to cure them of homosexuality.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13390.html


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