Saturday, December 12, 2009

GLBT DIGEST - December 12, 2009

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Friday, December 11, 2009

GLBT DIGEST - December 11, 2009

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Longtime gay activist Robin Tyler on marriage and the Dems
Posted by John Aravosis (DC)
Should we give up on fighting for marriage equality, because the Democratic Party has broken their word to us? Never. No civil rights movement has ever said 'give us less, and we will be satisfied.' No civil rights movement has ever won without the strength to keep fighting no matter what the loss or setback was at the time. The LGBT community has survived mental institutions, penal institutions, science calling us sick, and religion calling us sinful. We have survived been thrown out of our homes, our schools, and rejected by everyone we knew. But we found each other. And we loved each other. And we supported each other through AIDS, when no one gave a damn. And we refused to be victims. We became survivors, and now, our resilience has made us tougher, stronger, smarter. No, we will not back down from the losses around marriage equality, or any other civil right issue. We deserve it all, and we will not rest until we have it all. That is what a movement is. We keep moving, forward. No retreat, not now, not ever. Robin Tyler, age 67
http://www.gay.americablog.com/

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

The Presidency of Barack Obama
Gay Rights
On June 17, Mr. Obama signed an administrative memorandum extending some partnership rights to federal workers in same-sex relationships. It allows administration personnel to take leave to care for sick partners and requires the government to recognize their partners as household members when determining overseas housing allocations for State Department employees, among other things.
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/o/barack_obama/presidency/index.html?scp=7&sq=gay&st=cse/

Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions, and Domestic Partnerships
Updated Dec. 3, 2009
For over a decade, the issue of same-sex marriage has been a flashpoint political issue in the United States, setting off waves of competing legislation and ballot initiatives attempting either to legalize or ban the practice. Rifts have also opened among religious groups over the decision to recognize same-sex marriage or condemn it.
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/s/same_sex_marriage/index.html?scp=3&sq=gay&st=cse/

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Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/
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Thousands Flee Iran as Noose Tightens
By STEVE STECKLOW and FARNAZ FASSIHI
NEVSEHIR, Turkey -- Sadegh Shojai fled Iran after government agents raided his Tehran apartment, seizing his computer and 700 copies of a book he published on staging revolutions.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126049484505086861.html/

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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
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Broward teachers union alleges bus safety, sexual harassment, nepotism problems
By Kathy Bushouse and Megan O'Matz
Accusing the Broward school district's transportation department of an array of problems, including bus safety, sexual harassment and nepotism, the Broward Teachers Union asked Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday for an independent investigation.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-broward-school-transportation-121109-20091210,0,7513408.story/

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

Averting crisis: Growing up gay in America
BY STEVE ROTHAUS, srothaus@MiamiHerald.com
Decades before Mitchell Gold became a famous furniture mogul, he considered ways to kill himself.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/

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The Advocate
http://advocate.com/
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Hunky Santa: For Ladies and Gentlemen
The Abercrombie door greeters passed you over for some female shoppers? Thunder From Down Under doesn't want your dollar bill? Fear not... because "Hunky Santa" is down with guys and girls.
By Ross von Metzke
Any gay man who’s ever sat through a performance of Thunder From Down Under has learned two things. First: At least a few of the performers are gay. Second: It doesn’t matter, because no matter how much baby oil these guys are slathered in, the show – along with The Chippendales and any other Vegas-style male strip revue – is designed for the ladies.
http://www.advocate.com/News/News_Features/Hunky_Santa_For_Ladies_and_Gentlemen/

Maddow Reviews Warren's Uganda Record
By Julie Bolcer
Rachel Maddow on Thursday night reviewed the record of pastor Rick Warren on antigay legislation in Uganda leading up to his denouncement of the bill in a Youtube video on Wednesday.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/12/11/Maddow_Reviews_Warrens_Uganda_Record/

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

Irish judges: Gay sperm donor should see his son
By The Associated Press
(Dublin) The Irish Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a gay man who donated his sperm to a lesbian couple should be permitted to see his 3-year-old son regularly – in part because Ireland’s constitution doesn’t recognize the lesbians as a valid family unit.
http://www.365gay.com/news/irish-judges-gay-sperm-donor-should-see-his-son/

NC elections board ends exam of Clay Aiken
By The Associated Press
Elections officials dropped an investigation into 2003 “American Idol” runnerup Clay Aiken’s voter registration on Wednesday, weeks after the singer ruffled feathers by slamming some local school board candidates on his blog.
http://www.365gay.com/news/nc-elections-board-ends-exam-of-clay-aiken/

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

Gene discovery could make gender reassignment easier
The discovery of a single gene which controls gender could pave the way for simpler treatment of trans people. Researchers at the National Institute for Medical Research discovered that just one gene prevents females from developing male physical characteristics such as facial hair and testes.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/11/gene-discovery-could-make-gender-reassignment-easier/

Anti-gay preacher Rick Warren finally speaks out on Uganda law
Controversial US pastor Rick Warren has finally released a statement criticising Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill. Warren had been slow to condemn the drastic law and some critics had suggested he supported and even sponsored it.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/11/anti-gay-preacher-rick-warren-finally-speaks-out-on-uganda-law/

Straight civil partnership couple seek gay couple
The straight couple who are challenging the ban on heterosexuals having civil partnerships are looking for a gay couple to join their fight. They hope to challenge the ban in the European Court of Human Rights.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/11/straight-civil-partnership-couple-seek-gay-couple/

Elton John opens his closet
Elton John is clearing out his closet this weekend for charity. The star and his civil partner David Furnish are selling some of their designer clothes to raise money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/11/elton-john-opens-his-closet/

Nearly half of New Jersey Catholics support gay marriage
A poll of Catholic voters in the US state of New Jersey has shown that just under half are in favour of gay marriage. The lowest levels of support were found among evangelical Christians.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/10/nearly-half-of-new-jersey-catholics-support-gay-marriage/

