**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.
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Oprah Winfrey Show - "Gay Around the World" - Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Today, October 24, a live (in the US) episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show,"Gay Around the World," will feature one of the Egyptian men arrested in thefamous "Cairo 52" case in 2001. Human Rights Watch helped make hisappearance on the program possible. He will talk not only about his arrestand imprisonment (the show will feature video recorded at the trial) butabout his life in exile since. For more about the case and Human RightsWatch's three-year work on it, visit:
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/03/01/egypt7735.htm and
http://hrw.org/reports/2004/egypt0304/ .
Also featured will be Manvendra Singh Gohil, scion of the Rajpipla royalfamily in India, who has become a voice for LGBT rights on thesubcontinent. The program will also include segments on LGBT life in Iran,and Staceyann Chin, a Jamaican-born lesbian activist and artist. Check out http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200710/tows_past_20071024.jhtml?promocode=HP51 .
One guest was arrested and spent a year in jail. Another says she was sofearful, she moved to a different country. And, a prince's secret was sotaboo, it ripped his royal family apart. A look at what it is like to be gayaround the world.
Tune in Wednesday! - Preview at
http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200710/tows_past_20071024.jhtml?promocode=HP51
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WashingtonBlade.com
http://washingtonblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=14896
House leaders delay ENDA vote
Bush advisers recommend veto of bill
By LOU CHIBBARO JR.
Oct 23, 3:11 PM
Democratic leaders announced they have decided to postpone a vote inthe House of Representatives this week on the Employment
Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA.
The announcement came several hours after the White House issued astatement saying that senor advisers have recommended that PresidentBush veto the gay rights measure if Congress were to pass it.
ENDA supporters were quick to say the postponement had nothing to dowith the White House veto threat, but reports surfaced giving separatereasons why House Democratic leaders chose to put off a vote on thebill for at least one week.
Drew Hammill, press secretary for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi(D-Calif.), issued a statement saying House Democratic leaders wereworking to "develop an accurate count" of the number of House memberswilling to vote for an amendment that would restore transgenderprotections to ENDA.
"We do not anticipate that this process can be completed this week,"Hammill said in his statement.
Hammill was referring to a decision by gay Rep. Tammy Baldwin(D-Wisc), made with Pelosi's consent, to introduce an amendmentrestoring a trans inclusive provision to the bill that HouseDemocratic leaders took out. The leadership said it chose to moveahead with a gay-only version of the bill after it determined therewere not enough votes to pass a trans inclusive bill.
Democratic strategists have said voting on the trans provisionseparately in the form of an amendment would allow supporters to moveahead with a gay-only bill if the Baldwin amendment is defeated.
Other reports surfaced indicating Pelosi postponed a vote on ENDA toclear the House agenda this week for an immediate vote on a newversion of legislation to expand the State Children's Health InsuranceProgram, known as SCHIP. President Bush vetoed the SCHIP bill earlierthis month and supporters fell short of lining up enough votes tooverride the president's veto.
"We're hearing they plan to bring up SCHIP this week and this willdisplace ENDA and other bills," said one source familiar with ENDA,who asked not to be identified.
more....
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Roberts-BYU.html
Roberts Skirts Hot Topics at BYU Speech
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 6:08 a.m. ET
October 24, 2007
PROVO, Utah (AP) -- Students and community members lined up by the dozens atBrigham Young University to ask the U.S. Supreme Court's chief justice aboutsubjects including race, Roe v. Wade, Guantanamo Bay prisoners, and gaymarriage.
John Roberts handled the 40 minutes of queries on Tuesday with politicalskill, deftly avoiding issues he said would come before the nation's highestcourt.
''This is starting to remind me of the confirmation hearings,'' Robertsjoked, drawing a laugh as he referred to his grilling by the SenateJudiciary Committee.
Roberts spoke at BYU, which is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints, during a regular weekly forum, giving the crowd of 7,080a lesson on the U.S. Constitution and urging students to read the ''short,powerful'' document.
''I think you'll come away with a profound respect for those who created ournation,'' he said before a question-and-answer session with the audience.
more . . . . .
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Romney-Evangelicals.html
Christian College Embraces Romney Bid
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 7:42 a.m. ET
October 24, 2007
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) -- Mitt Romney's presidential campaign has beenembraced in a most unlikely place: at Bob Jones University, the influentialChristian college that teaches that his Mormon church is a cult.
In early voting South Carolina, Romney has picked up support among theevangelicals and social conservatives who are a political force.
Last week, Romney won the endorsements of Bob Jones III and Robert Taylor,the founder's grandson and a top dean respectively here at Bob JonesUniversity.
