» McGreevey memoir to explore gay life (left) (Associated Press)
» Michigan transgender event draws 65 participants (Kalamazoo Gazette)
» Alabama uses Medicare to help pay for HIV drugs (Montgomery Advertiser)
» Lea DeLaria keeps crossing the gender line (New York Times)
» Transgender dancer shows timeless quality of body language (Jakarta Post)
» Column: Army's state of mind not easily changed (Leaf Chronicle)
» HIV/AIDS as a trade union issue (African News Dimension)
» Seeking stability amid chaos, more poor women of color are turning to each other (Hartford Courant)
» Catholic bishop decries Vagina Monologues at Notre Dame (Associated Press)
» Amendment banning partner benefits heads to Alaska Senate vote (Associated Press)
» Danforth, out of office for years, finally criticizes GOP gay-baiting (Associated Press)
» Missouri rally for HIV/AIDS sufferers (Columbia Daily Tribune)
» Five hundred fifty Zimbabwe children die of AIDS every week (United Nations)
» Conference focuses on Native Americans and HIV/AIDS (Associated Press)
» Gunman opens fire outside gay A.A. meeting in Palm Springs (CBS)
» Virginia probes medical needs, fears of transgender community (Associated Press)

» HIV+ boxer plans comeback (left) (Arizona Republic)
» India state to start high school HIV education (Herald Reporter)
» Newsom's future is the topic of much political speculation (San Francisco Chronicle)
» Baptist churches may divide over homosexuality (Associated Press)
» Campari with a twist (Campari)
   › See the ad (Epica Awards)
» Black media expand gay coverage (New York Blade)
» Canada's biggest gay club burns down in spite of 150 firefighters (365Gay.com)
» Thugs tied to Polish government attack gay tolerance marchers (365Gay.com)

» San Francisco calls for repeal of partner benefits taxation (City and County of San Francisco)
» Harry follows Diana's path with AIDS work (left) (Canadian Broadcasting)
» U.K. HIV diagnoses on the rise (Pink News)
» Global Fund grants millions (Reuters)
» Atlantans build a support system for LGBT teens (Southern Voice)
» Utah turmoil over transgender county employee (Salt Lake Tribune)
» Australia province opens gay adoption inquiry (Pink News)
» Students suspended for protesting military gay ban, Iraq war (Associated Press)
» U.K. gay couples may owe thousands in taxes after civil unions legalized (Pink News)
» U.K. decriminalization of homosexuality began 52 years ago (Pink News)
» Lesbian, gay, transgender candidates seeking office in Maryland (Washington Blade)
» Ohio Democratic legislative candidate in trouble for gay-bashing literature (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
» Global Fund suspends $50 million AIDS help to Nigeria (Reuters)
» Paratrooper pleads guilty to gay porn, gets prison sentence (Associated Press)

» From Falwell's pulpit, rabbi calls for loving our gay neighbors (Pink News)
» Individual identity discussed during Montréal Trans Day of Pride (Montréal Mirror)
» Gay men, divas, and misogyny (Between the Lines News)
» BBC interview with homophobic reggae star sparks protests (Pink News)
» TransGeneration star talks about life after hit documentary (Gay & Lesbian Times)
» Students demand firing of lesbian-baiting coach (365Gay.com)
» E.U. rules for British transsexual pension rights (Pink News)

From The Congressional Record:

NATIONAL DAY OF SILENCE -- (House of Representatives - April 26, 2006)

(Mr. FARR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to give voice to those who are silent: the many youth in our high schools and middle schools who are afraid to speak out of their place in our society because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex or questioning their sexual identity.

Today marks the 10th National Day of Silence in which we celebrate the diversity in our society, but acknowledge a deep-seated intolerance toward that diversity.

In my district, several efforts are being made to turn the intolerance into tolerance. The Watsonville YMCA has added a group called Latinas y Lesbianas y Aliadas. It is one of the few programs in the Nation dedicated to reaching out to the Spanish-speaking community, which has not historically had access to such support systems. I hope this becomes a national movement.

I am also proud to represent several Shoreline Middle School eighth graders who have been nominated for the Queer Youth Leadership Awards. These brave students have worked to end homophobia and discrimination, making their school or community a safer place for people of all walks of life. These students are joined by their families, but should not be alone in their efforts.