Comment : Peter Tatchell calls for a global human rights index
On Human Rights Day 2009 we see a world where LGBT rights and freedoms are violated everywhere. Only a tiny minority of countries have anything close to legal equality and protection against homophobic and transphobic harassment, discrimination and hate crimes.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/10/comment-peter-tatchell-calls-for-a-global-human-rights-index/

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Daily Queer News
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/

Go to the links for the following articles:

Let it ‘Snow’
Posted on 10 December 2009 by Aram Vartian
The relationship between the Evil Queen and Snow White in “Snow White and 175 Faeries,” this year’s holiday show for the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, is, as you might expect, much different from the relationship the actors playing them have. The Queen, of course, wants Snow White killed, but the actors are enjoying a cross-generational camaraderie and mentorship. Chip Crews, 59, who plays the Queen, says he has little in common with his character, the only female role in the cast, which he plays in drag.
http://dcagenda.com/2009/12/10/let-it-%E2%80%98snow%E2%80%99/

Take it from a black, gay Republican…
Posted on 10 December 2009 by Robert Turner
A week ago, a friend of mine posted an open question to conservatives: “How many conservative positions must one hold on the issues in order to be considered a conservative?” But in order to answer that question, you must first define what a conservative is. The conservatism I believe in is a combination of lower taxes, less government spending, freer trade, freer markets, individual liberty, personal responsibility and a strong anti-Communist foreign policy.
http://dcagenda.com/2009/12/10/take-it-from-a-black-gay-republican%E2%80%A6/

Public prayer losing ground in North Carolina?
by Matt Comer, December 10, 2009, 8:51 am
County commissioners in the sleepy, liberal town of Asheville, N.C., have made a “consensus” decision to end public prayer at their meetings. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners are set to bring the topic up for official discussion on Jan. 5. They’ll likely vote to stop opening board meetings with prayer. The move comes after a federal magistrate recommended a similar public prayer policy in Winston-Salem, N.C., violated the the First Amendment.
http://www.interstateq.com/archives/4002/

Irene Monroe: race and queer divide with election of lesbian priest
by: Pam Spaulding
By Irene Monoe
iOn December 5th cheers reverberated across the country with the news that at the 114th annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles two women were elected as bishops- Rev. Diane Jardine Bruce of California, and Rev. Mary Douglas Glasspool of Maryland
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14439/irene-monroe-race-and-queer-divide-with-election-of-lesbian-priest/

First gay man to head CA's assembly
Filed by: Alex Blaze
"I want to thank the Members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus for the faith they have placed in me. It is a humbling privilege. I will work every day to justify that faith and to earn the enormous honor of having been drafted to serve as Speaker. The other candidates for Speaker, especially Assemblymember Kevin de León, have all shown great leadership for the Assembly and for this state and they have my great respect. As Speaker, I will look forward to working with a united Democratic caucus as we continue tackling our number one priority--helping the state recover from the recession and helping the California families who have been hit so hard by it."
-John A. Perez, who was just elected the speaker of the California general Assembly
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/first_gay_man_to_head_cas_assembly.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BilericoProject+%28The+Bilerico+Project%29/

Are You Paying Unnecessary Taxes on Partner Benefits?
By Samir Luther
Domestic partner benefits often cost employees who use them a significant chunk of change ($1,069 on average in 2007) in additional income taxes – taxes that their married, heterosexual counterparts don’t have to pay. As a result of the Defense of Marriage Act, employees who receive health insurance coverage for their unmarried same-sex partner have to be taxed on the estimated fair market value of that coverage – an inequality that becomes painfully obvious to LGBT people when they get their first reduced paycheck after enrollment.
http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2009/12/are-you-paying-unnecessary-taxes-on-partner-benefits/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HrcBackStory+%28HRC+Back+Story%29/

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Thursday, December 10, 2009

GLBT DIGEST - December 10, 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:

Recognition Woes Hinder G.O.P. Legislator’s Run
By KATIE ZEZIMA
The Republican Party’s candidate in the race for Edward M. Kennedy’s United States Senate seat started to talk about what he planned to do for the people of Massachusetts if elected. But first he had to remind them who he was.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/10/us/politics/10massbrown.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=gay&st=cse/

Uphill Toward Equality
The fight in New Jersey to legalize same-sex marriage cleared a crucial hurdle on Monday night, and it is now time for the rest of the state’s lawmakers to end a grievous violation of this nation’s promise of equal rights. The same-sex marriage bill was approved by the Judiciary Committee of the State Senate on Monday night following a day of emotionally charged testimony.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/10/opinion/10thu3.html?scp=4&sq=gay&st=cse/

Bay Schools Phase Out Gay-Friendly Curriculum
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The school board blinked. Under the duress of a lawsuit and threats of recall, the Alameda Board of Education has voted to phase out an elementary school curriculum it adopted in May to prevent anti-gay bullying.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/12/10/us/AP-US-Gay-Marriage-Schools.html?scp=3&sq=gay&st=cse/

New Jersey Marriage Vote Canceled
By DAVID KOCIENIEWSKI
The battle over a bill that would legalize gay marriage in New Jersey shifted locations unexpectedly late Wednesday as sponsors of the legislation canceled a vote scheduled for Thursday in the State Senate, where the measure appeared headed for defeat.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/10/nyregion/10marriage.html?scp=2&sq=gay&st=cse/

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Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
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Bruce Springsteen speaks out for gay marriage
By Monica Herrera
Bruce Springsteen has come out in support of gay marriage in his home state of New Jersey, where a marriage equality bill will go to vote this week. The rocker released a statement via his official Web site Wednesday backing the legislation.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/09/AR2009120903615.html/

Mavericks' Thomas a figure in eatery fight
Associated Press
Dallas Mavericks forward Tim Thomas was at a Dallas restaurant when a fight broke out early Wednesday during a dispute between him and another patron.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/10/AR2009121000096.html/

For a woman who accepted all others: a top honor
In the early days of AIDS, an Arlington pastor opened her church so those with the disease could find comfort together
By Michael Laris
Counselors at the District's Whitman-Walker Clinic were stuck. Finding a place for people with AIDS to meet and help one another was not easy in the 1980s, when the trinity of fear, ignorance and stigma left many terrified even to come close to the ill.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/09/AR2009120901590.html/

Wedded to anti-gay stand on marriage
By Robert McCartney
Question: Why would Washington's Roman Catholic archdiocese let a dispute over employment benefits, which would have little practical effect, cause it to give up doing valuable, publicly funded work helping the homeless and sick?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/09/AR2009120904323.html/

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

Broadway’s Brian Stokes Mitchell, ‘the luckiest actor in the world,’ performs Saturday at Arsht Center
BY STEVE ROTHAUS, srothaus@MiamiHerald.com
Brian Stokes Mitchell is perhaps musical theater's leading leading man, yet he hasn't performed in a long-run Broadway show since his 2003 Tony-nominated turn as Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/broadways-brian-stokes-mitchell-the-luckiest-actor-in-the-world-performs-saturday-at-arsht-center.html/

Ros-Lehtinen calls on Ugandan government to reject impending anti-gay legislation
News release from U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen:
(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today called on the Ugandan government to reject legislation being considered now in the Ugandan legislature to impose harsh jail sentences and even the death penalty on some homosexuals living there. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
“I am deeply saddened and troubled that such blatantly ignorant and hate-filled legislation would see the light of day anywhere in today’s world. It needs to be stopped in its tracks immediately.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/ros-lehtinen-calls-on-ugandan-government-to-reject-impending-anti-gay-legislation.html/

Houston mayoral candidate Annise Parker, a lesbian, subject of anti-gay campaign
Jorge Mursuli, former executive director of SAVE Dade, has sent us a campaign mailer being used against the candidacy of Houston City Comptroller Annise Parker, a lesbian running for mayor.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/houston-mayoral-candidate-annise-parker-a-lesbian-subject-of-antigay-campaign.html/

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

Colin Firth: Singled Out
With or without prejudice, can the gay community still take pride in A Single Man? Star Colin Firth weighs in on the controversial “de-gaying” of Tom Ford’s film debut and costar Matthew Goode's good kissing skills.
By Brandon Voss
The cuddly Brit beloved for his dual Mr. Darcys in Bridget Jones’s Diary and BBC’s television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, Colin Firth is earning the best reviews of his career (and a Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival) for A Single Man, Tom Ford’s directorial debut, which opens in limited release December 11. In the film, which Ford adapted from Christopher Isherwood’s seminal 1964 novel, Firth plays George, a 52-year-old gay college professor in Los Angeles dealing with the sudden death of his longtime life partner. Over coffee at Manhattan’s swanky Carlyle Hotel, the Mamma Mia! star defends Ford’s desexualizing descriptions of A Single Man yet denounces the film’s “deceptive” marketing campaign.
http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Film/Colin_Firth_Singled_Out/

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365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
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Two Brooklyn teachers – both women – caught with pants down in classroom
By Jennifer Vanasco, editor in chief, 365gay.com
Two Brooklyn teachers were caught with their tops off and pants down in an empty classroom by a janitor at James Madison High School in Brooklyn, NY. Alini Brito, 29 and Cindy Mauro, 33, both Romance language teachers, were caught in a romantic embrace while students were at an evening talent show in the auditorium, according to the New York Daily News. Brito is married to a man.
http://www.365gay.com/news/two-brooklyn-teachers-both-women-caught-with-pants-down-in-classroom/

McDonald’s fires anti-trans manager
By 365gay Newswire
Earlier this week, Zikerria Bellamy filed a complaint against McDonald’s for refusing to hire her because she is transgender.
http://www.365gay.com/news/mcdonalds-fires-anti-trans-manager/

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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
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TUC announces new coalition to tackle homophobia in football
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has unveiled a new alliance to help stamp out homophobia in football. The Professional Footballers Association, Pride Sports, Kick it Out, Schools Out, the LGBT Sports Network and the Brighton-based Justin Campaign met with LGBT TUC representatives yesterday.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/10/tuc-announces-new-coalition-to-tackle-homophobia-in-football/

Uganda 'to remove death penalty from anti-gay bill'
Uganda will reportedly drop plans for the execution and life imprisonment of gays. An 'anti-homosexuality' bill has been passing through the country's parliament but according to news agency Bloomberg, some of the most drastic measures will be removed.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/10/uganda-to-remove-death-penalty-from-anti-gay-bill/

Schools to record all homophobic, sexist and racist bullying
The government announced today that schools will be required to record all incidents of homophobic, racist and sexist bullying. Schools minister Vernon Coaker said that all schools will be legally required to comply with the new rules from September.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/10/schools-to-record-all-homophobic-sexist-and-racist-bullying/

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

Is Gay Marriage Inevitable?
By Mara Gay
Supporters have often likened the fight for same-sex marriage to the struggle for civil rights -- slow going and full of setbacks, but certain to triumph in the long run. But for the gay rights movement, 2009 was a year filled with a string of defeats in Maine and New York. Now though, Politico's Ben Smith isn't so sure. Is the legalization of gay marriage really inevitable? The same-sex marriage movement appears likely to end a banner year with a string of stinging defeats that opponents say have undermined a core proposition of the movement - that the acceptance of gay marriage is, sooner or later, inevitable.
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/features/view/feature/Is-Gay-Marriage-Inevitable-455/

‘New Yorkers have been betrayed’
Posted by Chris Johnson
The defeat of same-sex marriage legislation in the New York State Senate last week was a devastating blow to gay rights supporters, leaving many to wonder how the bill could fail after its advocates had expressed confidence in the measure’s passage. The New York State Senate on Dec. 2 voted 24-38 against the legalization of same-sex marriage, a lopsided margin that raised questions for those who were watching the bill’s progress.
http://dcagenda.com/2009/12/10/%E2%80%98new-yorkers-have-been-betrayed%E2%80%99/

Gay Activist Attacked in Nightclub
By Julie Bolcer
A New York City-based gay activist was attacked by bouncers at a Queens nightclub early Saturday because he was dancing with another man.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/10/Gay_Activist_Attacked_in_Nightclub/

While they lie about Kevin Jennings, Michelle Malkin attacks GLSEN's funders
by: Alvin McEwen
UPDATE - I have just completed an interview with Maxim Lott of Fox News about the so-called Jennings controversies. Keep your fingers crossed regarding the accuracy of the potential article. Another day, another lie about Kevin Jennings. From Media Matters comes the following distortion about a "Little Black Book:" The Gateway Pundit blog falsely suggested that the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, a group founded and formerly headed by Department of Education official Kevin Jennings, had distributed to children an explicit safe-sex booklet.
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14434/while-they-lie-about-kevin-jennings-michelle-malkin-attacks-glsens-funders/

NC: pro-equality U.S. Senate candidate Kenneth Lewis - The Blend interview
by: Pam Spaulding
I was surprised to receive a phone call from the Kenneth Lewis campaign a couple of weeks ago; I knew a few things about the Durham attorney, who has jumped into the U.S. Senate race to dislodge Richard "Bank Run" Burr from his seat -- 1) he has little name recognition; 2) he has not held public office before and 3) he has worked behind the scenes in politics for a long time, fundraising and organizing on several campaigns, including the U.S. Senate campaigns of Harvey Gantt and Erskine Bowles. In 2008, he was part of the finance team in North Carolina for the Obama campaign.
NOTE: Bumped up since it's an exclusive.
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14429/nc-us-senate-candidate-ken-lewis-the-blend-interview/

Brooking No Dissent, HRC Gets Reporter Fired for Addressing Inconvenient Truth About Organization (in a private e-mail)
Posted by B. Daniel Blatt
In a private e-mail to the Human Rights Campaign, a tired reporter in the Pine Tree State responded to their assertion that those who supported Question 1 on the state’s ballot month were haters, echoing something we have said on this blog. “They said the Yes-on-1 people were haters. I’m a Christian. I take offense at that,” [Larry Grard, that aforementioned sleep-deprived journalist] said. “I e-mailed them back and said basically, ‘We’re not the ones doing the hating. You’re the ones doing the hating.’
http://www.gaypatriot.net/2009/12/09/brooking-no-dissent-hrc-gets-reporter-fired-for-revealing-inconvenient-truth-about-organization/


North Carolina Law Bans Atheists, One Gets Into Office Anyway
Some folks tried to prevent newly elected Asheville, North Carolina city councilman Cecil Bothwell from taking office. Because he's an atheist. And that's still against the law there, as it is in five other states.
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2009/12/north-carolina-law-bans-atheists-one.html/

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Wednesday, December 09, 2009

GLBT DIGEST - December 08, 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:

Senate Panel in N.J. Approves Gay Marriage Bill
By DAVID KOCIENIEWSKI
The battle over same-sex marriage in New Jersey headed toward a legislative showdown Monday night, when a bill that would allow such unions narrowly cleared a key legislative committee and was set for a vote by the full State Senate.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/08/nyregion/08marriage.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=gay&st=cse/

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

Court to rule on Christian group's policy
By Robert Barnes
The Supreme Court will review whether a public university may refuse to officially recognize a campus Christian group because it bars gays and nonbelievers from its membership.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/07/AR2009120703716.html/

End of the story for gay-oriented bookshop
Lambda Rising to close within weeks; owner proud of impact
By Paul Schwartzman
Lambda Rising, the Dupont Circle bookshop that grew into a pillar of Washington's gay community since its opening more than three decades ago, is closing at the end of the month, its owner said Monday. Deacon Maccubbin, Lambda Rising's founder, said that he has accomplished all he had intended when he opened the gay-oriented bookstore in 1974 and that "it's time to move on."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/07/AR2009120702117.html/

Court to decide if college group must allow gays
By JESSE J. HOLLAND
The Supreme Court said Monday it will decide whether a California law school must force a Christian group to admit gays, lesbians and nonbelievers to gain stature as an official campus organization.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/07/AR2009120701708.html/

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

Video | Lesbians face 'correction' rape in South Africa
From Sky News:
BY LISA HOLLAND, in South Africa
Lesbians in South Africa are being dragged off the street and raped to "correct" them, it has been claimed. Sky News has found evidence of widespread abuse against the lesbian community - resulting in a new trend of so-called "corrective rape".
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/video-lesbians-face-correction-rape-in-south-africa.html/

North Miami High teacher stabbed to death by ex-lover, police say
BY JOSE PAGLIERY, jpagliery@MiamiHerald.com
Police identified a North Miami High School teacher as the man who was reportedly stabbed to death Thursday by an ex-lover seeking revenge.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/north-miami-high-teacher-stabbed-to-death-by-ex-lover-police-say.html/

‘Escort,’ photo book of male prostitutes inspired by Mike Jones-Ted Haggard scandal, available
Now available: Escort, 40 Profiles with Photographs of Men Who Sell Sex.
The paperback is written by South Florida’s David Leddick and Heriberto Sanchez, with photographs by David Vance. (On the cover is actor-model Stefan Pinto, formerly of South Florida and now living in Los Angeles. Pinto is not an escort, by the way!)
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/escort-photo-book-of-male-prostitutes-inspired-by-mike-jones-ted-haggard-scandal-available.html/

MAN WHO OUTED HAGGARD STANDS BY HIS DECISION
BY STEVE ROTHAUS, srothaus@MiamiHerald.com
Mike Jones hates the word "prostitute." "I was an escort, all right? Not everyone I went with wanted sex, " said Jones, who this month brought down evangelist Ted Haggard. "I think I give escorts a good name."
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/

Miami Beach Gay Pride holiday party 8-10 p.m. Wednesday at Halo Lounge off Lincoln Road
From Miami Beach Gay Pride:
Join Miami Beach Gay Pride & Celebrate the Holidays!!!
Wednesday December 9, 2009
8 - 10 PM
Halo Miami Beach -
1625 Michigan Avenue
Become a Legend for $20.10 and get your first drink on the house!!
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/miami-beach-gay-pride-holiday-party-8-10-pm-wednesday-at-halo-lounge-off-lincoln-road.html/

Survey: LGBT adults likely to spend more on average this holiday season than heterosexuals
News release from Harris Interactive and Witeck-Combs Communications:
LGBT adults likely to spend more on average this holiday season than heterosexuals
New York, N.Y. and Washington, DC – December 7, 2009 – With Black Friday unofficially launching the holiday spending season and constant news coverage of the nation’s economic health, a recent survey showed one-third (34%) of lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT) adults sampled, when thinking about their household’s financial condition, continue to say that they expect it to get better in the next 6 months, compared with just 17% of heterosexual adults. This is a significant increase from March 2009 when 25% of LGBT adults expected their household’s financial condition to get better. In March a slightly higher 19% of heterosexual adults said that their situation would get better.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/survey-lgbt-adults-likely-to-spend-more-on-average-this-holiday-season-than-heterosexuals.html/

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

Memphis Gay Newspaper Closes
By Julie Bolcer
The only LGBT newspaper in Memphis, Tennessee has ceased publication. Publishers of the Memphis Triangle Journal cited decreasing ad revenue and declining use of print media as the reasons for closing the publication, which operated since 1990.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/12/08/Memphis_Gay_Newspaper_Closes/

Tomato Thrown at Sarah Palin
By Julie Bolcer
Police in Bloomington, Minnesota arrested a man on Monday for throwing a tomato at Sarah Palin during her book tour appearance at the Mall of America. The former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential was not hit, but tomato fragments struck two police officers.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/12/08/Tomato_Thrown_at_Sarah_Palin/

In Mass., Gay Vote Might Mean Kennedy's Seat
Mass. attorney general Martha Coakley is the front runner in tomorrow's special U.S. Senate primary election — all while boasting a pretty active gay rights résumé.
By Michelle Garcia
Massachusetts voters will flock to the polls Tuesday to choose the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in a special election to fill the seat of late senator Ted Kennedy, who died in August after a battle with brain cancer.
http://www.advocate.com/article.aspx?id=103787/

Johnston to Behar; Comfortable as Gay Icon
By Advocate.com Editors
Now that his second set of Playgirl images has been released, Levi Johnston is making the press rounds again, this time stopping by The Joy Behar Show to talk about the pics, Sarah Palin, and being a gay icon.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/12/07/Johnston_on_Behar_Comfortable_as_Gay_Icon/

UCLA: Stem Cells Kill HIV
By Neal Broverman
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, made a stunning announcement Monday: Stem cells can be engineered to kill HIV.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/12/07/UCLA_Stem_Cells_Kill_HIV/

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

Bollywood's first gay love scene
An upcoming Bollywood film will feature what is thought to be the industry's first gay love scene. I Am Omar, one of four short stories which make up the film I Am, focuses on male sex workers and homophobic police officers.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/07/bollywoods-first-gay-love-scene/

Guide released to help teachers tackle gay insults
A guide has been released by gay charity Stonewall to help teachers deal with homophobic insults. Research from the organisation found that the majority of secondary school teachers had heard phrases such as "dyke", "poof" and "that's gay" being used by students.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/08/guide-released-to-help-teachers-tackle-gay-insults/

George Michael defends gay cruising
Gay singer George Michael has defended cruising for sex on Hampstead Heath, saying it is "nicer" than trying to pull in a bar. He said he visited the cruising hotspot in the summer.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/08/george-michael-defends-gay-cruising/

Gay Labour councillor loses legal challenge over underage sex
A Labour councillor who was arrested in a Belfast hotel room in 2007 with his 17-year-old boyfriend has failed in a bid to bring a legal challenge against police. Steven Bayes, 47, was found with his boyfriend Dale Martin, who was 17 when he was arrested.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/08/gay-labour-councillor-loses-legal-challenge-over-underage-sex/

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Monday, December 07, 2009

GLBT DIGEST - December 07, 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.

HeartStrong
Since 1996, HeartStrong has provided hope and help to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students from religious educational institutions. More than 1000 current and former students aged 13-68 have come to HeartStrong after being on the receiving end of faith-based, anti-GLBT bullying and persecution. Aside from successfully implementing 14 other outreach/educational programs, the HeartStrong outreach team has self driven more than 392,000 miles doing outreach and educational work. With enrollment in religious schools exploding worldwide, the lifesaving work of HeartStrong is more relevant and necessary than ever. HeartStrong remains the only organization in the world with this mission. HeartStrong is an all volunteer educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit social justice organization. It is tax deductible donations from friends like you that enable HeartStrong to continue its work year after year. [...] HeartStrong has lost 60% of its monthly pledges in 2009. Your pledge today will help ease HeartStrong's loss. If you have questions about making a donation, please do not hesitate to contact me at 206-388-3894 or at marcadams@heartstrong.org.
http://heartstrong.org/mailman/listinfo/heartstronglist_heartstrong.org/

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

Los Angeles Diocese Elects Second Gay Episcopal Bishop, Highlighting an Anglican Split
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has elected a woman who would become the second openly gay bishop in the Anglican fellowship, a global body that is already deeply fractured over the first.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/07/us/07episcopal.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:

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Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/
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Episcopal Church Tensions Stirred
By STEPHANIE SIMON
The breach between conservative and liberal Episcopalians widened as a lesbian was elected an assistant bishop in Los Angeles, drawing fire from Anglicans world-wide. The Rev. Canon Mary D. Glasspool, 55 years old, was elected late Saturday on a seventh ballot, after several votes ended in deadlocks. Open about her sexual orientation since her seminary days, Canon Glasspool has been with the woman she calls her life partner since 1988.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126007421224878757.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_news/

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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
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Supreme Court to decide if college group must allow gays, nonbelievers to get university nod
By Associated Press
The Supreme Court will decide whether a California law school must force a Christian group to admit gays, lesbians and nonbelievers to gain stature as an official campus organization.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-supreme-court-campus-christians,0,2635715.story/

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

‘We do not hire faggots’: McDonald’s in Orlando accused of not hiring transgender 17-year-old
News release from Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund:
Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund Files Employment Discrimination Complaint with Florida Commission on Human Relations Against McDonald's for Refusing to Hire Transgender Woman
McDonald’s tells 17-year-old Zikerria Bellamy: "We do not hire faggots."
New York, New York — Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund today filed a Complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations against an Orlando McDonald's restaurant for refusing to hire 17-year-old Zikerria Bellamy because she is transgender.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/we-do-not-hire-faggots-orlando-mcdonalds-accused-of-not-hiring-transgender-17-year-old.html/

Original 'Rent' hitmakers Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal in Miami Beach for encore (with video)
By CHRISTINE DOLEN, cdolen@MiamiHerald.com
Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal took different creative routes to their career-changing roles. Rapp, a Midwesterner who did his first national theater tour at 10 in The King and I, was an experienced, thoroughly trained actor-singer. Pascal was a rocker who grew up on Long Island, playing and singing in bands, writing songs, recording an album with a group called Mute.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/original-rent-hitmakers-anthony-rapp-and-adam-pascal-in-miami-beach-for-encore-with-video.html/

Gallery | World Erotic Art Museum owner Naomi Wilzig throws birthday bash for herself, friends
Several hundred of Naomi Wilzig’s family (including her children and grandchildren) and best friends celebrated her 75th birthday Saturday night at her World Erotic Art Museum, 1205 Washington Ave., in South Beach.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/gallery-world-erotic-art-museum-owner-naomi-wilzig-throws-birthday-bash-for-herself-friends.html/

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

Tiger's transgressions
My daughter is gay and lives in California. Neither she nor her friends can ``get married'' because of the conservative backlash. I have yet to hear any of the conservatives, or their preachers, criticize what Tiger Woods might have done to the sanctity of marriage. I realize that they think that this is a private matter. Well so is my daughter's life, and they have no hesitancy of interfering in it.
PHILIP S. GOLDIN, Miami Beach
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/1369219.html/

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

Anglican Leader Warns About Lesbian Bishop
By Julie Bolcer
The leader of the worldwide Anglican communion issued a harsh statement to Episcopal Church leaders in response to the election of an openly lesbian bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles on Saturday.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/07/Anglican_Leader_Warns_About_Lesbian_Bishop/

Brit to U.S.: Come Out of Your Closet
By Julie Bolcer
A former high-ranking official in the British government urged the U.S. LGBT community to come out of its “national closet” and join others around the world in pressing to protect gay populations under siege in places like Uganda, Jamaica and Eastern Europe.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/07/Brit_to_US_Come_Out_of_Your_Closet/

Palin and Frank Joke at Dinner
By Julie Bolcer
Barney Frank and Sarah Palin shared an unlikely bill at the Gridiron Dinner on Saturday night in Washington, D.C. The former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential nominee poked fun at herself, while the gay congressman took shots at Twitter.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/07/Palin_and_Frank_Joke_at_Dinner/

Philanthropist in Deep Debt
By Advocate.com Editors
The Wall Street Journalon Friday profiled Terrance Watanabe, who managed to lose $127 million at two Las Vegas casinos in one year and is now suing the casinos—Caesars Palace and Rio—saying they bear some of the responsibility for his debt. And then Towleroad’s Andy Towle reported that Watanabe wasn’t only giving big on the gaming floor, he is also a major donor to gay causes, including the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York City. Reported Towle: In 2002, GLAAD reported a donation from Watanabe as its largest by an individual donor in the organization’s history.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/06/Philanthropist_in_Deep_Debt/

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

RachelWatch: The Mad Tea Party
By Ali Davis, Contributing writer
And the Friday Night Panel is back! This time Congressman Anthony Weiner (D – New York), Princeton University professor and prolific writer Melissa Harris-Lacewell, and New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof joined Rachel for some spirited discussion.
http://www.365gay.com/living/rachelwatch-the-mad-tea-party/

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

Lesbian wins 'substantial' payout for partner's death
A lesbian whose civil partner died after her cancer was wrongly diagnosed has won a landmark case for compensation. Tina Lane, 42, of Dorset, died of ovarian cancer in February.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/07/lesbian-wins-substantial-payout-for-partners-death/

Gay Tory candidate selected to challenge Hazel Blears
A gay Conservative candidate has been selected to challenge Hazel Blears for her Manchester seat. Matthew Sephton is the chairman of the party's affiliated gay group, LGBTory.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/07/gay-tory-candidate-selected-to-challenge-hazel-blears/

Actor sues over Wikipedia 'gay' edits
An American actor has filed a lawsuit in an attempt to stop an unknown hacker calling him gay on Wikipedia. Ron Livingston, the Stand-Off actor who married his co-star Rosemarie De Witt last month, has been plagued by a user of the site who keeps changing his personal information.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/07/actor-sues-over-wikipedia-gay-edits/

X-Factor contestant Danyl Johnson sent home
Danyl Johnson was voted off the X-Factor last night. The 27-year-old bisexual singer lost out on a place in the final, leaving the three would-be winners Olly Murs, Joe McElderry and Stacey Solomon.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/07/x-factor-contestant-danyl-johnson-sent-home/

Spain apologises for 1970s jailing of gay man
A Spanish gay man who was sentenced to three months in jail in the 1970s has received an official apology from the government. Antoni Ruiz, 50, was jailed in 1976 at the age of 17 after coming out to his parents.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/07/spain-apologises-for-1970s-jailing-of-gay-man/

London protest to be held this week over Uganda's anti-gay bill
A protest has been organised this week in London against Uganda's proposed law to execute and jail gays. Activists will gather outside the Ugandan High Commission in Trafalgar Square on Thursday, which is also International Human Rights Day.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/07/london-protest-to-be-held-this-week-over-ugandas-anti-gay-bill/

'Homophobic' Buju Banton receives fourth Grammy nomination
Buju Banton, the Jamaican reggae star who has been accused of inciting hatred towards gays, has been nominated for a Grammy award. The singer had a string of gigs in the US cancelled this autumn after protests from gay groups.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/07/homophobic-buju-banton-receives-fourth-grammy-nomination/

Equality and Human Rights Commission to collate sexuality status from across government databases
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is to collate sexuality data given to hospitals and other surveys in order to gain a greater understanding of the inequity that lesbian, gay bisexual or trangendered (LGBT) people may be suffering.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/06/equality-and-human-rights-commission-to-collate-sexuality-status-from-across-government-databases/

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

Biden lauds nation’s ‘true diversity’ as gay ambassador takes oath
Posted by Chris Johnson
Vice President Joe Biden touted the Obama administration’s belief that sexual orientation is an important element of diversity before swearing in Friday the first openly gay U.S. ambassador nominated by this White House.
http://dcagenda.com/2009/12/04/biden-lauds-nations-true-diversity-as-gay-ambassador-takes-oath/

Gay Activists Promise "Bloodbath" After Senate Marriage Rejection
By John Del Signore
The rhetoric is ratcheted up to 11 after last week's overwhelming rejection of same-sex marriage in the state Senate, which left gay-rights activists reeling. "It's going to be a bloodbath," one gay "operative" tells the Daily News. "We're going to use every single weapon in our quiver to take these people out. We either need to replace them or scare the hell out of them so they do the right thing." Activists say they'll focus their efforts on the Democrats who they feel betrayed them, and number one on the list of Senator Joseph P. Addabbo of Queens.
http://gothamist.com/2009/12/07/gay_activists_promise_bloodbath_aft.php/

NJ Committee Prepares To Tackle Gay Marriage Bill
By Jay Dow
The latest effort to legalize same sex marriage in New Jersey, one a week after New York senators voted down the measure, is simply a race against time.
http://wcbstv.com/topstories/gay.marriage.bill.2.1354104.html/

Gay marriage has nothing to do with bigotry
To the Editor:
Letter writer Stanton Peele informs us that he supports gay marriage. How wonderful, now I can sleep soundly tonight. Peele incorrectly states that "Republicans garnered the mantel of bigotry by resisting civil rights legislation in the 1960s." This is complete fabrication. The facts are that a higher percentage of Republicans in both the House and Senate voted for the 1964 Civil Rights Act. In the House of Representatives, 80 percent of Republicans vs. 63 percent of Democrats voted for the Civil Rights Act. In the Senate, 82 percent of Republicans vs. 69 percent of Democrats voted in favor. Since Peele is so confident of his opinion, why not let everyone vote on this matter? Peele states that, "In 10 years, Christie and his ilk will all be labeled big-time bigots." There sure must be a lot of big-time bigots in the liberal state of California since they did not support gay marriage.
WILL COFNUK
Morristown
http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20091207/OPINION02/91204027/-1/LIFEFRONT/Gay+marriage+has+nothing+to+do+with+bigotry/

Ireland Considers Recognizing Gay Unions
By On Top Magazine Staff
The Republic of Ireland is considering a bill that would grant gay and lesbian couples most of the rights and obligations of marriage. Debate began Thursday on Justice Minister Dermot Ahern's Civil Partnership Bill, the Independent reported.
http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4964&MediaType=1&Category=24/

NJ Dems and Gay Marriage, Journalist Explores ‘Ex-Gay’ Boot Camp, Why Defeating Uganda Anti-Gay Bill is Important, and more…
by Victoria Lavin
New Jersey Democrats have a defining moment with the issue of gay marriage. Today begins the debate on whether or not NJ will be the next state to recognize gay marriage. Read more
http://dailyqueernews.com/201/nj-dems-and-gay-marriage-journalist-explores-ex-gay-boot-camp-why-defeating-uganda-anti-gay-bill-is-important-and-more/

Demand Pepsi Apologize for Sponsoring Anti-Gay Musician in Uganda
To: Julie Hamp (Senior Vice President, PepsiCo Communications) and Jeff Dahncke (Public Relations Officer)
Started by: Michael Jones
Pepsi has long been a supporter of LGBT rights. Which is why it's particularly troubling to find out that they recently sponsored a concert in Uganda by Jamaican artist Beenie Man. Among his more controversial lyrics, Beenie Man's songs advocate executing LGBT people.
http://www.change.org/actions/view/demand_pepsi_apologize_for_sponsoring_anti-gay_musician_in_uganda/

Answer to Donnie McClurkin: Black & Gay is Beautiful - You damned right it is
by: Alvin McEwen
Pastor Joseph Tolton of Rehoboth Temple wrote the official response on behalf of New York’s black gay men and counters the "hypocrisy in the pulpit" and "spiritual" violence of McClurkin and homophobic black churches. It reads in part: "For those of us in faith who have always loved the black church, the defining issue of our lives has been the churches damning stance on homosexuality. As children, the condemnation broke our spirit. As adolescents, this ridicule broke our hearts. As young adults, this disdain has attempted to drive us to the brink. Spiritual violence is wrong and it kills the spirit. The black church must find new ways to talk about sex and sexuality."
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14383/answer-to-donnie-mcclurkin-black-gay-is-beautiful-you-damned-right-it-is/

DC: Dialing for ENDA Before the END-A the Year
By Michael Cole
2010 is right around the corner and given last week’s news on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, we need to keep the pressure on. HRC staff, members and volunteers are working tirelessly to prevent workplace discrimination from creeping into yet another year and you can help.
http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2009/12/dc-dialing-for-enda-before-the-end-a-the-year/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HrcBackStory+%28HRC+Back+Story%29/

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GLBT DIGEST - December 06, 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.


