**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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Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff would support 'Don't Ask' repealAdmiral Mullen spoke at West Point Sunday
http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=18133
-FBI raids office, home of OSC director
Bloch has record of targeting gay federal employees
http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=18131
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365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-Gay Candidate Loses Bid To Challenge Dole
(Chapel Hill, North Carolina) Chapel Hill businessman Jim Neal finished adistant second in the race for the Democratic primary for the US Senate fromNorth Carolina.
-Pressure Mounts On Clinton To Quit
(Washington) Hillary Rodham Clinton needed a game changer. Instead, it'salmost game over.
-NY High Court Refuses Gay Marriage Case
(New York City) The Court of Appeals, the highest court in New York State,Tuesday declined to hear a case challenging an appeals court ruling thatfound the marriages of same-sex couples married in jurisdictions where theyare legal must be recognized in New York.
-Top Vet In Congress Calls For Repeal Of Ban On Gays In Military
(Washington) Rep. Sestak (D-PA) is the latest in a growing number of formermilitary brass calling for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law banninglesbian, gay and bisexual personnel from serving openly in the military.
-FBI Raids Office Of Special Counsel
(Washington) The FBI has raided the office of U.S. Special Counsel ScottBloch in an inquiry of whether he obstructed justice by having his computerfiles erased.
-Judge: Breakaway Anglicans Must Share Churches With Diocese
Three breakaway southern Ontario Anglican parishes won'tget to take their churches with them, says an Ontario Superior Courtjustice.
-Government Apologizes For Gay Kiss Bust
(George Town, Grand Cayman) A gay couple from Massachusetts has received anapology after being detained by police after kissing on the dance floor of apopular club on Grand Cayman.
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The Advocate
http://advocate.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-Gay Senate Hopeful Jim Neal Loses Primary
Gay businessman Jim Neal lost his bid Tuesday for the Democratic nominationfor U.S. Senate from North Carolina. He received only 19% of the primaryvote, while Kay Hagan, currently a state senator, had 61%, with 53% ofprecincts reporting, according to the Associated Press.
http://advocate.com/news_detail_ektid53940.asp
-Gay Penguin Tale Tops List of 'Challenged' Children's Books
A children's story about a family of penguins with two fathers once againtops the list of library books the public objects to the most.
http://advocate.com/news_detail_ektid53913.asp
-LGBT Students Rally for Safer Schools
About three dozen students rallied at the California state capitol inSacramento Monday to call for new protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual,and transgender students, in hopes of preventing further tragedies like theshooting death of gay Oxnard teen Lawrence King.
http://advocate.com/news_detail_ektid53922.asp
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National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-Surrogate Mothers Fulfilling Gay Men's Parenthood Dreams
An ever-growing number of gay couples are paying tens of thousands ofdollars to have surrogate mothers carry their babies, turning America'sconcept of traditional family on its head. It took two women and two men fortwo-year-old twins Katherine and Connor to come to life. Their fathers,Michael Eidelman and A.J. Vincent, who have lived together for years,invested love, time and all their savings to build their family in NewYork's Chelsea neighborhood.
-OC AIDS Walk Aims for Million Mark
With only a week away until OC AIDS Walk at Angel Stadium of Anaheim onSaturday, May 10th, event organizers are hopeful that the Walk will farexceed its goal of $750,000. Although past years has rendered it difficultfor the Walk to raise over $600,000 at its former location on the campus ofUC Irvine, a change of location to Angel Stadium of Anaheim and moving theday from Sunday to Saturday has proven effective in just the first year.
"Bringing OC AIDS Walk to Angel Stadium of Anaheim was a wonderful way toappeal to a greater amount of individuals and families," said Doug Vogel,Director of Public Affairs for AIDS Services Foundation Orange County (ASF).
"As American as baseball and apple pie, the Walk even includes a pie eatingcontest," said Vogel.
-Another Year Without the Passage of Any Anti-GLBT Bills in Tennessee?
We reported in October that Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper supportsadoption by same-sex couples. There are no current laws in the state thatspecifically bar gay couples from adopting. Now Tennessee Equality Project(TEP) President Chris Sanders is telling HRC Back Story that his state mayget through another year without anti-gay legislation. Says Sanders:
-R Family Vacations Congratulations
Last night at New York's Chelsea Piers, Lambda Legal presented KelliO'Donnell and Gregg Kaminsky, founders of R Family Vacations, with the 2008National Liberty Award. The Lambda Legal Liberty Award is presented annuallyto individuals or groups who demonstrate Lambda Legal's mission in theirlives or work.
-"Homosexuality" is 140 Years Old Today
One hundred and forty years ago today, on May 6, 1868, the wordhomosexuality was invented. Before then, there were very few value-neutralwords to describe people who experienced romantic or sexual attractionstoward others of the same sex. Pejoratives such as "bugger," "molly,""sodomite," or "pederast" were common, words loaded with condemnation andshame. But as the budding science of sexology began to grow, and as same-sexloving defenders began to speak out about what same-sex love was all about,their first problem was with how to name it. "Abominable vice" wouldn't do.
-LGBT Farmworkers Fight Discrimination
Two hours south of San Francisco in the agricultural hub of Salinas, Calif.,a Mexican immigrant worked as a foreman in a produce packing plant,supervising nearly 100 people for eight to 10 hours a day, sometimes sevendays a week. In three years on the job, there were never any problems withcoworkers or the boss -- until the foreman began transitioning to be awoman.
-When Equity Official Takes Anti-Gay Stance
At many colleges, human resources officials are leaders in promoting equityand diversity among those who study and work together. And while collegesperiodically debate views of various officials that are seen as biasedagainst various groups, it is highly unusual for the head HR official at auniversity to be the source of such a controversy. But at the University ofToledo, a column in a local paper by Crystal Dixon, the associate vicepresident of human resources, has set off such a debate and resulted in herbeing placed on a paid leave, pending possible further action.
-Human Rights Campaign Announces Clergy Call 2009 Engages Local Communities
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the nation's largest gay, lesbian,bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, today announced thelaunch of Clergy Call 2009, a year-long educational effort to facilitatefaith-based mobilization within congregations and local communities. Theeffort builds off Clergy Call 2007, where the HRC Religion & Faith Programbrought 230 religious leaders from all 50 states to Washington, D.C.Beginning this summer, HRC will support faith-based trainings throughout thecountry with a particular targeted emphasis on transgender education in 40ommunities. The trainings will lead into the national Clergy Call event May4-5, 2009 and will propel faith leaders to organize and advocate locally forGLBT equality.
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Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-The Rev. James Lawson is out of step with modern Christianity.
Take gay marriage. Speaking in support of a proposed state constitutionalban on same sex unions in Florida, one Rev. Hayes Wicker of First BaptistChurch in Naples, Fla., was recently quoted by the Naples Daily News assaying, "This is a tremendous social crisis, greater even than the issue ofslavery." As asinine as that remark is, it is perfectly in step with muchof modern Christianity, which has spent years demonizing gay men andlesbians. And then there's Mr. Lawson, who spoke last weekend at the 10thanniversary conference of Soulforce, a group that fights church-basedhomophobia. Few things could be more "out" of step. Mr. Lawson, you mayknow, is an icon of the civil rights movement; it was he who invited theRev. Martin Luther King Jr. to Memphis to support the striking sanitationworkers.
-In a case of first impression for North Carolina, on May 6 the state'scourt of appeals upheld a decision by Durham County District Judge AnnMcKown to award joint custody of a child to Joellen Mason and IreneDwinnell, former lesbian partners. McKown found that Dwinnell, the birthmother of a boy conceived through anonymous donor insemination, hadwillingly created a de facto parent status for Mason that she could notunilaterally dissolve when the women ended their partnership. Mason v.Dwinnell, 2008 Westlaw 1944823.
Mason and Dwinnell lived as domestic partners for eight years. Afterdeciding that they wanted to raise a child together, they held a commitmentceremony, researched their options for conceiving a child, and jointlydecided that Dwinnell would bear a child through donor insemination thatthey would then raise together as a family.
-The Court of Appeals, the highest court in New York State, Tuesday declinedto hear a case challenging an appeals court ruling that found the marriagesof same-sex couples married in jurisdictions where they are legal must berecognized in New York. The decision not to accept the case means the lowercourt ruling will stand.
On February 1 the Appellate Division of state Supreme Court reversed ajudge's ruling in 2006 that Monroe Community College did not have to extendhealth benefits to an employee's lesbian partner.
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Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-Boris appoints gay deputy Mayor
The new Mayor of London has announced that veteran London Tory RichardBarnes will serve as his deputy. He is a former leader of the Conservativeadministration in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
-Russian extremists call for recriminalisation of homosexuality
Russian Vanguard, an ultra-religious monarchist group, has picketed theKaliningrad concert of performer Boris Moiseyev because he is openly gay.The extreme nationalist group said it would not target the singer's fans.
-Munich's gay-themed maypole attacked by vandals
A maypole featuring depictions of gay and lesbian life in the German city ofMunich has been subjected to a suspected homophobic attack. The communityresource was only erected last week.
-Memorial to gay Holocaust victims to be unveiled this month
A memorial to the persecuted homosexual victims of Nazism will be officiallyunveiled in Berlin on May 27th. It takes the form of a gray concrete slab,with a window to allow visitors to view a video.
-Admiral turned Congressman calls for end to gay military ban
The most senior US military veteran in the House of Representatives hascalled for an end to the ban on openly gay, lesbian and bisexual peopleserving in the country's Armed Forces.
-Lesbian footballer player murdered in homophobic attack
A prominent female football player gang-raped and murdered in South Africalast week was the victim of homophobic violence, according to activists.
Midfielder Eudy Simelane, 31, was buried earlier this week.
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Forwarded from Euro-Queer
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article:
-British churches still homophobic, says outgoing LGCM leader
The Rev Richard Kirker, an Anglican deacon who steps down during 2008 afterthree decades leading Britain's Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, believesthat if the worldwide Anglican communion separates over homosexuality, theonus of responsibility will fall upon "those who walked away" - writesMartin Revis. "If we are in any way held responsible for a schism, then sobe it. But I think the onus should be on those who choose to walk apart. We
have never asked those who disagree with us to leave the church," said Kirker, who isto hand over the role of the movement's chief executive to the Rev SharonFerguson, on 31 August 2008.
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/7075
-2 tributes unveiled in Germany to gay-rights activist persecuted by Nazis
Seventy-five years ago, the Nazis ransacked the offices of Germansex-researcher and gay-rights activist Magnus Hirschfeld, seizing hundredsof books that were burned in a towering pyre four days later. To markthe day Tuesday, Berlin dedicated a stretch of the Spree river toHirschfeld, while the city's Charité hospital opened a new exhibition of hiswork called "Sex Burns." The tributes to Hirschfeld are "a clearacknowledgment for gays that a persecution has taken place and thatreparation is necessary," said Alexander Zinn, head of Germany's Lesbian andGay Association, at the dedication ceremony. "That is a first step in theright direction" Nazi Germany declared homosexuality an aberration thatthreatened the German race and convicted some 50,000 homosexuals ascriminals. An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 homosexuals, mostly men, weredeported to concentration camps, where few survived.
http://www.jpost.com
/servlet/Satellite?cid=1209627026769&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
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Forwarded from Gays Without Borders
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article
-Arsham Parsi IRQO condemns Islamophobes and Islamophobia
Personally, as a Muslim gay man, it is painful for me to see how myfellow Muslims deny and condemn the existence of homosexuality withinIslam, and refuse to accept me as a member of their community. It isequally discomforting for me to see how some Western queer activistsviciously attack Islam and its perceived intolerance of sexualminorities, not realizing that often it is us, the queer Muslims, whoare at the receiving end of these harsh criticisms. Since I was bornqueer and was raised a Muslim, through no choice of my own, it isneither desirable nor possible for me to disregard one aspect of myidentity to protect the other. The truth is that I belong to bothcommunities: the global queer village and Muslim society.
http://www.irqo.net/IRQO/English/pages/138.htm
-"Islamofascism" is a term frequently employed by persons trying to drum-upsupport for war against Iran. Although she didn't use this term, HillaryClinton's recent threat to "obliterate Iran" if that nation attacked Israelis an example of threats against Iran that go back to the toppling by theCIA in 1953 of the popular Mosaddeq government in Iran. The subsequentbrutal rule of the US-sponsored Shah of Iran may be among many chapters ofUS intervention for empire unknown to most Americans, but one wellremembered by Iranians.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Go to the links for the following articles:
Contact rays.list@comcast.net if can't access the article
-Ontario: People can't invite violent sex acts, judge rules
A willing partner to "rough sex" could not legally consent to be choked intounconsciousness and sexually violated, an Ottawa judge has ruled in abizarre case involving a couple whose eight-year relationship featured araunchy sex life. Judge Dianne Nicholas, of the Ontario Court, convicted thedefendant of sexually assaulting his partner during a sex session in which he choked herinto unconsciousness and then committed a sex act on her inert body.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080430.wchoke30/BNStory
-LGBT AGING IN A CHANGING WORLD
Join us in New York City for SAGE's Fourth National Conference on LGBT
Aging. IT'S ABOUT TIME: LGBT AGING IN A CHANGING WORLD
will take place October 12-14 2008 and is sponsored by AARP.
Why should you go?
Over the next quarter century, the number of seniors in America is projectedto grow geometrically from 12% to 20% of the total population. Since 6-8% ofthese individuals are likely to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender(LGBT), by the year 2030, LGBT seniors age 65 and above are expected jumpfrom 2.5 million to as many as 4.7 million. With 2.5 million LGBT seniorstoday, and another 2 million joining them in the next 25 years, shouldn'tyou be prepared?
-Note the obituary, in today's New York Times, of Mildred Loving, the blackwoman who married a white man in the 1950s and violated Virginia's RacialIntegrity Act. In Loving v. Virginia (1967), the U.S. Supreme Court struckdown state bans of interracial marriage as violating the Equal ProtectionClause. The obit's final paragraph reads:
"Mrs. Loving stopped giving interviews, but last year issued a statement onthe 40th anniversary of the announcement of the Supreme Court ruling, urgingthat gay men and lesbians be allowed to marry."
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
Go to the links for the following articles:
-R.I. lawmakers to hear testimony on gay marriage, divorce
House lawmakers plan to debate two bills that would allow gay coupleslegally united elsewhere to divorce in Rhode Island courts.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2008/05/07/ri_lawmakers_to_hear_testimony_on_gay_marriage_divorce/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Latest+news
-More on the pregnant man
When Oregon transman Thomas Beatie first told the world that he was pregnantin The Advocate in March, readers learned that he transitioned about 10years ago, underwent a double mastectomy and began testosterone injections.
http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2008/05/05/2
-Pioneering Dallas activist earns yet another honor
Louise Young will be first to receive award from Jewish group for work inthe LGBT communityPioneering LGBT activist Louise Young is breaking new ground, yet again.
http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_8796.php
-California: no oath, no job
Autumn sent me this one. From the Golden State, a bizarre and ridiculousfiring of a teacher for not signing a loyalty oath.
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=5287
-Sacramento Bee endorses gay candidate for California State Assembly
The Sacramento Bee lent its endorsement to Victory-endorsed candidate ChrisCabaldon, who is running for a seat on the California's State Assembly inthe 8th District.
http://www.gaypolitics.com/?p=457
-Arizona constitutional marriage ban refuses to die
Even after openly bisexual Arizona legislator Kyrsten Sinema helpedsuccessfully orchestrate a move to sideline a ballot question writinganti-gay discrimination into the state's constitution, the issue of banninggay marriage has once again presented itself to the state legislature.
http://www.gaypolitics.com/?p=454
-Study: Gay Americans Few in Number, More Active Politically
One widespread conception of the number of gays and lesbians in the generalpopulation places the rate of homosexuality at one person in ten. But a newstudy suggests that the number may be far lower than that, with a highdegree of civic engagement accounting for GLT political might.
http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=74036
-Upcoming Gay Pride events and dates to remember
We are heading into the busy season for LGBTI festivals and Gay Prideevents. Some dates to mark are the first Sunday in June for the huge, annualNew Jersey Pride festival in Asbury Park http://www.jerseypride.org thelast Sunday in June for the granddaddy of them all - the Heritage of PrideParade in New York City http://www.hopinc.org Saturday, August 23, forJCLGO's wonderful gay festival at Exchange Place in Jersey Cityhttp://www.jclgo.org/festival/festival-2008.htm and closing the season,Trenton's Gay Pride,
http://www.outinjersey.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115:out-in-jersey&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50
-Lesbian Couple On Trial In Trespassing Case
Judge Bars Defense From Arguing Constitutionality Of Gay Marriage Ban
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/16182963/detail.html
-Saddam, Scientist
According to the just-released diary of Saddam Hussein, the late Iraqidictator feared that his American captors would give him AIDS by using hisprison clothesline to dry their clothes.