He also gained the backing of Don Wilton, the immediate past president ofthe South Carolina Baptist Convention and pastor of a nearby megachurch, aswell as Dr. John Willke, a founder and past president of the National Rightto Life Committee.
During the same one-week period, the former Massachusetts governor eked outa win in a straw poll at the socially conservative Values Voter Summit inWashington.
more . . . . .
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To Form a More Perfect Union: Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/
Go to the website, above, for the following articles:
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The Finance Committee of the Philadelphia City Council unanimously passed ameasure amending the city's realty transfer tax to exempt same-sex couples,the cost of which is unknown. Amending the realty tax, a 3 percent city taxplaced on the transfer of real property between individuals, is thecontinuation of Philadelphia's 1998 domestic partnership ordinance.
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Oral arguments before the Michigan Supreme Court in the case of NationalPride at Work v Granholm et al, will be heard on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at the Hallof Justice, 925 W. Ottawa, in downtown Lansing. The case is scheduled thirdon the docket with the Court hearing arguments at 9:30 a.m. The Proposal 2arguments are expected to begin at approximately 11 a.m. National Pride atWork is the case brought by the ACLU of Michigan, asking the courts todeclare that the 2004 Proposal 2, which is now a constitutional amendment,does not prohibit public employers from offering domestic partner benefits.The Ingham County Circuit Court agreed with the ACLU position, but thisdecision was reversed by the Michigan Court of Appeals in February 2007.
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California: They've seen her on TV, looking lovely in her wedding dress.She tries, over and over, to walk down the aisle to her groom, but again andagain is blocked by obstacles in her way. She's the nameless centerpiece ofa new ad rolled out by Let California Ring, a campaign that is not politicalor linked to an election-cycle, but rather aims at moving hearts and minds.The wedding ad, which can be seen on www.letcaliforniaring.org, puts viewersin the shoes of the many same-sex couples who are prevented from marryingthe person that they love. It's striking how many non-gay people have neverreally been invited to put themselves in another's place. Left on their own,they too often treat their view or vote on ending marriage discrimination askind of a "freebie" that has no real-life consequences to couples, kids, andeven the gay people they say they want to be fair to. Those of us who careowe it to the fair-minded people we know to ask them to get engaged.
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National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/
Go to the website, above, for the following articles:
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This week the U.S. House of Representatives will very likely vote to add"sexual orientation" as a category of persons legally protected fromdiscrimination. If passed, H.R. 3685, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act(ENDA), will mean that homosexuals can bring lawsuits against employers theyfeel have discriminated against them because of their sexual orientation.
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North Miami City Councilman Scott Galvin was elected this week to serve a3-year term on the Board of Directors for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.Galvin joins 20 other board members from across the United States, as wellas Africa, India, and other parts of the globe. Based in Los Angeles, AIDSHealthcare Foundation (AHF) is the nation's largest provider of HIV/AIDSmedical care. It offers cutting-edge medicine and advocacy, regardless ofability to pay, to more than 27,000 people in the United States, Africa,Central America and Asia.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
NBJC Responds to
Obama/Donnie McClurkin Gospel Gay Controversy
http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2007/03/mary_mary_interview/
H. Alexander Robinson
NBJC Executive Director & CEO
Over the weekend it was announced that U.S. presidential candidate, Sen.Barack Obama would participate in a gospel music tour titled "Embrace TheCourage."
The three city event is an aggressive outreach towards black voters in SouthCarolina, a pivotal state in the upcoming presidential primaries.
What is most shocking about this tour is the musical lineup which isheadlined by the Rev. Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary and Hezekiah Walker.Collectively these artists have spoken aggressively against the LGBTcommunity without apology.
We have a great deal of respect for Sen. Obama. He has good track record onLGBT issues, his willingness to take the lead on HIV/AIDS is significant andcould represent a major boost to our efforts to combat the epidemic.
In fact, with the exception of his support for civil unions for gay andlesbian couples over full marriage equality we are aligned with him on thesignificant issues of the day.
However, for Sen. Obama to align himself with publicly anti-gay individualsis both hurtful and disappointing. Rev. Donnie Mclurkin once stated that hewas at "war" with the LGBT community stating that:
"The gloves are off and if there's going to be a war, there's going to be awar. But it will be a war with a purpose?.I'm not in the mood to play withthose who are trying to kill our children."
The singing group Mary Mary during a Vibe Magazine interview stated that:"They [Gays] have issues and need somebody to encourage them like everybodyelse - just like the murderer, just like the one full of pride, just likethe prostitute?"
more....
