GLBT DIGEST - January 11, 2010

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

Lawyers For Gay Malawi Couple Seek Change to Law
By REUTERS
BLANTYRE (Reuters) - Lawyers for two men arrested after becoming Malawi's first gay couple to wed publicly filed court papers Monday requesting a review of the law banning homosexuality. Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, married in a symbolic traditional ceremony on December 26 but were arrested a day later and charged with gross public indecency.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/01/11/world/international-uk-malawi-gays.html?_r=1&scp=14&sq=gay&st=cse/

Gay Marriage Ban Goes on Trial In California
By REUTERS
California's ban on gay marriage goes to trial on Monday in a federal case that plaintiffs hope to take all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and overturn bans throughout the nation. Victory for gay rights groups in the Supreme Court, which might not choose to take the case if it is appealed that far, would make marriage a fundamental constitutional right without exception and overturn laws and state amendments limiting marriage to a man and a woman in 40 states.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/01/11/world/international-uk-gaymarriage-california.html?scp=12&sq=gay&st=cse/

Two Ideological Foes Unite to Overturn Proposition 8
By JESSE McKINLEY
The last time David Boies and Theodore B. Olson battled in a courtroom, the presidency hung in the balance as they represented opposite sides arguing the fate of the 2000 election.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/11/us/11prop8.html?n=Top/News/U.S./U.S.%20States,%20Territories%20and%20Possessions/California&scp=10&sq=gay&st=cse/

Stacking the Deck Against Proposition 8
By EDWIN MEESE III
THE much-anticipated trial to determine the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8 is scheduled to begin this morning in the case of Perry v. Schwarzenegger. What’s at stake in this case, filed in federal district court in San Francisco on behalf of two gay couples, is not just the right of California voters to reaffirm the definition of marriage as only between a man and a woman, but also whether marriage may be otherwise defined in any state.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/11/opinion/11meese.html?scp=8&sq=gay&st=cse/

Urban ‘Creative Class’ Dismissed
Today’s idea: Perhaps nurturing a “creative class” isn’t the key to reviving industrial cities after all. An urban guru has second thoughts about his once-hopeful prescription, and now some civic leaders who bought into it aren’t happy. Cities | In The American Prospect, Alec MacGillis writes of the urban theorist Richard Florida, who has reaped a bonanza in lecture and consulting fees on the heels of his 2002 book “The Rise of the Creative Class.” It argued that crumbling smokestack cities could revive themselves by wooing the innovators who drive economic growth — Web designers, architects, biomedical researchers, and the like.
http://ideas.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/11/creative-class-dismissed/?scp=7&sq=gay&st=cse/

Groundbreaking Gay Marriage Trial Starts in California
The Associated Press
The first federal trial to determine if the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from outlawing same-sex marriage gets under way Monday, and the two gay couples on whose behalf the case was brought will be among the first witnesses. The proceedings, which are expected to last two to three weeks, involve a challenge to Proposition 8, the gay marriage ban approved by California voters in November 2008.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/01/11/us/AP-US-Gay-Marriage-Federal.html?scp=6&sq=gay&st=cse/

Gay marriage ban goes on trial in California
By Reuters
California's ban on gay marriage goes to trial on Monday in a federal case that plaintiffs hope to take all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and overturn bans throughout the nation. Victory for gay rights groups in the Supreme Court, which might not choose to take the case if it is appealed that far, would make marriage a fundamental constitutional right without exception and overturn laws and state amendments limiting marriage to a man and a woman in 40 states.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/10/AR2010011000681.html/

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

Welcome back to medieval times
By John Shelby Spong
The recently passed law in Ireland against blasphemy, which threatens $35,000 fines for any person who "publishes or utters matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion," is a weird throwback to the medieval mentality. It also reflects a period of Irish history in which the tie-in between church and state was so intertwined as to be synonymous. To be Irish was to be Roman Catholic. To be Roman Catholic was to be Irish. If this law is not overturned Ireland can no longer claim to be a participant in the modern world.
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/john_shelby_spong/2010/01/welcome_back_to_medieval_times.html/

Hurray for the First Amendment
By Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie
Q: Atheists are others are protesting a new law in Ireland, under which a person can be found guilty of blasphemy if "he or she publishes or utters matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion." The penalty is a fine of up to about $35,000. Should Ireland or any nation have a law against blasphemy? Is this new law a sign of religious arrogance, religious intolerance or a legal attempt to control and silence criticism? Is this a salvo in rising tensions between religious factions in Ireland?