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2008/05/saddam-scientist.html
-Save the Date : International Day Against Homophobia
Our Senior Field and Policy Coordinator Kim Jones reminded me that IDAHO dayis coming. No, not for the state! IDAHO stands for International Day AgainstHomophobia. Kim reminds us.
"International Day Against Homophobia is coming up on May 17, 2008.
Originally developed as an annual event in Canada, this educational day isspreading as an annual event throughout the world. This year's theme ishealth-care issues. Please visit the website for more information on the dayand the activities taking place this year. While the activities listed arebased in Canada, reading about the work others are doing around theInternational Day Against Homophobia may spark an idea and create anopportunity for PFLAG chapters to plan an event in their community.
Materials for the day are also available on the websitewww.homophobiaday.org."
-Deck stacked against Winnipeg trans youth
TRANS YOUTH / Activists chipping away at multiple barriers
http://www.xtra.ca/public/viewstory.aspx?AFF_TYPE=1&STORY_ID=4721&PUB_TEMPLATE_ID=2
-Hirschfeld, German gay-right pioneer, honored with multiple tributesBerlin today renamed a promenade along the Spree River after MagnusHirschfeld, a sex researcher and pioneer of the German gay rights movement.
http://seaqwa.com/blogs/qnews/archive/2008/05/06/hirschfeld-german-gay-right-pioneer-honored-with-multiple-tributes.aspx
-Spelling military inclusion without the T
Gay rights advocates said no to a trans-excluding ENDA, but it seemsanti-gay military policies are exempt from their 'all or nothing' rulehttp://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_8776.php
-Clinton gets bragging rights for Indiana. But it's basically a tie.
Overall, counting both states, Clinton won 1,273,696 votes; and Obama won1,528,897. It was a 55 - 45 percent win for Obama in the popular vote. Andit's now basically impossible for her to make a popular vote argument, evenwith Florida and Michigan. After the last month of unremitting Freak Showattacks, that's a remarkable show of strength and resilience. Obama'sdelegate lead grows. He will have the majority of the popular vote. He hasfar more money and far more donors. The logic of Clinton's remaining in therace dwindles to the point of vanishing altogether.
Know hope.
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/05/55---45.html
-Gays and Global Culture War
An Iranian feminist artist who goes by the alias Sooreh Hera, living inexile in the Netherlands, said she received death threats after attemptingto show her series of homoerotic photographs that include models depictedwearing masks of the Prophet Muhammad and his son-in-law Ali, reports FoxNews.
http://www.indegayforum.org/blog/show/31514.html
-Gay freshman elected, Q-Notes gets online revamp, Police harassment, 'NakedBoys' banned in Winston-Salem
The latest headlines from the May 3 issue of Q-Notes, Carolina's multimediaLGBT news source.
http://www.interstateq.com/archives/2696/
-Black, gay and mad as hell
I was reading something today that really bothered me.
An African-American by the name of Crystal Dixon wrote a piece criticizinghomosexuality. Nothing wrong with that because this is her right.
http://holybulliesandheadlessmonsters.blogspot.com/2008/05/black-gay-and-mad-as-hell-i-was-reading.html
-'We have a big problem'
LGBT Methodists, supporters surprised by votes upholding anti-gay churchpolicies
Onlookers tearfully react to a vote Wednesday, April 30 at the UnitedMethodist Church's General Conference.
http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_8794.php
-Former Goodwill Employee Says He Was Fired for Being Gay
A former Goodwill Industries employee says that he was fired for beingopenly gay.
Bryan Simms came out as gay while still living in Cal. Two years later, hemoved to Colo., where for the last three years he has lived in ColoradoSprings, partly because he has relatives in the area, and also because Colo.is closer to Tex. than Cal.; his ex-wife and his children now live in theLone Star State.
http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=74084
-The 2008 PlanetOut Travel Award for best airline goes to: VirginAmerica/Atlantic!
That Virgin America is the official airline of San Francisco Pride for 2008is really just the beginning. Its dedication to making flying great again isnot only expressed through temptingly low fares and cutting-edge amenities,but also through a deep and very public commitment to diversity in itsworkplace.
Runners-up: Jet Blue and American Airlines
http://www.planetout.com/travel/article.html?sernum=14170&navpath=/channels/travel/awards/
-Gay powerlifter reaches Worlds
Chris Morgan, defending Gay Games powerlifting gold medalist, has qualifiedfor both this year's European and World drug-free championship Finals. Wehave featured Morgan's exploits as an openly gay powerlifter for severalyears.
http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/?p=933
-Parents Confront Memphis School Board About Outed Gay Students
At Monday night's Memphis School Board meeting, a small but vocal group ofparents and community members gathered in the back of the auditorium waitingto speak their minds.
http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=2be8dea3-742e-45d1-a7a5-dd9359cc3c63&rss=59
-Dr. Jack Drescher Responds to Controversial APA Symposium Featuring Spin
Doctors
The last AGLP Newsletter announced this year's APA annual meeting wouldinclude a symposium, "Homosexuality and Therapy: The Religious Dimension."
AGLP has no official connection to the symposium, although our conventionnewsletter routinely reports APA programs that may be of interest to ourmembers.
http://www.truthwinsout.org/opinion/dr-jack-drescher-responds-to-controversial-apa-symposium-featuring-spin-doctors/
-NPR Reports on Gender Identity
This Wednesday and Thursday (May 7 & 8), National Public Radio's All ThingsConsidered will include two reports on gender identity issues.
http://www.pflag.org/blog/?p=286
-'Kevin and Scotty' to marry on 'Brothers & Sisters' season finale
In what has been described as a historic first for network television, thetwo actors that portray gay men on the ABC show "Brothers & Sisters" willmarry on the season finale of the show on May 11.
http://outandaboutnewspaper.com/article.php?id=2606
-Update: Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo says he is not gay
In a press conference meant to address an incident last week in whichBrazilian soccer super-star Ronaldo got caught soliciting three transgenderprostitutes for sex, Goal reports that the player wanted to clear up onething: "As for what happened, I did not have any sexual dealings with thosepeople, I must stress that I am not gay."
http://blabbeando.blogspot.com/2008/05/update-brazilian-soccer-star-ronaldo.html
-'Lesbian Phobia' at Work to Feminize WNBA Players
Looking to give its players a makeover, the Women's National BasketballAssociation gave rookies lessons in how to handle the media, how to stay fitand healthy--and how to wear clothes and makeup.
http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=74037
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HeartStrong
http://www.heartstrong.org
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article
We've been super busy with our outreach and educational work. FromHuntsville AL to Albany GA to Hendersonville NC, our plate has been quitefull. We are however, feeling the extreme pain of ridiculous gas prices.
Anyone want to help HeartStrong get a Toyota Prius? At this point in ourmore than 11 years of work, a Prius is going to be the only responsiblevehicle for HeartStrong to use to do its work. We are also still behind inour fundraising for this year. In order to conserve funds we are combiningour April and May newsletters. So, if you are a monthly donor and rely ongeting the newsletter as a reminder for your donation, please remember toinclude your April AND May donations when you send your May donations in.
You can also make your donations online at http://www.heartstrong.org Yoursupport is greatly appreciated.
We recently did visits to Southeastern Christian University, Bob JonesUniversity as well as a few religious high schools. As usual our visitswere simple and uneventful. Eleven years of school visits and we arestill able to walk on campus, do our work and walk off without any dramafrom the schools. This outreach/ educational trip continues until May 28.
If you live in GA or in FL, all of our educational forums are listed on theHeartStrong website. We are also busy working on scheduling our programsfor the rest of the year and they will appear on the schedule as they areconfirmed. Keep checking back!
Looking forward to hearing from you, Marc Adams Executive Director
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From Transgender Equality
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article
-From The Philadelphia Inquirer
For school officials in Haverford Township, the challenge was daunting:
What do you do when a 9-year-old student, with the full support of hisparents, decides that he is no longer a boy and instead is a girl? Parentsof a third-grade student at Chatham Park Elementary School approached theadministration on April 16 to ask for help in making a "social transition"for their child. The Haverford School District consulted experts ontransgender children, then sent letters to parents advising them that theguidance counselor would meet with the school's 100 third-grade students toexplain why their classmate would now wear girls' clothes and be called by agirl's name.
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Anything But Straight by Wayne Besen
The Bible Without Bile
No matter who wins the presidential election, it is quite clear that the bigloser in campaign 08 is religion. By far, the most strident political voiceshave come from renegade reverends that seem a bit hot under the collar.
These cantankerous characters (or caricatures) have transformed their housesof worship into a harbor of war ships with loose cannons lobbing invectiveinto an otherwise serene national conversation. The most cloying of theclergy is Barack Obama's self-promoting preacher, Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright.
While he claims to represent the interests of African Americans, he may beremembered for giving a black eye to the black church, while sabotagingAmerica's first legitimate African American presidential contender. Wrighthas clearly turned the sanctuary into a sanitarium.
http://www.waynebesen.com/2008/05/bible-without-bile.html
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[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
NATIONAL & WORLD NEWS May 7, 2008
**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:
-Obama Wins North Carolina Decisively; Clinton Takes Indiana by Slim Margin
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/us/politics/07elect.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
-Nationa Results: Democratic Delegate Count
Comparing Delegate Counts
A comparison of delegate projections from The New York Times and othersources.
http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/delegates/index.html
-The Democratic Recession
There are two important recessions going on in the world today. One hasgotten enormous attention. It's the economic recession in America. But itwill eventually pass, and the world will not be much worse for the wear. Theother has gotten no attention. It's called "the democratic recession," andif it isn't reversed, it will change the world for a long time.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/opinion/07friedman.html?ref=opinion
-Op-Ed Columnist: Butterflies Aren't Free
In his memoir, the legendary Elia Kazan wrote about directing Vivien Leighin "A Streetcar Named Desire." While he did not think that Leigh was a greatnatural actress, he was impressed that she would crawl through glass to getthe role right.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/opinion/07dowd.html?ref=opinion
-Editorial: It's About the White House
Like many Americans, we have been intrigued and often exasperated by thelong-running Democratic primary and the ever smaller-bore spats betweenSenators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. So we are thankful to SenatorJohn McCain for reminding us Tuesday what this year's presidential racereally is about.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/opinion/07wed1.html?ref=opinion
-The Nominees Emerge, Hobbled
Here are two things we learned tonight. First, Barack Obama is going toalmost certainly be the Democratic nominee. He's withstood seven weeks ofbad news and he still exceeded expectations.
http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/the-nominees-emerge-hobbled/index.html?ref=opinion
-Editorial: The Death Penalty Returns
Roughly 15 death row prisoners are scheduled to be put to death between nowand October, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. This floodof executions is the result of the Supreme Court's ruling that upheld theconstitutionality of a troubling form of lethal injection. The next fewmonths, as states put their machinery of death into overdrive, are an idealtime for the nation to rethink its commitment to capital punishment.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/opinion/07wed2.html?ref=opinion
-After 60 Years, Arabs in Israel Are Outsiders
As Israel toasts its 60th anniversary in the coming weeks, rejoicing inJewish national rebirth and democratic values, the Arabs who make up 20percent of its citizens will not be celebrating. Better off and betterintegrated than ever in their history, freer than a vast majority of otherArabs, Israel's 1.3 million Arab citizens are still far less well off thanIsraeli Jews and feel increasingly unwanted.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/world/middleeast/07israel.html?hp
-As Executions Resume, So Do Questions of Fairness
The release of the third death row inmate in six months in North Carolinalast week is raising fresh questions about whether states are supplyingcapital-murder defendants with adequate counsel, even as an execution onTuesday night in Georgia ended a seven-month national suspension.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/us/07execute.html?hp
=
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-60,000 Dead or Missing in Burma
Bush Offers Navy Units, Criticizes Junta as Storm Aid Begins to ReachRangoon
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/06/AR2008050600647.html?hpid=topnews
-Medvedev Takes Russian Presidential Oath of Office
Dmitry Medvedev, a 42-year-old former law professor and protégé of VladimirPutin, was sworn in as Russia's third president Wednesday, a transfer ofpower that also represented a shift from the generation forged in the SovietUnion to the one that came of age in post-communist Russia.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/07/AR2008050700581.html?hpid=topnews
-Panel Will Subpoena Assistant to Cheney
A House Judiciary panel voted yesterday to subpoena vice presidential aideDavid S. Addington as part of a broad inquiry into the Bush administration'streatment of detainees.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/06/AR2008050602473.html?hpid=sec-politics
-McCain Says He Would Put Conservatives on Supreme Court
Highlighting an issue he plans to use aggressively in the general electioncampaign, Sen. John McCain on Tuesday decried "the common and systematicabuse of our federal courts by the people we entrust with judicial power"and pledged to nominate judges similar to the ones President Bush has placedon the bench.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/06/AR2008050602527.html?hpid=sec-politics
-Dalai Lama Envoy Upbeat on China Talks
An envoy of the Dalai Lama said on Tuesday that one-day talks with China onthe unrest in Tibet had been "a good first step" and that the two sideswould meet again after he reports back to the exiled spiritual leader.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/06/AR2008050600459.html?hpid=sec-religion?hpid=sec-religion
=
Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
- POLITICAL CORRECTNESS: The land of the almost free to speak up
By Leonard Pitts
I'd like to think it was the sangria talking.
But the plain truth is, when Anna said she doesn't find this country to beespecially free, it was Anna talking. Granted, her complaint is hardly new.
People often grouse about the lack of freedom in the land of the free.
http://www.miamiherald.com/851/story/523915.html
=
Pew Research center
http://pewresearch.org/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-The Wright Stuff: Obama's Pastor Corrals Campaign Coverage
Last week, as Obama's controversial minister re-emerged into full publicview, the controversy he generated made more news than either HillaryClinton or John McCain. Read more
-States Already Scrambling to Mend the 2012 Presidential Primary Process
While voters in Indiana and North Carolina go to the polls today to helpDemocrats pick Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama as their nominee, andRepublicans rally behind John McCain, party insiders and state electionofficials are in informal talks to improve procedures for the next contestfor the White House -- and not a moment too soon. Read more
-Family Feud - Two Perspectives on Gay Marriage
The debate over same-sex marriage in the United States is a contentious one,with vocal advocates on both sides. To explore the issues raised by gaymarriage, the Pew Forum interviewed the authors of two books on the subject:former Sen. Rick Santorum, who opposes gay marriage and, in a followinginterview, journalist Jonathan Rauch, who argues in its favor. Read more
-Papal Visit Revisited - A Boost to the Pope's Popularity
Currently, 61% of Americans say they have a favorable impression of thepontiff, up from 52% in late March, while views of his outreach to otherfaiths have also shown substantial improvement. Read more
-Pope's Visit Draws Heavy Media Coverage
The relationship between the relatively new pope and the hurting U.S. churchwas the primary story line in news reports of the pontiff's visit. Read more
-International Image - All the World's a Stage
Iraq, the war on terrorism, support for Israel and other key features ofU.S. foreign policy continue to generate animosity toward America in theMiddle East, Asia and elsewhere. On the bright side, America seems to bewinning the battle of ideas on some important fronts and improving U.S.image problems is not impossible. Read more
-Daily Number - 51% - The Party's Over
As voters head to the polls in Indiana and North Carolina, some four monthsafter Iowans caucused to kick off the nominating process, a majority (51%)of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters now says the undecidednomination contest is bad for the party, up from 27% in late February.