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
http://www.physorg.com/news112379646.html
South Africa is recalling millions of locally manufactured condoms aftertens of thousands failed an air burst test, dealing a further blow to thecountry's campaign to prevent the spread of AIDS.
The Health Ministry said Tuesday the recall involves condoms distributedfree by the government.
It follows a scandal in which the South African company Zalatex was found tohave bribed an official of the South African Bureau of Standards to approvedefective condoms. After the scandal broke in August, the government ordered20 million condoms to be recalled or held at the factory. Only 12 millionhave been recovered.
Controversy about the country's AIDS policy has raged for years, withcritics accusing the government of doing too little to slow the epidemic.South Africa has 5.5 million AIDS victims - the highest number in theworld - with 900 people dying per day.
The recalls also have raised questions about the competence of the Bureau ofStandards, which is supposed to ensure that condoms are up to World HealthOrganization standards.
The latest recall came after at least five batches of condoms made by theSouth African company Kohrs Medical Supplies failed the air burst test, theHealth Ministry said in a statement. Condoms supplied by two other companiespassed the test, the ministry said.
more...
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
http://www.nyblade.com/2007/10-19/news/localnews/bareback.cfm
What's Up With Barebacking?
Docs ask if Use a condom? is old hat for new generation
By ERLINE ANDREWS
Oct. 19, 2007
It?s a sociological conundrum. Three decades into the AIDS epidemic, justwhen it seemed the spread of the disease among the LGBT community was undercontrol, came the news last month that incidence of the disease was risingamong gay men younger than 30. In New York City, 33 percent more of themwere diagnosed last year than in 2001, according to the city?s Department ofHealth and Mental Hygiene.
Why does it seem like the safe sex message is not quite reaching youngergenerations of men who have sex with men (MSM)?
??Use a condom every time? may have been good in 1986. It?s not going towork in 2007,î said New York University psychology professor Perry Halkitisduring a discussion last week at the Center for Gay and Lesbian Studies(CLAGS) in midtown Manhattan.
He, two other experts, and a mostly male audience were grappling with thephenomenon of barebacking?deliberately having anal sex without a condom.
more....
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/10-22-2007/0004687281&EDATE=
Five Additional Lawmakers Co-Sponsor Legislation to Repeal 'Don't Ask,Don't Tell'
New Supporters Include Iraq War Veteran Patrick Murphy Of Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Five additional Membersof the House of Representatives have signed on as co-sponsors of TheMilitary Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246), a Congressional bill torepeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on lesbian, gay and bisexualmilitary personnel. Representatives Al Green (D-TX), Jesse Jackson, Jr.(D-IL), Ron Klein (D-FL), Patrick J. Murphy (D-PA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA)bring the total number of co-sponsors to 136.
"We are enormously proud to welcome these five lawmakers to the growingcoalition of Congressional Members working to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don'tTell,'" said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of Servicemembers LegalDefense Network (SLDN). "This unfair and un-American law has cost ournation the skills of more than 11,000 patriotic service members, andCongress is increasingly recognizing that our nation can ill afford to losesuch talent. SLDN will continue to build support for repeal and work, everyday, for the freedom to serve."
Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), the lead sponsor of H.R. 1246,added that, ""With every new lawmaker who signs on we are one step closerto repealing this discriminatory policy that has been preventing otherwisequalified men and women from serving our country and contributing to thefinest fighting force in the world. I thank all these new cosponsors forstanding up for what's right, and I look forward to working with them toenlist more and more of our colleagues."
Congressman Patrick J. Murphy, one of the co-sponsors announced today,is an Iraq war veteran and former West Point professor elected to the Housein 2006. Murphy is also a former JAG Corps attorney, and served twodeployments after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 - the firstto Bosnia in 2002 and the second to Baghdad, Iraq in 2003-2004 as aparatrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. For his service, CaptainMurphy earned the Bronze Star for service and his unit earned thePresidential Unit Citation.
"Congressman Murphy, a respected voice on military matters and a memberof the House Armed Services Committee, will be an irreplaceable ally in ourwork to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'" said Sarvis. "His support sends astrong message that those who know our armed forces best also understandthat ending this law is the right thing to do for our military and ourcountry."
more . . . . .
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5833.html
Christian backlash against US gay legislation
23rd October 2007 14:01
Tony Grew
Evangelical Christians in the United States have attacked proposals toprotect LGBT people from employment discrimination and a new hate crimesbill.
Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, which describes itself as a"national organisation devoted exclusively to exposing and countering thehomosexual activist agenda," is one of several groups protesting against theEmployment Non Discrimination Act, currently before Congress.
