GLBT DIGEST - January 13, 2010

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

Same-Sex Marriage Case, Day 3: the Defense Pushes Back
By GERRY SHIH
For nearly two hours on Tuesday afternoon, Professor George Chauncey, a Yale historian, gave the San Francisco courtroom presided over by Judge Vaughn Walker an overview of the history of discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans in the 20th century.
http://bayarea.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/same-sex-marriage-case-day-3-the-defense-pushes-back/?scp=7&sq=gay&st=cse/

Gay Marriage Trial Revives Camera Controversy
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
While the issue of same-sex marriage is widely expected to work its way to the U.S. Supreme Court over the next few years, another thorny legal question raised in the case has already landed before the high court: cameras in federal courtrooms.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/01/13/us/AP-US-Gay-Marriage-Trial-Cameras.html?_r=1&scp=6&sq=gay&st=cse/

Historian Back on Stand in Gay Marriage Trial
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A Yale historian testifying in a case challenging California's same-sex marriage ban is being cross-examined about public attitudes about gay Americans. George Chauncey returned to the witness stand for a second day Wednesday.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/01/13/us/AP-US-Gay-Marriage-Trial.html?scp=4&sq=gay&st=cse/


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

Maine man convicted in fatal sex dungeon shooting
By DAVID SHARP
A Maine man charged in the shooting death of a friend during a night of sex play in a "dungeon" has been convicted of manslaughter. Defense lawyer Tom Hallett told jurors Wednesday that three men had been using guns as part of their sexual play and that the victim might have put a bullet in a revolver to increase the thrill.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/13/AR2010011300529.html/


Va. church votes to split from Lutheran parent
Members of a Roanoke church have voted to leave the country's largest Lutheran denomination over its policy to allow gay clergy. St. John Lutheran Pastor Mark Graham said church members voted 350-104 in favor of the split from the national Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Church rules required a two-thirds majority for reaffiliation.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/13/AR2010011301488.html/


$25 million initiative aimed at attacking D.C. AIDS epidemic
The District government and the National Institutes of Health announced Monday the launch of a $26.4 million initiative to attack the city's HIV/AIDS epidemic with expanded testing and treatment to reduce the level of the virus in its victims and hopefully decrease their chances of spreading the disease.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/12/AR2010011203692.html/

'Glee,' 'Modern Family' among GLAAD nominees
The Associated Press
For the fourth year running, the ABC television network leads nominees for media awards from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The network earned eight nominations Wednesday for the 21st annual GLAAD Media Awards, with "Brothers & Sisters," "Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice" and newcomer "Modern Family" among its contenders.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/13/AR2010011301358.html/

Historian: Prop 8 played on anti-gay stereotypes
By LISA LEFF
A Yale professor testifying in a case challenging California's same-sex marriage ban said Tuesday that the 2008 campaign to pass Proposition 8 played on stereotypes historically used to portray "homosexuals as perverts who prey on young children, out to entice straight people into sick behavior."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/12/AR2010011200331.html/


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

Quirky Judge Presides in Gay-Marriage Case
Walker, Known for Novel Sentences and Unpredictable Decisions, Riles Some in California Trial by Allowing Wide Range of Evidence
By JUSTIN SCHECK and GEOFFREY A. FOWLER
The judge presiding over the first serious challenge in federal court of a state gay-marriage ban has defined his career with an unconventional approach. Two days into the trial over the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8 gay-marriage ban, Judge Vaughn Walker has upset some opponents of gay marriage by allowing gay couples to testify on the meaning of marriage.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126334233397826947.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLTopStories/

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

Jewish Film Festival embraces diversity
Themes of aging, anti-Semitism, parental angst, homophobia and Holocaust stories in spotlight
By Dan Hudak
It's appropriate that identity issues are on Ellen Wedner's mind. It's her seventh year as director of the Miami Jewish Film Festival, and there's one aspect of being in charge that often frustrates her: The public perception that Jewish film festivals only show Holocaust movies. "There was a time when festival programmers did focus on Holocaust stories, but there are more things to consider now," Wedner said. The themes of aging, anti-Semitism, parental angst and homophobia, as well as Holocaust stories, are prominent in this year's festival, which runs Jan. 16-24 at locations throughout Miami. "It's just so easy in this day and age to label very quickly, but patrons would be surprised by what else we offer," she added.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/movies/fl-jewish-film-festival-20100113,0,908370.story/