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/vashti_murphy_mckenzie/2010/01/yea_for_the_first_amendment.html/

Same-sex marriage set for big day in federal court
By Karl Vick
After a run of setbacks at the state level, gay rights advocates will take the campaign for same-sex marriage into a federal courtroom on Monday, starting down a treacherous avenue that ends at a U.S. Supreme Court dominated by conservatives.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/10/AR2010011002606.html/

Groundbreaking gay marriage trial starts in California
By LISA LEFF
The first federal trial to determine if the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from outlawing same-sex marriage gets under way Monday, and the two gay couples on whose behalf the case was brought will be among the first witnesses.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/11/AR2010011100377.html/

Court blocks taping of gay marriage trial
By Robert Barnes
The Supreme Court on Monday morning temporarily blocked a federal judge in San Francisco from showing on YouTube proceedings from a trial that will determine whether a ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/11/AR2010011101606.html/

Protest outside federal gay marriage trial in SF
The Associated Press
About 100 people are demonstrating outside the federal courthouse in San Francisco as the trial for California's gay marriage ban begins. Most of the demonstrators are gay marriage supporters, who took turns Monday addressing the crowd with a microphone. They support the overturning of Proposition 8, a voter-approved law that limits marriage to one man and one woman.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/11/AR2010011101942.html/

Pope says gay marriage threat to creation
By Philip Pullella
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict on Tuesday linked the Church's opposition to gay marriage to concern about the environment, suggesting that laws undermining "the differences between the sexes" were threats to creation.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/11/AR2010011101477.html/

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

Court Blocks Taping of Gay-Marriage Trial
By JESS BRAVIN
The Supreme Court temporarily blocked the Internet broadcast of a trial beginning Monday in federal court to challenge the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the 2008 California voter initiative banning gay marriage.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126322139190924629.html/

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

Prop. 8 trial to include unprecedented testimony
Challengers of the same-sex marriage ban plan to call to the stand homosexual couples, experts on the history of sexual discrimination and marriage, and the architects of the ballot measure.
U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker presides over the Proposition 8 trial in San Francisco today.
By Maura Dolan
Scholars, gay and lesbian partners and opponents of same-sex marriage are expected to testify about the nature of marriage and homosexuality during an unprecedented federal trial today to determine whether gays and lesbians may marry. The case, Perry vs. Schwarzenegger, is expected to become a landmark that eventually will be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Both sides have hired leading legal advocates with lots of experience before the high court.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/la-me-prop8-trial11-2010jan11,0,892313.story/

Supreme Court Blocks TV Coverage of Gay Marriage Trial
By David G. Savage
The U.S. Supreme Court, acting on an appeal from conservative defenders of California's ban on same-sex marriage, overruled a federal judge in San Francisco today and blocked video coverage of the trial on YouTube.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-dc-court-prop8,0,1017950.story/

HIV/AIDS group going after Florida adult filmmakers for not using condoms
By Bob LaMendola
Complaints to be filed with county health departments
A California HIV/AIDS organization took on South Florida's pornography industry Monday, saying it will be filing complaints with county health departments about films in which sex actors do not use condoms. AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which offers services and a health plan in South Florida, said it had identified 10 DVDs shot at least partly in Miami with no condom use. Three Miami-based companies were involved, said group President Michael Weinstein, indicating an adult film business here. Film officials in Broward and Miami-Dade counties said they knew little about the extent of adult film-making here. For more information about HIV/AIDS prevention, see cdc.gov/hiv.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-condomless-porn-20100111,0,3096436.story/

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

Lesbian lawmaker in Utah carries baby for gay men
Associated Press
Rep. Christine Johnson will serve an additional role when the Utah Legislature convenes this month. The lesbian lawmaker announced she's a surrogate mother, carrying a baby for two gay men. Johnson, D-Salt Lake City, said she decided to become artificially impregnated with sperm from one of the men after the two close friends expressed frustration over the difficulty of adopting a child.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2010/01/lesbian-lawmaker-in-utah-carries-baby-for-gay-men.html/

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

South Florida holds first gay wedding expo
Gay marriage may not be legal in Florida, but an expo catering to same-sex couples found a receptive clientele Sunday in Fort Lauderdale.
BY MIKE CLARY
After seven years together, Lorri Armband and her partner Joni Malwitz plan to get married this spring, and what they have in mind is a ceremony on the beach for about 50 guests.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/1418678.html/

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

Sarah Palin Joins Fox News
By Advocate.com Editors
The New York Timesis reporting that Sarah Palin has signed on to be a contributor to the Fox News Channel.

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/01/11/Sarah_Palin_Joins_Fox_News_as_Contributor/

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

Cameron sets out commitment on tax breaks for civil partners
Tory leader David Cameron has said he will give gay couples in civil partnerships the same tax benefits his party will give to married couples.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/11/cameron-sets-out-commitment-on-tax-breaks-for-civil-partners/

Religious civil partnerships amendment tabled in Lords
An amendment to the Equality Bill which would allow civil partnerships to be held in church was tabled in the House of Lords today.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/11/religious-civil-partnerships-amendment-tabled-in-lords/

Temporary block on broadcasting Prop 8 trial
The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked recording of the Proposition 8 trial in California, which begins today. Gay marriage opponents, who conducted a vocal public campaign, said they could be harassed if the trial was broadcast.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/11/temporary-block-on-broadcasting-prop-8-trial/

Iris Robinson's husband asks colleague to step in as first minister
Peter Robinson, the husband of homophobic Northern Ireland MP Iris Robinson, has asked a colleague to take over as first minister while he stands down for six weeks.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/11/iris-robinsons-husband-asks-colleague-to-step-in-as-first-minister/

Iris Robinson receiving psychiatric treatment after accusations of two more affairs
Homophobic MP Iris Robinson is said to be receiving "acute psychiatric treatment" as allegations of affairs with two other men emerge.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/11/iris-robinson-receiving-psychiatric-treatment-after-accusations-of-two-more-affairs/

Exclusive: Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg to answer gay questions
Do you have a question for Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg? With four months until an expected general election, he has agreed to answer questions from PinkNews.co.uk readers.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/08/exclusive-liberal-democrat-leader-nick-clegg-to-answer-gay-questions/

George Michael rules out Wham! reunion
George Michael has said that he and former Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley will not reform the band. Unlike other ageing musical stars, he said the band was about being "young and exuberant".
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/08/george-michael-rules-out-wham-reunion/

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

Ford On Gay Marriage: Then And Now
By Elizabeth Benjamin
Here's a TV ad from ex-Rep. Harold Ford Jr.'s (extremely well-documented) 2006 Senate campaign in which he responds to RNC ads that he said "attacked my faith." "They said I'm for gay marriage when I voted against it, for giving school girls abortion pills. All of a lie. Here's what I believe: In God, in you and a new direction. That's why I approve this message."
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/01/ford-on-gay-marriage-then-and.html/


BREAKING NEWS: SCOTUS Blocks YouTube Broadcast for 48 Hours; Prop 8 Open Thread
by: Louise
UPDATE 2 (1:03 pm EDT) - I just got home from the Nakamura Federal building in Seattle, where a live feed was set up. None of the guards knew anything about it, as it appears to not have been on their daily schedule. But sure enough the screen was set up in the courtroom we'd been told about online. I got there at 8:10 and the feed had already gone live. It was a large flat screen split into 4 windows, one for the judge, one for counsel, one for the witness box and one showing the courtroom where I was sitting. At about 8:20 it stopped. The court librarian came in close to 8:30 and after discovering the situation, went online and found the AP story about Justice Kennedy's decision. Interesting to note: I was the ONLY person who showed up to watch the live feed. I suppose people monitoring the web en route may have turned back early, but it seems likely that few (or only me) were interested enough in viewing the opening remarks live to get there on time. Big shout out to the librarian. Don't know if he reads PHB, but if so, thank you for your kind assistance! --Lurleen
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14783/prop-8-open-thread/

OR: Plans solidifying for Southridge High School student clubs' "Respect Humanity" rally
by: Lurleen
Note: please tweet, fb, and recommend the DailyKos version of this diary. Thx! So much has happened in the scant two weeks since my initial post about the upcoming "Respect Humanity: Uganda March and Rally" that I thought an update post was needed.
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14780/or-plans-blossoming-for-southridge-high-school-student-clubs-respect-humanity-rally/

PHB Podcast: Interview With EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors On Prop 8 Case
by: Autumn Sandeen
Today, a Federal District Court in California is going to hearing the case Perry v. Schwarzenegger, which the ACLU describes as a:
Federal legal challenge to Proposition 8, filed by prominent attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies on behalf of two California couples. The Executive Director of Equality California, Geoffrey Kors, did a Pam's House Blend telephone interview with me on Sunday morning (January 10, 2010), which is below in an audio podcast format.
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14781/phb-podcast-interview-with-eqca-executive-director-geoff-kors-on-prop-8-case/

Maine's Senate President Libby Mitchell Running for Governor
by: Louise
I have made no secret here on the Blend of various Maine politicians that I like and support; today's post about Elizabeth "Libby" Mitchell is certainly no exception. To say she is extraordinarily qualified to be Maine's first woman governor is an understatement.
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14768/maines-senate-president-libby-mitchell-running-for-governor/

Father Tony Talks To Cynthia Nixon About Florida's Ban On Gay Adoption
posted by Joe
Bilerico's Father Tony spoke to Cynthia Nixon about the ACLU's launch of a campaign to overturn Florida's ban on gay adoption. More on the story at Bilerico.
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2010/01/father-tony-talks-to-cynthia-nixon.html/

Ill Papa: Gays Endanger Humanity
posted by Joe
Pope Benedict Palpatine has issued another insulting attack on gays, saying that homosexual marriage endangers all of humanity. Oh noes! Pope Benedict XVI on Monday called laws ignoring the difference between the sexes an "attack" on creation just days after Portugal moved to legalise gay marriage. Creatures, including humans, "can be protected or endangered", the pope, 82, told the Vatican diplomatic corps in a traditional January address focusing mainly on environmental issues.
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2010/01/ill-papa-gays-endanger-humanity.html/

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