AFTAH founder Peter LaBarbera said that "homosexuality is not a civil right;it is a human wrong - one that is redeemable as proven by thousands ofcontented former homosexuals and ex-lesbians."
He also claims that White House staff member "boasted to pro-family leadersattending a private Administration briefing that White House staffers wereinvolved in the negotiations to craft expanded religious exemption languagefor the new ENDA bill."
Last week a leading black preacher, Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Jr, accused"aggressive activists" of infringing the liberties of others and hijackingthe civil rights movement.
more . . . .
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.edgedallas.com/index.php?ci=81&ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=features&sc3=&id=5611
Winning Asylum :: One Gay Man's Story
by Seth Hemmelgarn
Bay Area Reporter
Monday Oct 22, 2007
Talking to the relaxed young man on a sunny Sunday afternoon, you wouldn'tguess anything too bad had ever happened in his life.
"Time heals," he said. "I've come to accept what happened."
J. is referring to the life he fled in Colombia. The country has undergonedecades of battles between rebel groups and the government. One group, theRevolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), killed J.'s sister when hewas about 13. Four years later, members of the group killed his father. Bothhad been active supporters of the country's government.
J. himself had received death threats for his community work, and he'd beenharassed by police because he's gay.
Then, after residing in the U.S. for several years, J. was diagnosed withHIV.
more . . . . .
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5830.html
Australian opposition won't change gay marriage law
23rd October 2007 11.19
Gemma Pritchard
The Australian opposition leader, Kevin Rudd, has said he would still lovehis three children if they were gay, but as prime minister he would notchange the law to allow gays to marry.
Earlier this month, the announcement that a general election will be held inAustralia on 24th November prompted evangelical groups in the country tobegin campaigning against gay equality.
Speaking on the Austereo network on Tuesday, Mr Rudd stood by his Labourparty line that marriage is between a man and woman, but admitted it was nota popular view in some circles.
According to the Australian Associated Press (AAP), he said a Labourgovernment would grant legal concessions to homosexuals, but not the legalstatus of marriage.
"On the institution of marriage itself, our view is between a man and womanand it's just been our traditional, continuing view," Mr Rudd said.
more . . . . .
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.waynebesen.com/2007/10/polands-wonder-twits-crash-and-burn-in.html
Poland's 'Wonder Twits' Crash and Burn In Elections
Monday, October 22, 2007
Voters appeared to have ousted the prime minister, one half of Poland'sobnoxious, homophobic "wonder-twin" team, in parliamentary elections onSunday. The challenger, Donald Tusk, declared victory for his pro-businessparty, Civic Platform.
The prime minister and "Wonder Twit" Jaroslaw Kaczynski, conceded defeat astwo major exit polls showed his Law and Justice Party trailing CivicPlatform by double-digit margins. His brother, Lech, will remain presidentand retain veto power over the presumptive new government's legislation.
The name of this party alone suggests an anti-gay authoritarian regime. Whydo the most repressive parties always veil their dangerous agenda in theguise of patriotism? Well, at least the people in Poland finally caught onto Kaczynski's Bush-like incompetence.
Leaders across Europe were likely to be relieved at the ascension of CivicPlatform, a pro-Europe party. Under the Kaczynskis, Poland has earned areputation as a consensus-breaking troublemaker. However, this regime hadbeen buddy-buddy with Bush. Just like poor Tony Blair, the Polish leaderwent down in flames.
Law and Justice appeared to be a formidable opponent,according to the NewYork Times, because of the influential Catholic radio station, Radio Maryja,which experts here said could alone deliver around 1.5 million votes for theparty. So, this was Poland's equivalent Focus on the Family falling flat onits face. You can't help but love it!!
more . . . . .
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.rightwingwatch.org/2007/10/dobson_drama_an.html?tr=y&auid=3113481
Dobson Drama and Prayers for a Political Miracle in 08
The Saturday gala honoring Focus on the Family founder James Dobson startedwith a hint at the controversy over the announcement of Mitt Romney as thestraw poll's winner. Only the overall results had been announced toattendees earlier in the day. It was at a subsequent news conference thatFRC distributed documents making clear that Huckabee won by a large marginamong people who voted in person, and in the hours since Huckabee partisanswere grumbling. FRC's Chuck Donovan promised that everyone would get adetailed vote accounting as they left the event.