For this reason, I join my colleague Eliot Engel in cosponsoring H. Con. Res. 86 which memorializes the National Day of Silence and encourages each State or local jurisdiction to adopt laws to prohibit discrimination and harassment against persons of alternative sexual orientation.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

» Conservatives look to June vote on federal marriage amendment (Cybercast News Service)
» Long Beach Council candidates compete for LGBT vote (Press Telegram)
» Kentucky Governor sued for public funding of anti-gay private college (Courier-Journal)
» Tiny Bhutan tackles HIV/AIDS (Kuensel Online)
» Methodist council to rule on inclusion of gays, lesbians (Kansas City Star)
» Takei takes Equality Tour to Phoenix (Arizona Republic)
» Turf war for human HIV test subjects in Africa (Independent Online)
» California bill protecting LGBT seniors moves forward (Pink News)
» Study: Few U.K. gay men use crystal meth (Pink News)
» Ireland Prime Minister welcomes gay candidates (Pink News)

Edwards joins Florida university strike

We wrote several months ago about the time in 2004 that the entire National Stonewall Democrats board of directors crossed a picket line of firefighters to get to their board meeting in Providence. We pointed out that good Democrats simply don't do such a thing, and our readers agreed energetically.

Not only our readers agreed: John Edwards, as we wrote at the time, gave NSD an object lesson in how to treat faithful Democratic constituencies by refusing several weeks later to cross the same picket line. Edwards' principles meant that he had to skip a high-dollar Providence fundraiser, but he remained true to core Democratic values -- something that NSD's board, headed by co-chairs Julian Potter (since departed) and Stephen Driscoll, did not do.

Edwards is at it again. He and a number of labor and civil rights leaders marched earlier today at the University of Miami to show support for striking service workers who are demanding a raise and who want to organize with the Service Employees International Union.

We realize that Edwards is running for President, and that his action may have a certain calculation to it. But any time that a political figure finds that his or her interests intersect with the daily interests of hard-working men and women, good is often the result. That is the present case with Mr. Edwards, and it should have been the case with the National Stonewall Democrats two years ago.

One other thing: Where was Hillary?

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

» Time names notorious homophobes among "100 Most Influential" (Time)
   › Anglican Archbishop Peter Akinola (Time)
   › Benedict (Time)
» Minnesota Senator gets death threat over gay marriage ban opposition (Associated Press)
» Catholic Church prohibits service that coincides with Pride festival (Pink News)
» U.K. restraining order issued against relentless anti-gay harasser (Pink News)
» Boston students to protest homophobia tomorrow with silence (MetroWest Daily News)
» Conservative Cardinal says condoms can be condoned sometimes (Advocate)
» Mormon Church signs anti-gay marriage letter (Deseret Morning News)
» New York defendant gets 25 years for beating gay man, putting him in coma (New York Times)
» Brazil skinheads critically injure one in apparent gay bashing (Washington Blade)
» Amsterdam Mayor appeals for gay rights in conservative European countries (EUObserver)
» Indiana AIDS worker admits embezzling $94,000 (Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette)
» Column: Don't just accept other people's sexuality, respect it (Ohio University Post)
» Attorneys see transgender employment discrimination suits increase nationally (The Recorder)
» Inmate unhappy about being classified as male (Wisconsin State Journal)

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

From The Congressional Record:

LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2005 -- (Senate - April 25, 2006)

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need for hate crimes legislation. Each Congress, Senator Kennedy and I introduce hate crimes legislation that would add new categories to current hate crimes law, sending a signal that violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society. Likewise, each Congress I have come to the floor to highlight a separate hate crime that has occurred in our country.

In March 2006, Gregory Pisarcik was sentenced to life in prison in Santa Ana, CA for the murder of Narciso Leggs, a gay man. During the attack, Pisarcik repeatedly hit Leggs over the head with a champagne bottle. When police later found his body one ear had been cut off and anti-gay slurs were written all over his body. According to sources, police feel that sexual orientation was a motivation for the attack.

I believe that the Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to defend them against the harms that come out of hate. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act is a symbol that can become substance. I believe that by passing this legislation and changing current law we can change hearts and minds as well.

» Federal judge throws out suit challenging Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (Associated Press)
» Numerous groups urge New York court to strike down gay marriage ban (ACLU)
» Vatican weighs condoms for HIV patients 25 years after first AIDS cases (Gay.com)
» Combatting HIV with folk medicine in Africa (United Nations)
» Soul Force Eqaulity Ride rolls into Billy Graham’s alma mater (247Gay.com)
» Column: Gay Republican -- oxymoron or just moron? (Huffington Post)

Monday, April 24, 2006

From The Congressional Record:

THE SENATE SCHEDULE -- (Senate - April 24, 2006)

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I spent the recess traveling in Nevada--Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson, my hometown of Searchlight, and I also traveled to Pahrump, Reno, Fernley, Yerington, Fallon, and Hawthorne. These are all very different places, but not once in any of these cities where I met with people during the days, and in the evenings on occasion, not once did anyone talk to me about eliminating the estate tax, flag burning, or gay marriage.