Slightly more than a third (35%) still see it as a good thing. Check backevery weekday for another number in the news. Read more
=
Forwarded from Susan Frishkorn
frishkorn@bellsouth.net
-John Bolton, America's ex-ambassador to the United Nations, has called forUS air strikes on Iranian camps where insurgents are trained for war inIraq. Mr Bolton said that striking Iran would represent a major steptowards victory in Iraq. While he acknowledged that the risk of a hostileIranian response harming American's overseas interests existed, he said thedamage inflicted by Tehran would be "far higher" if Washington took noaction. "This is a case where the use of military force against a trainingcamp to show the Iranians we're not going to tolerate this is really themost prudent thing to do," he said. "Then the ball would be in Iran's courtto draw the appropriate lesson to stop harming our troops."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1931520/John-Bolton-US-should-bomb-Iranian-camps.html
=
Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Dems to weigh two delegate plans
State party's leaders to discuss options for DNC; Clinton denies 'secretplan' on Mich., Fla.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/POLITICS01/805060366
-Limbaugh effort has muted effect
Yesterday's Democratic primary in Indiana was not only a big test forHillary Clinton and Barack Obama, but also a test for talk-show host RushLimbaugh, the self-proclaimed commander in chief of "Operation Chaos."
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/05/07/limbaugh_effort_has_muted_effect/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Today%27s+paper+A+to+Z
-Votes cast along racial fault lines, exit polls show
Candidates hold largely on to core support groups
Deep racial divisions emerged in yesterday's critical Democratic primaries,with African-American voters overwhelmingly supporting Senator Barack Obamaand whites casting their votes solidly with Senator Hillary Clinton in bothNorth Carolina and Indiana, according to exit polls.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/05/07/votes_cast_along_racial_fault_lines_exit_polls_show/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Today%27s+paper+A+to+Z
=
[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:
-Obama Wins North Carolina Decisively; Clinton Takes Indiana by Slim Margin
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/us/politics/07elect.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
-Nationa Results: Democratic Delegate Count
Comparing Delegate Counts
A comparison of delegate projections from The New York Times and othersources.
http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/delegates/index.html
-The Democratic Recession
There are two important recessions going on in the world today. One hasgotten enormous attention. It's the economic recession in America. But itwill eventually pass, and the world will not be much worse for the wear. Theother has gotten no attention. It's called "the democratic recession," andif it isn't reversed, it will change the world for a long time.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/opinion/07friedman.html?ref=opinion
-Op-Ed Columnist: Butterflies Aren't Free
In his memoir, the legendary Elia Kazan wrote about directing Vivien Leighin "A Streetcar Named Desire." While he did not think that Leigh was a greatnatural actress, he was impressed that she would crawl through glass to getthe role right.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/opinion/07dowd.html?ref=opinion
-Editorial: It's About the White House
Like many Americans, we have been intrigued and often exasperated by thelong-running Democratic primary and the ever smaller-bore spats betweenSenators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. So we are thankful to SenatorJohn McCain for reminding us Tuesday what this year's presidential racereally is about.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/opinion/07wed1.html?ref=opinion
-The Nominees Emerge, Hobbled
Here are two things we learned tonight. First, Barack Obama is going toalmost certainly be the Democratic nominee. He's withstood seven weeks ofbad news and he still exceeded expectations.
http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/the-nominees-emerge-hobbled/index.html?ref=opinion
-Editorial: The Death Penalty Returns
Roughly 15 death row prisoners are scheduled to be put to death between nowand October, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. This floodof executions is the result of the Supreme Court's ruling that upheld theconstitutionality of a troubling form of lethal injection. The next fewmonths, as states put their machinery of death into overdrive, are an idealtime for the nation to rethink its commitment to capital punishment.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/opinion/07wed2.html?ref=opinion
-After 60 Years, Arabs in Israel Are Outsiders
As Israel toasts its 60th anniversary in the coming weeks, rejoicing inJewish national rebirth and democratic values, the Arabs who make up 20percent of its citizens will not be celebrating. Better off and betterintegrated than ever in their history, freer than a vast majority of otherArabs, Israel's 1.3 million Arab citizens are still far less well off thanIsraeli Jews and feel increasingly unwanted.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/world/middleeast/07israel.html?hp
-As Executions Resume, So Do Questions of Fairness
The release of the third death row inmate in six months in North Carolinalast week is raising fresh questions about whether states are supplyingcapital-murder defendants with adequate counsel, even as an execution onTuesday night in Georgia ended a seven-month national suspension.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/us/07execute.html?hp
=
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-60,000 Dead or Missing in Burma
Bush Offers Navy Units, Criticizes Junta as Storm Aid Begins to ReachRangoon
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/06/AR2008050600647.html?hpid=topnews
-Medvedev Takes Russian Presidential Oath of Office
Dmitry Medvedev, a 42-year-old former law professor and protégé of VladimirPutin, was sworn in as Russia's third president Wednesday, a transfer ofpower that also represented a shift from the generation forged in the SovietUnion to the one that came of age in post-communist Russia.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/07/AR2008050700581.html?hpid=topnews
-Panel Will Subpoena Assistant to Cheney
A House Judiciary panel voted yesterday to subpoena vice presidential aideDavid S. Addington as part of a broad inquiry into the Bush administration'streatment of detainees.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/06/AR2008050602473.html?hpid=sec-politics
-McCain Says He Would Put Conservatives on Supreme Court
Highlighting an issue he plans to use aggressively in the general electioncampaign, Sen. John McCain on Tuesday decried "the common and systematicabuse of our federal courts by the people we entrust with judicial power"and pledged to nominate judges similar to the ones President Bush has placedon the bench.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/06/AR2008050602527.html?hpid=sec-politics
-Dalai Lama Envoy Upbeat on China Talks
An envoy of the Dalai Lama said on Tuesday that one-day talks with China onthe unrest in Tibet had been "a good first step" and that the two sideswould meet again after he reports back to the exiled spiritual leader.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/06/AR2008050600459.html?hpid=sec-religion?hpid=sec-religion
=
Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
- POLITICAL CORRECTNESS: The land of the almost free to speak up
By Leonard Pitts
I'd like to think it was the sangria talking.
But the plain truth is, when Anna said she doesn't find this country to beespecially free, it was Anna talking. Granted, her complaint is hardly new.
People often grouse about the lack of freedom in the land of the free.
http://www.miamiherald.com/851/story/523915.html
=
Pew Research center
http://pewresearch.org/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-The Wright Stuff: Obama's Pastor Corrals Campaign Coverage
Last week, as Obama's controversial minister re-emerged into full publicview, the controversy he generated made more news than either HillaryClinton or John McCain. Read more
-States Already Scrambling to Mend the 2012 Presidential Primary Process
While voters in Indiana and North Carolina go to the polls today to helpDemocrats pick Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama as their nominee, andRepublicans rally behind John McCain, party insiders and state electionofficials are in informal talks to improve procedures for the next contestfor the White House -- and not a moment too soon. Read more
-Family Feud - Two Perspectives on Gay Marriage
The debate over same-sex marriage in the United States is a contentious one,with vocal advocates on both sides. To explore the issues raised by gaymarriage, the Pew Forum interviewed the authors of two books on the subject:former Sen. Rick Santorum, who opposes gay marriage and, in a followinginterview, journalist Jonathan Rauch, who argues in its favor. Read more
-Papal Visit Revisited - A Boost to the Pope's Popularity
Currently, 61% of Americans say they have a favorable impression of thepontiff, up from 52% in late March, while views of his outreach to otherfaiths have also shown substantial improvement. Read more
-Pope's Visit Draws Heavy Media Coverage
The relationship between the relatively new pope and the hurting U.S. churchwas the primary story line in news reports of the pontiff's visit. Read more
-International Image - All the World's a Stage
Iraq, the war on terrorism, support for Israel and other key features ofU.S. foreign policy continue to generate animosity toward America in theMiddle East, Asia and elsewhere. On the bright side, America seems to bewinning the battle of ideas on some important fronts and improving U.S.image problems is not impossible. Read more
-Daily Number - 51% - The Party's Over
As voters head to the polls in Indiana and North Carolina, some four monthsafter Iowans caucused to kick off the nominating process, a majority (51%)of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters now says the undecidednomination contest is bad for the party, up from 27% in late February.
Slightly more than a third (35%) still see it as a good thing. Check backevery weekday for another number in the news. Read more
=
Forwarded from Susan Frishkorn
frishkorn@bellsouth.net
-John Bolton, America's ex-ambassador to the United Nations, has called forUS air strikes on Iranian camps where insurgents are trained for war inIraq. Mr Bolton said that striking Iran would represent a major steptowards victory in Iraq. While he acknowledged that the risk of a hostileIranian response harming American's overseas interests existed, he said thedamage inflicted by Tehran would be "far higher" if Washington took noaction. "This is a case where the use of military force against a trainingcamp to show the Iranians we're not going to tolerate this is really themost prudent thing to do," he said. "Then the ball would be in Iran's courtto draw the appropriate lesson to stop harming our troops."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1931520/John-Bolton-US-should-bomb-Iranian-camps.html
=
Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Dems to weigh two delegate plans
State party's leaders to discuss options for DNC; Clinton denies 'secretplan' on Mich., Fla.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/POLITICS01/805060366
-Limbaugh effort has muted effect
Yesterday's Democratic primary in Indiana was not only a big test forHillary Clinton and Barack Obama, but also a test for talk-show host RushLimbaugh, the self-proclaimed commander in chief of "Operation Chaos."
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/05/07/limbaugh_effort_has_muted_effect/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Today%27s+paper+A+to+Z
-Votes cast along racial fault lines, exit polls show
Candidates hold largely on to core support groups
Deep racial divisions emerged in yesterday's critical Democratic primaries,with African-American voters overwhelmingly supporting Senator Barack Obamaand whites casting their votes solidly with Senator Hillary Clinton in bothNorth Carolina and Indiana, according to exit polls.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/05/07/votes_cast_along_racial_fault_lines_exit_polls_show/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Today%27s+paper+A+to+Z
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
FLORIDA DIGEST May 7, 2008
**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.
=
Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Keep religion where it belongs
ISSUE: City Commission revives clergy-led prayers.
Deerfield Beach government has been involved in plenty of divisive battlesin recent years, and what is going on now only adds to city hall's dubiouslore.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-editgsdeerfieldsbmay07,0,2383955.story
=
Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Solve hate crimes
The recent spate of hate crimes against Jewish interests in Florida is ofvital importance to the entire community. Ascribing the desecration andburning of temples and Torah scrolls to kids' vandalism or pranks flies inthe face of Holocaust history and the six million innocents murdered by theNazis.
http://www.miamiherald.com/456/story/523910.html
-Cutting Tri-Rail funding shortsighted
OUR OPINION: COUNTIES MUST KEEP UP SUPPORT FOR TRAIN SERVICE
This makes no sense, no sense at all. The increasingly successful Tri-Railcommuter service is on the verge of being sidetracked for lack of adedicated funding (blame the Legislature) and a threat by Palm Beach Countyto cut its train appropriation by almost half next year.
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/523906.html
=
Steve Rothaus
http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/steve_rothaus/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-SAVE congratulates Carlos J. Martinez, elected Miami-Dade County's 'firstopenly gay' public defender
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/
=
From South Florida Social Circle
http://visitor.constantcontact.com/optin.jsp?edit=t&v=001mXHD3JkBT2i-P8HBq_kt4Ani3lGjwWItbqs0UducrKCuZ_N4W0T-s2S0cqd98HD5fW1ANFKurhE%3D
-Memorial Day Weekend "Tea Cruise!" Sunday, May 25th.
A fabulous 3 hour cruise on a Sunday afternoon (3PM - 6PM) on theinteracostal waterways of Fort Lauderdale. Entertainment, music, horsdevours, cash bar & FREE Parking at Court House Garage. All tickets $20with reservation by this Wednesday May 7th. Call Peter 954-649-1107. Tellhim South Florida Social Circle Sent You!
-Joe Posa Poses" Dinner Show at Lips! One night only!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008. (5:30 Happy Hour) 6:00 Dinner. 7:15 Show.
Joe Posa, "The man behind the women", "gogo boy turned drag diva" featuresJoan Rivers, Liza and Barbara in a multimedia performance that has beenfeatured on cruise ships and in theatres worldwide! "Joe arrests the lookand spirit of these divas!" "He pulls the audience in and holds themcaptive" "Most amazing transformation"
For "Joe Posa Poses" reservations please call Peter/954-649-1107
=
Palm Beach Post
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Attorney: Okeechobee High gay club was too late
The principal at Okeechobee High School barred a student from reviving aGay-Straight Alliance last month because it was too late in the school year,not because of the nature of the club, according to an attorney for theOkeechobee County School District.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/treasurecoast/content/tcoast/epaper/2008/05/06/0506ogay.html
=
Forwarded from Michael Emanuel Rajner
merajner@gmail.com
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article
-Sex Ed for Palm Beach Preteens
Beginning in May, middle schools in Florida's Palm Beach County will provide comprehensive sex education for their sixth-grade students, includinglessons on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy andcontraceptives, the Palm Beach Post reports In addition to lessons onabstinence, students will learn how to protect themselves from STIs andunwanted pregnancies if they choose to have sex. Starting this month,sixth-grade students will learn about condoms and other forms ofcontraceptives while seventh graders discuss different types of STDs,including HIV. By eighth grade, students must be able to identifycontraceptives and how they work, as well as identify STI symptoms and modesof transmission.
http://www.poz.com/articles/florida_sex_ed_hiv_1_14511.shtml
=
AquaGirl.08 - More than a Party
South Beach May 14-18
Join us for 14 spectacular social and cultural events for women who lovewomen. For additional information please visit
www.aquagirl.org or call 305.576.AQUA
=
Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Our position: Lawmakers blew their chance to make a difference in a tightbudget year
The truest test of leadership is how government responds in tough times.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-ed07108may07,0,1976320.story
-Some angry South Florida leaders want to create a separate state
North Lauderdale's City Commission, angry at the Legislature, asks citiesand counties to join the effort.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-08may07,0,2428225.story
-Reservoir larger than Manhattan planned to help Everglades
Around South Florida's vast sugar cane fields, where turtles grow to thesize of basketballs and alligators own the marsh, the silence of the swampis broken by the sound of rumbling trucks and explosions.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EVERGLADES_RESERVOIR_FLOL-?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-05-06-13-15-32
-Democrats move boldly in South Florida
In a packed social center in the heart of South Florida's most Republicancity, elderly Cuban-American voters warmly greet a congressional candidate.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article492377.ece
-Palm Beach County commissioners blast the 2008 legislative session
State legislators who authorized deep cuts in school funding, health care,juvenile justice services and transportation programs drew a sharp rebuketoday from Palm Beach County commissioners who blasted the 2008 lawmakingsession as "brutally bad" and "a horrible job."
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-0506commissioners,0,222309.story
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
=
Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Keep religion where it belongs
ISSUE: City Commission revives clergy-led prayers.
Deerfield Beach government has been involved in plenty of divisive battlesin recent years, and what is going on now only adds to city hall's dubiouslore.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-editgsdeerfieldsbmay07,0,2383955.story
=
Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Solve hate crimes
The recent spate of hate crimes against Jewish interests in Florida is ofvital importance to the entire community. Ascribing the desecration andburning of temples and Torah scrolls to kids' vandalism or pranks flies inthe face of Holocaust history and the six million innocents murdered by theNazis.
http://www.miamiherald.com/456/story/523910.html
-Cutting Tri-Rail funding shortsighted
OUR OPINION: COUNTIES MUST KEEP UP SUPPORT FOR TRAIN SERVICE
This makes no sense, no sense at all. The increasingly successful Tri-Railcommuter service is on the verge of being sidetracked for lack of adedicated funding (blame the Legislature) and a threat by Palm Beach Countyto cut its train appropriation by almost half next year.
