**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:
Uganda: Homosexuality Bill Opposed
By REUTERS
The United States is urging Uganda to drop a bill that would criminalize homosexuality, saying its passage could encourage other African countries to make similar moves, a top United States diplomat said Friday. After a meeting at the State Department with gay and lesbian activists, the diplomat, Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson, told reporters in Washington that the United States considered the legislation a violation of human rights and a bad precedent. The bill, which calls for the death penalty for “serial offenders,” is in the committee stage. Mr. Carson said the American government had been in touch with President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda to express opposition to the measure.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/19/world/africa/19briefs-HOMOSEXUALIT_BRF.html?scp=5&sq=gay&st=cse/
Former Wales Captain Thomas Reveals He Is Gay
By REUTERS
LONDON (Reuters) - Former Wales captain Gareth Thomas has revealed he is gay. "I don't want to be known as a gay rugby player. I am a rugby player first and foremost," the 35-year-old told the Daily Mail on Saturday.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/12/19/sports/sports-uk-rugby-wales-thomas.html?scp=3&sq=gay&st=cse/
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Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Ugandan government backs anti-gay legislation
By Barney Jopson
KAMPALA -- The Ugandan government is backing an anti-homosexuality bill that would introduce some of the world's toughest punishments for gays, with a minimum life sentence for anyone convicted of having gay sex and a mandatory death penalty if the person is HIV-positive.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/18/AR2009121804294.html/
Why two black D.C. pastors support gay marriage
By Dennis W. Wiley and Christine Y. Wiley
On a beautiful Saturday afternoon a couple of years ago, we entered the sanctuary at Covenant Baptist Church and took our places in front of the altar, just as we had countless times before in our more than 20 years as partners in ministry. We had been united in holy matrimony ourselves in the same spot where we now stood to unite others.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/18/AR2009121802049.html/
HBO's 'Big Love' to start Season 4 with a gay story line
By Jill Serjeant
Television polygamy drama "Big Love" returns for a fourth season in January with a gay story line that is likely to stir up controversy in Mormon circles where homosexual relations are prohibited.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/18/AR2009121800161.html/
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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Gov't refuses to OK health coverage for gay worker's wife, says judge's order is 'nonbinding'
By Lisa Leff
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management still thinks it can't authorize health care coverage for the same-sex spouse of a federal court employee even though a judge has ordered the agency to do, a government lawyer said Friday.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-gay-marriage-federal-employees,0,4806404.story/
Effort to restrict health coverage of abortion reignites an old cause for some young feminists
By Beth Fouhy
At 21, Jelena Woehr describes herself as a feminist, focusing on issues such as domestic violence and improved career opportunities for women. Yes, she also supports abortion rights. But that wasn't her emphasis until Congress began considering potential restrictions on insurance coverage for abortion. Now, she's joined many other young feminists in mobilizing to protect a right they thought had been settled long ago.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-young-women-abortion,0,7645288.story/
Proposed Medicare Advantage cuts concern South Florida seniors
Congress looks to cut back Medicare program to help pay for health-care reform
By William E. Gibson and Bob LaMendola
For years, the federal government has spent billions to entice senior citizens into private Medicare Advantage plans run by HMOs that offer bonus care for low premiums. Nw that nearly a quarter of Medicare patients have enrolled in these health plans, including 350,000 in South Florida, Congress is poised to pass reform legislation that would yank billions of dollars away from them.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-medicare-advantage-20091218,0,7352797.story/
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The Advocate
http://advocate.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Oy Vey: Oscar-Worthy Songs?
By Advocate.com Editors
Five songs from Hannah Montana: The Movie are contenders for Academy Award nominations for best original song. Along with the hits from the teenage pop star Miley Cyrus, songs from Brüno, Oy Vey! My Son is Gay! and Nine are on the list of 63 songs competing to be pared down to five. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will then screen parts of the films along with the songs to voting members.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/12/18/Oy_Vey_Oscar-Worthy_Songs/
Marriage Equality Gets Remixed
FAIR has teamed with deviantART to sponsor an art contest based on graphic remixes of Shepard Fairey’s renowned marriage equality poster “Defend Equality Love Unites."
By Advocate.com Editors
Grassroots equality organization FAIR (Freedom Action Inclusion Rights) teamed with deviantART, an online viral art community, to sponsor an art contest based on graphic remixes of Shepard Fairey’s renowned marriage equality poster Defend Equality Love Unites last November. The contest generated over 1,600 submissions, making it one of deviantART’s most popular contests ever.
http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Art/Marriage_Equality_Gets_Remixed/
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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:
US Assistant Secretary of State condemns Uganda's proposed anti-gay laws
The USA's Assistant Secretary of State for African affairs has said that it is urging Ugandan politicians to block a proposed law that would impose life imprisonments of gay people, arguing that it would set back the fight against HIV/ AIDS.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/19/us-assistant-secretary-of-state-condemns-ugandas-proposed-anti-gay-laws/
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Daily Queer News
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
5 senators won't back gay marriage
The moderate Republicans say N.J. should instead strengthen and enforce its civil-union law.
By Angela Delli Santi
Five moderate Republican state senators who have been under pressure to support gay marriage said yesterday that they would not vote for a bill allowing same-sex couples to wed in New Jersey.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/79707947.html/
Why would we judge a same-sex marriage?
Regarding Paul Edwards' Dec. 8 letter praising the state Senate's rejection of gay marriage, this should not be an issue in the 21st century. We cleared the hurdles of racism, anti-miscegenation, women's rights and a host of other such issues during the 20th century.
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=879959&category=OPINION/
European Parliament Firmly Denounces Ugandan ‘Anti-Gay’ Bill
Bill is “uncivilised and unacceptable” – Cashman
STRASBURG, December 17, 2009 – The European Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg, today adopted a resolution strongly condemning the Anti Homosexuality Bill 2009 , a Private Members Bill, said to have the support of the Government, tabled by David Bahati MP in the Ugandan Parliament.
http://www.ukgaynews.org.uk/Archive/09/Dec/1701.htm/
BBC boss: Sorry for online debate on killing gays
LONDON — A senior BBC executive apologized Thursday for hosting an online debate over whether gays should face capital punishment in Uganda. The broadcaster drew criticism from some lawmakers and users for the discussion forum, which ran under the headline: "Should homosexuals face execution?"
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gC5tZQSZbdQIhA68N6HrRDJxIBbgD9CL9DN01/
NC: The latest bigot eruption from Mecklenburg County Commissioner Bill 'Your son was a homo' James
by: Pam Spaulding
Bill James isn't through making headlines; he clearly has difficulty coping with his fellow Mecklenburg County Commissioners voting to extend domestic partner benefits to county employees -- and that includes same-sex couples.
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14548/nc-the-latest-bigot-eruption-from-mecklenburg-county-commissioner-bill-your-son-was-a-homo-james/
Guest Post - Carl Siciliano
posted by Joe
I get very angry at the hell so many LGBT teens are put through. A ew months ago a man named Anthony reached out to me to tell me a terrible story. He knew of a teen in upstate New York whose family learned he was gay and threw him out. A few days later the boy tried to return home, only to be told that if he returned again his father would kill him and bury him in the backyard. The boy tried to survive in nearby towns eating out of garbage cans and sleeping in parking lots. Anthony was the last person who saw the boy alive; Anthony was the train conductor who slammed on the brakes when the boy jumped in front of his train, ending his life.
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2009/12/guest-post-carl-siciliano.html/
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[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
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Saturday, December 19, 2009
GLBT DIGEST - December 18, 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:
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=6&sq=gay&st=cse/
Mayor Set to Sign DC's Gay Marriage Bill
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Same-sex marriages in the nation's capital will come one step closer when Washington's mayor signs the bill at a public ceremony.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/12/18/us/AP-US-DC-Gay-Marriage.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=gay&st=cse/
Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions, and Domestic Partnerships
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=2&sq=gay&st=cse/
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Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
BBC boss: Sorry for online debate on killing gays
The Associated Press
LONDON -- A senior BBC executive apologized Thursday for hosting an online debate over whether gays should face capital punishment in Uganda. The broadcaster drew criticism from some lawmakers and users for the discussion forum, which ran under the headline: "Should homosexuals face execution?"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121703171.html/
Portuguese govt aims to permit gay marriage
By BARRY HATTON
LISBON, Portugal -- Portugal's Socialist government has drawn up a proposal that would make Portugal the sixth European country to allow gay marriage. The law is almost certain to pass, as the center-left Socialist government has the support of all left-of-center parties, who together have a majority in Parliament. Right-of-center parties oppose the measure.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121702026.html/
Snow White and 175 Faeries
The first half of the annual show by the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington is delivered with sincere affection for the season, but in the second half, the camp comes out as the chorus retells the "Snow White" story like you've never heard it (the seven dwarves, for example, are Pushy, Nasty, Nancy, Cuddly, Spanky, Hose and Bitter). Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. George Washington University, Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW. 202-293-1548 or http://www.gmcw.org. $20-$50. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121701541.html/
Faith, folly and Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill
By Michael Gerson
It is sad when someone you care about threatens to do a foolish and destructive thing. In this case, it is not a relative or a friend but a country. Uganda has endured the rule of a psychotic -- dictator and cannibal Idi Amin -- and a pandemic that decimated a generation. Its people responded with courage and faith, and the two are related. When I think of cheerful compassion in the midst of suffering, my examples are Ugandans.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121703673.html/
World Digest: Spanish lawmakers move to ease abortion restrictions
SPAIN
Abortion restrictions likely to be eased
Lawmakers voted to ease Spain's abortion law Thursday, approving a bill to allow the procedure without restrictions up to 14 weeks of gestation. The change would bring this traditionally Roman Catholic country in line with its more secular counterparts in Northern Europe.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121704260.html/
Fenty to sign same-sex marriage bill at church in NW D.C.