Instead, throughout Nevada I was constantly asked about skyrocketing gas prices. My daughter-in-law, Amber, lives in Reno with my son with their four children. She has never talked to me about anything political in the many years we have known one another. But at dinner on Easter Sunday, she wanted everybody to hear, including me, how fed up she was with gas prices. She said that this is wrong and something has to be done about it.

She was speaking for millions of Americans. Even though she is the one who mouthed the words to me, this conversation could have taken place anywhere in America, at any dinner table, rich or poor. So not once did anyone in any of these Nevada cities talk to me about the estate tax, flag burning, and gay marriage. Instead, throughout Nevada I was constantly asked about these skyrocketing gas prices, the intractable war in Iraq, taxes, immigration, education, health care and, of course, homeland security.

I share this short report of my trip home because I am concerned about the Senate schedule in the coming months, and certainly in the next 5 weeks. All of us in the Senate, Democrats and Republicans, spent the last 2 weeks listening to what our constituents wanted to talk about, issues they care about. Now that we are back in Washington, when we look for these issues on the Senate calendar, they are nonexistent....

» Frank rallies Utah gay Democrats (Deseret Morning News)
   › Frank optimistic on future of gay rights (Salt Lake Tribune)
» Putin rejects Orthodox call, says more must be done to fight HIV (Gay Russia)

» Russia Parliamentarian calls for Moscow Mayor to allow Pride (Gay Russia)

» Study: Sex, tattoos causing HIV infections in Georgia prisons (Centers for Disease Control)
» Is Russia Prosecutor guided by Koran rather than by law with respect to gays? (Gay Russia)
» Belgium gives gay couples right to adopt (Gay.com)
» Judges back school ban on anti-gay T-shirts (Gay.com)
» Gay Iraqis face death threats, kidnapping (Gay.com)
» Canton passes employment protections (Gay People's Chronicle)

» Two-spirit issues discussed at Oklahoma State University meeting (Daily O'Collegian)
» Moscow Human Rights Bureau supports Pride over Mayor's objections (Gay Russia)
» Duke lacrosse rape suspect was let off the hook for D.C. gay bashing (Washington Blade)
» Cambridge to publish "study" by discredited quack doctor (Dallas Voice)
» Gay newspapers to remain in Ohio public library (Washington Blade)
» Column: Many anti-gay-adoption states among the worst for children's welfare (Empty Closet)

O Prada, where art thou?

Click the heels to find out how he got those divine shoes.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

» Liberty PA to sponsor Unhappy Birthday parties for Santorum (left) (Liberty PA)
» Hen changes into rooster apparently through hormone fluctuation (London Telegraph)
» Gay community joins Nepal protests against autocrat King (Times of India)
   › Blue Diamond Society web site (Blue Diamond Society)
» Pro-gay Prodi officially announced as Italy Prime Minister (Pink News)
» Italy elects Europe's first transgender Parliamentarian (Pink News)
» Russia Constitutional Court will hear gay marriage case (Gay Russia)
» New calls for 1970s HIV exposure of hemophiliacs (Pink News)
» Palm Beach school district chairman apologizes for gay "species" remark (Palm Beach Post)
» Chevalier d'Eon: The original transvestite (London Independent)
» Uganda study reveals ways to reduce malaria among HIV+ people (African News Dimension)
» South Africa prisons still denying medications to dying AIDS inmates (iAfrica.com)
» HIV is epidemic in Papua New Guinea (One News)

» Lambda Legal sues charter school for prohibiting gay-straight club (Lambda Legal)
» Right-wing group claims boycott, not gas prices, causing Ford stock drop (American Family Association)
» On soggy day, a cluster of rainbows (Washington Post)
» Zambia ex-President to sue for wrong HIV+ claim in article (Mail & Guardian)
» South Africa HIV+ inmates have to go to court for anti-retrovirals (SABC News)
» Lesbian therapist settles with lesbian patient over affair with lesbian girlfriend (Billings Gazette)
» Stonewall Democrats to partner with DNC for Neighbor-to-Neighbor Organizing Day (247Gay.com)
» George Takei talks in Madison about Equality: The Final Frontier (Isthmus)
» Nobel laureate spends Easter with Africa HIV/AIDS patients (East Africa Standard)
» Elton sells his clothes to benefit AIDS foundation (World Entertainment News Network)
» Schwarzenegger signs bill to track HIV cases by name (Los Angeles Times)