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/523906.html
=
Steve Rothaus
http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/steve_rothaus/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-SAVE congratulates Carlos J. Martinez, elected Miami-Dade County's 'firstopenly gay' public defender
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/
=
From South Florida Social Circle
http://visitor.constantcontact.com/optin.jsp?edit=t&v=001mXHD3JkBT2i-P8HBq_kt4Ani3lGjwWItbqs0UducrKCuZ_N4W0T-s2S0cqd98HD5fW1ANFKurhE%3D
-Memorial Day Weekend "Tea Cruise!" Sunday, May 25th.
A fabulous 3 hour cruise on a Sunday afternoon (3PM - 6PM) on theinteracostal waterways of Fort Lauderdale. Entertainment, music, horsdevours, cash bar & FREE Parking at Court House Garage. All tickets $20with reservation by this Wednesday May 7th. Call Peter 954-649-1107. Tellhim South Florida Social Circle Sent You!
-Joe Posa Poses" Dinner Show at Lips! One night only!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008. (5:30 Happy Hour) 6:00 Dinner. 7:15 Show.
Joe Posa, "The man behind the women", "gogo boy turned drag diva" featuresJoan Rivers, Liza and Barbara in a multimedia performance that has beenfeatured on cruise ships and in theatres worldwide! "Joe arrests the lookand spirit of these divas!" "He pulls the audience in and holds themcaptive" "Most amazing transformation"
For "Joe Posa Poses" reservations please call Peter/954-649-1107
=
Palm Beach Post
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Attorney: Okeechobee High gay club was too late
The principal at Okeechobee High School barred a student from reviving aGay-Straight Alliance last month because it was too late in the school year,not because of the nature of the club, according to an attorney for theOkeechobee County School District.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/treasurecoast/content/tcoast/epaper/2008/05/06/0506ogay.html
=
Forwarded from Michael Emanuel Rajner
merajner@gmail.com
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article
-Sex Ed for Palm Beach Preteens
Beginning in May, middle schools in Florida's Palm Beach County will provide comprehensive sex education for their sixth-grade students, includinglessons on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy andcontraceptives, the Palm Beach Post reports In addition to lessons onabstinence, students will learn how to protect themselves from STIs andunwanted pregnancies if they choose to have sex. Starting this month,sixth-grade students will learn about condoms and other forms ofcontraceptives while seventh graders discuss different types of STDs,including HIV. By eighth grade, students must be able to identifycontraceptives and how they work, as well as identify STI symptoms and modesof transmission.
http://www.poz.com/articles/florida_sex_ed_hiv_1_14511.shtml
=
AquaGirl.08 - More than a Party
South Beach May 14-18
Join us for 14 spectacular social and cultural events for women who lovewomen. For additional information please visit
www.aquagirl.org or call 305.576.AQUA
=
Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Our position: Lawmakers blew their chance to make a difference in a tightbudget year
The truest test of leadership is how government responds in tough times.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-ed07108may07,0,1976320.story
-Some angry South Florida leaders want to create a separate state
North Lauderdale's City Commission, angry at the Legislature, asks citiesand counties to join the effort.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-08may07,0,2428225.story
-Reservoir larger than Manhattan planned to help Everglades
Around South Florida's vast sugar cane fields, where turtles grow to thesize of basketballs and alligators own the marsh, the silence of the swampis broken by the sound of rumbling trucks and explosions.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EVERGLADES_RESERVOIR_FLOL-?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-05-06-13-15-32
-Democrats move boldly in South Florida
In a packed social center in the heart of South Florida's most Republicancity, elderly Cuban-American voters warmly greet a congressional candidate.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article492377.ece
-Palm Beach County commissioners blast the 2008 legislative session
State legislators who authorized deep cuts in school funding, health care,juvenile justice services and transportation programs drew a sharp rebuketoday from Palm Beach County commissioners who blasted the 2008 lawmakingsession as "brutally bad" and "a horrible job."
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-0506commissioners,0,222309.story
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
GLBT DIGEST May 6, 2008
**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:
-Mildred Loving, Who Fought Ban on Mixed Marriage, Dies at 68
Mildred Loving, a black woman whose anger over being banished from Virginiafor marrying a white man led to a landmark Supreme Court ruling overturningstate miscegenation laws, died on May 2 at her home in Central Point, Va.She was 68.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/06/us/06loving.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=GAY&st=nyt&oref=slogin
-McCain criticizes Obama for vote against chief justice
Republican John McCain is castigating Democrat Barack Obama for votingagainst John Roberts as Supreme Court chief justice.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-McCain-Judges.html?scp=3&sq=GAY&st=nyt
-Gay former N.J. gov's divorce trial to begin in closed court
After two tell-all books, tawdry sex claims and 3 1/2 years of living apart,New Jersey's gay former governor and his estranged wife are finally facingoff in divorce court.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Gay-Governor-Divorce.html?scp=6&sq=GAY&st=nyt
-Republican Evangelical Support Has Peaked: Analyst
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain will almostcertainly garner less of the evangelical vote in November than the almost 80percent that President George W. Bush took in 2004, a former top Bush aidesaid on Monday.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/washington/politics-usa-politics-evangelicals.html?scp=9&sq=GAY&st=nyt
=
Steve Rothaus
http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/steve_rothaus/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-ACLU: Teens outed by principal were not publicly displaying affection
Monday, I spoke with Chris Hampton of the ACLU's national LGBT Project. Sheassured me that both Memphis teens outed by their high school principal werenot kissing, hugging or doing anything sexual at school.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/
=
Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-Judge orders Ga. Tech gay 'Safe Space' program to drop religious references
Group's website had described some faiths as anti-gay
A gay student group at Georgia Tech, known as Safe Space and funded bystudent activity fees, cannot include information in its training materialsand website that labels certain religions in a negative context because oftheir views on homosexuality, a federal judge ruled last week.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=18109
-Stage set for Pa. Senate vote on gay marriage, civil unions
Vote in full Senate is likely for Wed.
The stage is set for the full Pennsylvania Senate to vote on aconstitutional amendment that would outlaw same-sex marriage and civilunions in Pennsylvania.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=18103
-John Gibson Mocks Rachel Maddow's Sexuality: "Ooh, Lesbians! Yummy!"
On his radio show yesterday, Fox News host John Gibson made fun of AirAmerica host/MSNBC analyst Rachel Maddow, playing a clip that says "Ooh,lesbians! Yummy!" after airing audio of her discussing media coverage ofJeremiah Wright. Maddow is a lesbian.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/02/john-gibson-mocks-rachel_n_99898.html
=
365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-McCain Promotes Conservative Stand On Supreme Court Nominations
(Winston-Salem, North Carolina) Republican John McCain castigated DemocratBarack Obama for voting against John Roberts as Supreme Court chief justicein a speech about the kind of judges McCain would nominate.
-Indiana, NC To Settle Largest Remaining Contests
(Evansville, Indiana) Like marathoners on their second wind, Barack Obamaand Hillary Rodham Clinton raced for advantage until the final hours in thecampaign for the Indiana and North Carolina primaries Tuesday.
-Kiss Lands Mass. Gay Couple In Trouble With Police
(George Town, Grand Cayman) A gay couple from Massachusetts was detained bypolice after kissing on the dance floor of a popular club on Grand Cayman.
-Anti-Gay Amendment Advances In Pennsylvania
(Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) A proposed constitutional amendment that wouldbar same-sex marriage and civil unions in Pennsylvania passed a keycommittee on Monday and is now headed for a full vote on the Senate floor.
-Gay Ex-NJ Gov Divorce Trial Promises Sordid Details
(Trenton, New Jersey) New Jersey's former first couple is finally about tobecome unhitched, and it figures to be especially messy.
-School District Stands Behind Principal Who Outed Gay Teen Couple
(Memphis, Tennessee) A principal who outed two gay students, claiming theywere a couple, did nothing wrong the Memphis Schools board says.
-Civil Union Bill Dropped Over Veto Threat
(Canberra) The Australian Capital Territory has dropped plans forlegislation allowing civil unions for same-sex couples following a weekendthreat by the federal government to veto the proposal.
-Clinton More Like Bush Than McCain?
(Indianapolis, Indiana) Barack Obama likened Hillary Rodham Clinton toPresident Bush for threatening to "totally obliterate" Iran if it attacksIsrael and called her gas-tax holiday a gimmick as he tried to fend off herchallenge ahead of two pivotal Democratic primaries.
=
National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-Is Being Well Hung the Key to Happiness?
Things were not looking good for Josh (not his real name). He had lost allthe money he'd made as a day trader. To make matters worse, his longtimegirlfriend walked out on him, taking all the furniture and whatever else shecould carry. By any measure, it was rock bottom. But when Josh's friendsmobilized the rescue crew, they were astounded: Josh appeared to be totallyunfazed.
-African American Delegate Makes History
It's beginning to look like the Democrats might not have an official nomineebefore their August 25th national convention. That could bestowunprecedented power to delegates to determine the party's officialcandidate. When party bigwigs meet in Denver, they'll share the room withtwo transgender activists. The first, Diego Sanchez was appointed by the DNCchairman himself-Howard Dean. The second, Marisa Richmond, is the party'sfirst openly transgender African-American delegate.
=
Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-San Francisco Chronicle, August 27, 2006 - In an adroit end-run against aVatican ban on granting adoptions to same-sex couples, Catholic Charities ofSan Francisco will launch a new project in coming weeks that experts saywill lead to the placement of hundreds of foster children around the stateevery year.
While the agency will no longer directly place children in homes, it willprovide staff and financial resources to connect needy children to adoptiveparents, expanding from 25 placements a year to assisting in the adoptionsof as many as 800 children annually, say those involved in the program.
-The Catholic Action League of Massachusetts has criticized state leaders ofthe Knights of Columbus for refusing to allow a vote at their annualconvention on a measure that would have required suspension of themembership of politicians who support abortion or same-sex marriage. [...]Two-thirds of K of C members who serve in the Massachusetts legislaturerecently voted in favor or a proposal to expand "buffer zones" outsideabortion clinics, while more than three-quarters voted against aconstitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage.
=
From Stonewall Democrats
I wanted to take a moment today to report to you the results of ourinaugural Stonewall Census. This past December, we conducted an in-depthsurvey of the opinions and priorities of our members.
The Stonewall Census surveyed our membership on a range of subjectsincluding voting priorities, Democratic participation and satisfaction withour work. The responses are invaluable and continue to inform our programs.
As a service to you, we would like to provide you with the results of ourStonewall Census. Stonewall Census Report:
http://www.stonewalldemocrats.org/stonewallcensus.pdf
=
Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-"Russian Madonna" reluctant to be a gay icon
She has had 17 number one singles and is reputed to have sold over 100million records. Valeriya is undoubtedly a Russian superstar.PinkNews.co.uk's Adam Lake met up with Eastern diva.
-Day of Silence participants attacked by thugs in St Petersburg
Three prominent Russian gay rights activists were attacked at a non-violentprotest on Saturday. The homophobic assailants were dressed as rappers,according to Interfax. They fled as police approached.
-Modovan gay activists hopeful their Pride march will not be banned
A range of events planned by the gay and lesbian community in the easternEuropean nation of Moldova should go ahead this year without interferencefrom the authorities. For the past three years public events have beenbanned by authorities in the capital city Chisinau.
-Royal blackmailer to appeal conviction
One of the two men sentenced last week to five years in prison forattempting to blackmail a member of the Royal family over gay allegationswill appeal. A lawyer for 31-year-old Ian Strachan told The Scotsman thatthere was no blackmail.
-Australian government stands by ban on gay marriage
The Australian government's decision to refuse same-sex marriages has beencompared to slavery by gay rights groups. Last week the Australiangovernment announced more than 100 reforms.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Go to the links for the following articles:
Contact rays.list@comcast.net if can't access the article
-College Students - Partner Preference Survey
Hi! My name is Kristi Young, and I am a graduate student at New MexicoState University working to complete a degree in Marriage and FamilyTherapy. I am currently working on my thesis in which I am exploring mateselection and how individuals choose partners. Because most of thescientific research in the field of mate selection has been carried outthrough studying responses of heterosexual individuals, I am interested inhow gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals decide (1) whichindividuals they would like to date in the short-term, and (2) whatqualities are of interest regarding long-term, committed partners. Toexplore these issues, I have posted a survey online, with the hopes ofgathering information from heterosexual and homosexual college students. Iwill then perform data analyses on this data to check for similarities anddifferences across the two groups. Survey Link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=g_2fx2C17ePtwwC7iX_2fsm0Lw_3d_3d
-An important video about homophobia
This is a video about homophobia set to the words and music of Jewel. Itonly takes a few moments to view and has a profound message. Please feelfree to share the video with others.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qBWFo14VDw
-Launch of the website of the International Resource Network
the International Resource Network (IRN) was created to connect researchersfrom both academic and community bases across the global in areas related todiverse sexualities and genders. The International Resource Network acts asan international clearinghouse with contact information, summaries ofholdings and work, web links to regional projects. Additionally, the IRNfosters new and creative work through the development of regional workingpapers and journals. The reception will be held on May 9, 2007 at 6pm in theSkylight room of the Graduate Center, City University of New York, locatedat 365 Fifth Avenue, New York,
NY 10016. Please RSVP to: irn@gc.cuny.edu
=
Forwarded from Euro-Queer
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article:
-CALL AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA
We are Meeting against Homophobia!
Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Association organizethe Third International Anti-Homophobia Meeting during 12-19 May 2008 inAnkara. Addressing the date on which the World Health Organization droppedhomosexuality from its disease list, 17 May International Day AgainstHomophobia is the day for standing and acting against all physical, moraland symbolic types of violence targeting sexual identities and sexualorientations. This day aims to be in coordination with all initiativesstruggling for the equality of humankind through inspiring and supportingthem.[...] We would like to invite you to this Meeting, in which ideas on aworld where LGBT people and heterosexuals are freed together will be sharedand discussed.
www.antihomofobi.org
www.kaosgl.org
-Members of the Orthodox community demand to re-establish criminal liabilityfor homosexuality
Kaliningrad: Activists of the Orthodox monarchial organization "RussianVanguard" picketed the concert of gay singer Boris Moiseyev in Kaliningrad.
"Kaliningrad administration authorities banned us from picketing the concertof Moiseyev pursuant to Article 23 on personal security of the RussianConstitution. Thus, the authorities say that they are going to protecthomosexuals, and we disagree with that," said the leader of this movementAlexander Klementyev to Interfax. According to Klementyev, "the fear of theofficials who protect Moiseyev's rights for this concert is unclear, as theyat the same time violate our own right to say "no" to the singer."
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=4640
-Because of the challenges faced by gay bathhouses in Beijing and othercities like police raid, our group, Beijing Aizhixing Institute, iscollecting information on gay bathhouse, public health policies and HIVprograms worldwide. The purpose of the information collection is to findgood policies and advocate for good policies in China. Any suggestion orsupport is appreciated.
=
Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Two faces of Abby
Dear Abby's pen is double-edged: One side dispenses her solid, homespunadvice; the other, according to critics, promotes a faddish,post-traditional, anything-goes approach to sexual morality.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080501/FAMILY/135829732
-Female may claim high Senate post
A shake-up could well be coming to the Democratic good ole boy leadership inthe Utah Senate, making way for the first female Senate leader in Utahhistory, Republican or Democrat.
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695274701,00.html
-Man's beating death is feared to be a hate crime
The March 27 beating and robbery of a man in the Camp Washingtonneighborhood has raised fears that he was targeted because he was gay.
http://www.gaypeopleschronicle.com/stories08/may/0502083.htm
-A Voice Badly Needed
Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and also has thehighest rate of HIV infection. With massive political upheaval compoundingits economic woes, at times in recent years as many as 80 percent of thepopulation has been unemployed. In a population of roughly eight million,there are an estimated 150,000 AIDS orphans and though women make up roughlyhalf the estimated HIV cases, only one in five of those who are pregnantreceive treatment to prevent transmission of the virus to their newborns,according to a 2006 report issued by UNAIDS, the Joint United NationsProgramme for HIV/ AIDS.
http://gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19652242&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=568864&rfi=6
-Endangering A Transgender Youth To Tell A Story
Joelle Farrell and John Sullivan are the bylined writers of a PhiladelphiaInquirer (Philly.com) piece entitled School challenge: Transgender studentis age 9. Incredibly, the article gave out information that could helpidentify the specific daytime whereabouts and nighttime neighborhood of anine year old transgender youth.