When Dobson took the stage he claimed that the media had been tellingeverybody that the pro-family and pro-life movements are dying, and to themedia still in attendance, said, "Welcome to the morgue." Dobson alsocomplained about media reports of a closed-door meeting of conservativereligious leaders at which Dobson and more than 40 others pledged that ifneither party nominated a pro-life candidate they would vote for a minorparty candidate, kicking off weeks of controversy and infighting. Dobsonsaid reports that the group would try to create a third party were wrong,saying he agrees with Gary Bauer that a third-party would be politicalsuicide and would limit the ability to influence the GOP.
Dobson voiced his frustration with the GOP, griping that in spite of Bush inthe White House and control of Congress for six years, the Republicans "didalmost nothing." Dobson echoed complaints from throughout the weekend thatthe Republican Party had taken the movement for granted, paraphrasingRichard Viguerie's analogy that the GOP had treated the Religious Right likea mistress - "they need us to get elected but want us to act like we don'tknow them if we meet them on the street."
Dobson recognized the great anxiety in the movement over the lack of aconsensus presidential candidate to rally around, and about the prospects ofa Democratic sweep in 2008. There is an "ominous feeling" that there are"gathering storm clouds" - by which he meant "there is at least thepossibility that the far, far left is going to capture the triple crown in2008 - that means the White House, the House of Representatives, the Senate,it means all the offices of government.of course it would mean the SupremeCourt will quickly change and that could set the direction of the dominantbranch of government for 30 years." He added that the scenario might includestatehouses across the country.
Of that "catastrophic" possibility, Dobson shouted "We can't let thathappen!"
more . . . . .
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1501490.html
Archdiocese discourages church talks by lesbian and her father
Two Catholic priests agreed not to have a Minneapolis woman and her fathertalk about their book. The event was held elsewhere.
By Joy Powell, Star Tribune
Last update: October 22, 2007 - 11:19 PM
In the wake of objections by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis,two priests agreed not to allow a lesbian Catholic and her father to talk inthe priests' Minneapolis churches about a book on their family's experience.
Carol Curoe, of Minneapolis, and her father, Robert Curoe, of Bernard, Iowa,were to speak at St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church on Monday night aboutthe book they wrote, "Are There Closets in Heaven? A Catholic Father andLesbian Daughter Share Their Story."
It's an account of how the devout Catholic farmer underwent a spiritualtransformation after learning of his daughter's homosexuality.
But last week, after conservative bloggers were critical and contacted thearchdiocese, spokesman Dennis McGrath contacted St. Francis Cabrini and St.Joan of Arc, the church where Carol Curoe, her partner and their childrenworship.
McGrath said when he learned of the scheduled book talk, he advised St.Francis Cabrini that "it wasn't a good idea" and that Archbishop Harry Flynnwould not approve of a lesbian who is "in an actual full sexualrelationship" speaking at a church.
more . . . . .
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.edgedallas.com/index.php?ci=81&ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=23850
Students Come to Defense of Gay Teacher
by Kilian Melloy
EDGE Dallas Contributor
Friday Oct 19, 2007
Students in Hawaii have rallied to the defense of a teacher who they say hasbeen targeted for anti-gay harassment that the school's administrationrefuses to do anything to stop.
The teacher in question is Dr. Kenneth Kauffman, an openly gay scienceinstructor at Nanakuli High and Intermediate School. According to studentsat the school, Kauffman has been subject to abusive treatment by studentsand administrators alike, as reported by KHNL-8, a local NBC affiliate,which posted the story online.
In response, a group of students circulated a petition to end discriminationagainst GLBT people on the school's campus.
Said Aaron Barrozo, junior, "He's been here since last year and plentystudents have been making sexual harassment comments about this teacher."
Kaufmann reportedly turned to the school's principal, Levi Chang, for help,only to find himself ordered to stop tutoring students after class and toremove materials from his classroom that were not immediately related tolessons, a restriction that took effect last Monday, Oct. 15.
more . . . . .
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=677464
Experts testify in case for hormones in prison
Inmates' therapy is appropriate, they tell court
By JOHN DIEDRICH
jdiedrich@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Oct. 22, 2007
Is it a disease if someone is born anatomically as one gender but yearns tobe the other? And if so, what treatments should be given if that person isin prison?
Those questions were the focus Monday in a federal trial in Milwaukee withpotential national implications.
The case pits three prisoners born male, who are taking hormones to becomefemale, against the state's top corrections official and others. Theplaintiffs say a state law banning the hormones for prisoners amounts topunishment targeted to a class of people.
The Inmate Sex Change Prevention Act, which the state Legislature passed in2005, is believed to be the only law of its kind in the nation. The inmateswere taken off hormones for a short time after the law took effect inJanuary 2006 but are receiving them after U.S. District Judge CharlesClevert issued an injunction.