By Nikita Stewart
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty will sign legislation Friday to legalize same-sex marriage in the District at a bill-signing ceremony so historic that his staff scrambled to find the perfect location Thursday.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121704330.html/
Mayor set to sign DC's gay marriage bill
The Associated Press
Same-sex marriages in the nation's capital will come one step closer when Washington's mayor signs the bill at a public ceremony. The city council approved the measure this week legalizing gay marriage. It still has to go for review to Congress, which has the final say over D.C.'s laws. The district's nonvoting delegate to Congress, Eleanor Holmes Norton, has said she expects no opposition there.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/18/AR2009121801557.html/
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Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/
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There Isn't Much Gradualism in the New Testament
Andrew Klavan's "Pride and Prejudice in the Episcopal Church" (op-ed, Dec. 10) is a well-reasoned and passionate cry for moderation over the issue of full inclusion for gay and lesbian people in the Episcopal Church. It is a matter of intense pain and often fear for many as the Episcopal Church takes this route. Mr. Klavan's argument for moderation and slowing down is the same argument that kept racial segregation alive for far too long. While my rational, logical, sequential brain agrees with Mr. Klavan that "more haste, less speed" might sound like a good idea, and that a radical rush to inclusion in some instances harbors a display of moral one-upmanship, the other part of me remembers that without some members of the Episcopal Church taking a radical stand on the ordination of women and their equality as full members of the Church we'd still be mouthing the platitudes of "gradualism" which, Victor Hugo notwithstanding, may, or may not, be the whole method of God. I for one am uncomfortable with claiming to know so clearly the ways of the Holy One.
Zara Renander
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704517504574590351712258502.html/
Mr. Klavan fails to mention that at the Episcopal Church's last general convention in July both the House of Bishops and the House of (Lay) Deputies voted by more than a two-to-one margin to lift the moratorium on promoting gay clergy to the episcopate. I must also disagree with Mr. Klavan and Victor Hugo that "gradualism is the whole method of God." While over time change may appear to take place gradually, it seldom does in the short term. Nor is gradual change a prominent biblical theme. Jesus did not make reasoned arguments to recruit his disciples. He simply walked up to them and said, "Follow me." Astoundingly, having only just met the man, they immediately dropped whatever they were doing and did so. St. Paul was not gradually convinced to stop persecuting the early Christians—he was struck blind on the road to Damascus and radically transformed.
Patricia A. Robinson
Appleton, Wis.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704517504574590351712258502.html/
Filling Legal Gaps For Same-Sex Couples
By Taylor Smith
The state says we’re married, the feds say we’re not. What gives?Massachusetts-based financial planner Dana Levit regularly fields that question from clients. That’s because in 2004 the state of Massachusetts legalized gay marriage, but gay couples who have tied the knot there still aren’t recognized as married by U.S. federal authorities.“For those people, there’s an added level of complexity when it comes to financial planning,” says Levit. “Gay couples have the same problems paying the bills as other people, but have a lot of other challenges as well.”Non-traditional families–gay couples and straight couples who have chosen not to walk down the aisle–face roadblocks that the average married couple simply doesn’t have to worry about. Non-traditional couples can’t file joint taxes, and a partner’s Social Security benefits are off limits. Splitting up presents tricky issues, and death brings even trickier ones.Levit has become fluent in financial planning for non-traditional couples, who now make up more than a third of her client base. She says focusing on that particular niche has been good for her company, Newton, Mass.-based Paragon Financial Advisors. “It’s a great way to get business,” she says.Levit also likes the challenge of finding solutions to problems most financial advisers never encounter. For instance, her non-traditional clients won’t ever be able to rely on a partner’s pension or Social Security benefits. So to provide a chunk of cash when one partner dies, Levit looks to life insurance policies. “You have to pay premiums on insurance that you wouldn’t need otherwise, so there’s an added cost for same-sex couples,” she says.Other solutions aren’t as straightforward. One half of a couple Levit works with makes a lot of money, the other half doesn’t. Now that they’re planning to have a child, the low earner plans to stay home. The stay-at-home partner won’t have any income to contribute to her retirement savings and can’t count on tapping her spouse’s 401(k), so Levit recommended that the high earner make additional retirement provisions in the other’s name. Levit also advised the couple to title as much of their property jointly as possible to avoid complications passing on assets if one dies.“Planning for same-sex couples is all about equalizing the estate, because there isn’t the same opportunity to split up the assets in death or divorce,” says Levit.Levit also made sure the clients had healthcare-proxy documentation in place. “I recommend that couples keep a copy of their healthcare proxy or power-of-attorney with them even when they’re traveling, because other states may not recognize them as spouses,” she says.Still, Levit says that specializing in financial planning for non-traditional couples isn’t all about circumventing roadblocks. “There are plenty of ways where you can save these people money through smart planning,” she says. “You can help unmarried couples so much by doing that.”The state says we’re married, the feds say we’re not. What gives? Massachusetts-based financial planner Dana Levit regularly fields that question from clients. That’s because in 2004 the state of Massachusetts legalized gay marriage, but gay couples who have tied the knot there still aren’t recognized as married by U.S. federal authorities.
http://blogs.wsj.com/financial-adviser/2009/12/17/filling-legal-gaps-for-same-sex-couples/
The Adam Lambert Problem
"Wrong track" poll numbers aren't just about the economy.
By Peggy Noonan
The news came in numbers and the numbers were fairly grim, all the grimmer for being unsurprising. A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll reported this week that more than half of Americans, 55%, think America is on the wrong track, with only 33% saying it is going in the right direction. A stunning 66% say they're not confident that their children's lives will be better than their own (27% are).
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704238104574602470345172100.html/
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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Poll finds Jerry Brown still leads race for California governor, but Republicans gaining
By Juliet Williams
Democrat Jerry Brown may still be the presumed front-runner in next year's California governor's race, but a new poll indicates he shouldn't take that position for granted.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-california-governors-race-poll,0,3365766.story/
Calif. parks department to address equality for women, gays in response to lesbian ranger suit
By Associated Press
The California Department of Parks and Recreation is forming a task force to address equality issues for its women and gay employees. Parks officials said Thursday the move is part of a settlement with a lesbian park ranger who filed a harassment lawsuit in San Diego County.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-park-ranger-harassment,0,3430283.story/
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Steve Rothaus
http://www.MiamiHerald.com/gay/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Video | North Carolina official in hot water after calling fellow commissioner’s late son ‘a homo’
During a debate about domestic partner benefits in Mecklenburg County, N.C., Commissioner Vilma Leake spoke passionately in favor, revealing that her son had been gay and died of AIDS. Fellow Commissioner Bill James leaned to Leake and responded: "Your son was a homo?"
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/video-north-carolina-official-in-hot-water-after-calling-fellow-commissioners-late-son-a-homo.html/
Video | ‘A Single Man’ director Tom Ford singled out for Oscar buzz
AP video:
Fashion director turned director Tom Ford talks about his debut feature film, A Single Man, which is nominated in 3 categories at the Golden Globes.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/video-a-single-man-director-tom-ford-singled-out-for-oscar-buzz.html/
Reggae star Banton will be transferred to Tampa
By JENNIFER KAY, Associated Press
Grammy-nominated Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton will fight a drug charge against him in Tampa instead of Miami.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/reggae-star-banton-will-be-transferred-to-tampa.html/
Video | HIV/AIDS Community Discussion held Nov. 20 at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale
The White House has posted a video of its HIV/AIDS Community Discussion held Nov. 20, 2009, at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale:
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/video-hivaids-community-discussion-held-nov-20-at-dillard-high-school-in-fort-lauderdale.html/
New report documents ‘Decade of Progress’ on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in America
News release from the LGBT Movement Advancement Project and the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr., Fund:
Study points to dramatic gains between 2000 and 2009
SAN FRANCISCO – As the decade draws to a close, a new report shows the past 10 years have been a period of dramatic gains in equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in America. Two-thirds of the 36 statistical indicators compiled in A Decade of Progress on LGBT Rights showed significant advances, including sharp increases in the number of LGBT Americans protected by nondiscrimination and family recognition legislation at the state level. Less than one quarter of the indicators were negative, and four showed mixed results. The report is a joint project of the LGBT Movement Advancement Project and the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr., Fund.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/new-report-documents-decade-of-progress-on-lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-equality-in-america.html/
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Spanish lawmakers vote to ease abortion law
By DANIEL WOOLLS
MADRID -- Lawmakers voted to ease Spain's abortion law Thursday, approving a bill to allow the procedure without restrictions up to 14 weeks. The change would bring this traditionally Roman Catholic country in line with its more secular neighbors in northern Europe.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/world/AP/story/1386316.html/
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The Advocate
http://advocate.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Antigay Sen. DeMint's Website Hacked?