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=5281
-Future Unclear for Faith-Based Initiatives
The seventh anniversary of President George W. Bush's Faith Based Initiativepassed quietly. Interestingly, as Sarah Pulliam reported for ChristianityToday, candidates John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama "have eachvoiced support for federal funding of faith- based social services."
http://www.zcommunications.org/zmag/viewArticle/17497
-Whatever Happened to Zach?
He's back, and he talked to Morgan Jon Fox for his forthcoming documentary,"This Is What Love In Action Looks Like."
Zach was the sixteen-year-old gay teen who, in 2005, gained worldwideattention when he wrote on his MySpace blog about coming out to his parents.
They quickly shipped him off to Love Won Out's Refuge program for teens. Butbefore entering the program, Zach posted Love In Action's rules online foreveryone to see, and those rules provide a very revealing glimpse into thevery strange world of Love In Action. After weeks of protest and worldwidecondemnation, the Refuge program was finally shut down. But Love In Actionremains active, a dark stain on an ex-gay movement running amok with nooversight or accountability.
http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/05/1941
-Biblical teachings and homosexuality debated
The debate on homosexuality attracted 40 participants Thursday evening whenstudents and faculty met in Lindsey Auditorium for a screening of thedocumentary "For the Bible tells me so."
http://media.www.duclarion.com/media/storage/paper481/news/2008/05/06/Features/Biblical.Teachings.And.Homosexuality.Debated-3365135.shtml
-McCain Endorser Pastor Hagee's 'Thrilling' Scenario Includes Nuclear Strikeon US Coasts
The initial controversy over Pastor John Hagee's highly public endorsementof Senator John McCain's presidential bid, at a nationally televised pressconference viewed potentially by millions of Americans, arose when theCatholic League, a far-right Catholic defense organization headed by WilliamDonahue, attacked the endorsement on the basis that Hagee was virulentlyanti-Catholic. Beyond Hagee's demonizing of Catholics and Catholicism,pastor Hagee appears radically anti-American to the extent that he hopes andexpects, as evidenced by a 2006 Hagee appearance on WHYY's "Fresh Air" radioshow and also in Hagee's 2006 best-seller "Jerusalem Countdown", that Godwill incinerate most Americans now living - with a nuclear strike onAmerica's coastal regions. In 2006 Presidential hopeful John McCain appearedto hold a similar view on possible outcomes of a US war with Iran. In anApril 2nd, 2006 appearance on Meet The Press, Senator John McCain,describing to Tim Russert McCain's view of the possible result of a US warwith Iran, declared war with Iran "could be Armageddon".
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2008/5/2/92739/11686
-Jamaican singers banned in Guyana
Guyanese authorities have banned a Jamaican reggae artist known for anti-gaylyrics from performing in the South American country. Bounty Killer,performing in 2005, has faced opposition in Britain and Germany overanti-gay lyrics. Interior Minister Clement Rohee said Bounty Killer is nolonger welcome because gunfire erupted at an April 19 concert.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/04/29/guyana.singers.ap/index.html
-PERSPECTIVE: A Crisis, and a Riddle Too
It's hard to explain, but black youth contract the AIDS virus more oftenthan their white and Latino peers. Yet when we look at the sexual behaviorof these young men, there seems to be little difference.
http://gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19652802&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=590557&rfi=6
=
[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:
-Mildred Loving, Who Fought Ban on Mixed Marriage, Dies at 68
Mildred Loving, a black woman whose anger over being banished from Virginiafor marrying a white man led to a landmark Supreme Court ruling overturningstate miscegenation laws, died on May 2 at her home in Central Point, Va.She was 68.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/06/us/06loving.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=GAY&st=nyt&oref=slogin
-McCain criticizes Obama for vote against chief justice
Republican John McCain is castigating Democrat Barack Obama for votingagainst John Roberts as Supreme Court chief justice.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-McCain-Judges.html?scp=3&sq=GAY&st=nyt
-Gay former N.J. gov's divorce trial to begin in closed court
After two tell-all books, tawdry sex claims and 3 1/2 years of living apart,New Jersey's gay former governor and his estranged wife are finally facingoff in divorce court.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Gay-Governor-Divorce.html?scp=6&sq=GAY&st=nyt
-Republican Evangelical Support Has Peaked: Analyst
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain will almostcertainly garner less of the evangelical vote in November than the almost 80percent that President George W. Bush took in 2004, a former top Bush aidesaid on Monday.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/washington/politics-usa-politics-evangelicals.html?scp=9&sq=GAY&st=nyt
=
Steve Rothaus
http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/steve_rothaus/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-ACLU: Teens outed by principal were not publicly displaying affection
Monday, I spoke with Chris Hampton of the ACLU's national LGBT Project. Sheassured me that both Memphis teens outed by their high school principal werenot kissing, hugging or doing anything sexual at school.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/
=
Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-Judge orders Ga. Tech gay 'Safe Space' program to drop religious references
Group's website had described some faiths as anti-gay
A gay student group at Georgia Tech, known as Safe Space and funded bystudent activity fees, cannot include information in its training materialsand website that labels certain religions in a negative context because oftheir views on homosexuality, a federal judge ruled last week.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=18109
-Stage set for Pa. Senate vote on gay marriage, civil unions
Vote in full Senate is likely for Wed.
The stage is set for the full Pennsylvania Senate to vote on aconstitutional amendment that would outlaw same-sex marriage and civilunions in Pennsylvania.
http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=18103
-John Gibson Mocks Rachel Maddow's Sexuality: "Ooh, Lesbians! Yummy!"
On his radio show yesterday, Fox News host John Gibson made fun of AirAmerica host/MSNBC analyst Rachel Maddow, playing a clip that says "Ooh,lesbians! Yummy!" after airing audio of her discussing media coverage ofJeremiah Wright. Maddow is a lesbian.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/02/john-gibson-mocks-rachel_n_99898.html
=
365Gay.com
http://www.365gay.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-McCain Promotes Conservative Stand On Supreme Court Nominations
(Winston-Salem, North Carolina) Republican John McCain castigated DemocratBarack Obama for voting against John Roberts as Supreme Court chief justicein a speech about the kind of judges McCain would nominate.
-Indiana, NC To Settle Largest Remaining Contests
(Evansville, Indiana) Like marathoners on their second wind, Barack Obamaand Hillary Rodham Clinton raced for advantage until the final hours in thecampaign for the Indiana and North Carolina primaries Tuesday.
-Kiss Lands Mass. Gay Couple In Trouble With Police
(George Town, Grand Cayman) A gay couple from Massachusetts was detained bypolice after kissing on the dance floor of a popular club on Grand Cayman.
-Anti-Gay Amendment Advances In Pennsylvania
(Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) A proposed constitutional amendment that wouldbar same-sex marriage and civil unions in Pennsylvania passed a keycommittee on Monday and is now headed for a full vote on the Senate floor.
-Gay Ex-NJ Gov Divorce Trial Promises Sordid Details
(Trenton, New Jersey) New Jersey's former first couple is finally about tobecome unhitched, and it figures to be especially messy.
-School District Stands Behind Principal Who Outed Gay Teen Couple
(Memphis, Tennessee) A principal who outed two gay students, claiming theywere a couple, did nothing wrong the Memphis Schools board says.
-Civil Union Bill Dropped Over Veto Threat
(Canberra) The Australian Capital Territory has dropped plans forlegislation allowing civil unions for same-sex couples following a weekendthreat by the federal government to veto the proposal.
-Clinton More Like Bush Than McCain?
(Indianapolis, Indiana) Barack Obama likened Hillary Rodham Clinton toPresident Bush for threatening to "totally obliterate" Iran if it attacksIsrael and called her gas-tax holiday a gimmick as he tried to fend off herchallenge ahead of two pivotal Democratic primaries.
=
National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-Is Being Well Hung the Key to Happiness?
Things were not looking good for Josh (not his real name). He had lost allthe money he'd made as a day trader. To make matters worse, his longtimegirlfriend walked out on him, taking all the furniture and whatever else shecould carry. By any measure, it was rock bottom. But when Josh's friendsmobilized the rescue crew, they were astounded: Josh appeared to be totallyunfazed.
-African American Delegate Makes History
It's beginning to look like the Democrats might not have an official nomineebefore their August 25th national convention. That could bestowunprecedented power to delegates to determine the party's officialcandidate. When party bigwigs meet in Denver, they'll share the room withtwo transgender activists. The first, Diego Sanchez was appointed by the DNCchairman himself-Howard Dean. The second, Marisa Richmond, is the party'sfirst openly transgender African-American delegate.
=
Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-San Francisco Chronicle, August 27, 2006 - In an adroit end-run against aVatican ban on granting adoptions to same-sex couples, Catholic Charities ofSan Francisco will launch a new project in coming weeks that experts saywill lead to the placement of hundreds of foster children around the stateevery year.
While the agency will no longer directly place children in homes, it willprovide staff and financial resources to connect needy children to adoptiveparents, expanding from 25 placements a year to assisting in the adoptionsof as many as 800 children annually, say those involved in the program.
-The Catholic Action League of Massachusetts has criticized state leaders ofthe Knights of Columbus for refusing to allow a vote at their annualconvention on a measure that would have required suspension of themembership of politicians who support abortion or same-sex marriage. [...]Two-thirds of K of C members who serve in the Massachusetts legislaturerecently voted in favor or a proposal to expand "buffer zones" outsideabortion clinics, while more than three-quarters voted against aconstitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage.
=
From Stonewall Democrats
I wanted to take a moment today to report to you the results of ourinaugural Stonewall Census. This past December, we conducted an in-depthsurvey of the opinions and priorities of our members.
The Stonewall Census surveyed our membership on a range of subjectsincluding voting priorities, Democratic participation and satisfaction withour work. The responses are invaluable and continue to inform our programs.
As a service to you, we would like to provide you with the results of ourStonewall Census. Stonewall Census Report:
http://www.stonewalldemocrats.org/stonewallcensus.pdf
=
Pink News - UK
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-"Russian Madonna" reluctant to be a gay icon
She has had 17 number one singles and is reputed to have sold over 100million records. Valeriya is undoubtedly a Russian superstar.PinkNews.co.uk's Adam Lake met up with Eastern diva.
-Day of Silence participants attacked by thugs in St Petersburg
Three prominent Russian gay rights activists were attacked at a non-violentprotest on Saturday. The homophobic assailants were dressed as rappers,according to Interfax. They fled as police approached.
-Modovan gay activists hopeful their Pride march will not be banned
A range of events planned by the gay and lesbian community in the easternEuropean nation of Moldova should go ahead this year without interferencefrom the authorities. For the past three years public events have beenbanned by authorities in the capital city Chisinau.
-Royal blackmailer to appeal conviction
One of the two men sentenced last week to five years in prison forattempting to blackmail a member of the Royal family over gay allegationswill appeal. A lawyer for 31-year-old Ian Strachan told The Scotsman thatthere was no blackmail.
-Australian government stands by ban on gay marriage
The Australian government's decision to refuse same-sex marriages has beencompared to slavery by gay rights groups. Last week the Australiangovernment announced more than 100 reforms.
=
Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Go to the links for the following articles:
Contact rays.list@comcast.net if can't access the article
-College Students - Partner Preference Survey
Hi! My name is Kristi Young, and I am a graduate student at New MexicoState University working to complete a degree in Marriage and FamilyTherapy. I am currently working on my thesis in which I am exploring mateselection and how individuals choose partners. Because most of thescientific research in the field of mate selection has been carried outthrough studying responses of heterosexual individuals, I am interested inhow gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals decide (1) whichindividuals they would like to date in the short-term, and (2) whatqualities are of interest regarding long-term, committed partners. Toexplore these issues, I have posted a survey online, with the hopes ofgathering information from heterosexual and homosexual college students. Iwill then perform data analyses on this data to check for similarities anddifferences across the two groups. Survey Link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=g_2fx2C17ePtwwC7iX_2fsm0Lw_3d_3d
-An important video about homophobia
This is a video about homophobia set to the words and music of Jewel. Itonly takes a few moments to view and has a profound message. Please feelfree to share the video with others.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qBWFo14VDw
-Launch of the website of the International Resource Network
the International Resource Network (IRN) was created to connect researchersfrom both academic and community bases across the global in areas related todiverse sexualities and genders. The International Resource Network acts asan international clearinghouse with contact information, summaries ofholdings and work, web links to regional projects. Additionally, the IRNfosters new and creative work through the development of regional workingpapers and journals. The reception will be held on May 9, 2007 at 6pm in theSkylight room of the Graduate Center, City University of New York, locatedat 365 Fifth Avenue, New York,
NY 10016. Please RSVP to: irn@gc.cuny.edu
=
Forwarded from Euro-Queer
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article:
-CALL AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA
We are Meeting against Homophobia!
Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Association organizethe Third International Anti-Homophobia Meeting during 12-19 May 2008 inAnkara. Addressing the date on which the World Health Organization droppedhomosexuality from its disease list, 17 May International Day AgainstHomophobia is the day for standing and acting against all physical, moraland symbolic types of violence targeting sexual identities and sexualorientations. This day aims to be in coordination with all initiativesstruggling for the equality of humankind through inspiring and supportingthem.[...] We would like to invite you to this Meeting, in which ideas on aworld where LGBT people and heterosexuals are freed together will be sharedand discussed.
www.antihomofobi.org
www.kaosgl.org
-Members of the Orthodox community demand to re-establish criminal liabilityfor homosexuality
Kaliningrad: Activists of the Orthodox monarchial organization "RussianVanguard" picketed the concert of gay singer Boris Moiseyev in Kaliningrad.
"Kaliningrad administration authorities banned us from picketing the concertof Moiseyev pursuant to Article 23 on personal security of the RussianConstitution. Thus, the authorities say that they are going to protecthomosexuals, and we disagree with that," said the leader of this movementAlexander Klementyev to Interfax. According to Klementyev, "the fear of theofficials who protect Moiseyev's rights for this concert is unclear, as theyat the same time violate our own right to say "no" to the singer."
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=4640
-Because of the challenges faced by gay bathhouses in Beijing and othercities like police raid, our group, Beijing Aizhixing Institute, iscollecting information on gay bathhouse, public health policies and HIVprograms worldwide. The purpose of the information collection is to findgood policies and advocate for good policies in China. Any suggestion orsupport is appreciated.
=
Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Two faces of Abby
Dear Abby's pen is double-edged: One side dispenses her solid, homespunadvice; the other, according to critics, promotes a faddish,post-traditional, anything-goes approach to sexual morality.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080501/FAMILY/135829732
-Female may claim high Senate post
A shake-up could well be coming to the Democratic good ole boy leadership inthe Utah Senate, making way for the first female Senate leader in Utahhistory, Republican or Democrat.
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695274701,00.html
-Man's beating death is feared to be a hate crime
The March 27 beating and robbery of a man in the Camp Washingtonneighborhood has raised fears that he was targeted because he was gay.
http://www.gaypeopleschronicle.com/stories08/may/0502083.htm
-A Voice Badly Needed
Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and also has thehighest rate of HIV infection. With massive political upheaval compoundingits economic woes, at times in recent years as many as 80 percent of thepopulation has been unemployed. In a population of roughly eight million,there are an estimated 150,000 AIDS orphans and though women make up roughlyhalf the estimated HIV cases, only one in five of those who are pregnantreceive treatment to prevent transmission of the virus to their newborns,according to a 2006 report issued by UNAIDS, the Joint United NationsProgramme for HIV/ AIDS.
http://gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19652242&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=568864&rfi=6
-Endangering A Transgender Youth To Tell A Story
Joelle Farrell and John Sullivan are the bylined writers of a PhiladelphiaInquirer (Philly.com) piece entitled School challenge: Transgender studentis age 9. Incredibly, the article gave out information that could helpidentify the specific daytime whereabouts and nighttime neighborhood of anine year old transgender youth.
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=5281
-Future Unclear for Faith-Based Initiatives
The seventh anniversary of President George W. Bush's Faith Based Initiativepassed quietly. Interestingly, as Sarah Pulliam reported for ChristianityToday, candidates John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama "have eachvoiced support for federal funding of faith- based social services."
http://www.zcommunications.org/zmag/viewArticle/17497
-Whatever Happened to Zach?