Religion News in Brief
The Associated Press
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Seven members of Iran's Baha'i minority are on trial on charges of spying and acting against the country's national security, state media reported. According to state TV Web site, the charges against them also include cooperating with archenemy Israel, gathering classified documents and "corruption on earth" — an Islamic term for crimes punishable with the death sentence in Iran.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-rel-religion-briefs,0,1068637.story/

ABC leads GLAAD awards nominees, including 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Modern Family'
By Associated Press
For the fourth year running, the ABC television network leads nominees for media awards from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The network earned eight nominations Wednesday for the 21st annual GLAAD Media Awards, with "Brothers & Sisters," ''Grey's Anatomy," ''Private Practice" and newcomer "Modern Family" among its contenders.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/sns-ap-us-glaad-media-awards,0,6045817.story/

Maine man convicted of manslaughter in shooting that ended night of drugs, sex, in dungeon
By DAVID SHARP
A Maine man charged in the shooting death of a friend during a night of sex play in a "dungeon" has been convicted of manslaughter. Defense lawyer Tom Hallett told jurors Wednesday that three men had been using guns as part of their sexual play and that the victim might have put a bullet in a revolver to increase the thrill.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-sex-game-slaying,0,383343.story/

Backer of gay marriage ban warned that activists would try to legalize sex with children
By Lisa Leff
Lawyers in a case seeking to overturn California's gay marriage ban are presenting statements by a proponent of the measure saying gay rights activists would try to legalize sex with children if same-sex marriages were legal. The taped statements by Hak-Shing William Tam were presented Wednesday during the civil case being heard in federal court.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-gay-marriage-trial,0,4299426.story/

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

CBS News video | ‘All in the Family’ star Rob Reiner challenges California’s gay marriage ban
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2010/01/cbs-news-video-all-in-the-family-star-rob-reiner-challenges-californias-gay-marriage-ban.html/


Cynthia Nixon, Lady Gaga, Leonard Pitts Jr. among 2010 GLAAD Media Award winners and nominees (with video)
GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, has announced its 21st annual Media Awards nominees and some special award winners. Among them: Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon (Vito Russo Award), and nominees Lady Gaga and Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. Below is a GLAAD video about the awards featuring President Jarrett Barrios, followed by the GLAAD news release and the full list of English- and Spanish-language nominees:
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2010/01/cynthia-nixon-lady-gaga-leonard-pitts-jr-among-2010-glaad-media-award-winners-and-nominees-with-video.html/

Dustin Lance Black and Neil Patrick Harris elected to The Trevor Project board Of directors
News release from The Trevor Project:
New members to serve leadership roles at LGBTQ youth-focused non-profit
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Trevor Project, the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, today announced that writer, producer and director Dustin Lance Black and actor, producer and director Neil Patrick Harris have been elected to its Board of Directors.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2010/01/dustin-lance-black-and-neil-patrick-harris-elected-to-the-trevor-project-board-of-directors.html/

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

Day 2: Is Prop 8 like the Anita Bryant crusade?
By Lisa Keen
Attorneys challenging the California ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage painted the “Yes on 8” campaign as a modern day copycat of Anita Bryant’s late 1970s campaign to “Save the Children.” Through testimony by gay history scholar George Chauncey of Yale University, the plaintiffs’ legal team discussed, in U.S. district court, the creation of unsubstantiated stereotyping of gay men as child molesters by police and news media around the country between the 1930s and 1950s.
http://www.365gay.com/news/day-2-is-prop-8-like-the-anita-bryant-crusade/

RachelWatch: The Conservative Argument for Gay Marriage
By Ali Davis
Breaking News
Rachel started off with news of the massive earthquake near Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. Though it has been difficult to get news from the area, Rachel and David Applegate of the U.S. Geological Survey tried to get a handle on the devastation. Rachel closed the show with an update on the quake and its aftershocks and then dedicated her second broadcast to giving it full coverage.
http://www.365gay.com/living/rachelwatch-the-conservative-argument-for-gay-marriage/