In opening statements, attorneys differed in their assessment of what isknown as gender identity disorder.
more . . . . .
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.edgeftlauderdale.com/index.php?ci=114&ch=entertainment&sc=movies&sc2=news&sc3=&id=23866&PHPSESSID=230f0deda343b883d672ff8395bb23ed
Tampa Film Festival Drops 'Gay and Lesbian' from It's Name
by Duane Wells
Gaywired.com
Monday Oct 22, 2007
The Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival which attractedmoviegoers from more than 50 cities in Florida and more than 30 outside thestate in 2006 has decided to drop 'Gay and Lesbian' from its titlealtogether in 2008. Next year's festival will instead be called 'Clip FilmFestival,' a move that is expected to broaden the event's audience appeal.
"The name we chose was brave because it took a leap of faith in itssimplicity and because it is such a dramatic departure from the long name we've had for the past seven years," said Christopher Constantinou, Friends of theFestival Inc. president, in a release. "During brand development focusgroups, people responded with tremendous positive energy to this branddirection. They verwhelmingly told us that the new name reflects a personaof a friend, something they wanted around."
The organizers argue that this name change has been long overdue.
"There have been many false starts over these past few years, but we keptmoving ahead because the reasons for change were just too compelling,"Constantinou said in the release. "In fact, we realized we needed more thana name, we needed a brand - something that can represent the qualities ofdiversity, inclusion and community. And it needed to convey the excitementof what the festival is all about."
Although "gay" and "lesbian" is being removed from the film festival's name,Constantinou said the annual event, which includes a year-round filmoutreach series, would continue to be focused on gay and lesbian themes.
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From Gay's Without Borders
Some gay activists wrote optimistic statement after polish election.
But I don`t know WHY ???
"Civic Platform" Party is almost so homofobic as the Law and Justice Party!
Sunday was a SAD DAY for many gay`s and lesbian`s. Most of them voted for coalition "Leftish and Democrats" (LiD) and this coalition get only 13 %.Politician`s from Civic Platform said many terrible things about gay`s andlesbian`s.
Exmple.:
"I will never agree for gay marriages or any other pro-gay regulations inPoland" - Donald Tusk, leader of Civic Platform
"Lesbians are sickening ! If we will find any lesbians in Civic Platform, wewill throw them out ! " -Stefan Niesiolowski, PM from Civic Platform
Sad true is that gay rights in Poland are lost for next few years !
Lukasz Palucki
Coordinator of lgbt group in Polish Socialdemocrats
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Forwarded from Gay & Lesbian Leadership SmartBrief
http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/hKngmulPqjyawNCibGiJMuDx
Go to the website, above, for the following articles:
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Bill would lift Florida adoption ban
Under a bill in the Florida Senate, the state could lift its more than30-year-old ban on gays and lesbians adopting children. The measure has beenreferred to the Senate's Committee on Children, Family and Elder Affairs.Bay News 9 (10/23)
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Petition urges Singapore to legalize sex between men
Singapore should lift its ban on private, consensual gay sex onconstitutional grounds, according to a petition presented to the country'sparliament. But a senior minister defended the government's decision toretain the ban when it reviewed the penal code last year, saying "themajority find homosexual behavior offensive and unacceptable." Reuters(10/22)
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Study debunks "Will & Grace" gay stereotypes
Most gays and lesbian live in the suburbs or small towns, two-thirds of gaysare out, and African-Americans and Latinos more easily show their gayidentities than whites, according to the results of a potentiallygroundbreaking study from market research firm New American Dimensions ofLos Angeles, in conjunction with brand strategists Asterix Group of SanFrancisco. San Jose Mercury News (10/21)
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Campuses testing ground for gender-neutral restrooms
American University in Washington, D.C., which this fall is converting itssingle-stall restrooms in existing buildings to unisex restrooms, is amongthe more than 140 colleges and universities to introduce gender-neutralrestroom facilities to their campuses, according to this article. The switchfrom dedicated men's and women's rooms has angered some conservative groups,but is also viewed by some as a benefit to students with disabilities,families with young children and people whose caregiver is of the oppositesex, as well as trangendered people. Chicago Tribune (free registration)(10/21)
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Aligning Psyche and Sex
Methodists Meet to Evaluate Transgenderism, Starting With Baltimore Pastor
By Daniel Burke
Religion News Service
Saturday, October 20, 2007; B09
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Baltimore?tid=informline
BALTIMORE
The Rev. Drew Phoenix is many things to many people.