He's back, and he talked to Morgan Jon Fox for his forthcoming documentary,"This Is What Love In Action Looks Like."
Zach was the sixteen-year-old gay teen who, in 2005, gained worldwideattention when he wrote on his MySpace blog about coming out to his parents.
They quickly shipped him off to Love Won Out's Refuge program for teens. Butbefore entering the program, Zach posted Love In Action's rules online foreveryone to see, and those rules provide a very revealing glimpse into thevery strange world of Love In Action. After weeks of protest and worldwidecondemnation, the Refuge program was finally shut down. But Love In Actionremains active, a dark stain on an ex-gay movement running amok with nooversight or accountability.
http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/05/1941
-Biblical teachings and homosexuality debated
The debate on homosexuality attracted 40 participants Thursday evening whenstudents and faculty met in Lindsey Auditorium for a screening of thedocumentary "For the Bible tells me so."
http://media.www.duclarion.com/media/storage/paper481/news/2008/05/06/Features/Biblical.Teachings.And.Homosexuality.Debated-3365135.shtml
-McCain Endorser Pastor Hagee's 'Thrilling' Scenario Includes Nuclear Strikeon US Coasts
The initial controversy over Pastor John Hagee's highly public endorsementof Senator John McCain's presidential bid, at a nationally televised pressconference viewed potentially by millions of Americans, arose when theCatholic League, a far-right Catholic defense organization headed by WilliamDonahue, attacked the endorsement on the basis that Hagee was virulentlyanti-Catholic. Beyond Hagee's demonizing of Catholics and Catholicism,pastor Hagee appears radically anti-American to the extent that he hopes andexpects, as evidenced by a 2006 Hagee appearance on WHYY's "Fresh Air" radioshow and also in Hagee's 2006 best-seller "Jerusalem Countdown", that Godwill incinerate most Americans now living - with a nuclear strike onAmerica's coastal regions. In 2006 Presidential hopeful John McCain appearedto hold a similar view on possible outcomes of a US war with Iran. In anApril 2nd, 2006 appearance on Meet The Press, Senator John McCain,describing to Tim Russert McCain's view of the possible result of a US warwith Iran, declared war with Iran "could be Armageddon".
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2008/5/2/92739/11686
-Jamaican singers banned in Guyana
Guyanese authorities have banned a Jamaican reggae artist known for anti-gaylyrics from performing in the South American country. Bounty Killer,performing in 2005, has faced opposition in Britain and Germany overanti-gay lyrics. Interior Minister Clement Rohee said Bounty Killer is nolonger welcome because gunfire erupted at an April 19 concert.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/04/29/guyana.singers.ap/index.html
-PERSPECTIVE: A Crisis, and a Riddle Too
It's hard to explain, but black youth contract the AIDS virus more oftenthan their white and Latino peers. Yet when we look at the sexual behaviorof these young men, there seems to be little difference.
http://gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19652802&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=590557&rfi=6
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[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
NATIONAL & WORLD NEWS May 6, 2008
**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:
-States Get In on Calls for a Gas Tax Holiday
Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida has been fighting to cut 10 cents from thestate's gasoline tax for two weeks in July. Lawmakers in Missouri, New Yorkand Texas have also proposed a summer break from state gas taxes, whilecandidates for governor in Indiana and North Carolina are sparring overrelief ideas of their own.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/06/us/06gas.html?scp=4&sq=GAY&st=nyt
-Lots of Animals Learn, but Smarter Isn't Better
"Why are humans so smart?" is a question that fascinates scientists. TadeuszKawecki, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Fribourg, likes toturn around the question.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/06/science/06dumb.html?8dpc
-Interactive Democratic Delegate Calculator: What the Candidates Need to Win
http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/delegatecalculator/index.html
-Editorial: Death by Detention
A chilling article by Nina Bernstein in The Times on Monday recounted thesecrecy, neglect and lack of oversight that are a few of the shamefulsymptoms of the booming sector of the nation's prison industry - thedetention of undocumented foreigners.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/06/opinion/06tue1.html?ref=opinion
-Op-Ed Columnist: Doing the Troops Wrong
At the top of the list of no-brainers in Washington should be Senator JimWebb's proposed expansion of education benefits for the men and women whohave served in the armed forces since Sept. 11, 2001.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/06/opinion/06herbert.html?ref=opinion
=
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Obama vs. Clinton 2.0
At this crucial moment, the Democratic presidential battle is a puzzlewrapped in two ironies.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050502063.html
-Myanmar cyclone death toll soars past 22,000: state radio
The cyclone death toll soared above 22,000 on Tuesday and more than 41,000others were missing as the international community prepared to rush in aidafter the country's deadliest storm on record, state radio reported.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/06/AR2008050600289.html?hpid=topnews\
-Justice System For Detainees Is Moving At a Crawl
No Sept. 11 Trials Likely Before Bush Leaves Office, Officials Say
At the end of a tattered, sunbaked runway dotted with large green tents hereis a building aptly called the Expeditionary Legal Complex Courtroom,surrounded by coils of concertina wire, where the most notorious allegedterrorists in U.S. custody are supposed to face charges related to the Sept.11, 2001, attacks.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050502315.html?hpid=topnews
-Pins and Panders
Obama Wears His Independence on His Lapel
Sometimes I think the best thing about Barack Obama is that little emptyspace on his lapel. It is where other politicians wear the American flagpin, a kitschy piece of empty symbolism that tells you nothing about thatparticular person except that he or she thinks like everyone else. Obama'sflag, invisible to the naked eye, is the Jolly Roger of a politicianthinking for himself.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050502065.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
-A Lone Tibetan Voice, Intent on Speaking Out
Writer Seeks to Chronicle Events in Areas Hit by Crackdown
Each morning, it is the same. She rises and heads to her computer to write,to pierce the silence that otherwise shrouds events these days in Tibet, herhomeland.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050502218.html?hpid=sec-religion
-'Idol' Carries a Shakier Tune
It's time for the annual "American Idol" column, written this year with aheavy heart. Let's not kid ourselves: Something's not right.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050502066.html
=
Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Ga. execution would be first since Supreme Court ruling
Georgia moved forward with preparations to execute a convicted killer, whoon Tuesday night could become the first inmate put to death since the U.S.Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a three-drug lethal injectionprocedure.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/ats-ap_top13may06,0,7357582.story
=
Support PBS
In the next few months, Congress will decide whether to continue supportingBig Bird-or give him the ax. Public broadcasting gets around $400 millionannually from the U.S. government, which covers about 15% of local stationbudgets. (Most shows are funded primarily by producers, viewer donations,private foundations and corporations.) Now the Bush Administration hasproposed cutting funding by half. Those who agree with this decrease saythat, with the availability of high-quality cable-TV shows, public TV isunnecessary. Its average nightly audience is 2.1 million-around half of theviewership of pro wrestling. Responds Eric Boehlert, senior fellow at MediaMatters, a nonprofit media watchdog group: "PBS is a success story for thegovernment, ranking up there with the national parks. Any cuts would hurtthe millions of people who can't orwon't pay for cable." Should tax dollars support PBS?
Vote at Parade.com.
http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2008/edition_05-04-2008/Intelligence_Report=
=
[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:
-States Get In on Calls for a Gas Tax Holiday
Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida has been fighting to cut 10 cents from thestate's gasoline tax for two weeks in July. Lawmakers in Missouri, New Yorkand Texas have also proposed a summer break from state gas taxes, whilecandidates for governor in Indiana and North Carolina are sparring overrelief ideas of their own.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/06/us/06gas.html?scp=4&sq=GAY&st=nyt
-Lots of Animals Learn, but Smarter Isn't Better
"Why are humans so smart?" is a question that fascinates scientists. TadeuszKawecki, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Fribourg, likes toturn around the question.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/06/science/06dumb.html?8dpc
-Interactive Democratic Delegate Calculator: What the Candidates Need to Win
http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/delegatecalculator/index.html
-Editorial: Death by Detention
A chilling article by Nina Bernstein in The Times on Monday recounted thesecrecy, neglect and lack of oversight that are a few of the shamefulsymptoms of the booming sector of the nation's prison industry - thedetention of undocumented foreigners.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/06/opinion/06tue1.html?ref=opinion
-Op-Ed Columnist: Doing the Troops Wrong
At the top of the list of no-brainers in Washington should be Senator JimWebb's proposed expansion of education benefits for the men and women whohave served in the armed forces since Sept. 11, 2001.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/06/opinion/06herbert.html?ref=opinion
=
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Obama vs. Clinton 2.0
At this crucial moment, the Democratic presidential battle is a puzzlewrapped in two ironies.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050502063.html
-Myanmar cyclone death toll soars past 22,000: state radio
The cyclone death toll soared above 22,000 on Tuesday and more than 41,000others were missing as the international community prepared to rush in aidafter the country's deadliest storm on record, state radio reported.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/06/AR2008050600289.html?hpid=topnews\
-Justice System For Detainees Is Moving At a Crawl
No Sept. 11 Trials Likely Before Bush Leaves Office, Officials Say
At the end of a tattered, sunbaked runway dotted with large green tents hereis a building aptly called the Expeditionary Legal Complex Courtroom,surrounded by coils of concertina wire, where the most notorious allegedterrorists in U.S. custody are supposed to face charges related to the Sept.11, 2001, attacks.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050502315.html?hpid=topnews
-Pins and Panders
Obama Wears His Independence on His Lapel
Sometimes I think the best thing about Barack Obama is that little emptyspace on his lapel. It is where other politicians wear the American flagpin, a kitschy piece of empty symbolism that tells you nothing about thatparticular person except that he or she thinks like everyone else. Obama'sflag, invisible to the naked eye, is the Jolly Roger of a politicianthinking for himself.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050502065.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
-A Lone Tibetan Voice, Intent on Speaking Out
Writer Seeks to Chronicle Events in Areas Hit by Crackdown
Each morning, it is the same. She rises and heads to her computer to write,to pierce the silence that otherwise shrouds events these days in Tibet, herhomeland.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050502218.html?hpid=sec-religion
-'Idol' Carries a Shakier Tune
It's time for the annual "American Idol" column, written this year with aheavy heart. Let's not kid ourselves: Something's not right.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050502066.html
=
Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Ga. execution would be first since Supreme Court ruling
Georgia moved forward with preparations to execute a convicted killer, whoon Tuesday night could become the first inmate put to death since the U.S.Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a three-drug lethal injectionprocedure.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/ats-ap_top13may06,0,7357582.story
=
Support PBS
In the next few months, Congress will decide whether to continue supportingBig Bird-or give him the ax. Public broadcasting gets around $400 millionannually from the U.S. government, which covers about 15% of local stationbudgets. (Most shows are funded primarily by producers, viewer donations,private foundations and corporations.) Now the Bush Administration hasproposed cutting funding by half. Those who agree with this decrease saythat, with the availability of high-quality cable-TV shows, public TV isunnecessary. Its average nightly audience is 2.1 million-around half of theviewership of pro wrestling. Responds Eric Boehlert, senior fellow at MediaMatters, a nonprofit media watchdog group: "PBS is a success story for thegovernment, ranking up there with the national parks. Any cuts would hurtthe millions of people who can't orwon't pay for cable." Should tax dollars support PBS?
Vote at Parade.com.
http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2008/edition_05-04-2008/Intelligence_Report=
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
FLORIDA DIGEST May 6, 2008
**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.
=
Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Broward to cut $100 million: parks, libraries, police on list
Protecting coral reefs and baby sea turtles could be turned over tovolunteers because of $100 million in spending cuts Broward County officialsmust make to give voters the property tax relief they granted themselvesthis year.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbtax0506sbmay06,0,104950.story
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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-DEVELOPMENT: Builders' slow invasion of Glades under way
With Miami-Dade commissioners voting to expand the development boundary westlast month, other projects are sure to follow, and some warn of negativeconsequences.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/story/520298.html
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
=
Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Broward to cut $100 million: parks, libraries, police on list
Protecting coral reefs and baby sea turtles could be turned over tovolunteers because of $100 million in spending cuts Broward County officialsmust make to give voters the property tax relief they granted themselvesthis year.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbtax0506sbmay06,0,104950.story
=
Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-DEVELOPMENT: Builders' slow invasion of Glades under way
With Miami-Dade commissioners voting to expand the development boundary westlast month, other projects are sure to follow, and some warn of negativeconsequences.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/story/520298.html
=
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
Monday, May 05, 2008
GLBT DIGEST May 5, 2008
**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:
-Manila Bishop Says Against Gay Men In May Parade
The head of Manila's Roman Catholic Church has frowned on the participationof gay men in the "Santacruzan" flower festival held across the Philippinesevery May in honor of the Virgin Mary.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-philippines-church.html?scp=3&sq=GAY&st=nyt
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National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-Cayman Islands Police Detain Gay Kisser
The Royal Cayman Islands Police detained a visiting homosexual man forkissing his partner on a dance floor last week. The man, 23-year-old AaronChandler from Amherst, Massachusetts, was dancing at the Royal Palms lastWednesday night with his partner. His partner's sister and brother-in-lawalso came along to the popular nightspot after they had all dined at ReefGrill. While dancing, the two men kissed several times.
-5 Questions About Pink Pistols
Ryan Marvin believes in the right to bear arms, a right he says isespecially crucial for people who are more likely to be attacked. That's whyMarvin, who is gay, recently resurrected the Granite State chapter of thePink Pistols. The group will hold its first event May 25 at a shooting rangein Deerfield. The Pink Pistols aims to help gay men, lesbians and otherslearn to shoot guns for self-defense, practice shooting safely and getpermits to carry concealed weapons. We caught up with Marvin, who's 24 andmoved here from Texas less than a year ago as part of the libertarian FreeState Project.
-Israel: Court Turns Down Restraining Order Against Gay Partner
A Family Court judge in Ramat Gan turned down a request by a man for arestraining order against a former male partner on the grounds that Israel'sfamily and domestic violence laws do not apply to homosexual partnerships.
The complainant told the court that the former lover, a younger man who hadlived in his Ramat Gan home with him for two years, was abusing himpsychologically.
-Dead or Alive - Burns Slam Gay Marriage
DEAD OR ALIVE star PETE BURNS has split from his civil partner of ninemonths - and now insists gay marriage "doesn't work". The singer, 49,married boyfriend Michael Simpson in a civil ceremony last July (07), but isnow planning to file for a divorce after alleging his partner wasunfaithful. He says, "There's a lot of promiscuity in the gay community. Idon't understand why they take that union. How low is their self esteem?
-Gay Rights at Standstill
Gay and lesbian activists thought they had a friend in Martin O'Malley. As aprogressive mayor in Baltimore, O'Malley attended gay pride parades andsigned into law a measure to protect transgender people from discrimination.
When he ran for governor, he said he supported civil unions and wanted toextend benefits to same-sex partners of state employees, as he had done forcity workers.
-Battle Rages on Over Transgender Rights
Members of the transgender community say they are the next group of peoplewho need to fight for, even demand, their rights. Those are basic rightssuch as not being fired from a job and having insurance coverage for theirmedical needs. Critics argue that being transgender isn't a social justiceissue, it's a matter of personal choice.
-Gay Ex-Gov, Wife Divorce Trial to Start
She claims she was duped into marriage by a closeted gay man who needed thecover of a wife to advance his political career. He says he gave her a childand the coattails she rode to the governor's mansion, thus fulfilling themarriage contract. As Jim and Dina Matos McGreevey's three-and-a-half-yearseparation approaches the duration of their marriage, the former firstcouple is about to become unhitched _ finally _ when their divorce trialstarts Tuesday.
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Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-Opponents of a domestic partnership proposal in Miami-Dade governmentthreatened county commissioners with political retribution at a newsconference Friday. ''Every commissioner who does vote for the proposal willbe held accountable,'' said Anthony Verdugo, executive director of theChristian Family Coalition. The bill would give all Miami-Dade residentsthe right to visit their partner in jails and hospitals. It would also allowcounty employees to buy insurance coverage for their partner and thatpartner's children. A final vote on the package will likely come May 20,but it already has six cosponsors on the 13-member commission and appears tohave at least the one remaining vote it needs for approval.
=
Forwarded from Euro-Queer
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article:
-The Day of Silence in Russia: Sexual minority groups in St. Petersburggathered for a rally on Saturday to mark the Day of Silence, despite anofficial ban. A gay activist could be seen standing in the center ofChernyshevsky Park with his mouth plastered, and another 15 were seated on abench, also with plastered mouths, an Interfax correspondent reported. Theaction brought together more journalists than participants. It is beingguarded by about ten loyal policemen. Coordinator of the Russian LGBT-net oflesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals Igor Petrov told the press thatthe organizers had applied to the city authorities for a permit to stage amass Day of Silence action and that they wanted to hand out leaflets in thepark urging tolerance.
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=4632
-First time in Moldovan history LGBT community will have legal publicmanifestation
Pride in Moldova "Rainbow over the Dniester"
LGBT community will go on pubic manifestation on the the cental squre ofChisinau. The aim of the action is to support adoption of anti-discrimination law in Moldova. During three previous consecutive years public authoritieswas banning public manifestations on various pretexts. This year after weapplied to the City Hall to inform the authorities about planned public anifestation within the Pride we got the information, which gave us hope. The representative of theCity Hall informed us that now according to the new law "About public anifestations" we have right to organize public manifestation in the format we indicatedand for this we do not need permission of the authorities. For holding thismanifestation this year we only need to have with us the document which saysthat our application is registered at the City Hall. A couple of days inadvance we have to call City Hall to confirm our event and to check if itdoes not coincide with any other events.
=
Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Fierce Fighters for Equal Rights - Steve Krantz
This is the 5th installment in our series on straight dads talking abouttheir gay sons. Today's entry comes to us from Steve Krantz, PdD. Steve(pictured below) serves as Director of PFLAG's Southern Pacific Region, andis also the founder of Jews for Marriage Equality. Here is what Steve has tosay about the Details Magazine article on fathers and gay sons. Enjoy! Ihave two sons - one who happens to be straight and one who happens to begay. I love both of them. My younger son and I have a great rapport - thekind of rapport I had with my father. As he was growing up, we went campingtogether, we went to Disneyworld together - we loved each other everyminute. However, when he was 11, he went into a shell, his behavior changedand he lost his friends. Neither his mother nor I understood these changes.
Finally, when he was 17, he came out to us. At the time, I cried because offear for his welfare in this difficult world. However, his coming out wasn'ta big surprise and mattered only a little. He was still the beautiful,wonderful boy that we loved. This led us to PFLAG and becoming fiercefighters for our son's equal rights. Considering other male parent'sreactions, I believe it comes down to truly loving your child. If you do,acceptance is the first step, then education, then advocacy.
http://www.pflag.org/blog/?p=275
-DNC official sees 'historic' numbers of gay delegates
Daughtry asserts party's commitment to inclusion at convention
http://washblade.com/2008/5-2/news/localnews/12500.cfm
-Gay pride marches in 'Hamp
The 27th annual Northampton Pride March & Rally drew about 7,500 peopleyesterday on an overcast and cool day, but there still was plenty ofenthusiasm.
http://www.lgbt.bz/2008/05/gay-pride-marches-in-hamp.html
-A Black Parents Guide on What to Do and NOT to Do When Your Child "ComesOut"
So after the principal in Memphis and then Tatianna, I've been giving a lotof thought to this never-ending issue of coming out as it relatesspecifically to Black families.
http://www.jasmynecannick.com/blog/?p=1667
-How does America get its great presidents?
Does America get its great presidents because the voters have a good eye forchoosing those who eventually become great? Or do we get great presidentsbecause the well-oiled machines in our political parties offer up greatcandidates who then become great in office?
http://citizenchris.typepad.com/citizenchris/2008/05/how-does-americ.html
-More Obama-Clinton on gay rights
With the pivotal (aren't they all?) North Carolina primary just days away,the gay paper there tried a different tactic for getting answers from thecandidates on gay rights. Rather than press for phone interviews, Q-Notesapparently sent questions to both campaigns and published the answers.
I say "apparently" because the stories don't say so specifically, butthey're credited to "Q-Notes staff" rather than a particular reporter andthe answers (especially Hillary Clinton's) read very much like the work of acampaign staffer. This isn't the first time a prominent e-mail/fax interviewin the gay press masqueraded as the real thing, and Q-Notes really shouldhave said so explicitly.
http://citizenchris.typepad.com/citizenchris/2008/05/more-obama-clin.html
-Why must Don Wildmon 'open mouth'?
We haven't been the least bit surprised that the American Family Associationis up in arms over the same-sex kiss that recently aired on "As The WorldTurns." But what we have found bizarrely shocking is the obsession they'veshown in declaring the kiss to be an "open mouth" smooch.
http://www.goodasyou.org/good_as_you/2008/05/why-must-don-wi.html
-The Principal Issue: Did she out or not?
And now in "widely conflicting accounts of what went down during two gaydudes' school days" news: We have a followup to the situation in Memphis inwhich a high school principal is being accused of outing and harassing twoqueer students. Yesterday, Memphis City Schools issued a statementcountering the ACLU's claims and defending principal Daphne Beasley. Read itafter the jump:
"Memphis City Schools is committed to providing its students with the bestpossible learning environment. Hollis F. Price Middle College is anaccelerated high school, which is located on the historically blackLeMoyne-Owen College campus. Eligible students may enroll in college classesin pursuit of completing the first two years of college while attending thishigh school.
http://www.goodasyou.org/good_as_you/2008/05/the-principal-i.html
-Blurring the Lines between News and Entertainment
Over the past few months, cable and network news programs have been askingwhy Sen. John McCain's campaign pursued the endorsement of anti-gaytelevangelist John Hagee. Media scrutiny of the Rev. Hagee reached a wideraudience on ABC's popular daytime talk show The View on April 30. During aheated exchange between co-hosts Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck aboutthe political relevance of Sen. Barack Obama's relationship withcontroversial pastor Jeremiah Wright, Behar quoted the Rev. Hagee'sstatement that God's anger at New Orleans for having a gay pride paradecaused Hurricane Katrina.
http://glaadorg.nexcess.net/2008/05/blurring-the-lines-between-new.html
-Classic preaching, scandalous lifestyle
What a scandalous contradiction, but that's how the Charlotte Observerdescribes gay christian Rev. Peter Gomes who is stump preaching at Duke andUNC Chapel Hill for a sumester.
http://gcmwatch.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/gomes-lifestyle/
-How I Convinced Myself That I Was Changing My Sexual Orientation
Daniel Gonzales a former patient of Joe Nicolosi, explains.
Oftentimes when I meet someone who's been through ex-gay therapy I ask themif they ever reached the point where they believed they were beginning tochange - It's how I gauge just how deeply they got into the whole "ex-gaything." Ex-gay leaders often assert, "change is possible and I'm proofbecause I changed." In my opinion the strongest response is "I too oncebelieved I had changed." Here's my own explanation of how I believed I hadchanged:
http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/04/1934
-Homophobia in soccer, Part 67: Luciano Moggi and Jorge Luis Pinto
Jorge Luis Pinto, the technical director of the national Colombian soccerteam has backed recent comments by former Italian soccer trainer LucianoMoggi who riled against gays back in April in what an AFP report called a "abizarre television interview."
http://blabbeando.blogspot.com/2008/05/homophobia-in-soccer-part-67-luciano.html
=
DetNews.com
detnews.com
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Bishop urges gays to walk into faith storms
Ironically, we can feel the most spiritually alive when we're being batteredby life's fiercest storms. For Gene Robinson, such storms have struck twice:
First, when he could no longer deny his homosexuality and divorced hisbeloved wife. And now, as the Anglican Communion battles over the place ofgay people, a struggle that intensified in 2003 when he was consecrated asthe nation's first openly gay Episcopal bishop.
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080505/OPINION03/805050340/1007/OPINION
=
Inside Higher Education
http://www.insidehighered.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Is Phyllis Schlafly Worthy of an Honorary Doctorate?
Most of the graduating seniors at Washington University in St. Louis weren'teven born when Phyllis Schlafly led the successful campaign in the 1970s todefeat the Equal Rights Amendment. But they will get to learn about her atcommencement ceremonies next week when the university awards her a doctorateof humane letters.
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/05/05/schlafly
-When Equity Official Takes Anti-Gay Stance
At many colleges, human resources officials are leaders in promoting equityand diversity among those who study and work together. And while collegesperiodically debate views of various officials that are seen as biasedagainst various groups, it is highly unusual for the head HR official at auniversity to be the source of such a controversy.
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/05/05/toledo
[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:
-Manila Bishop Says Against Gay Men In May Parade
The head of Manila's Roman Catholic Church has frowned on the participationof gay men in the "Santacruzan" flower festival held across the Philippinesevery May in honor of the Virgin Mary.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-philippines-church.html?scp=3&sq=GAY&st=nyt
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National Gay News
http://nationalgaynews.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-Cayman Islands Police Detain Gay Kisser
The Royal Cayman Islands Police detained a visiting homosexual man forkissing his partner on a dance floor last week. The man, 23-year-old AaronChandler from Amherst, Massachusetts, was dancing at the Royal Palms lastWednesday night with his partner. His partner's sister and brother-in-lawalso came along to the popular nightspot after they had all dined at ReefGrill. While dancing, the two men kissed several times.
-5 Questions About Pink Pistols
Ryan Marvin believes in the right to bear arms, a right he says isespecially crucial for people who are more likely to be attacked. That's whyMarvin, who is gay, recently resurrected the Granite State chapter of thePink Pistols. The group will hold its first event May 25 at a shooting rangein Deerfield. The Pink Pistols aims to help gay men, lesbians and otherslearn to shoot guns for self-defense, practice shooting safely and getpermits to carry concealed weapons. We caught up with Marvin, who's 24 andmoved here from Texas less than a year ago as part of the libertarian FreeState Project.
-Israel: Court Turns Down Restraining Order Against Gay Partner
A Family Court judge in Ramat Gan turned down a request by a man for arestraining order against a former male partner on the grounds that Israel'sfamily and domestic violence laws do not apply to homosexual partnerships.
The complainant told the court that the former lover, a younger man who hadlived in his Ramat Gan home with him for two years, was abusing himpsychologically.
-Dead or Alive - Burns Slam Gay Marriage
DEAD OR ALIVE star PETE BURNS has split from his civil partner of ninemonths - and now insists gay marriage "doesn't work". The singer, 49,married boyfriend Michael Simpson in a civil ceremony last July (07), but isnow planning to file for a divorce after alleging his partner wasunfaithful. He says, "There's a lot of promiscuity in the gay community. Idon't understand why they take that union. How low is their self esteem?
-Gay Rights at Standstill
Gay and lesbian activists thought they had a friend in Martin O'Malley. As aprogressive mayor in Baltimore, O'Malley attended gay pride parades andsigned into law a measure to protect transgender people from discrimination.
When he ran for governor, he said he supported civil unions and wanted toextend benefits to same-sex partners of state employees, as he had done forcity workers.
-Battle Rages on Over Transgender Rights
Members of the transgender community say they are the next group of peoplewho need to fight for, even demand, their rights. Those are basic rightssuch as not being fired from a job and having insurance coverage for theirmedical needs. Critics argue that being transgender isn't a social justiceissue, it's a matter of personal choice.
-Gay Ex-Gov, Wife Divorce Trial to Start
She claims she was duped into marriage by a closeted gay man who needed thecover of a wife to advance his political career. He says he gave her a childand the coattails she rode to the governor's mansion, thus fulfilling themarriage contract. As Jim and Dina Matos McGreevey's three-and-a-half-yearseparation approaches the duration of their marriage, the former firstcouple is about to become unhitched _ finally _ when their divorce trialstarts Tuesday.
=
Marriage Equality News
http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/
Go to this link for the following articles:
-Opponents of a domestic partnership proposal in Miami-Dade governmentthreatened county commissioners with political retribution at a newsconference Friday. ''Every commissioner who does vote for the proposal willbe held accountable,'' said Anthony Verdugo, executive director of theChristian Family Coalition. The bill would give all Miami-Dade residentsthe right to visit their partner in jails and hospitals. It would also allowcounty employees to buy insurance coverage for their partner and thatpartner's children. A final vote on the package will likely come May 20,but it already has six cosponsors on the 13-member commission and appears tohave at least the one remaining vote it needs for approval.
=
Forwarded from Euro-Queer
Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article:
-The Day of Silence in Russia: Sexual minority groups in St. Petersburggathered for a rally on Saturday to mark the Day of Silence, despite anofficial ban. A gay activist could be seen standing in the center ofChernyshevsky Park with his mouth plastered, and another 15 were seated on abench, also with plastered mouths, an Interfax correspondent reported. Theaction brought together more journalists than participants. It is beingguarded by about ten loyal policemen. Coordinator of the Russian LGBT-net oflesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals Igor Petrov told the press thatthe organizers had applied to the city authorities for a permit to stage amass Day of Silence action and that they wanted to hand out leaflets in thepark urging tolerance.
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=4632
-First time in Moldovan history LGBT community will have legal publicmanifestation
Pride in Moldova "Rainbow over the Dniester"
LGBT community will go on pubic manifestation on the the cental squre ofChisinau. The aim of the action is to support adoption of anti-discrimination law in Moldova. During three previous consecutive years public authoritieswas banning public manifestations on various pretexts. This year after weapplied to the City Hall to inform the authorities about planned public anifestation within the Pride we got the information, which gave us hope. The representative of theCity Hall informed us that now according to the new law "About public anifestations" we have right to organize public manifestation in the format we indicatedand for this we do not need permission of the authorities. For holding thismanifestation this year we only need to have with us the document which saysthat our application is registered at the City Hall. A couple of days inadvance we have to call City Hall to confirm our event and to check if itdoes not coincide with any other events.
=
Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Fierce Fighters for Equal Rights - Steve Krantz
This is the 5th installment in our series on straight dads talking abouttheir gay sons. Today's entry comes to us from Steve Krantz, PdD. Steve(pictured below) serves as Director of PFLAG's Southern Pacific Region, andis also the founder of Jews for Marriage Equality. Here is what Steve has tosay about the Details Magazine article on fathers and gay sons. Enjoy! Ihave two sons - one who happens to be straight and one who happens to begay. I love both of them. My younger son and I have a great rapport - thekind of rapport I had with my father. As he was growing up, we went campingtogether, we went to Disneyworld together - we loved each other everyminute. However, when he was 11, he went into a shell, his behavior changedand he lost his friends. Neither his mother nor I understood these changes.
Finally, when he was 17, he came out to us. At the time, I cried because offear for his welfare in this difficult world. However, his coming out wasn'ta big surprise and mattered only a little. He was still the beautiful,wonderful boy that we loved. This led us to PFLAG and becoming fiercefighters for our son's equal rights. Considering other male parent'sreactions, I believe it comes down to truly loving your child. If you do,acceptance is the first step, then education, then advocacy.
http://www.pflag.org/blog/?p=275
-DNC official sees 'historic' numbers of gay delegates
Daughtry asserts party's commitment to inclusion at convention
http://washblade.com/2008/5-2/news/localnews/12500.cfm
-Gay pride marches in 'Hamp
The 27th annual Northampton Pride March & Rally drew about 7,500 peopleyesterday on an overcast and cool day, but there still was plenty ofenthusiasm.
http://www.lgbt.bz/2008/05/gay-pride-marches-in-hamp.html
-A Black Parents Guide on What to Do and NOT to Do When Your Child "ComesOut"
So after the principal in Memphis and then Tatianna, I've been giving a lotof thought to this never-ending issue of coming out as it relatesspecifically to Black families.
http://www.jasmynecannick.com/blog/?p=1667
-How does America get its great presidents?
Does America get its great presidents because the voters have a good eye forchoosing those who eventually become great? Or do we get great presidentsbecause the well-oiled machines in our political parties offer up greatcandidates who then become great in office?
http://citizenchris.typepad.com/citizenchris/2008/05/how-does-americ.html
-More Obama-Clinton on gay rights
With the pivotal (aren't they all?) North Carolina primary just days away,the gay paper there tried a different tactic for getting answers from thecandidates on gay rights. Rather than press for phone interviews, Q-Notesapparently sent questions to both campaigns and published the answers.
