GLBT DIGEST - November 26, 2009

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It's A Girl Thing: Images by Women
December 5 - 31, 2009
Stonewall Library & Archives
1300 East Sunrise Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304
"It's A Girl Thing: Images by Women" is a glimpse of the female perspective by women artists of ArtsUnited and Women in Network.
http://www.stonewall-library.org/

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Ft. Lauderdale: Thom Leffler Honored
Our own GLCC/Pride Center volunteer and Founders Circle Member, Thom Leffler, received the distinguished "Choice for Equality Award" from Equality Florida at their Gala last week. The Board, staff and volunteers of the GLCC/Pride want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Thom on his award.
http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001kSkfsfL4g8ieYvVQMoEyDO5T_CBGvydchTF25lclqAdNBdX8l1XvMkNjJP8gAArMoC2iOY98lzEly4qfOy9p0Tj2PiSs0Vf9A3pr9kMtjvWh_vrwEIYXSA%3D%3D/

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

New Jersey’s Marriage Moment
There can come a moment in a politician’s career when doing the right thing requires summoning the courage to buck strong voter sentiment. The drama over same-sex marriage in a lame-duck session of the New Jersey State Legislature is not that kind of moment.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/26/opinion/26thur3.html?_r=1&scp=6&sq=gay&st=cse/

Adam Lambert Furor Spreads to Gay Community
By REUTERS
"American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert on Wednesday admitted he got carried away during his racy American Music Awards performance, as furor over his singing and dancing stoked a wider controversy in the U.S. gay community.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/11/26/arts/entertainment-us-lambert.html?scp=5&sq=gay&st=cse/

Community Standard or Double Standard?
By ALESSANDRA STANLEY
It wasn’t really the man-on-man kiss or the simulated oral sex that marked Adam Lambert’s performance on the American Music Awards on Sunday as shocking. Mostly it was ABC’s reaction. By rescinding Mr. Lambert’s invitation to sing on “Good Morning America,” ABC self-protectively drew a line that networks usually prefer to keep blurred.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/26/arts/television/26watch.html?scp=4&sq=gay&st=cse/

Soul-Searching in Turkey After a Gay Man Is Killed
By DAN BILEFSKY
ISTANBUL — For Ahmet Yildiz, a stocky and affable 26-year-old, the choice to live openly as a gay man proved deadly. Prosecutors say his own father hunted him down, traveling more than 600 miles from his hometown to shoot his son in an old neighborhood of Istanbul.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/26/world/europe/26turkey.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:

Thousands gather in Puerto Rico to remember gay teen who was found slain
Crowd demands use of hate-crime law in prosecution of case
By Associated Press
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO -- Thousands of people marched through Puerto Rico's capital Wednesday, celebrating the life of a gay teenager whose dismembered, burned body was found dumped along a road in a small mountain town.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/25/AR2009112504688.html/

US-POLITICS Summary
Gay marriage losing support in New Jersey: poll
Reuters
New Jersey voters are split on whether to legalize gay marriage, but more people now oppose it than support it, a poll found on Wednesday. The Quinnipiac University survey found 49 percent of voters oppose a law allowing same-sex couples to marry, while 46 percent support such legislation, reversing an April poll that found 49 percent supported it and 43 percent opposed it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/26/AR2009112601233_pf.html/

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

Race to the Top in Education
We can get real reform if the president resists pressure to dilute standards.
By HAROLD E. FORD JR., LOUIS V. GERSTNER JR. AND ELI BROAD
For decades, policy makers have talked about significantly improving public education. The problem has been clear: one-third of public school children fail to graduate, there are embarrassing achievement gaps between middle-class children and poor and minority children, and the gap between our students and those in other countries threatens to undermine our economic competitiveness. Yet for the better part of a quarter century, urgent calls for change have seldom translated into improved public schools.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704500604574483473296731550.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLTopStories/

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

Adam Lambert isn't apologizing for sexually charged performance
By David Bauder
Adam Lambert admits he got carried away with his sexually charged American Music Awards performance, but he's offering no apology. The glam rocker from American Idol said on CBS television that his performance would not have caused as much controversy if he weren't openly gay. He also said there were other "adult" moments on the show that caused no outrage.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/fl-adam-lambert-20091125,0,4372613.story/

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

International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission: End executions for sodomy charges in Iran
From the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission: Join the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), Iranian Queers Organization (IRQO) and COC Netherlands in calling on Iranian authorities to stop the numerous executions of minors and adults accused of sodomy. Also join us in calling on Western countries with significant diplomatic and economic ties to Iran, including Germany, France, Canada, as well as the European Union, to pursue diplomatic efforts to cease these executions.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/11/international-gay-and-lesbian-human-rights-commission-end-executions-for-sodomy-charges-in-iran.html/

GLAAD president: Blurring Adam Lambert’s kiss ‘reinforces an unfortunate double standard’
Posted to GLAAD Blog by Jonathan Rosales, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Manager:
Yesterday, GLAAD issued a statement applauding CBS for its decision to feature Adam Lambert on The Early Show after Good Morning America cancelled his planned appearance. However, during the broadcast this morning, The Early Show made the decision to blur the image of Adam kissing his keyboardist. In response, GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios has issued the following statement:
“The Early Show’s decision this morning to blur Adam Lambert’s kiss from the American Music Awards reinforces an unfortunate double standard that is applied to openly gay performers,” said Jarrett Barrios, President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). “I would have hoped CBS would provide the same treatment for images of gay and lesbian people and not create an unfair double standard that treats our community differently. CBS regularly shows kisses throughout every daypart. The kiss was not blurred on ABC nor in news coverage on other networks. While we continue to applaud The Early Show for featuring Adam Lambert today, we have reached out to the show’s producers to express our concerns about their decision and offer ways they can make their coverage of gay and transgender people more fair.”
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/11/glaad-president-blurring-adam-lamberts-kiss-reinforces-an-unfortunate-double-standard.html/

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

Gay Couples Face Higher Estate Taxes
By Advocate.com Editors
Some wealthy gay couples will pay an average of $3.3 million more in federal estate taxes this year upon the death of a spouse than their married heterosexual counterparts, a new study finds.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/11/24/Gay_Couples_Face_Higher_Estate_Taxes%282%29/

Fundamentalists Tied to Uganda's Antigay Law
By Advocate.com Editors
An antigay conservative group with high-powered U.S. political allies has used its influence to support a proposed Ugandan law that would impose the death penalty on "repeat offenders" engaging in gay sex.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/11/25/Fundamentalists_Tied_to_Ugandas_Antigay_Law/

CBS: Avoiding Legal Woes By Blurring Images
By Advocate.com Editors
The possibility of legal action is what caused The Early Show on CBS to blur images of Adam Lambert's controversial performance on Wednesday morning. A spokesperson for CBS told Extra.com that the the decision to blur Lambert simulating oral sex with a dancer and kissing a keyboardist — while not blurring another controversial awards show kiss between Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera — came after a lot of deliberation.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/11/25/CBS_Avoiding_Legal_Woes_By_Blurring_Images/

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

9 Good Gifts: Editor’s picks from 365gay
By Jennifer Vanasco
Your friends are politically aware. Sophisticated. Well-traveled. Creative. And they recycle. In fact, they’re a lot like you. So what can you get them that they don’t have themselves? 365gay hunted for good gifts – gifts that say you put a lot of thought into the kind of people your friends are. Gifts that say you admire their intelligence, their elegance, their wit. Gifts that say, “I looked into your soul. And your soul told me that you wanted a rare, designer set of cuff-links crafted by gay monks out of pieces of disco ball recycled from Studio 54.” http://www.365gay.com/news/9-good-gifts-editors-picks-from-365gay/

The gayest Republican moments – in video
By Jennifer Vanasco
The Daily Show celebrates the news that a GOP Republican running for governor has named an openly gay man as his running mate – by reliving a few of the gayest Republican moments in the past few years. The Daily Show staff reporting from a certain notorious restroom:
http://www.365gay.com/news/the-gayest-republican-moments-in-video/

Lambda sues Atlanta for gay bar raid
By 365gay Newswire
From Lambda Legal: In the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia today, Lambda Legal and co-counsel filed a lawsuit against the city of Atlanta, the Chief of Police and 48 individual officers of the Atlanta Police Department on behalf of 19 individuals who, on Sept. 10 at the Atlanta Eagle gay bar, were forcibly searched and detained.
http://www.365gay.com/news/lambda-sues-atlanta-for-gay-bar-raid/

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

Police officers disciplined for homophobic emails
Two police officers in Leith, Scotland, have been disciplined for sending homophobic emails to colleagues in the Gay Police Association and choir.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/11/25/police-officers-disciplined-for-homophobic-emails/

Video: Game features secret gay sex scene
A scene in new video game Dragon Age: Orgins features a secret gay sex scene between a man an a elf. The new game, which has received high ratings, allows players to access the scenes by using the correct combination of chat-up lines on warrior elf Zevran.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/11/25/video-game-features-secret-gay-sex-scene/

School pupils to learn about transphobic bullying
Children in UK schools will be taught about transphobic bullying and gender equality, it was announced yesterday. Ministers stressed the lessons would be age-appropriate.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/11/25/school-pupils-to-learn-about-transphobic-bullying/

Call for political parties to publish diversity of candidates
Political parties are being urged to publish their lists of MP candidates to show the diversity of the selection process. It is expected the data would include the numbers of lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans candidates.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/11/25/call-for-political-parties-to-publish-diversity-of-candidates/

Alan Cumming and Ben Summerskill receive OBEs
Actor Alan Cumming and Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill were honoured with OBEs yesterday at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Both were presented with their honours by Princess Margaret.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/11/25/alan-cumming-and-ben-summerskill-receive-obes/

Gay couple have Australia's first civil union
Warren McGaw and Chris Rumble have become the first Australian gay couple to have their relationship legally recognised. Their ceremony was performed yesterday in Canberra in the ACT.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/11/25/gay-couple-have-australias-first-civil-union/

London universities invite homophobic preacher to speak
Two London universities have been attacked for inviting an extremist Islamist preacher to speak. Abu Usamah appeared in Channel 4's Undercover Mosque documentary, in which he was seen advocating the killing of gays and Muslims who leave their faith.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/11/24/london-universities-invite-homophobic-preacher-to-speak/

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

Former Obama Organizer Threatens to ‘Out’ Catholic Priest to ‘Encourage’ Them to Repudiate Church’s Moral Stand on Homosexuality
Matt Cover, Staff Writer \ CNSNews
A longtime Washington, D.C., liberal Internet activist has founded a Web site that he says will collect accounts of homosexuals in the Catholic priesthood–accounts he will use to “encourage” them to change their views on homosexual marriage and other issues. “Outing” the priests–publicly revealing their homosexuality–is “not off the table,” Phil Attey, founder of the Web site ChurchOuting.com, told CNSNews.com. The site will also collect information on straight priests who have broken their vow of celibacy, using the information to “encourage” those priests to go against their Church’s teachings on homosexuality as well.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11767/

Southern Voice Gets $12,000 Matching Grant for New Gay Publication
Kristi E. Swartz \ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An Atlanta foundation has given a $12,000 matching grant to help create a new gay publication since Southern Voice closed last week.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11765/

Rationale Builds for Same-Sex Benefits Law
Joe Davidson \ Washington Post
Two federal appellate court judges issued separate rulings last week that came to the same result: Uncle Sam must permit employee benefits for same-sex spouses of federal workers. Though the decisions apply only to same-gender married employees of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, and that’s a pretty small group even in California, the judges’ orders boost the arguments of those favoring legislation that Congress now is considering.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11762/

ABC: Lambert’s Performance Draws 1,500 Complaints
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmT-x0elRKM
DAVID BAUDER (AP) – 23 hours ago \ Google
Complaints poured in Monday about Adam Lambert’s sexually charged performance at the American Music Awards, including criticism of his kiss with a male keyboard player that was left out of rehearsals for the show.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11758/

It Could Have Been Worse
Paul Varnell \ Independent Gay Forum
First published in the new Milwaukee Gazette on November 19, 2009
For many gay people, this year began with high hopes following the election and inauguration of President Barack Obama who had promised “change we can believe in.” But the enthusiasm and hope seemed gradually to deflate with the passage of weeks and months in which Obama concerned himself with the economic crisis, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the continuing debate over health care. There seemed no movement on any gay-related issues.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11755/

Randall Terry, Operation Rescue Founder, to Protest Abortionist Carhart, in Omaha, Nebraska
To: National DeskContact: Kathy Veritas,
904-687-9804
www.OverturnRoe.com
“Carhart is a killer, not a healer; abortion is murder, not healthcare.” Randall Terry
OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 24 /Christian Newswire/ — The following is submitted by Randall Terry:
What: Randall Terry and other pro-life advocates to protest LeRoy Carhart’s abortion mill.
When: November 25, 2009 from 9:00 to 9:30 AM.
Where: LeRoy Carhart’s Abortion Mill, 1002 West Mission, Bellevue, NE 68005.
Who: Randall Terry and other pro-life advocates.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11752/

Some Democrats Back Off Bid to Legalize Gay Marriage in New Jersey
DAVID KOCIENIEWSKI \ New York Times
It was not on the ballot, nor was it a top-tier issue in the New Jersey governor’s race this fall, but the push to legalize same-sex marriage in the state could become a casualty of the election results. Just weeks ago, Democrats, who control both houses of the Legislature, spoke confidently about their intention to pass a marriage-equality bill after the election and send it to Gov. Jon S. Corzine, a fellow Democrat who had promised to sign it even if he was not re-elected.
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11771/

Southern Voice Gets $12,000 Matching Grant for New Gay Publication
Kristi E. Swartz \ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An Atlanta foundation has given a $12,000 matching grant to help create a new gay publication since Southern Voice closed last week. The Lloyd E. Russell Foundation will give $12,000 in matching funds to the new news outlet, according to a note posted on www.savesovo.com
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/news/11765/

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JustNews.com
http://www.justnews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

Adam Lambert Flap: A Double Standard?
Lambert's 'GMA' Performance Canceled
WILTON MANORS, Fla. -- "American Idol" finalist Adam Lambert's controversial performance at the American Music Awards stirred up so much controversy that "Good Morning America" dropped his appearance from Wednesday's show. Lambert's live performance at the award's show certainly caused some controversy. The openly gay singer's kiss with his male keyboardist shocked viewers, but it was the simulated sex act on stage that brought more than 1,500 complaints to the Federal Communications Commission. On Tuesday, producers from "Good Morning America" canceled Lambert's scheduled appearance for Wednesday morning. “Given his controversial American Music Awards performance, we were concerned about airing a similar concert so early in the morning," a GMA representative said. Some said the cancellation was based on a double standard. In 2003, Madonna and Britney Spears kissed onstage, and it was deemed an edgy performance. Dean Trantalis, a Wilton Manors attorney and gay rights activist, said the performance was inappropriate but that Lambert should be judged by the same standards. "What he did onstage is totally in line with what other performers have done, and I think that for them to deny him continued access to the media, his inability to show himself as a performer, I think shows that America is unwilling to accept the gay community the same way they accept performers in the straight community," Trantalis said. Trantalis said Madonna and Spears are clearly not gay, but he said if two lesbians were to have performed the same thing, they would have been ostracized.
http://www.justnews.com/entertainment/21716204/detail.html?treets=mia&tid=2655619429813&tml=mia_7am&tmi=mia_7am_1_06000211252009&ts=H/

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