By Julie Bolcer
Unusual content on the campaign Web site for U.S. Senator Jim DeMint, the South Carolina Republican who recently said he found the idea of a gay president “immoral,” raised questions about whether the site was hacked.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/18/Was_DeMint_Web_site_Hacked_/
Hate Crime Suspected in Puerto Rico
By Julie Bolcer
Investigators in Puerto Rico are questioning whether hate motivated the murder of an unidentified man believed to have been gay who was found dead inside the Motel Las Colinas in Ponce on Wednesday. The victim's throat had been slit.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/18/Hate_Crime_Feared_in_Puerto_Rico/
Tot Suspended Over Hair Length, Misses Classmates
A prekindergarten student in Texas has been sent to in-school suspension because his hair was deemed too long.
http://www.advocate.com//article.aspx?id=104372/
Gately Widower Files Columnist Complaint
By Julie Bolcer
The civil partner of deceased British singer Stephen Gately (pictured) has filed a formal complaint about Daily Mail columnist Jan Moir, who called the circumstances of his death “sleazy” and criticized same-sex partnerships in an article published one day before the funeral.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/18/Gately_Widower_Files_Columist_Complaint/
Prop 8 Case Could Be Televised
By Julie Bolcer
The federal challenge to Proposition 8 could be televised under a new experimental program authorized by the Judicial Council of the 9th Circuit.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/18/Prop_8_Case_Could_Be_Televised/
Auschwitz Sign Stolen
By Julie Bolcer
Police reported Friday that the infamous “Arbeit Macht Frei” (“Work Sets You Free”) sign over the gate to the Auschwitz memorial in Poland had been stolen. According to The New York Times,the Polish police believe the iron sign was taken between 3:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. by unscrewing it on one side and pulling it off on the other.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/18/Auschwitz_Sign_Stolen/
BBC Sort of Sorry for Headline
By Neal Broverman
After a poll appeared yesterday on the BBC's website that initially asked "Should Homosexuals Face Execution?" the director of BBC World Service, Peter Horrocks, apologized if it caused any offense.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/17/BBC_Sort_of_Sorry_for_Headline/
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365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Groups spend $9.6 m in Maine gay marriage vote
By The Associated Press
Campaign finance reports show that the two sides in the ballot fight that overturned Maine’s gay marriage law spent $9.6 million.
http://www.365gay.com/news/groups-spend-9-6-m-in-maine-gay-marriage-vote/
RuPaul as….Sarah Palin?
By 365gay Newswire
From John Polly at our sister site NewNowNext.com: ‘Tis the season for another hot-topic-worthy ready shot of RuPaul, and this time she’s “Going Vogue!” Watch out, Grandma Palin. Ru’s got on her red anorak and she’s ready to govern! And I’m guessing Ru knows her way around a lumberjack. Plus, I’m sure Ru also knows all about laying some serious Alaskan pipeline.
http://www.365gay.com/news/rupaul-as-sarah-palin/
Corvino: A story of comfort and joy
By John Corvino, columnist, 365gay.com
Allow me to share a favorite holiday story. It was late-November 1989, a year after I first came out. I had been dating a guy named Michael for over a month, which made him (in my mind, at least) my first “real” boyfriend. I was twenty and he was turning twenty-two, and we decided to drive into the city to celebrate his birthday.
http://www.365gay.com/news/corvino-a-story-of-comfort-and-joy/
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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Gay Europe minister Chris Bryant attacks BBC's 'ludicrous mistake' on gay execution debate
Minister for Europe Chris Bryant has attacked the BBC for holding a debate on whether gays should be executed. Bryant, who is gay, told PinkNews.co.uk he would be writing to the BBC's World Service director Peter Horrocks to demand an explanation.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/17/gay-europe-minister-chris-bryant-attacks-bbcs-ludicrous-mistake-on-gay-execution-debate/
Convictions for homophobic hate crime increase
Figures from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have shown a ten per cent rise in four years in the numbers of people being convicted for homophobic and transphobic hate crimes.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/18/convictions-for-homophobic-hate-crime-increase/
Ugandan parliament to debate anti-gay bill today
Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill will be discussed in the country's parliament today. It is thought that this debate will follow a second reading and a vote will be taken in January after a third reading.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/18/ugandan-parliament-to-debate-anti-gay-bill-today/
Canadian MP's Christmas card attacked by homophobes
A gay Canadian MP who sent out a Christmas card featuring himself and his husband has been attacked by homophobes on the internet. Nova Scotia Liberal MP Scott Brison's personalised card shows him and husband Maxime St Pierre on a walk with their dog.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/18/canadian-mps-christmas-card-attacked-by-homophobes/
Gay club owner goes into administration
Popbarz, the owner of gay clubs such as Ghetto in London, has gone into administration. Its administrators Ideal Corporate Solutions said it had suffered a “significant downturn in trade” .
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/18/gay-club-owner-goes-into-administration/
Man who killed gay council worker has sentence reduced
A man who murdered a gay council officer has had his prison sentenced reduced by two years. David Meehan, who was 19 at the time, admitted murdering James Kerr, 51, in a public park and leaving him for dead while he and his accomplices went to a party.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/18/man-who-killed-gay-council-worker-has-sentence-reduced/
Former drag queen accuses boss of homophobia
A gay man who once worked as a drag queen is suing his boss for unfair dismissal and sexual orientation discrimination. Dean Awford claims David Gray was homophobic and referred to him as "she" in front of customers.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/18/15453/
Stephen Gately's widower makes official complaint about Jan Moir column
Stephen Gately's civil partner has made an official complaint to the Press Complaints Commission about Daily Mail columnist Jan Moir's article on his death. Andrew Cowles cited breaches of accuracy, intrusion into grief or shock and discrimination.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/17/stephen-gatelys-widower-makes-official-complaint-about-jan-moir-column/
Portugal tipped to allow gay marriage
Portugal's government is drawing up a law to allow gay marriage. According to Associated Press, the legislative change would remove any references to gender and if passed, would come in to force by April.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/17/portugal-tipped-to-allow-gay-marriage/
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Daily Queer News
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Fairfax race to replace Cuccinelli a study in contrasts
By Harley Dennett
Virginia Partisans, the state’s gay Democratic group, was slated Thursday to endorse Del. David Marsden to fill incoming Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s state Senate seat. Marsden told DC Agenda that he was “proud to accept” the group’s endorsement.
http://dcagenda.com/2009/12/17/fairfax-race-to-replace-cuccinelli-a-study-in-contrasts/
Calif. man could become first openly gay dad in Congress
by Chris Johnson
The mayor of Palm Springs is making a bid to become the first openly gay member of Congress who’s married with children. Steve Pougnet, 46, a Democrat, is seeking to oust Republican incumbent Mary Bono Mack next year to represent California’s 45th district in the U.S. House. A win for Pougnet would make him the fourth sitting openly gay member of Congress.
http://dcagenda.com/2009/12/17/calif-man-could-become-first-openly-gay-dad-in-congress%C2%A0/
Parker’s win hailed as major breakthrough
By Chris Johnson
Gay rights advocates are heralding the victory of a lesbian official in her bid to become mayor of Houston as a triumph for LGBT Americans. Annise Parker, a Democrat and city controller for Houston, won the city’s Dec. 12 mayoral election by taking 53 percent of the vote. Her win marks the seventh time she’s won a citywide election in Houston and makes the city the most populous in the country to elect an openly LGBT mayor. She takes office Jan. 4.
http://dcagenda.com/2009/12/17/parker%E2%80%99s-win-hailed-as-major-breakthrough/
Cameras In Court OK'd In California: Gay Marriage Trial Could Be First Up
Erin Geiger Smith
The must-see TV of David Boies, Ted Olson & The Gay Marriage Debate could soon be hitting your flatscreen.
http://www.businessinsider.com/cameras-in-court-okd-in-california-gay-marriage-trial-first-up-2009-12/
German referee takes legal action after homophobic rant by Arminia Bielefeld coach
German referee Georg Schalk is taking legal action against Arminia Bielefeld assistant coach Frank Eulberg who allegedly called him a "dirty homosexual" after a second division match last week.