I say "apparently" because the stories don't say so specifically, butthey're credited to "Q-Notes staff" rather than a particular reporter andthe answers (especially Hillary Clinton's) read very much like the work of acampaign staffer. This isn't the first time a prominent e-mail/fax interviewin the gay press masqueraded as the real thing, and Q-Notes really shouldhave said so explicitly.
http://citizenchris.typepad.com/citizenchris/2008/05/more-obama-clin.html
-Why must Don Wildmon 'open mouth'?
We haven't been the least bit surprised that the American Family Associationis up in arms over the same-sex kiss that recently aired on "As The WorldTurns." But what we have found bizarrely shocking is the obsession they'veshown in declaring the kiss to be an "open mouth" smooch.
http://www.goodasyou.org/good_as_you/2008/05/why-must-don-wi.html
-The Principal Issue: Did she out or not?
And now in "widely conflicting accounts of what went down during two gaydudes' school days" news: We have a followup to the situation in Memphis inwhich a high school principal is being accused of outing and harassing twoqueer students. Yesterday, Memphis City Schools issued a statementcountering the ACLU's claims and defending principal Daphne Beasley. Read itafter the jump:
"Memphis City Schools is committed to providing its students with the bestpossible learning environment. Hollis F. Price Middle College is anaccelerated high school, which is located on the historically blackLeMoyne-Owen College campus. Eligible students may enroll in college classesin pursuit of completing the first two years of college while attending thishigh school.
http://www.goodasyou.org/good_as_you/2008/05/the-principal-i.html
-Blurring the Lines between News and Entertainment
Over the past few months, cable and network news programs have been askingwhy Sen. John McCain's campaign pursued the endorsement of anti-gaytelevangelist John Hagee. Media scrutiny of the Rev. Hagee reached a wideraudience on ABC's popular daytime talk show The View on April 30. During aheated exchange between co-hosts Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck aboutthe political relevance of Sen. Barack Obama's relationship withcontroversial pastor Jeremiah Wright, Behar quoted the Rev. Hagee'sstatement that God's anger at New Orleans for having a gay pride paradecaused Hurricane Katrina.
http://glaadorg.nexcess.net/2008/05/blurring-the-lines-between-new.html
-Classic preaching, scandalous lifestyle
What a scandalous contradiction, but that's how the Charlotte Observerdescribes gay christian Rev. Peter Gomes who is stump preaching at Duke andUNC Chapel Hill for a sumester.
http://gcmwatch.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/gomes-lifestyle/
-How I Convinced Myself That I Was Changing My Sexual Orientation
Daniel Gonzales a former patient of Joe Nicolosi, explains.
Oftentimes when I meet someone who's been through ex-gay therapy I ask themif they ever reached the point where they believed they were beginning tochange - It's how I gauge just how deeply they got into the whole "ex-gaything." Ex-gay leaders often assert, "change is possible and I'm proofbecause I changed." In my opinion the strongest response is "I too oncebelieved I had changed." Here's my own explanation of how I believed I hadchanged:
http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/04/1934
-Homophobia in soccer, Part 67: Luciano Moggi and Jorge Luis Pinto
Jorge Luis Pinto, the technical director of the national Colombian soccerteam has backed recent comments by former Italian soccer trainer LucianoMoggi who riled against gays back in April in what an AFP report called a "abizarre television interview."
http://blabbeando.blogspot.com/2008/05/homophobia-in-soccer-part-67-luciano.html
=
DetNews.com
detnews.com
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Bishop urges gays to walk into faith storms
Ironically, we can feel the most spiritually alive when we're being batteredby life's fiercest storms. For Gene Robinson, such storms have struck twice:
First, when he could no longer deny his homosexuality and divorced hisbeloved wife. And now, as the Anglican Communion battles over the place ofgay people, a struggle that intensified in 2003 when he was consecrated asthe nation's first openly gay Episcopal bishop.
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080505/OPINION03/805050340/1007/OPINION
=
Inside Higher Education
http://www.insidehighered.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Is Phyllis Schlafly Worthy of an Honorary Doctorate?
Most of the graduating seniors at Washington University in St. Louis weren'teven born when Phyllis Schlafly led the successful campaign in the 1970s todefeat the Equal Rights Amendment. But they will get to learn about her atcommencement ceremonies next week when the university awards her a doctorateof humane letters.
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/05/05/schlafly
-When Equity Official Takes Anti-Gay Stance
At many colleges, human resources officials are leaders in promoting equityand diversity among those who study and work together. And while collegesperiodically debate views of various officials that are seen as biasedagainst various groups, it is highly unusual for the head HR official at auniversity to be the source of such a controversy.
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/05/05/toledo
[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####
NATIONAL & WORLD NEWS May 5, 2008
**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:
-In Poll, Obama Survives Furor, but Fall Is the Test
A majority of American voters say that the furor over the relationshipbetween Senator Barack Obama and his former pastor has not affected theiropinion of Mr. Obama, but a substantial number say that it could influencevoters this fall should he be the Democratic presidential nominee, accordingto the latest New York Times/CBS News Poll.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/us/politics/05poll.html?hp
-Op-Ed Columnist: Success Breeds Failure
Cross your fingers, knock on wood: it's possible, though by no meanscertain, that the worst of the financial crisis is over. That's the goodnews.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/opinion/05krugman.html?ref=opinion
-Op-Ed Columnist: McCain-Jindal?
Barack Obama said Friday, "We've had a rough couple of weeks." Actually, he's had a rough couple of months. He's lost three big primaries to HillaryClinton. And, should he hold on to win the nomination, he can no longer beconsidered a clear favorite over John McCain in the general election.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/opinion/05kristol.html?ref=opinion
-Editorial: Big Oil's Friends in the Senate
Listen to almost any politician, President Bush included, and you'll hearthat the fight against global warming cannot be won without cleanertechnologies that will ease dependence on fossil fuels. Yet these samepoliticians are on the verge of allowing modest but vital tax credits toexpire that are crucial to the future of renewable energy sources like windand solar power.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/opinion/05mon2.html?ref=opinion
-For the Elderly, Being Heard About Life's End
Edie Gieg, 85, strides ahead of people half her age and plays a fast-pacedgame of tennis. But when it comes to health care, she is a champion of "slowmedicine," an approach that encourages less aggressive - and less costly -care at the end of life.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/health/05slow.html?hp
-Democrats Call Victory a Sign G.O.P. Tactic Failed
The Democratic victory in a special House election in Louisiana this weekendwas interpreted by leading Democrats on Sunday as a sign that Republicanswould fail in their efforts to damage Congressional candidates by tying themto national figures and presidential contenders.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/us/politics/05louisiana.html
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Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-On Economy, Unlikely Allies Forge Winning Strategy
Housing Bill to Test Treasury Chief, Democrat's Ties
One is a free-market Republican from Wall Street with roots in the ruralMidwest and a passion for bird-watching. The other is a rumpled, union-hallDemocrat from Bayonne, N.J., who once famously described himself as "aleft-handed, gay Jew." About the only thing Treasury Secretary Henry M.Paulson Jr. and Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank have in common is a Harvarddegree. Yet the two have forged a remarkably productive relationship in thewaning days of the Bush administration, steering complicated bills tooverhaul two federal agencies through the Democratic House and shapingWashington's response to the nation's credit crisis.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050402183.html
-Cyclone death toll nears 4,000 in Burma, state radio says
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050500083.html?hpid=topnews
-Fiscal Pressures Lead Some States to Free Inmates Early
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050402054.html?hpid=topnews
-Iraq Says It Has Proof Of Iranian Meddling
Tehran Funneling Weapons, Officials Say
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050401738.html?hpid=moreheadlines
-Operating outside public view, the House Democratic majority is takingextraordinary steps to maintain spending as usual while awaiting the arrivalof a Democratic president. Remarkably, the supine House Republican minorityhardly resists and even collaborates with its supposed adversaries. Therehas been little public Republican protest over the seizure of theappropriating process by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her clique. For thesecond year, no appropriations bill other than defense is scheduled forpassage.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050401598.html
-Of all the strange features of this presidential race, the tarnishing ofBarack Obama has got to be the most ridiculous. First Obama was accused ofanti-religious elitism. Then he was accused of identifying with theunderclass anger of his spiritual mentor. Excuse me, but which is it? Am Isupposed to believe that Obama is a supercilious elitist or a menacingghetto radical? Is he contemptuous of religion or too close to a religiousleader? Obama's critics don't bother to say. Meanwhile, real characterissues go relatively unheeded.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050401600.html
-Attorney General Michael Mukasey is wrong when he says we do not need afederal media shield law.
Mukasey recently argued in an op-ed that there is no need for Congress toprovide a qualified, evidentiary privilege for journalists. As evidence, hecited a few of the many important news stories that, even in the absence ofa shield law, were brought to light because of sources who providedinformation to journalists under a promise of confidentiality. Pending mediashield legislation would impede the investigation of crimes and threats tonational security, he argued. As the ranking Republican member of the SenateJudiciary Committee, I strongly disagree with him.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050401597.html
-Coming Clean on Torture
What Congress should do next
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050401570.html
=
Susan Frishkorn
frishkorn@bellsouth.net
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Doesn't Mince Words About War and JusticeShirin Ebadi wants Americans to do what they can to stop the Bushadministration's threats to bomb Iran as punishment for presumably makingnuclear weapons. "Nuclear weapons are not a daily concern of the people,"said Ebadi. "They want jobs; they want houses; they want health; they wantmore freedom." However, she predicted that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejadwould whip up nationalistic support if Iran were forced into a face-off withthe United States, just as it did when Saddam Hussein invaded Iran in 1980.
The invasion resulted in an eight-year war between the two countries.
"Iranians may criticize their government, but if there is a military attackon Iran, they will defend their own country," she said. "A government thatis in danger from the outside will take any chance to accelerate nationalisminside the country."
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/05/04/8700/
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Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:
-Obama hits Big 3 on SUVs
Illinois senator cites Detroit 'mistake,' while Clinton defends plan tosuspend gas tax.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080505/AUTO01/805050358/&imw=Y
-Democratic and Republican healthcare plans offer clear choices
John McCain wants better and cheaper coverage for more Americans. So doBarack Obama and Hillary Clinton. But their strategies for achieving thosegoals are fundamentally different.
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-health5-2008may05,0,2373137.story
=
[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:
-In Poll, Obama Survives Furor, but Fall Is the Test
A majority of American voters say that the furor over the relationshipbetween Senator Barack Obama and his former pastor has not affected theiropinion of Mr. Obama, but a substantial number say that it could influencevoters this fall should he be the Democratic presidential nominee, accordingto the latest New York Times/CBS News Poll.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/us/politics/05poll.html?hp
-Op-Ed Columnist: Success Breeds Failure
Cross your fingers, knock on wood: it's possible, though by no meanscertain, that the worst of the financial crisis is over. That's the goodnews.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/opinion/05krugman.html?ref=opinion
-Op-Ed Columnist: McCain-Jindal?
Barack Obama said Friday, "We've had a rough couple of weeks." Actually, he's had a rough couple of months. He's lost three big primaries to HillaryClinton. And, should he hold on to win the nomination, he can no longer beconsidered a clear favorite over John McCain in the general election.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/opinion/05kristol.html?ref=opinion
-Editorial: Big Oil's Friends in the Senate
Listen to almost any politician, President Bush included, and you'll hearthat the fight against global warming cannot be won without cleanertechnologies that will ease dependence on fossil fuels. Yet these samepoliticians are on the verge of allowing modest but vital tax credits toexpire that are crucial to the future of renewable energy sources like windand solar power.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/opinion/05mon2.html?ref=opinion
-For the Elderly, Being Heard About Life's End
Edie Gieg, 85, strides ahead of people half her age and plays a fast-pacedgame of tennis. But when it comes to health care, she is a champion of "slowmedicine," an approach that encourages less aggressive - and less costly -care at the end of life.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/health/05slow.html?hp
-Democrats Call Victory a Sign G.O.P. Tactic Failed
The Democratic victory in a special House election in Louisiana this weekendwas interpreted by leading Democrats on Sunday as a sign that Republicanswould fail in their efforts to damage Congressional candidates by tying themto national figures and presidential contenders.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/us/politics/05louisiana.html
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Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
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-On Economy, Unlikely Allies Forge Winning Strategy
Housing Bill to Test Treasury Chief, Democrat's Ties
One is a free-market Republican from Wall Street with roots in the ruralMidwest and a passion for bird-watching. The other is a rumpled, union-hallDemocrat from Bayonne, N.J., who once famously described himself as "aleft-handed, gay Jew." About the only thing Treasury Secretary Henry M.Paulson Jr. and Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank have in common is a Harvarddegree. Yet the two have forged a remarkably productive relationship in thewaning days of the Bush administration, steering complicated bills tooverhaul two federal agencies through the Democratic House and shapingWashington's response to the nation's credit crisis.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050402183.html
-Cyclone death toll nears 4,000 in Burma, state radio says
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050500083.html?hpid=topnews
-Fiscal Pressures Lead Some States to Free Inmates Early
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050402054.html?hpid=topnews
-Iraq Says It Has Proof Of Iranian Meddling
Tehran Funneling Weapons, Officials Say
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050401738.html?hpid=moreheadlines
-Operating outside public view, the House Democratic majority is takingextraordinary steps to maintain spending as usual while awaiting the arrivalof a Democratic president. Remarkably, the supine House Republican minorityhardly resists and even collaborates with its supposed adversaries. Therehas been little public Republican protest over the seizure of theappropriating process by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her clique. For thesecond year, no appropriations bill other than defense is scheduled forpassage.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050401598.html
-Of all the strange features of this presidential race, the tarnishing ofBarack Obama has got to be the most ridiculous. First Obama was accused ofanti-religious elitism. Then he was accused of identifying with theunderclass anger of his spiritual mentor. Excuse me, but which is it? Am Isupposed to believe that Obama is a supercilious elitist or a menacingghetto radical? Is he contemptuous of religion or too close to a religiousleader? Obama's critics don't bother to say. Meanwhile, real characterissues go relatively unheeded.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050401600.html
-Attorney General Michael Mukasey is wrong when he says we do not need afederal media shield law.
Mukasey recently argued in an op-ed that there is no need for Congress toprovide a qualified, evidentiary privilege for journalists. As evidence, hecited a few of the many important news stories that, even in the absence ofa shield law, were brought to light because of sources who providedinformation to journalists under a promise of confidentiality. Pending mediashield legislation would impede the investigation of crimes and threats tonational security, he argued. As the ranking Republican member of the SenateJudiciary Committee, I strongly disagree with him.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050401597.html
-Coming Clean on Torture
What Congress should do next
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050401570.html
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Susan Frishkorn
frishkorn@bellsouth.net
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-Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Doesn't Mince Words About War and JusticeShirin Ebadi wants Americans to do what they can to stop the Bushadministration's threats to bomb Iran as punishment for presumably makingnuclear weapons. "Nuclear weapons are not a daily concern of the people,"said Ebadi. "They want jobs; they want houses; they want health; they wantmore freedom." However, she predicted that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejadwould whip up nationalistic support if Iran were forced into a face-off withthe United States, just as it did when Saddam Hussein invaded Iran in 1980.
The invasion resulted in an eight-year war between the two countries.
"Iranians may criticize their government, but if there is a military attackon Iran, they will defend their own country," she said. "A government thatis in danger from the outside will take any chance to accelerate nationalisminside the country."
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/05/04/8700/
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Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
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-Obama hits Big 3 on SUVs
Illinois senator cites Detroit 'mistake,' while Clinton defends plan tosuspend gas tax.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080505/AUTO01/805050358/&imw=Y
-Democratic and Republican healthcare plans offer clear choices
John McCain wants better and cheaper coverage for more Americans. So doBarack Obama and Hillary Clinton. But their strategies for achieving thosegoals are fundamentally different.
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-health5-2008may05,0,2373137.story
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