To congregants of St. John's of Baltimore, he's the fun-loving pastor whocounsels them, takes their children hiking, explains Scripture and plungesinto worthy causes.
To conservative Methodists, Phoenix embodies another front in the culturewars: a rebel who has defiedGod and nature and should be removed from ministry.
To mainstream society, Phoenix is an enigma who transcends traditionalsexual boundaries, provoking uncomfortable questions about the interplaybetween body, mind and soul.
To the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church, he's number IV onthe docket for its Oct. 24-27 session: "A Review of Bishop's Decision . . .Whether Transgendered Persons Are Eligible for Appointment in The United Methodist Church."
The issue of transgenderism seems too hot to touch for religious Americansalready bitterly divided over sexual orientation. A number of Methodisttheologians and ethicists asked to comment for this article declined.
more....
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ExpressGayNews.com
http://www.kansascity.com/412/v-print/story/329397.html
Documenting a gay Christian pop duo's story
By BETSY PICKLE
Scripps Howard News Service
Posted on Tue, Oct. 23, 2007
Being in a committed romantic relationship and working together is tough.Being a gay couple and a Christian pop duo is nearly unheard of.
But that's the life of Jason Warner and deMarco DeCiccio, knownprofessionally as Jason & deMarco. Their story is the basis of "We're AllAngels," a documentary that's making the rounds of GLBT (gay, lesbian,bisexual and transgender) film festivals across the country.
Jason & deMarco didn't leap at the opportunity to put their lives on screen.
"We've been doing this now, touring, for about five years," says deMarco."After we made the cover of the Advocate, the GLBT internationalnewsmagazine, in 2004, it introduced us to a lot of new people that hadn'theard about us before.
"I think a couple of documenters thought it was an interesting story thatJason and I identified as a spiritual gay couple and also had a music careertogether. I think they found the balancing act of making that all workpretty interesting."
more . . . . .
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ExpressGayNews.com
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/carroll/bal-westboro1023,0,7924508,print.story
Funeral protest case opens
Member of anti-gay church denies father of soldier could see rally
By Brent Jones
Sun reporter
8:45 PM EDT, October 23, 2007
A member of a Kansas-based anti-gay church told a federal jury Tuesday thatAmerica's acceptance of homosexuality spurred her and fellow parishioners topicket a Westminster Marine's funeral, one of the demonstrations by thegroup that have become so frequent that 22 states have enacted or proposedlaws limiting the rights of protesters at memorial services.
Representing herself in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, ShirleyPhelps-Roper, a nonpracticing attorney, told jurors that she and her fellowprotesters remained about 1,000 feet away from the funeral of Lance Cpl.Matthew Snyder in March 2006 and never did anything to disrupt the service.
But a lawyer for Albert Snyder, the father of the Marine, said during hisopening statement that his client has suffered worsened depression andhealth complications because of the protesters' actions. Snyder is seekingan unspecified amount from Westboro Baptist Church in the civil case.
Phelps-Roper is a member of Westboro Baptist, a 75-person congregation madeup mostly of members of the same family in Topeka, Kan., and known forprotesting at the funerals of soldiers. Members of the church also picketedoutside several Baltimore religious services last weekend.
Snyder's case is the first individual lawsuit against Westboro Baptist andits members. Phelps-Roper told jurors that her congregation holds dailyprotests at funerals, political rallies and other public forums across thecountry, making the trips at their own expense.
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ExpressGayNews.com
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sara-whitman/wake-up-boy-scouts-ha_b_69424.html?view=print
Wake Up, Boy Scouts -- Hate Costs Money
Posted October 22, 2007 | 04:09 PM (EST)
In Philadelphia, the city got serious about what they will and will notsupport. The Boy Scouts of America, always getting a free ride for theirprogram, will now have to pay going rates for the space.
The organization's Cradle of Liberty Council, which currently pays $1 a yearin rent, must pay the increased amount to remain in its downtown buildingpast May 31, Fairmount Park Commission president Robert N.C. Nix saidWednesday.
City officials say they cannot legally rent taxpayer-owned property for anominal sum to a private organization that discriminates.
Mark that increase from $1 to $200,000.
On one hand, it's almost archaic to think of an organization that banscertain members of our society. Makes you think of fat-necked relics likeHootie Johnson of August National Golf Club, boasting his right to excludeblacks, Jews and women.
more . . . . .
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365gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/10/102407craig.htm
Craig Funnels Campaign Funds To Legal Battle
by The Associated Press
Posted: October 24, 2007 - 9:00 am ET
(Washington) Idaho Sen. Larry Craig has spent nearly $23,000 in campaignfunds to pay a Washington lawyer who represents him before the Senate ethicscommittee, a new campaign finance report shows.
The report does not show any campaign money used for legal expenses relatedto Craig's criminal case, but a spokesman said that is merely a question oftiming. Ethics lawyer Stanley Brand "bills more quickly" than Billy Martin,Craig's lawyer in the criminal case, said Dan Whiting, a spokesman forCraig.
Campaign finance laws prohibit lawmakers from using campaign funds forexpenses unrelated to their duties as an officeholder or candidate.
Craig, who has announced he is not seeking re-election to a fourth term, hadabout $475,000 cash on hand as Sept. 30, a report filed last week with theSenate shows.
Craig intends to use campaign money to pay a variety of expenses related tohis guilty plea stemming from a police sting at an airport men's room,Whiting said. The three-term Republican pleaded guilty to disorderly conductin August after he was accused of soliciting sex in a bathroom at theMinneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in June.
more . . . . .
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365gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/10/102307jersey.htm
A Year Of Civil Unions Shows Law Unworkable Attorneys Say
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: October 23, 2007 - 6:00 pm ET
(Trenton, New Jersey) As New Jersey approaches the first anniversaryThursday of civil unions the lawyers who fought for same-sex couplerecognition say the system is not working.
"It is time to establish equality in New Jersey and allow same-sex couplesto marry just as other couples can," Lambda Legal Executive Director KevinCathcart said in a letter marking the anniversary sent to Gov. Jon Corzine,Senate Pres. Richard J. Codey and Speaker Joe Roberts, all Democrats.
On October 25, 2006, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that same-sexcouples must have the rights as opposite-sex married couples but the courtleft it to the legislature to decide whether that should be done throughmarriage or civil unions.
Lawmakers chose civil unions, and gay and lesbian couples married in areaswhere same-sex marriage is legal, were regarded as in a civil union in NewJersey. The law went into effect in February. (story)
In his letter to the top three lawmakers in the state Cathcart says theevidence shows the civil union law does is discriminatory.
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The Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard_pitts/story/282212.html
An extra detail of the beloved Albus Dumbledore
By LEONARD PITTS
Posted on Wed, Oct. 24, 2007
We're off to see the wizard.
No, not the one who lives at the end of the yellow brick road. This onemight be said to live somewhere over the rainbow, as in the flag thatsymbolizes gay pride.
Or hadn't you heard about Albus Dumbledore? If you are, or live in proximityto, a Harry Potter fan, you've already made the acquaintance. If not,suffice to say that he is our hero's mentor, the headmaster of Hogwarts, theschool for wizards in training. Last week, we learned that he was alsosomething else.
The revelation came in response to a question from a reader during authorJ.K. Rowling's appearance at Carnegie Hall. The reader asked if Dumbledoreever finds ''true love.'' Rowling replied that Dumbledore is gay and in lovewith a rival wizard, Gellert Grindelwald, whom he once defeated in battle.According to press accounts, the audience gasped -- and then applauded.
The revelation has brought scattered condemnation from conservativereligious types who already hate the books because of their supposed abilityto make children worship the occult. But truth to tell, the criticism hasseemed relatively muted, especially as compared with the praise.
I conducted my own focus group survey of two Potter fans in Miami and theirresponses echoed what I've seen in press reports. ''Me and my sister are sohappy,'' gushed Katherine Robertson, 14, ``because we're big on gay pride.''
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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbjudge1024nboct24,0,2914884.story?track=rss
Judge also rebuked for role in exchange
By Tonya Alanez
October 24, 2007
A veteran Broward assistant public defender is being punished for aninappropriate courtroom exchange with a judge about a teenage boy who hadsex with an adult male.
Brian Reidy, a supervisor in the Broward Public Defender's Office, haswritten an open letter of apology, has been docked one week's vacation andmust address his colleagues at a staff meeting on Friday, he and his boss,Howard Finkelstein, said.
Circuit Judge Jeffrey Levenson's role in the exchange is "regrettable," saidBroward Chief Judge Victor Tobin. Levenson, 50, apologized for his conductat an administrative judge's meeting on Tuesday and "everybody is on noticethat we expect the finest of conduct in our judges and our lawyers," Tobinsaid.
The remarks were made Thursday when the judge and attorneys were working outjury instructions. The case involved a 41-year-old man charged with fourcounts of unlawful sexual activity for having consensual sex with a16-year-old football player.
According to a transcript:
Levenson asked what position the boy played.
more . . . . .
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