» LGBT community struggles to feel accepted at University of Oklahoma (Oklahoma Daily)
» Support of U.K. Conservatives by LGBTs moves from 19% to 29% (Pink News)
» Gay Republican Utah legislature candidate is embarrassed by GOP's gay record (Deseret News)
» Tasmanian to continue fight against conservatives' anti-gay campaigning (Tasmania Mercury)
» Gay marriage ballot measures no longer a magic bullet for Republicans (New York Times)
» Adults in bunny ears are okay, but adults in rainbow leis aren't (video) (CNN)

» No penalty for Catholic adoption agencies refusing gay applicants (Associated Press)
» Bratton recruiting for LAPD (Los Angeles Daily News)
» Transgender candidate runs for Utah state Senate seat (Deseret News)
» Student expelled for web page coming to grips with sudden fame (Associated Press)
» Hong Kong blocks residents' gay marriages at U.K. consulates (Associated Press)
» Gay marriage and flag burning to top GOP's legislative agenda (Associated Press)
» E-mail threatens Montana professor over pro-gay stance (Billings Gazette)
» Right-wing Episcopalians call for trial of 35 Bishops over gay Bishop (The Christian Post)
» Same-sex couples stay up all night to get White House Easter egg roll tickets (United Press International)
» Uganda to start trials of fourth HIV vaccine candidate (The East African)

» Dalai Lama changes mind, urges respect for gays (GayNZ.com)
» Idaho residents mobilize against another anti-gay ballot measure (New West)
» Gay, lesbian parents question White House Easter egg roll ticket prioritizing (NBC4)
» Transgender Republican takes on House Whip Blunt for Missouri seat (Associated Press)
» Harvard adds transgender protections to non-discrimination policy (247Gay.com)
» Lesbian reservist challenges dismissal (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
» Africa's AIDS battle pits abstinence versus condoms (Baltimore Sun)
» AIDS is NYC's Katrina (Counterpunch)

» The most homophobic place on earth? (Time)
» ACLU of Washington challenges dismissal of lesbian Air Force officer (ACLU)

» St. Maarten police say gay bashing victims were "ill-treated...with a pipe wrench" (Daily Herald)
   › Editorial: Gay bashing, slow police response unacceptable in St. Maarten incident (Daily Herald)
» Anti-gay American Idol reject says she doesn't hate anyone (Pink News)
» Survey: Twenty percent of San Francisco men are gay, 25% of those are HIV+ (Pink News)
» U.K. Muslim group unveils plan to fight homophobia (Pink News)
» Diversity Best Practices releases new LGBT guide (247Gay.com)
» Tatchell tells gay Russians to stand and fight (Gay Russia)
» Court awards child custody to lesbian ex-partner (Gay.com)
» Man imprisoned for bat attack against gay priest (BBC)
» Three-star general wants Don't Ask Don't Tell repealed (Detroit News)
» Sex workers get tax help so they can get Social Security (All Headline News)

» International Lesbian and Gay Association will meet in Moscow in 2010 (Gay Russia)

» Australia transgender worker sacked under new anti-labor laws (GayNZ.com)

» Queer ducks ruffle feathers (left) (Pink News)
» Top U.S. Catholic Bishop calls for federal marriage ban amendment (Pink News)
» Warden deems Brokeback too shagadelic for inmates (Boston Herald)
» Rhode Island marriage eqaulity bill has chance of passage (Pink News)
» Scotland Yard defends gay cop census (Pink News)
» Transgender woman accuses Georgia county of job bias (Southern Voice)
» Column: The impact of criminalizing intentional HIV transmission (AIDSMap)
» NativeOUT wins President's Award at 10th Annual Phoenix Pride Parade (NativeOUT)
   › NativeOUT Phoenix Pride Parade photos (NativeOUT)
» ACLU report details how children are hurt by gay parenting restrictions (ACLU)
   › Report text (ACLU)
» ACLU Freedom Files TV program details need for gay family protections (ACLU)
» Fewer in U.K. aware of HIV transmission risks (National AIDS Trust)
» One in five U.K. HIV patients with low CD4 counts not on medications (AIDSMap)
» Georgia legislative session quiet on anti-gay bills (Southern Voice)
» Building coalitions key to dissolving racism in gay Atlanta (Southern Voice)

» Councilman comes out after hometown gay bar shootings (left) (Standard-Times)
» