GLBT DIGEST - October 30, 2009

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

Tight Race for Houston Mayor, With History on Line
By JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr.
Annise Parker does not talk much about her sexual orientation on the campaign trail. She prefers to focus on issues like drainage and balancing the budget.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/us/30houston.html?scp=4&sq=gay&st=cse/

Setback for Group Fighting Gay Marriage in Maine
By ABBY GOODNOUGH
The Maine attorney general is prodding a national group that fights same-sex marriage to reveal its donors by Election Day, after a federal judge on Wednesday denied the group’s request for a restraining order.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/us/30maine.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:

UN panel: killing of Russian journalists alarming
By ELIANE ENGELER
The Associated Press
Friday, October 30, 2009; 9:30 AM
GENEVA -- Russia fails to protect journalists, activists, prison inmates and others at odds with authorities from a wide range of abuses, including torture and murder, the U.N. Human Rights Committee said Friday.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/30/AR2009103001066.html/

Mr. Cuccinelli's bigotry
As attorney general, he would be an embarrassment to Virginia.
KENNETH CUCCINELLI, the Republican candidate for Virginia state attorney general, believes it's "appropriate" to formulate public policy on the premise that homosexuals engage in behavior that is "intrinsically wrong" and offensive to "natural law." His comments -- which retrofit the old rhetoric of racism, bias and intolerance in a new context -- were made in an interview with the Virginian-Pilot, a newspaper in Norfolk.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/29/AR2009102904197.html/

Individual ideas about liberty
By Michael O'Sullivan
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" covers a lot of ground. Among the rights-themed subjects touched on by the American Visionary Art Museum's timely new mega-exhibition are the following: Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib; gay rights; immigration; Afghanistan and Iraq; freedom of speech; racial and religious prejudice; economic inequity; and the U.S. penal system. It's as if it was curated by a lawyer from the ACLU.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/29/AR2009102901079.html/

Pastors unite to support same-sex marriage in D.C.
'There is this myth out there that you can't be pro-God and pro-gay'
By Tim Craig
Although ministers opposed to same-sex marriage in the Disrict have campaigned more vigorously, a growing number of religious leaders are mobilizing to support the proposal.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/29/AR2009102904601.html/

A marriage equality bill that respects religious objectors
By Robin Fretwell Wilson
Lexington, Va.
The hearings are beginning on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in the District, and the D.C. Council is on track to vote on a final bill by December. Will it take the steps necessary to protect religious people and groups from any unintended consequences from this act?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/26/AR2009102601653.html/

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Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

New Faces Join the Late-Night Wars
A new generation of TV talk-show hosts takes aim at the old guard
By JOHN JURGENSEN
Jay Leno is struggling in prime time. David Letterman has been scandal-scarred. And under Conan O'Brien, "The Tonight Show" has seen its longtime ratings lead crumble. Cue the new contenders: Comedians George Lopez, Mo'Nique and Wanda Sykes are elbowing into the crowded late-night field. They're vowing to shake things up, but it won't be easy. This is a hidebound format that hasn't changed all that much since Johnny Carson.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703363704574501873908088230.html/

Heath Ledger’s Last Vision: A Look at His Final Music Video
By Christopher John Farley
Actor Heath Ledger, who died in 2008 at age 28, played many parts in his brief life including a killer Joker and a gay cowboy. One of his most challenging roles may have been behind the camera–as a hip-hop music video director.
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2009/10/30/heath-ledgers-last-vision-a-look-at-his-final-music-video/

U.N. Panel Urges Russia to Make Human-Rights Reforms
Associated Press
GENEVA -- Russia fails to protect journalists, activists, prison inmates and others at odds with authorities from a wide range of abuses, including torture and murder, the United Nations Human Rights Committee said Friday.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125690969114018591.html/

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

Video | Trailer for ‘Rough Winds,’ teen movie shot in Fort Lauderdale by lesbian filmmaker
Broward moviemaker Andrea Olabarría says she laid it all on the line for teen film, ‘Rough Winds’
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/10/video-trailer-for-rough-winds-teen-movie-shot-in-fort-lauderdale-by-lesbian-filmmaker.html/