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Following his team's 3-2 defeat at Dusseldorf, Eulberg went over to the referee to vent his fury, before telling the press that "the dirty homosexual" laughed in his face.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/6787882/German-referee-takes-legal-action-after-homophobic-rant-by-Arminia-Bielefeld-coach.html/
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New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
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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=6&sq=gay&st=cse/
Mayor Set to Sign DC's Gay Marriage Bill
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Same-sex marriages in the nation's capital will come one step closer when Washington's mayor signs the bill at a public ceremony.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/12/18/us/AP-US-DC-Gay-Marriage.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=gay&st=cse/
Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions, and Domestic Partnerships
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=2&sq=gay&st=cse/
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Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
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BBC boss: Sorry for online debate on killing gays
The Associated Press
LONDON -- A senior BBC executive apologized Thursday for hosting an online debate over whether gays should face capital punishment in Uganda. The broadcaster drew criticism from some lawmakers and users for the discussion forum, which ran under the headline: "Should homosexuals face execution?"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121703171.html/
Portuguese govt aims to permit gay marriage
By BARRY HATTON
LISBON, Portugal -- Portugal's Socialist government has drawn up a proposal that would make Portugal the sixth European country to allow gay marriage. The law is almost certain to pass, as the center-left Socialist government has the support of all left-of-center parties, who together have a majority in Parliament. Right-of-center parties oppose the measure.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121702026.html/
Snow White and 175 Faeries
The first half of the annual show by the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington is delivered with sincere affection for the season, but in the second half, the camp comes out as the chorus retells the "Snow White" story like you've never heard it (the seven dwarves, for example, are Pushy, Nasty, Nancy, Cuddly, Spanky, Hose and Bitter). Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. George Washington University, Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW. 202-293-1548 or http://www.gmcw.org. $20-$50. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121701541.html/
Faith, folly and Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill
By Michael Gerson
It is sad when someone you care about threatens to do a foolish and destructive thing. In this case, it is not a relative or a friend but a country. Uganda has endured the rule of a psychotic -- dictator and cannibal Idi Amin -- and a pandemic that decimated a generation. Its people responded with courage and faith, and the two are related. When I think of cheerful compassion in the midst of suffering, my examples are Ugandans.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121703673.html/
World Digest: Spanish lawmakers move to ease abortion restrictions
SPAIN
Abortion restrictions likely to be eased
Lawmakers voted to ease Spain's abortion law Thursday, approving a bill to allow the procedure without restrictions up to 14 weeks of gestation. The change would bring this traditionally Roman Catholic country in line with its more secular counterparts in Northern Europe.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121704260.html/
Fenty to sign same-sex marriage bill at church in NW D.C.
By Nikita Stewart
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty will sign legislation Friday to legalize same-sex marriage in the District at a bill-signing ceremony so historic that his staff scrambled to find the perfect location Thursday.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121704330.html/
Mayor set to sign DC's gay marriage bill
The Associated Press
Same-sex marriages in the nation's capital will come one step closer when Washington's mayor signs the bill at a public ceremony. The city council approved the measure this week legalizing gay marriage. It still has to go for review to Congress, which has the final say over D.C.'s laws. The district's nonvoting delegate to Congress, Eleanor Holmes Norton, has said she expects no opposition there.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/18/AR2009121801557.html/
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Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/
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There Isn't Much Gradualism in the New Testament
Andrew Klavan's "Pride and Prejudice in the Episcopal Church" (op-ed, Dec. 10) is a well-reasoned and passionate cry for moderation over the issue of full inclusion for gay and lesbian people in the Episcopal Church. It is a matter of intense pain and often fear for many as the Episcopal Church takes this route. Mr. Klavan's argument for moderation and slowing down is the same argument that kept racial segregation alive for far too long. While my rational, logical, sequential brain agrees with Mr. Klavan that "more haste, less speed" might sound like a good idea, and that a radical rush to inclusion in some instances harbors a display of moral one-upmanship, the other part of me remembers that without some members of the Episcopal Church taking a radical stand on the ordination of women and their equality as full members of the Church we'd still be mouthing the platitudes of "gradualism" which, Victor Hugo notwithstanding, may, or may not, be the whole method of God. I for one am uncomfortable with claiming to know so clearly the ways of the Holy One.
Zara Renander
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704517504574590351712258502.html/
Mr. Klavan fails to mention that at the Episcopal Church's last general convention in July both the House of Bishops and the House of (Lay) Deputies voted by more than a two-to-one margin to lift the moratorium on promoting gay clergy to the episcopate. I must also disagree with Mr. Klavan and Victor Hugo that "gradualism is the whole method of God." While over time change may appear to take place gradually, it seldom does in the short term. Nor is gradual change a prominent biblical theme. Jesus did not make reasoned arguments to recruit his disciples. He simply walked up to them and said, "Follow me." Astoundingly, having only just met the man, they immediately dropped whatever they were doing and did so. St. Paul was not gradually convinced to stop persecuting the early Christians—he was struck blind on the road to Damascus and radically transformed.
Patricia A. Robinson
Appleton, Wis.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704517504574590351712258502.html/
Filling Legal Gaps For Same-Sex Couples
By Taylor Smith
The state says we’re married, the feds say we’re not. What gives?Massachusetts-based financial planner Dana Levit regularly fields that question from clients. That’s because in 2004 the state of Massachusetts legalized gay marriage, but gay couples who have tied the knot there still aren’t recognized as married by U.S. federal authorities.“For those people, there’s an added level of complexity when it comes to financial planning,” says Levit. “Gay couples have the same problems paying the bills as other people, but have a lot of other challenges as well.”Non-traditional families–gay couples and straight couples who have chosen not to walk down the aisle–face roadblocks that the average married couple simply doesn’t have to worry about. Non-traditional couples can’t file joint taxes, and a partner’s Social Security benefits are off limits. Splitting up presents tricky issues, and death brings even trickier ones.Levit has become fluent in financial planning for non-traditional couples, who now make up more than a third of her client base. She says focusing on that particular niche has been good for her company, Newton, Mass.-based Paragon Financial Advisors. “It’s a great way to get business,” she says.Levit also likes the challenge of finding solutions to problems most financial advisers never encounter. For instance, her non-traditional clients won’t ever be able to rely on a partner’s pension or Social Security benefits. So to provide a chunk of cash when one partner dies, Levit looks to life insurance policies. “You have to pay premiums on insurance that you wouldn’t need otherwise, so there’s an added cost for same-sex couples,” she says.Other solutions aren’t as straightforward. One half of a couple Levit works with makes a lot of money, the other half doesn’t. Now that they’re planning to have a child, the low earner plans to stay home. The stay-at-home partner won’t have any income to contribute to her retirement savings and can’t count on tapping her spouse’s 401(k), so Levit recommended that the high earner make additional retirement provisions in the other’s name. Levit also advised the couple to title as much of their property jointly as possible to avoid complications passing on assets if one dies.“Planning for same-sex couples is all about equalizing the estate, because there isn’t the same opportunity to split up the assets in death or divorce,” says Levit.Levit also made sure the clients had healthcare-proxy documentation in place. “I recommend that couples keep a copy of their healthcare proxy or power-of-attorney with them even when they’re traveling, because other states may not recognize them as spouses,” she says.Still, Levit says that specializing in financial planning for non-traditional couples isn’t all about circumventing roadblocks. “There are plenty of ways where you can save these people money through smart planning,” she says. “You can help unmarried couples so much by doing that.”The state says we’re married, the feds say we’re not. What gives? Massachusetts-based financial planner Dana Levit regularly fields that question from clients. That’s because in 2004 the state of Massachusetts legalized gay marriage, but gay couples who have tied the knot there still aren’t recognized as married by U.S. federal authorities.
http://blogs.wsj.com/financial-adviser/2009/12/17/filling-legal-gaps-for-same-sex-couples/
The Adam Lambert Problem
"Wrong track" poll numbers aren't just about the economy.
By Peggy Noonan
The news came in numbers and the numbers were fairly grim, all the grimmer for being unsurprising. A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll reported this week that more than half of Americans, 55%, think America is on the wrong track, with only 33% saying it is going in the right direction. A stunning 66% say they're not confident that their children's lives will be better than their own (27% are).
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704238104574602470345172100.html/
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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Poll finds Jerry Brown still leads race for California governor, but Republicans gaining
By Juliet Williams
Democrat Jerry Brown may still be the presumed front-runner in next year's California governor's race, but a new poll indicates he shouldn't take that position for granted.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-california-governors-race-poll,0,3365766.story/
Calif. parks department to address equality for women, gays in response to lesbian ranger suit
By Associated Press
The California Department of Parks and Recreation is forming a task force to address equality issues for its women and gay employees. Parks officials said Thursday the move is part of a settlement with a lesbian park ranger who filed a harassment lawsuit in San Diego County.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-park-ranger-harassment,0,3430283.story/
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Steve Rothaus
http://www.MiamiHerald.com/gay/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Video | North Carolina official in hot water after calling fellow commissioner’s late son ‘a homo’
During a debate about domestic partner benefits in Mecklenburg County, N.C., Commissioner Vilma Leake spoke passionately in favor, revealing that her son had been gay and died of AIDS. Fellow Commissioner Bill James leaned to Leake and responded: "Your son was a homo?"