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

Gayest Cities in America
Intrepid amateur sociologist Mike Albo searches for America’s 15 gayest burgs—based on a finely tuned (if totally arbitrary) calculus.
By Mike Albo
Long ago, gay people settled in our nation’s largest cities. There they spruced up all the property, created every art and fashion movement, and taught entire populations how to dance. They created gayborhoods like WeHo, Chelsea, South Beach—and pretty much queered all of San Francisco until even Laundromats had rainbow flag decals in their windows. About 10 years ago everyone else moved back into these nicely gentrified metropolises, and the lavender diaspora began. Now a slew of secondary cities are becoming gay epicenters.
http://www.advocate.com/Print_Issue/Travel/Gayest_Cities_in_America/

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

Japanese trans man told that son is illegitimate
A trans man in Japan who had a child with his wife has been informed by officials that the child is now classed as illegitimate.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/12/japanese-trans-man-told-that-son-is-illegitimate/

Scottish parliament apologises to trans woman searched by male guard
The Scottish parliament has sent a letter of apology to a trans woman who was searched by a male guard on a visit. Female security guards refused to search her, believing she was a man.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/12/scottish-parliament-apologises-to-trans-woman-searched-by-male-guard/

Model claims he had two-year relationship with Stephen Gately
Georgi Dochev, the Bulgarian student and model who was at the Majorca apartment where gay Boyzone singer Stephen Gately died, has claimed he had known Gately and his civil partner for two years.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/12/model-claims-he-had-two-year-relationship-with-stephen-gately/

Lawyers for Malawi gay couple to challenge homosexuality ban
The lawyers representing two gay men who had a wedding ceremony in Malawi have asked for a review of the country's homosexuality ban.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/12/lawyers-for-malawi-gay-couple-to-challenge-homosexuality-ban/

Entry ban on anti-gay US 'shock jock' to stay in place
A ban on a US radio presenter entering the UK will be upheld, the government has said. Michael Savage, known for his strong views on homosexuality, Islam and abortion, was barred from entering the country in May last year.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/12/entry-ban-on-anti-gay-us-shock-jock-to-stay-in-place/

Nick Clegg calls for faith schools to focus on homophobic bullying
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has said that faith schools must focus on homophobic bullying. He said his party would make it a requirement for faith schools to teach that homosexuality is normal.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/13/nick-clegg-calls-for-faith-schools-to-focus-on-homophobic-bullying/

Lady Gaga, Lambert and Glee up for GLAAD awards
Nominees for the most gay-friendly films, television programmes and performers have been announced by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/13/lady-gaga-glambert-and-glee-up-for-glaad-awards/

Man convicted for homophobic attack on gay teenagers
A 19-year-old man was found guilty yesterday of a homophobic attack on two gay teenagers. Michael Lee Hannan shouted that he hated gays before punching and headbutting the pair, aged 17 and 18, Blackburn magistrates' court heard.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/13/man-convicted-for-homophobic-attack-on-gay-teenagers/

IBM rated most gay-friendly employer for the second time
IT company IBM has been rated the most gay-friendly company to work for by gay rights organisation Stonewall. The firm was rated best employer in the charity's annual Top 100 Employers List.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/13/ibm-rated-most-gay-friendly-employer-for-the-second-time/


Gay man avoids jail for trying to poison lesbian couple
A gay man who tried to poison his neighbours in a row over a cat avoided jail yesterday. Gareth Stewart, of Denton, Manchester, gave Marie Walton and Beverley Sales a curry laced with slug pellets after a feud which started years ago.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/13/gay-man-avoids-jail-for-trying-to-poison-lesbian-couple/

Gay rugby star Gareth Thomas reveals he's looking for love
Gareth Thomas, the Welsh rugby star who came out at the end of last year, has said he hopes to find a boyfriend. The player also suggested that the Daily Mail had been trying to combat negative publicity when it published his coming out interview.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/13/gay-rugby-star-gareth-thomas-reveals-hes-looking-for-love/