Wilton Manors: Wicked Manors 2009 from 6 p.m. to midnight on Halloween (with video of 2008 street party)
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/10/wicked-manors-2009-from-6-pm-to-midnight-on-halloween-with-video-of-2008-street-party.html/

Argentine Congress considers same-sex marriage
By VANESSA HAND ORELLANA, Associated Press
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Is Argentina ready to become Latin America's first nation to legalize gay marriage? Gay and lesbian activists think so - and they have a growing number of supporters in Congress, which opened debate Thursday on whether to change dozens of laws that define marriage as a union between a "man and woman."
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/10/argentine-congress-considers-same-sex-marriage.html/

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

Man accused of molesting boy, attacked and beaten into coma
"That is my son, man. What would you do?"
By DMITRY RASHNITSOV
A Fort Lauderdale man is under arrest and awake from a medically induced coma after suffering a severe beating from the father of a three-year-old boy who accused the man of molestation.
http://www.floridablade.com/2009/10-29/news/localnews/6423.cfm/

Police arrest accused killer of elderly gay man
Local news station reports killer was the son of the victim's housekeeper
By DMITRY RASHNITSOV
Miami-Dade Homicide detectives have arrested the suspected killer of a South Miami gay Interior Designer who was found with multiple stab wounds in his home on October 16.
http://www.floridablade.com/2009/10-29/news/localnews/6422.cfm/

Broward Co. has highest hate crimes rate in U.S.
Officials say other counties lack of reporting is to blame
By DMITRY RASHNITSOV
Broward County’s law enforcement agencies reported the largest amount of hate crimes in Florida in 2008. But county officials say their numbers are higher because they are encouraging victims to come forward more than other municipalities.
http://www.floridablade.com/2009/10-29/news/localnews/6414.cfm/

Wicked Manors festival rises from the dead
Halloween celebration receives emergency funding from city
By JAMES MICHAELS
Ghosts, goblins, mummies, ghouls, zombies, and witches will join the drag queens and various scantily-clad revelers on Wilton Drive for the Third Annual Wicked Manors Halloween Block Party, on Saturday, Oct. 31. The event, “A Trip Down the Rabbit Hole,” celebrates the “Alice in Wonderland” motion picture to be released in early 2010. The party is planned official from 6 p.m. to midnight, although local bars will stay open longer, until their regular operating hours end.
http://www.floridablade.com/2009/10-29/news/localnews/6415.cfm/

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz used for GOP target practice
Wasserman silhouette to be used at local gun range
By STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
A silhouette of U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-20, including Wilton Manors and Fort Lauderdale) was used as target practice at a shooting range, during a Southeast Broward Republican Club meeting on Oct. 6.
http://www.floridablade.com/2009/10-29/news/localnews/6418.cfm/

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

Kansas State Nixes, Then OKs Trans Speaker
By Michelle Garcia
Students at Kansas State University who decided not to fund a campus visit by a transgender speaker have reversed their decision.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/10/29/Kansas_State_Nays,_Then_OKs_Trans_Speaker/

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

First openly gay US attorney begins job in Wash.
By The Associated Press
The new top federal prosecutor in Seattle knows the significance her role carries for many people: She’s apparently the nation’s first openly gay U.S. attorney.
http://www.365gay.com/news/first-openly-gay-us-attorney-begins-job-in-wash/

Corvino: The work left to do
By John Corvino, columnist, 365gay.com
Less than a week before the election, polls continue to show close races in both Washington State, where voters may substantially expand domestic-partner legislation, and Maine, where they may rescind marriage-equality. We could win in either state (or both)—but we could lose, too.
http://www.365gay.com/opinion/corvino-the-work-left-to-do/

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

Man admits blackmailing cruisers meeting for sex
A Portsmouth man has admitted posing as a police officer to blackmail men meeting for gay sex. Lee Creamer, 26, admitted extorting hundreds of pounds out of three men who were fearful their families would find out about their activities.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/29/man-admits-blackmailing-cruisers-meeting-for-sex/

Gay Halloween party supports Elton John's AIDS Foundation
By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk
Wilton's – the world's oldest surviving music hall – will play host to an exclusive Halloween party for gay London professionals on Saturday night. The party has been arranged by Village Drinks, the leading social community group for gay professionals, which will host a champagne reception and party in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation at this London architectural gem, now listed among the planet’s 100 most culturally significant endangered buildings.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/29/gay-halloween-party-supports-elton-johns-aids-foundation/

Liverpool's gay arts festival kicks off next week
Homotopia, Liverpool's annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans festival, begins next week. It usually focuses on theatre, comedy, literature and debate but this year, organisers are emphasising the impact of homophobic hate crime with the strapline 'Homotopia not homophobia'.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/29/liverpools-gay-arts-festival-kicks-off-next-week/

Kenya to conduct census of gays
Kenya is to conduct a census of gay people in an attempt to control the spread of HIV. The confidential survey will be carried out by the National AIDS/STD Control Programme, starting in January or February next year.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/29/kenya-to-conduct-census-of-gays/

George Michael hopes for Christmas number one
Gay singer George Michael will reportedly go head to head with the X Factor winner for the Christmas number one. The star is to release December Song, a remix of a track he gave away free to fans last Christmas.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/29/george-michael-hopes-for-christmas-number-one/

London's gay arts festival launched this week
GFest, a month-long festival celebrating LGBT arts in the capital, was officially launched at the Houses of Parliament this week.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/29/londons-gay-arts-festival-launched-this-week/

London LGBT Tourist Office welcomes 100th visitor
The London LGBT Tourist Information Office has welcomed it's one hundredth visitor today. The service, which is London's first ever tourist office aimed specifically for the LGBT community, provides help and advice for community projects, as well as information about Soho's vibrant gay scene.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/30/london-lgbt-tourist-office-welcomes-100th-visitor/

PE teacher resigns over gay porn photo shoot
A PE teacher who was suspended earlier this year over a gay porn photo shoot has resigned. Sam Handley was suspended from Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone in September when explicit photographs of him intended for a gay porn site were circulated by pupils.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/30/pe-teacher-resigns-over-gay-porn-photo-shoot/

Thousands expected to attent candle lit vigil in Trafalgar Square
Up to 10,000 people are expected to take part in a silent candle-lit vigil against Hate-Crime this evening in Trafalgar Square. The event, organised by the facebook group 17-24-30, is being held to commemorate the homophobic murder of Ian Baynham.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/30/thousands-expected-to-attent-candle-lit-vigil-in-trafalgar-square/

Glasgow council makes controversial appointment for LGBT centre
Gay rights groups in Glasgow have spoken out against the controversial decision to hand over the running of the Glasgow LGBT centre to one of its senior councillors.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/30/glasgow-council-makes-controversial-appointment-for-lgbt-centre/

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

Lambda Legal Warns SkyWest and Delta Air Lines To Stop Discriminating Against Married Gay Employees
“…as far as the airline is concerned, we’re nothing more than friends.”
(Palm Springs, California, October 29, 2009) — Lambda Legal has sent a letter to SkyWest and Delta Airlines warning the companies that their treatment of gay employees’ spouses and registered domestic partners violates not only the airlines’ own policies, but also California law.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11082/

90210 Will Fill Its Lesbian Void with Rumer Willis and Jessica Lowndes’ Actual Relationship
Autostraddle
90210: These are the same people that brought you Brandon telling Andrea Zuckerman that she couldn’t really speak about the importance of condoms in schools because she didn’t know what sex felt like, obviously 90210 is going to bring you an actual lesbian relationship between Gia (Rumer Willis) and Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) -
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11080/

Family Research Council Seeks to Conceal, Ostracize Gay Senior Citizens
Michael Airhart \ Truth Wins Out
Aging gay people face a few more obstacles than their heterosexual counterparts, according to Newsweek: They face discrimination in housing, medical, and social services, and elder couples are denied the benefits that are taken for granted by heterosexual spouses. (Newsweek video.)
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11079/

US Ex-Gay Activist Target Latin America for Next Round of Prejudice
Michael Airhart \ Truth Wins Out
For three decades, Exodus International has tried to fool the U.S. Christian Right into believing that homosexuality is caused by bad parenting and abuse that can be reversed if one simply prays hard enough and if one adheres to tiresome and unimaginative activities that are stereotypical for one’s gender.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11078/

US Slams Uganda’s Proposed Anti-Gay Law
AFP \ Ex Gay Watch
An official with the US Embassy in Kampala, Uganda, has said that the new Anti-Homosexuality Bill, if enacted into law, would “mark a major setback in the promotion of human rights.” We urge states to take all necessary measures to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests, or detention.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11077/

What a Difference a Decade Makes
Jennifer Vanasco \ Independent Gay Forum
First published in the Chicago Free Press on October 28, 2009
It’s sometimes tough to measure progress, personal or political. Our lives are lived slowly, day by day, and so change can seem incremental. Or impossible. But a lot of difference can be made in a decade.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11075/

CA: The San Diego LGBT Center Events Update
News of Note
First Quarter Program Reviews
As we complete the annual independent audit from last fiscal year and the review the reports for the beginning quarter of this year, some of the overall facts are startling:1. The Center has seen a tremendous increase in people coming to The Center for support, for services and to connect to our community. Every month our front desk staff and volunteers handle more than 2,000 walk-ins or calls for information and help! And today, more than 3,000 people a month are offered services and support at The Center!
READ MORE…
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11074/

US Right Wing Evangelicals Stoke Anti-Gay Hatred in Africa
PublicEye.org
In March 2008, U.S. evangelical leader Rick Warren told Ugandans that homosexuality is not a natural way of life and thus not a human right. One year later, U.S. conservative evangelical and Holocaust revisionist Scott Lively (a resident of Massachusetts) addressed the Family Life Network and Ugandan members of Parliament in March 2009, saying legalizing homosexuality is akin to legalizing “the molestation of children or having sex with animals.”
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11073/

Audio: NPR: Veteran Journalist Knows the Joy and Pain of Covering Gay Life
NPR
From his coverage of equality marches to political campaigns, to hate crimes, Lou Chibarro, Jr., has covered it all working as a reporter for The Washington Blade. That gay publication was founded 40 years ago with the goal of offering its readers news and perspectives relevant to the gay and lesbian experience. Chibarro shares insight from his 30-year journalism career and explains how reporting on the gay community has, at times, brought both happiness and pain.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11072/

Vindicating Gay Veterans
Yusef Najafi \ Metro Weekly
The sixth annual Veterans Day Memorial Service in memory of fallen GLBT service members is scheduled for 2 p.m., on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Congressional Cemetery in Washington. Daniel Hays, vice president of the Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance (AGLA), says the upcoming event is the first time AGLA has partnered up with Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) in presenting the memorial service.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11071/

Tallahassee approves domestic partner benefits, prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
Tallahassee Democrat
City OKs benefits for same-sex couples
Commission also adds sexual orientation, identity to anti-discrimination policy
By TaMaryn Waters
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11070/

Interpublic Gay and Lesbian Group Takes on a Marketing Role
Stuart Elliott \ New York Times
An affinity and resource group for gay and lesbian employees at a major agency holding company is expanding its purview beyond internal purposes.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11069/

TN: LGBTies Presents ‘Gay History 101′
Valisa Griffin \ East Tennessean
ETSU’s LGBTies organization presented a program called “Gay History 101.” The lecture, held on Oct. 27, was intended to enlighten all members of the ETSU community on the subject of gay history, its progress thus far, and the challenges it faces today.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11068/

Kip Williams Marches On
Rose Kennedy (Contact) \ Metro Pulse
As co-director of the National March for Equality, Kip Williams invited the nation to march on Washington, D.C., on Oct. 11, demanding equal rights under federal law for our country’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender citizens.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11067/

Pentagon Officials Won’t Confirm Bush Propaganda Program Ended
Brad Jacobson \ Raw Story
[Read Part I and Part II of this series.]The covert Bush administration program that used retired military analysts to generate favorable wartime news coverage may not have been terminated, Raw Story has found. In interviews, Pentagon officials in charge of the press and community relations offices — which worked in partnership on the military analyst program — equivocated on the subject of whether the program has ended.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11066/

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