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/video-north-carolina-official-in-hot-water-after-calling-fellow-commissioners-late-son-a-homo.html/
Video | ‘A Single Man’ director Tom Ford singled out for Oscar buzz
AP video:
Fashion director turned director Tom Ford talks about his debut feature film, A Single Man, which is nominated in 3 categories at the Golden Globes.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/video-a-single-man-director-tom-ford-singled-out-for-oscar-buzz.html/
Reggae star Banton will be transferred to Tampa
By JENNIFER KAY, Associated Press
Grammy-nominated Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton will fight a drug charge against him in Tampa instead of Miami.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/reggae-star-banton-will-be-transferred-to-tampa.html/
Video | HIV/AIDS Community Discussion held Nov. 20 at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale
The White House has posted a video of its HIV/AIDS Community Discussion held Nov. 20, 2009, at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale:
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/video-hivaids-community-discussion-held-nov-20-at-dillard-high-school-in-fort-lauderdale.html/
New report documents ‘Decade of Progress’ on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in America
News release from the LGBT Movement Advancement Project and the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr., Fund:
Study points to dramatic gains between 2000 and 2009
SAN FRANCISCO – As the decade draws to a close, a new report shows the past 10 years have been a period of dramatic gains in equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in America. Two-thirds of the 36 statistical indicators compiled in A Decade of Progress on LGBT Rights showed significant advances, including sharp increases in the number of LGBT Americans protected by nondiscrimination and family recognition legislation at the state level. Less than one quarter of the indicators were negative, and four showed mixed results. The report is a joint project of the LGBT Movement Advancement Project and the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr., Fund.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/new-report-documents-decade-of-progress-on-lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-equality-in-america.html/
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Spanish lawmakers vote to ease abortion law
By DANIEL WOOLLS
MADRID -- Lawmakers voted to ease Spain's abortion law Thursday, approving a bill to allow the procedure without restrictions up to 14 weeks. The change would bring this traditionally Roman Catholic country in line with its more secular neighbors in northern Europe.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/world/AP/story/1386316.html/
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The Advocate
http://advocate.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Antigay Sen. DeMint's Website Hacked?
By Julie Bolcer
Unusual content on the campaign Web site for U.S. Senator Jim DeMint, the South Carolina Republican who recently said he found the idea of a gay president “immoral,” raised questions about whether the site was hacked.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/18/Was_DeMint_Web_site_Hacked_/
Hate Crime Suspected in Puerto Rico
By Julie Bolcer
Investigators in Puerto Rico are questioning whether hate motivated the murder of an unidentified man believed to have been gay who was found dead inside the Motel Las Colinas in Ponce on Wednesday. The victim's throat had been slit.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/18/Hate_Crime_Feared_in_Puerto_Rico/
Tot Suspended Over Hair Length, Misses Classmates
A prekindergarten student in Texas has been sent to in-school suspension because his hair was deemed too long.
http://www.advocate.com//article.aspx?id=104372/
Gately Widower Files Columnist Complaint
By Julie Bolcer
The civil partner of deceased British singer Stephen Gately (pictured) has filed a formal complaint about Daily Mail columnist Jan Moir, who called the circumstances of his death “sleazy” and criticized same-sex partnerships in an article published one day before the funeral.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/18/Gately_Widower_Files_Columist_Complaint/
Prop 8 Case Could Be Televised
By Julie Bolcer
The federal challenge to Proposition 8 could be televised under a new experimental program authorized by the Judicial Council of the 9th Circuit.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/18/Prop_8_Case_Could_Be_Televised/
Auschwitz Sign Stolen
By Julie Bolcer
Police reported Friday that the infamous “Arbeit Macht Frei” (“Work Sets You Free”) sign over the gate to the Auschwitz memorial in Poland had been stolen. According to The New York Times,the Polish police believe the iron sign was taken between 3:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. by unscrewing it on one side and pulling it off on the other.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/18/Auschwitz_Sign_Stolen/
BBC Sort of Sorry for Headline
By Neal Broverman
After a poll appeared yesterday on the BBC's website that initially asked "Should Homosexuals Face Execution?" the director of BBC World Service, Peter Horrocks, apologized if it caused any offense.
http://www.advocate.com//News/Daily_News/2009/12/17/BBC_Sort_of_Sorry_for_Headline/
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365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Groups spend $9.6 m in Maine gay marriage vote
By The Associated Press
Campaign finance reports show that the two sides in the ballot fight that overturned Maine’s gay marriage law spent $9.6 million.
http://www.365gay.com/news/groups-spend-9-6-m-in-maine-gay-marriage-vote/
RuPaul as….Sarah Palin?
By 365gay Newswire
From John Polly at our sister site NewNowNext.com: ‘Tis the season for another hot-topic-worthy ready shot of RuPaul, and this time she’s “Going Vogue!” Watch out, Grandma Palin. Ru’s got on her red anorak and she’s ready to govern! And I’m guessing Ru knows her way around a lumberjack. Plus, I’m sure Ru also knows all about laying some serious Alaskan pipeline.
http://www.365gay.com/news/rupaul-as-sarah-palin/
Corvino: A story of comfort and joy
By John Corvino, columnist, 365gay.com
Allow me to share a favorite holiday story. It was late-November 1989, a year after I first came out. I had been dating a guy named Michael for over a month, which made him (in my mind, at least) my first “real” boyfriend. I was twenty and he was turning twenty-two, and we decided to drive into the city to celebrate his birthday.
http://www.365gay.com/news/corvino-a-story-of-comfort-and-joy/
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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Gay Europe minister Chris Bryant attacks BBC's 'ludicrous mistake' on gay execution debate
Minister for Europe Chris Bryant has attacked the BBC for holding a debate on whether gays should be executed. Bryant, who is gay, told PinkNews.co.uk he would be writing to the BBC's World Service director Peter Horrocks to demand an explanation.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/17/gay-europe-minister-chris-bryant-attacks-bbcs-ludicrous-mistake-on-gay-execution-debate/
Convictions for homophobic hate crime increase
Figures from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have shown a ten per cent rise in four years in the numbers of people being convicted for homophobic and transphobic hate crimes.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/18/convictions-for-homophobic-hate-crime-increase/
Ugandan parliament to debate anti-gay bill today
Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill will be discussed in the country's parliament today. It is thought that this debate will follow a second reading and a vote will be taken in January after a third reading.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/18/ugandan-parliament-to-debate-anti-gay-bill-today/
Canadian MP's Christmas card attacked by homophobes
A gay Canadian MP who sent out a Christmas card featuring himself and his husband has been attacked by homophobes on the internet. Nova Scotia Liberal MP Scott Brison's personalised card shows him and husband Maxime St Pierre on a walk with their dog.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/18/canadian-mps-christmas-card-attacked-by-homophobes/
Gay club owner goes into administration
Popbarz, the owner of gay clubs such as Ghetto in London, has gone into administration. Its administrators Ideal Corporate Solutions said it had suffered a “significant downturn in trade” .
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/18/gay-club-owner-goes-into-administration/
Man who killed gay council worker has sentence reduced
A man who murdered a gay council officer has had his prison sentenced reduced by two years. David Meehan, who was 19 at the time, admitted murdering James Kerr, 51, in a public park and leaving him for dead while he and his accomplices went to a party.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/18/man-who-killed-gay-council-worker-has-sentence-reduced/
Former drag queen accuses boss of homophobia
A gay man who once worked as a drag queen is suing his boss for unfair dismissal and sexual orientation discrimination. Dean Awford claims David Gray was homophobic and referred to him as "she" in front of customers.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/18/15453/
Stephen Gately's widower makes official complaint about Jan Moir column
Stephen Gately's civil partner has made an official complaint to the Press Complaints Commission about Daily Mail columnist Jan Moir's article on his death. Andrew Cowles cited breaches of accuracy, intrusion into grief or shock and discrimination.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/17/stephen-gatelys-widower-makes-official-complaint-about-jan-moir-column/
Portugal tipped to allow gay marriage
Portugal's government is drawing up a law to allow gay marriage. According to Associated Press, the legislative change would remove any references to gender and if passed, would come in to force by April.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/17/portugal-tipped-to-allow-gay-marriage/
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Daily Queer News
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Fairfax race to replace Cuccinelli a study in contrasts
By Harley Dennett
Virginia Partisans, the state’s gay Democratic group, was slated Thursday to endorse Del. David Marsden to fill incoming Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s state Senate seat. Marsden told DC Agenda that he was “proud to accept” the group’s endorsement.
http://dcagenda.com/2009/12/17/fairfax-race-to-replace-cuccinelli-a-study-in-contrasts/
Calif. man could become first openly gay dad in Congress
by Chris Johnson
The mayor of Palm Springs is making a bid to become the first openly gay member of Congress who’s married with children. Steve Pougnet, 46, a Democrat, is seeking to oust Republican incumbent Mary Bono Mack next year to represent California’s 45th district in the U.S. House. A win for Pougnet would make him the fourth sitting openly gay member of Congress.
http://dcagenda.com/2009/12/17/calif-man-could-become-first-openly-gay-dad-in-congress%C2%A0/
Parker’s win hailed as major breakthrough
By Chris Johnson
Gay rights advocates are heralding the victory of a lesbian official in her bid to become mayor of Houston as a triumph for LGBT Americans. Annise Parker, a Democrat and city controller for Houston, won the city’s Dec. 12 mayoral election by taking 53 percent of the vote. Her win marks the seventh time she’s won a citywide election in Houston and makes the city the most populous in the country to elect an openly LGBT mayor. She takes office Jan. 4.
http://dcagenda.com/2009/12/17/parker%E2%80%99s-win-hailed-as-major-breakthrough/
Cameras In Court OK'd In California: Gay Marriage Trial Could Be First Up
Erin Geiger Smith
The must-see TV of David Boies, Ted Olson & The Gay Marriage Debate could soon be hitting your flatscreen.
http://www.businessinsider.com/cameras-in-court-okd-in-california-gay-marriage-trial-first-up-2009-12/
German referee takes legal action after homophobic rant by Arminia Bielefeld coach
German referee Georg Schalk is taking legal action against Arminia Bielefeld assistant coach Frank Eulberg who allegedly called him a "dirty homosexual" after a second division match last week.