Scottish MPs condemn arrest of gay Malawian men
More than 20 members of the Scottish parliament condemned the arrest of two gay men in Malawi who held a wedding ceremony. The motion was signed by members of all main parties and called for parliament to condemn the "illegal and homophobic arrests" of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/13/scottish-mps-condemn-arrest-of-gay-malawian-men/

Ugandan president Museveni distances himself from anti-gay bill
Uganda's president Yoweri Museveni said yesterday that the country must take into consideration its foreign policy interests when debating an anti-homosexuality bill.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/13/ugandan-president-museveni-distances-himself-from-anti-gay-bill/

China's state press covers gay wedding
A state-run Chinese newspaper gave its front page to a gay wedding today. China Daily, an English-language newspaper, featured the wedding of Zeng Anquan and Pan Wenjie, which took place on January 3rd.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/13/chinas-state-press-covers-gay-wedding/

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

Rachel Maddow interviews Prop 8 attorneys
By Joshua Lynsen
We’ve already seen Proposition 8 plaintiff attorneys David Boies and Ted Olson make a splash this week in court as the long awaited trail got underway. In the video above, the dynamic duo take their case to “The Rachel Maddow Show.” There’s some great background in this piece, but if you want to skip to the interview with Boies and Olson, jump to the 2:41 mark.
http://dcagenda.com/2010/01/rachel-maddow-interviews-prop-8-attorneys/

Gay Marriage At Epicenter Of Iowa Politics
By On Top Magazine Staff
Gay marriage opponents rallied Tuesday at Iowa's Statehouse as the 2010 legislative session opened Tuesday and vowed to alter the political landscape in their favor. The event was organized by the Iowa Family Policy Center's (IFPC) political action committee, which used the opportunity to formally endorse Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats, the Iowa Independent reported.
http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=5121&MediaType=1&Category=26/

Harold Ford Jr. Sells Some Snake Oil on Marriage Equality
The New York Times published an extensive interview with potential New York Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr. which includes discussion of his anti-gay votes on marriage, and his recent sudden announcement that he changed his mind and is a supporter:
Q. Let’s talk about gay marriage. You know your record very well, but to quickly remind you, you voted to ban same sex marriage, with the Federal Marriage Amendment, twice.
http://www.towleroad.com/2010/01/harold-ford-jr-sells-some-snake-oil-on-marriage-equality.html/

Nearly 600 quit parish of transgender vicar
By Juhani Saarinen
The Lutheran parish which has been rocked by the vicar’s decision to change genders has been hit by something of an exodus of members. Last year 581 people left the parish where Marja-Sisko Aalto returned to work after undergoing gender reassignment surgery.
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Nearly+600+quit+parish+of+transgender+vicar/1135252089098/

Who Should Get Kennedy's Senate Seat? AG Dem Martha Coakley or Cosmo Pin-Up Scott Brown?
by: Louise
The special election for the late Teddy Kennedy's Senate seat is coming up and with it, news that the battle between Martha Coakley and Scott Brown is heating up. We're talking about some seriously steamy stuff- WHEW!!! First, some background on the two.
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14806/who-should-get-kennedys-senate-seat-ag-dem-martha-coakley-or-cosmo-pinup-scott-brown/

Pat Robertson: Haiti 'asked for it' by making a pact with the Devil
by: Pam Spaulding
How can a "man of God" be so evil. There's no other word for it. We can laugh at his multiple blathering of batsh*ttery, but when he steps into the role of God's Executioner, I cannot think of anything more Satanic than Pat Robertson. (via Political Carnival):
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14824/pat-robertson-haiti-asked-for-it-by-making-a-pact-with-the-devil/

Uganda President Museveni says foreign leaders talk to him about "gays"
by: Lurleen
Russell, an organizer of the Respect Humanity: Uganda March and Rally, a high school student-led event to be held in Beaverton, OR on January 23rd, tipped me off to the blog GayUganda. Being Ugandan, the blogger certainly offers valuable insight into the local situation.
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14823/uganda-president-museveni-says-foreign-leaders-talk-to-him-about-gays/