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

Stereotypes, be gone
By Kathleen Parker
Americans are more divided than ever, and both Democrats and Republicans are to blame. So say a majority of citizens polled as part of USA Network's "Characters Unite" campaign, a community affairs program launched in January aimed at addressing social injustice and cultural differences within our borders.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/04/AR2009120403322.html/

Marc Christian, 56
Sued Rock Hudson estate over AIDS risk
By Los Angeles Times
Marc Christian, who won a multimillion-dollar settlement in 1991 from the estate of actor Rock Hudson, his former lover, after convincing a jury that Hudson had knowingly exposed him to AIDS, died June 2 at a hospital in Burbank, Calif., of pulmonary problems. He was 56.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/05/AR2009120502995.html/

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

Gay House members say gay-friendly bills are near
By LISA LEFF, Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO -- Two of Congress's three openly gay members said Saturday that the U.S. House is poised to pass bills to provide health coverage for the same-sex partners of gay federal workers and to protect all gay and transgender employees from job discrimination.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/gay-house-members-say-gay-friendly-bills-are-near.html/

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

2nd gay bishop for Episcopal Church, Anglicans
By CHRISTOPHER WEBER and RACHEL ZOLL
The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has elected a lesbian as assistant bishop, the second openly gay bishop in the global Anglican fellowship, which is already deeply fractured over the first.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation/AP/story/1368347.html/

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

L.A. Picks Lesbian Bishop
By Michelle Garcia
Los Angeles' Episcopal diocese selected a lesbian as an assistant bishop on Saturday. If approved by a group of national church leaders, Rev. Mary Glasspool of Baltimore, Md. will become the second openly gay bishop for the church, following Rev. V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. She is currently a Canon, or adviser, to the bishop in the Baltimore diocese.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/05/LA_Picks_Lesbian_Bishop/

Gay marriage: The unstoppable march for gay rights
By Star-Ledger Editorial Board/The Star-Led...
To get a glimpse of where history is headed on gay marriage, consider the split in the Rice family of Newark. The son, Ron Rice Jr., a city councilman, was among 2,800 Democratic leaders and activists who signed a petition last week telling legislators that marriage equality is a fundamental human right.
http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2009/12/gay_marriage_the_unstoppable_m.html/

Gay marriage opposition will haunt Christie
To the Editor:
Even though I'm a lifelong Democrat who strongly supports gay rights, I'm happy Chris Christie opposes gay marriage. Let me back up. I voted for Chris Daggett. I thought Jon Corzine was too tied into Democratic bosses and constituencies to cut spending big time in New Jersey.
http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20091206/OPINION02/91203022/1095/OPINION/Gay+marriage+opposition+will+haunt+Christie/

I do... want benefits, too
Arguments for gay marriage highlight a bias against singles.
By Alison Lobron
A few months before Maine voters overturned a gay marriage law, a friend told me she feared layoffs at her company and the potential loss of her health insurance. A single woman in her 30s, she said, half-jokingly, “I know so many women in the same boat. Since we live in Massachusetts, maybe we should just pretend to be lesbians and marry each other!”
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2009/12/06/i_do_want_benefits_too?mode=PF/

Don't believe rhetoric supporting gay marriage
By Richard Zoppo
An open letter to New Jersey legislators: Gay marriage is a false issue. Gays can have civil unions that afford all the legal rights of marriage but proponents of gay marriage reject that option. The reason for that is they wish to use gay marriage to force religious groups to accept their doctrine.
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20091206/OPINION02/912060320/-1/newsfront/Don-t-believe-rhetoric-supporting-gay-marriage/

FL U.S. Congressional candidate Larry 'homo-sex w/Obama' Sinclair writes the Blend
by: Pam Spaulding
We have a celebrity missive in the mailbag! Sunshine State U.S. Congressional candidate Larry "I had homosex and blow with Obama" Sinclair saw my recent post about his new career move -- from serving time for multiple offenses to serving his country. His email is full of misspellings, bad grammar and misguided charges; I left that intact. I had to help out the pathetic formatting because it was nearly unreadable.
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14374/larry-homosex-wobama-sinclair-writes-the-blend/

How to tell if you're bisexual
Filed by: Alex Blaze
eHow.com put together some videos on sexual health, and here is their brief intro to bisexuality. They have one on homosexuality, too, but this one seemed more interesting. I'm not bi, but that thing about having sex with anyone anytime doesn't sound correct (not that there's anything wrong with that). So what do the rest of you all think?
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/how_to_tell_if_youre_bisexual.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BilericoProject+%28The+Bilerico+Project%29/

Community Expresses Outrage Over ENDA Markup Delay
By Michael Cole
HRC learned late last night that the House Education and Labor Committee will not be considering ENDA this calendar year. We are deeply disappointed that the markup will not move forward in 2009 and will continue to push the Education and Labor Committee and the House leadership to honor their promise to move ENDA forward in the House this Congress. Every day LGBT people lack the basic job protections provided by ENDA is one more too many. HRC joins our fellow LGBT organizations in calling for an end to further delays in passing this critical legislation (the full release is below).
http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2009/12/community-expresses-outrage-over-enda-markup-delay/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HrcBackStory+%28HRC+Back+Story%29/

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