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Following his team's 3-2 defeat at Dusseldorf, Eulberg went over to the referee to vent his fury, before telling the press that "the dirty homosexual" laughed in his face.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/6787882/German-referee-takes-legal-action-after-homophobic-rant-by-Arminia-Bielefeld-coach.html/
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Tuesday, December 15, 2009
GLBT DIGEST - December 14, 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:
Pushing Republicans to the Right
By ALBERT R. HUNT
The broadcasting entertainers Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck, while influential with conservatives, Republican strategists explain, aren’t officeholders or political decision makers. Jim DeMint is.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/us/14iht-letter.html?_r=1&scp=10&sq=gay&st=cse/
A Fallen Barrier, but Little Fanfare
By JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr.
When asked why Houston became the first big city in the United States to elect an openly gay mayor, rather than New York or San Francisco, the woman who had broken that barrier, Annise Parker, raised her eyebrows and said her victory came as no surprise to people who live here.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/us/14houston.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:
The Republicans' war within
In California, repercussions of one vote by legislator illustrate fractured state party
By Michael Leahy
A few facts reveal just how far the Republican Party has fallen in California. A Republican hasn't carried the state in a presidential contest since 1988. The last time a California GOP candidate won a U.S. Senate election was in the same decade. Nowadays, Republicans' share of the state's registered voters has shrunk to 31 percent, a historic low.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/13/AR2009121303042_pf.html/
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Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Billionaire Leads Chile Election
Conservative Piñera Will Likely Head to a Runoff With Center-Left Rival
By MATT MOFFETT
SANTIAGO, Chile -- Conservative billionaire Sebastián Piñera appeared headed for a win in Chile's presidential election, though falling short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126075115772389867.html/
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Steve Rothaus
http://www.MiamiHerald.com/gay/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Gallery | Broadway leading man Brian Stokes Mitchell with fans after Arsht Center concert
Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell received several standing ovations Saturday night when he sang at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. A few highlights: This Nearly Was Mine (from South Pacific, which Stokes performed in concert at Carnegie Hall with Reba McEntire in 2006) – sung without amplification in the Knight Concert Hall; The Impossible Dream (from Stokes’ 2002 Tony-nominated turn as Broadway’s Man of La Mancha); a sexy, unusual take of Cole Porter’s Love For Sale; and songs from Kiss Me, Kate and Ragtime. Here are pictures of Stokes meeting fans and signing a few autographs after the performance.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/gallery-broadway-leading-man-brian-stokes-mitchell-with-fans-after-arsht-center-concert.html/
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Agenda: Business happenings in South Florida
MONDAY
Holly-Gay Party: Presented by the Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Bring a holiday gift-card for Pridelines Youth Services. Includes free first drink, photo opportunities with the Clauses and hors d'oeuvres. Benefits the MDGLCC Foundation for Area Youth; 7-9 p.m., Halo, 1625 Michigan Ave., South Beach; $15 suggested donation. 786-586-4286 or mdglcc@bellsouth.net.
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/business-monday/v-print/story/1377664.html/
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The Advocate
http://advocate.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
E-marriages for Gay Couples?
By Julie Bolcer
Two Michigan State University professors want same-sex couples in any location to be able to receive marriage licenses remotely from states where the unions are legal.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/12/14/Emarriages_for_Gay_Couples/
Sarah Palin and William Shatner Face Off
By Advocate.com Editors
Say what you will about Sarah Palin, but the former vice-presidential nominee proved on The Tonight Show Friday that she can take a joke.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/12/13/Sarah_Palin_and_William_Shatner_Face_Off/
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365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Episcopal bishop seeks prayer in rift over gays
By The Associated Press
The Episcopal Church should respond with “prayer and discernment” to the recent election of a lesbian priest as an assistant bishop of the Los Angeles diocese, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said Saturday.
http://www.365gay.com/news/episcopal-bishop-seeks-prayer-in-rift-over-gays/
Ask the Expert: Should I bring my partner home for the holidays?
By Joe Kort, relationship expert
When the holidays arrive, my partner of 10 years goes to her family and I go to mine. Afterward, we come together and meet up with our friends to celebrate.
http://www.365gay.com/expert/ask-the-expert-should-i-bring-my-partner-home-for-the-holidays/
RachelWatch: How To Protest an Unjust Bill
By Ali Davis, Contributing writer
Breaking News
You may have noticed – and indeed, may have been falling to your knees daily to give thanks – that Rachel was carefully not covering the Tiger Woods scandal. Her logic was that sex scandals are only truly newsworthy when at least one of the participants has been trumpeting his or her family values/moral superiority/purity of essence or has called for someone in a similar situation to resign.
http://www.365gay.com/living/rachelwatch-how-to-protest-an-unjust-bill/
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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Archbishop of Canterbury makes first public statement on Uganda's anti-gay law
The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has made his first public statement on the proposed anti-gay bill passing through Uganda's parliament.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/14/archbishop-of-canterbury-makes-first-public-statement-on-ugandas-anti-gay-law/
Straight teacher loses homophobic harassment claim
A straight Scottish teacher who tried to make a claim for homophobic harassment has lost his case. James Campbell, who worked at at Denny High School, claimed that the homophobic insults he received amount to sexual orientation discrimination, despite being straight.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/14/straight-teacher-loses-homophobic-harassment-claim/
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Daily Queer News
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
New Hampshire to Legalize Adultery? Gay Marriage IS a Slippery Slope!
By David Gibson
Last June, the New Hampshire legislature made that state the sixth to legalize gay marriage (although a ballot in Maine undid its law) with a law that takes effect on Jan. 1. Opponents argue, of course, that legalizing gay marriage winds up eroding traditional marriage -- and maybe they're right. News out of the Granite State is that the legislature is now considering a bill to legalize adultery. Yes, it's true.
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/12/14/new-hampshire-to-legalize-adultery-gay-marriage-is-a-slippery-s/
Gay marriage supporters plan rally in DC
Associated Press
Supporters of gay marriage are planning a rally before the city council votes on a measure to grant same-sex couples the right to marry. The rally is planned for Monday evening at 7 p.m. at the Kennedy Recreation Center in the Shaw neighborhood. The city counsel is expected to vote on the measure Tuesday, clearing the way for it to be presented to the mayor.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/ap/gay-marriage-supporters-plan-rally-in-dc-79201722.html/
Medical Marijuana Apartheid, Why Are We Drugging Our Kids?, NY Crisis in Youth Prisons, Gay Mayor Breaks Barrier, and more….
by Victoria Lavin
Are the rich treated differently than the poor in the medical marijuana debate? Are pyschiatric drugs over perscribed for our youth? New York’s juvenile prison system is broken, with young people battling mental illness or addiction held alongside violent offenders in abysmal facilities where they receive little counseling.
http://dailyqueernews.com/272/medical-marijuana-apartheid-why-are-we-drugging-our-kids-ny-crisis-in-youth-prisons-gay-mayor-breaks-barrier-and-more/
What If Santa Were Gay?
By Ruth Sherman
I just saw a sweet, funny, Off-Broadway play entitled "Santa Claus Is Coming Out" that entertains exactly this question. Written by Jeffrey Solomon, the story revolves around a little boy, Gary, who, more than anything else, wants a doll for Christmas. Although he is too young to connect the dots, Gary intuitively knows he is different, that his desire for the doll will cause trouble and he is naturally afraid of the consequences. Still, he asks Santa Claus for the toy in the hope that Santa will love him despite the unconventional nature of his request.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ruth-sherman/what-if-santa-were-gay_b_386284.html/
Look at what the cat dragged in - OUT 100 video of the photo shoot
by: Pam Spaulding
The video from the 2009 OUT 100 photo shoot is up now. The first one below is about the cover shoot, which featured Adam Lambert and Dan Choi. This year's photographer is Jason Bell, and the theme for the interior photos was "School Days."
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14475/look-at-what-the-cat-dragged-in-out-100-video-of-the-photo-shoot/
Kiss-in in Paris
Filed by: Alex Blaze
TowleRoad put up video of a kiss-in here in Paris that took place at 4pm on Saturday this weekend. Alberto and I were there, but apparently our same-sex tongue-tying didn't make the final edit of this video. I thought we were pretty hot. Although I did spend some time there complaining that my camera didn't work and I couldn't get video or photos for Bilerico. Aw, well.
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/kiss-in_in_paris.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BilericoProject+%28The+Bilerico+Project%29/
"Brokeback" and "Bruno" Top List of Highest-Grossing LGBT-Related Films of the 2000s
Filed by: Prince Gomolvilas
While I question the importance of box-office numbers when it comes to cinema (millions of Twilight) fans don't negate the fact that those movies make me want to punch the screen), I do think they're a good barometer of public consciousness around films, mainstream and independent. So it was with great interest I read a recent list of the top-grossing LGBT-related films of the 2000s, compiled by indieWIRE, a popular source of news and information about independent cinema.
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/brokeback_and_bruno_top_list_of_highest-grossing_l.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BilericoProject+%28The+Bilerico+Project%29/
Organizing for ENDA in District of Newest Member of Congress
By Michael Cole
After a great day collecting letters in support of ENDA from local business owners in Oswego, I was invited to attend the SUNY Oswego Rainbow Alliance’s last meeting before the semester’s end. With the coming winter break and the next day being the last day of classes, the students here at Oswego have a busy month ahead. Yet with everything going on here on campus, the students here still made time for ENDA. The President of the Rainbow Alliance, Michael Johnson, invited me to speak to his organization tonight which I of course loved. Like me, the students here can’t believe that there is no federal employment protection for the LGBT community like there is for other Americans.
http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2009/12/organizing-for-enda-in-district-of-newest-member-of-congress/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HrcBackStory+%28HRC+Back+Story%29/
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[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Pushing Republicans to the Right
By ALBERT R. HUNT
The broadcasting entertainers Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck, while influential with conservatives, Republican strategists explain, aren’t officeholders or political decision makers. Jim DeMint is.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/us/14iht-letter.html?_r=1&scp=10&sq=gay&st=cse/
A Fallen Barrier, but Little Fanfare
By JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr.
When asked why Houston became the first big city in the United States to elect an openly gay mayor, rather than New York or San Francisco, the woman who had broken that barrier, Annise Parker, raised her eyebrows and said her victory came as no surprise to people who live here.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/us/14houston.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:
The Republicans' war within
In California, repercussions of one vote by legislator illustrate fractured state party
By Michael Leahy
A few facts reveal just how far the Republican Party has fallen in California. A Republican hasn't carried the state in a presidential contest since 1988. The last time a California GOP candidate won a U.S. Senate election was in the same decade. Nowadays, Republicans' share of the state's registered voters has shrunk to 31 percent, a historic low.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/13/AR2009121303042_pf.html/
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Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Billionaire Leads Chile Election
Conservative Piñera Will Likely Head to a Runoff With Center-Left Rival
By MATT MOFFETT
SANTIAGO, Chile -- Conservative billionaire Sebastián Piñera appeared headed for a win in Chile's presidential election, though falling short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126075115772389867.html/
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Steve Rothaus
http://www.MiamiHerald.com/gay/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Gallery | Broadway leading man Brian Stokes Mitchell with fans after Arsht Center concert
Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell received several standing ovations Saturday night when he sang at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. A few highlights: This Nearly Was Mine (from South Pacific, which Stokes performed in concert at Carnegie Hall with Reba McEntire in 2006) – sung without amplification in the Knight Concert Hall; The Impossible Dream (from Stokes’ 2002 Tony-nominated turn as Broadway’s Man of La Mancha); a sexy, unusual take of Cole Porter’s Love For Sale; and songs from Kiss Me, Kate and Ragtime. Here are pictures of Stokes meeting fans and signing a few autographs after the performance.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/gallery-broadway-leading-man-brian-stokes-mitchell-with-fans-after-arsht-center-concert.html/
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Agenda: Business happenings in South Florida
MONDAY
Holly-Gay Party: Presented by the Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Bring a holiday gift-card for Pridelines Youth Services. Includes free first drink, photo opportunities with the Clauses and hors d'oeuvres. Benefits the MDGLCC Foundation for Area Youth; 7-9 p.m., Halo, 1625 Michigan Ave., South Beach; $15 suggested donation. 786-586-4286 or mdglcc@bellsouth.net.
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/business-monday/v-print/story/1377664.html/
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The Advocate
http://advocate.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
E-marriages for Gay Couples?
By Julie Bolcer
Two Michigan State University professors want same-sex couples in any location to be able to receive marriage licenses remotely from states where the unions are legal.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/12/14/Emarriages_for_Gay_Couples/
Sarah Palin and William Shatner Face Off
By Advocate.com Editors
Say what you will about Sarah Palin, but the former vice-presidential nominee proved on The Tonight Show Friday that she can take a joke.
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/12/13/Sarah_Palin_and_William_Shatner_Face_Off/
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365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Episcopal bishop seeks prayer in rift over gays
By The Associated Press
The Episcopal Church should respond with “prayer and discernment” to the recent election of a lesbian priest as an assistant bishop of the Los Angeles diocese, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said Saturday.
http://www.365gay.com/news/episcopal-bishop-seeks-prayer-in-rift-over-gays/
Ask the Expert: Should I bring my partner home for the holidays?
By Joe Kort, relationship expert
When the holidays arrive, my partner of 10 years goes to her family and I go to mine. Afterward, we come together and meet up with our friends to celebrate.
http://www.365gay.com/expert/ask-the-expert-should-i-bring-my-partner-home-for-the-holidays/
RachelWatch: How To Protest an Unjust Bill
By Ali Davis, Contributing writer
Breaking News
You may have noticed – and indeed, may have been falling to your knees daily to give thanks – that Rachel was carefully not covering the Tiger Woods scandal. Her logic was that sex scandals are only truly newsworthy when at least one of the participants has been trumpeting his or her family values/moral superiority/purity of essence or has called for someone in a similar situation to resign.
http://www.365gay.com/living/rachelwatch-how-to-protest-an-unjust-bill/
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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Archbishop of Canterbury makes first public statement on Uganda's anti-gay law
The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has made his first public statement on the proposed anti-gay bill passing through Uganda's parliament.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/14/archbishop-of-canterbury-makes-first-public-statement-on-ugandas-anti-gay-law/
Straight teacher loses homophobic harassment claim
A straight Scottish teacher who tried to make a claim for homophobic harassment has lost his case. James Campbell, who worked at at Denny High School, claimed that the homophobic insults he received amount to sexual orientation discrimination, despite being straight.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/14/straight-teacher-loses-homophobic-harassment-claim/
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Daily Queer News
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
New Hampshire to Legalize Adultery? Gay Marriage IS a Slippery Slope!
By David Gibson
Last June, the New Hampshire legislature made that state the sixth to legalize gay marriage (although a ballot in Maine undid its law) with a law that takes effect on Jan. 1. Opponents argue, of course, that legalizing gay marriage winds up eroding traditional marriage -- and maybe they're right. News out of the Granite State is that the legislature is now considering a bill to legalize adultery. Yes, it's true.
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/12/14/new-hampshire-to-legalize-adultery-gay-marriage-is-a-slippery-s/
Gay marriage supporters plan rally in DC
Associated Press
Supporters of gay marriage are planning a rally before the city council votes on a measure to grant same-sex couples the right to marry. The rally is planned for Monday evening at 7 p.m. at the Kennedy Recreation Center in the Shaw neighborhood. The city counsel is expected to vote on the measure Tuesday, clearing the way for it to be presented to the mayor.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/ap/gay-marriage-supporters-plan-rally-in-dc-79201722.html/
Medical Marijuana Apartheid, Why Are We Drugging Our Kids?, NY Crisis in Youth Prisons, Gay Mayor Breaks Barrier, and more….
by Victoria Lavin
Are the rich treated differently than the poor in the medical marijuana debate? Are pyschiatric drugs over perscribed for our youth? New York’s juvenile prison system is broken, with young people battling mental illness or addiction held alongside violent offenders in abysmal facilities where they receive little counseling.
http://dailyqueernews.com/272/medical-marijuana-apartheid-why-are-we-drugging-our-kids-ny-crisis-in-youth-prisons-gay-mayor-breaks-barrier-and-more/
What If Santa Were Gay?
By Ruth Sherman
I just saw a sweet, funny, Off-Broadway play entitled "Santa Claus Is Coming Out" that entertains exactly this question. Written by Jeffrey Solomon, the story revolves around a little boy, Gary, who, more than anything else, wants a doll for Christmas. Although he is too young to connect the dots, Gary intuitively knows he is different, that his desire for the doll will cause trouble and he is naturally afraid of the consequences. Still, he asks Santa Claus for the toy in the hope that Santa will love him despite the unconventional nature of his request.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ruth-sherman/what-if-santa-were-gay_b_386284.html/
Look at what the cat dragged in - OUT 100 video of the photo shoot
by: Pam Spaulding
The video from the 2009 OUT 100 photo shoot is up now. The first one below is about the cover shoot, which featured Adam Lambert and Dan Choi. This year's photographer is Jason Bell, and the theme for the interior photos was "School Days."
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14475/look-at-what-the-cat-dragged-in-out-100-video-of-the-photo-shoot/
Kiss-in in Paris
Filed by: Alex Blaze
TowleRoad put up video of a kiss-in here in Paris that took place at 4pm on Saturday this weekend. Alberto and I were there, but apparently our same-sex tongue-tying didn't make the final edit of this video. I thought we were pretty hot. Although I did spend some time there complaining that my camera didn't work and I couldn't get video or photos for Bilerico. Aw, well.
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/kiss-in_in_paris.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BilericoProject+%28The+Bilerico+Project%29/
"Brokeback" and "Bruno" Top List of Highest-Grossing LGBT-Related Films of the 2000s
Filed by: Prince Gomolvilas
While I question the importance of box-office numbers when it comes to cinema (millions of Twilight) fans don't negate the fact that those movies make me want to punch the screen), I do think they're a good barometer of public consciousness around films, mainstream and independent. So it was with great interest I read a recent list of the top-grossing LGBT-related films of the 2000s, compiled by indieWIRE, a popular source of news and information about independent cinema.
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/brokeback_and_bruno_top_list_of_highest-grossing_l.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BilericoProject+%28The+Bilerico+Project%29/
Organizing for ENDA in District of Newest Member of Congress
By Michael Cole
After a great day collecting letters in support of ENDA from local business owners in Oswego, I was invited to attend the SUNY Oswego Rainbow Alliance’s last meeting before the semester’s end. With the coming winter break and the next day being the last day of classes, the students here at Oswego have a busy month ahead. Yet with everything going on here on campus, the students here still made time for ENDA. The President of the Rainbow Alliance, Michael Johnson, invited me to speak to his organization tonight which I of course loved. Like me, the students here can’t believe that there is no federal employment protection for the LGBT community like there is for other Americans.
http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2009/12/organizing-for-enda-in-district-of-newest-member-of-congress/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HrcBackStory+%28HRC+Back+Story%29/
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[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
Sunday, December 13, 2009
GLBT DIGEST - December 13, 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:
California Companies Fight Same-Sex Marriage Nationwide
By JESSE McKINLEY
As the political battle over same-sex marriage plays out in state capitals across the country, several California companies have emerged as the go-to players for opponents of the marriages.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/us/13marriage.html?scp=8&sq=gay&st=cse/
Lost to AIDS, but Still Friended
By GUY TREBAY
LIKE millions of other Americans, Dominic Bash has a Twitter account, an online wall and a network of friends on the Web. His Facebook-style profile features Mr. Bash’s occupation as a hairdresser at the Abbey in Philadelphia, lists his birthday, the names of good friends, his interests and hobbies. It pictures him at his most typical and outrageous — at a Philadelphia gay pride parade, dressed in a lavender feather boa, his long blond hair styled in a braid reminiscent of Madonna, in her Heidi phase.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/fashion/13memorial.html?scp=4&sq=gay&st=cse/
Houston Is Largest City to Elect Openly Gay Mayor
By JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr.
Houston became the largest city in the United States to elect an openly gay mayor on Saturday night, as voters gave a solid victory to the city controller, Annise Parker.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/us/politics/13houston.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:
HIV funds bypassing areas in need
SERVICES ARE SCARCE IN D.C. WARDS 7, 8
'We're in one of the most powerful cities in the world. It's not fair to these kids that we didn't get it right.'
By Debbie Cenziper
They are cheering and clapping and calling his name, but the boy in the corner won't budge. In front of him, eight children stand elbow to elbow on a rainbow-colored carpet. The adults at the group therapy session in Northwest Washington say: Tell us what makes you celebrate. The boy stares at his khakis, refusing to look up, even after a friend tries to coax him into the giggling fray.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/12/AR2009121202900.html/
Houston voters elect first openly gay mayor
By MONICA RHOR
Annise Parker made history Saturday by becoming Houston's first openly gay mayor, seizing 53.6 percent of the vote in the city's hotly contested election.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/12/AR2009121200830.html/
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Steve Rothaus
http://www.MiamiHerald.com/gay/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Gallery | Broadway leading man Brian Stokes Mitchell with fans after Arsht Center concert
Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell received several standing ovations Saturday night when he sang at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/gallery-broadway-leading-man-brian-stokes-mitchell-with-fans-after-arsht-center-concert.html/
Statewide gay leader Michael Albetta endorses Dave Aronberg for Florida attorney general
Democratic candidates for Florida attorney general are actively seeking the gay vote in next year’s election.
In October, Equality Florida, the state’s largest gay-rights group, announced it had endorsed state Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, for AG.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/statewide-gay-leader-michael-albetta-endorses-dave-aronberg-for-florida-attorney-general.html/
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Buju Banton faces drug conspiracy charges
BY JACQUELINE CHARLES AND JAY WEAVER
Buju Banton, the Jamaican reggae star whose anti-gay lyrics have drawn international criticism, is in a federal lockup in Miami, facing drug conspiracy charges.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/1379547.html/
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Daily Queer News
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Does anti-trans bigotry in some men stem from penile amputation anxiety?
by: Lurleen
A few days ago I received a link to a blog post called "Sara Buechner, Once David Buechner", by Ira Rosenstein. In the post, Rosenstein displays his ignorance of the difference between sex ("what's between your legs") and gender ("what's between your ears"). While I was pondering how to approach my write-up about Rosenstein's post, the Ron Gold debacle happened at Bilerico. As I read Gold's post, I couldn't help but notice one glaring commonality between the two screeds: apparent anxiety over penile amputation.
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14461/does-antitrans-bigotry-in-some-men-stem-from-penile-amputation-anxiety/
Insurance Companies Paying Facebookers To Oppose Health Care Reform
Insurance companies have been busted paying Facebook members in virtual currency in return for sending their Congress members an email opposing health care reform. Facebook users play a social game, like "FarmVille" or "Friends For Sale." They get addicted to it. Eager to accelerate their progress inside the game, the gamers buy "virtual goods" such as a machine gun for "Mafia Wars." But these gamers don't buy these virtual goods with real money. They use virtual currency. The gamers get virtual currency three ways:
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2009/12/insurance-companies-paying-facebookers.html/
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New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
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California Companies Fight Same-Sex Marriage Nationwide
By JESSE McKINLEY
As the political battle over same-sex marriage plays out in state capitals across the country, several California companies have emerged as the go-to players for opponents of the marriages.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/us/13marriage.html?scp=8&sq=gay&st=cse/
Lost to AIDS, but Still Friended
By GUY TREBAY
LIKE millions of other Americans, Dominic Bash has a Twitter account, an online wall and a network of friends on the Web. His Facebook-style profile features Mr. Bash’s occupation as a hairdresser at the Abbey in Philadelphia, lists his birthday, the names of good friends, his interests and hobbies. It pictures him at his most typical and outrageous — at a Philadelphia gay pride parade, dressed in a lavender feather boa, his long blond hair styled in a braid reminiscent of Madonna, in her Heidi phase.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/fashion/13memorial.html?scp=4&sq=gay&st=cse/
Houston Is Largest City to Elect Openly Gay Mayor
By JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr.
Houston became the largest city in the United States to elect an openly gay mayor on Saturday night, as voters gave a solid victory to the city controller, Annise Parker.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/us/politics/13houston.html?scp=2&sq=gay&st=cse/
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Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
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HIV funds bypassing areas in need
SERVICES ARE SCARCE IN D.C. WARDS 7, 8
'We're in one of the most powerful cities in the world. It's not fair to these kids that we didn't get it right.'
By Debbie Cenziper
They are cheering and clapping and calling his name, but the boy in the corner won't budge. In front of him, eight children stand elbow to elbow on a rainbow-colored carpet. The adults at the group therapy session in Northwest Washington say: Tell us what makes you celebrate. The boy stares at his khakis, refusing to look up, even after a friend tries to coax him into the giggling fray.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/12/AR2009121202900.html/
Houston voters elect first openly gay mayor
By MONICA RHOR
Annise Parker made history Saturday by becoming Houston's first openly gay mayor, seizing 53.6 percent of the vote in the city's hotly contested election.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/12/AR2009121200830.html/
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Steve Rothaus
http://www.MiamiHerald.com/gay/
Go to this link for the following articles:
Gallery | Broadway leading man Brian Stokes Mitchell with fans after Arsht Center concert
Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell received several standing ovations Saturday night when he sang at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/gallery-broadway-leading-man-brian-stokes-mitchell-with-fans-after-arsht-center-concert.html/
Statewide gay leader Michael Albetta endorses Dave Aronberg for Florida attorney general
Democratic candidates for Florida attorney general are actively seeking the gay vote in next year’s election.
In October, Equality Florida, the state’s largest gay-rights group, announced it had endorsed state Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, for AG.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/12/statewide-gay-leader-michael-albetta-endorses-dave-aronberg-for-florida-attorney-general.html/
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Buju Banton faces drug conspiracy charges
BY JACQUELINE CHARLES AND JAY WEAVER
Buju Banton, the Jamaican reggae star whose anti-gay lyrics have drawn international criticism, is in a federal lockup in Miami, facing drug conspiracy charges.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/1379547.html/
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Daily Queer News
http://www.dailyqueernews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
Does anti-trans bigotry in some men stem from penile amputation anxiety?
by: Lurleen
A few days ago I received a link to a blog post called "Sara Buechner, Once David Buechner", by Ira Rosenstein. In the post, Rosenstein displays his ignorance of the difference between sex ("what's between your legs") and gender ("what's between your ears"). While I was pondering how to approach my write-up about Rosenstein's post, the Ron Gold debacle happened at Bilerico. As I read Gold's post, I couldn't help but notice one glaring commonality between the two screeds: apparent anxiety over penile amputation.
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14461/does-antitrans-bigotry-in-some-men-stem-from-penile-amputation-anxiety/
Insurance Companies Paying Facebookers To Oppose Health Care Reform
Insurance companies have been busted paying Facebook members in virtual currency in return for sending their Congress members an email opposing health care reform. Facebook users play a social game, like "FarmVille" or "Friends For Sale." They get addicted to it. Eager to accelerate their progress inside the game, the gamers buy "virtual goods" such as a machine gun for "Mafia Wars." But these gamers don't buy these virtual goods with real money. They use virtual currency. The gamers get virtual currency three ways:
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2009/12/insurance-companies-paying-facebookers.html/
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
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