Olson and Boies Talk Prop 8 on Maddow
Filed by: Waymon Hudson
Last night on the Rachel Maddow Show, Ted Olson and David Boies came on to talk about the Prop 8 trial. This is just the latest stop in what has been a full-on media blitz from the pro-equality side. It's an interesting contrast from the Prop 8 supporters, who are afraid to even have their testimony videotaped and shown during the trial. I think having these two out on the news and morning shows is definitely moving the discussion on marriage equality forward. I also think the American people will notice the crickets chirping from the Prop 8 supporters- like Maddow says, "Where's the anti-gay pride?"
http://www.bilerico.com/2010/01/olson_and_boies_talk_prop_8_on_maddow.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BilericoProject+%28The+Bilerico+Project%29/

Oprah's website names gay men one of the top self-esteem boosters for women
Filed by: Alex Blaze
There's an article up over on Oprah's website: 11 Ways to Feel Beautiful. In between a few fairly obvious suggestions - like "Don't base your body image off fashion mags!" and "Wear clothes that are appropriate for your size!" - is this:
http://www.bilerico.com/2010/01/oprahs_website_names_gays_one_of_the_top_self-este.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BilericoProject+%28The+Bilerico+Project%29/

Tucker Carlson's New Site Kicks Off With Homophobic Smear Against Rachel Maddow
Posted by Jamison Foser
Tucker Carlson's new web site, The Daily Caller, launched today, featuring a column by The Weekly Standard's Matt Labash: For those unfamiliar with me from my day job at The Weekly Standard, I'll give you a capsule bio by way of introduction: I have the gift of wisdom. Does that sound arrogant? I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention. I didn't choose wisdom. It chose me. If I had my druthers, I'd have chosen another gift, perhaps the untold riches of Lil' Wayne, whose teeth are made of actual diamonds, or to be the sexiest man alive, like Rachel Maddow. But wisdom is what they gave me, so wisdom is all I have to give back to you.
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/media/145089/tucker_carlsen%27s_new_site_kicks_off_with_homophobic_smear_against_rachel_maddow/

Learn To Speak Tea Bag
posted by Joe
The residents of Wingnuttia are screaming at NPR for hosting the below Mark Fiore cartoon on their site. Fiore casually reports receiving death threats over the issue:
Before you could say, “due to a pre-existing condition, your health coverage has been denied,” there was a full-fledged viral campaign by right-wing media outlets and blogs to jump, scream and shout about this animation. Which, to me, is just great! I say that not because I get some thrill out of receiving emails that are in all capital letters or have more exclamation points than letters in the alphabet, I say that because one of the most important functions of a political cartoon, or political animation, is to foster a discussion. With thousands of comments posted, loads of emails and tweets, discussion was definitely fostered, and then some. It’s the “then some” that worries me. Of course discussion on the web is not known for its civility, but it finally dawned on me the strangeness of receiving death threats at the same time a crazed Somali extremist tried to kill cartoonist Kurt Westergaard. Muslim extremist, meet Tea Party extremist. Tea Party extremist, meet Muslim extremist.
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2010/01/learn-to-speak-tea-bag.html/


The Bush Era: A Golden One for Gay Americans
Posted by B. Daniel Blatt
As I’ve been preparing for my presentation tonight to LA’s Westside Republicans, I’ve been reviewing statistics on corporate policies toward gay employees and have been impressed to discover how quickly these private enterprises have responded to the increasing acceptance of homosexuality in American society. And the pace at which they offered benefits to same-sex domestic partners of employees did not slacken during the supposed dark days of the George W. Bush Era.
http://www.gaypatriot.net/2010/01/13/the-bush-era-a-golden-one-for-gay-americans/

HomoQuotable - Michelangelo Signorile
posted by Joe
"At the heart of the controversy is a simple fact: GLAAD solicits money from networks and entertainment companies and then hands them awards for what the organization deems positive media representation of the LGBT community. (In 2009, ABC actually led rival networks with its number of nominees.) Media companies receiving the awards—many of which often engage in or perpetuate the very bias and defamation that GLAAD crusades against—sponsor the celebrity-strewn benefits and underwrite the performances in return for branding opportunities and choice tables.
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2010/01/homoquotable-michelangelo-signorile.html/

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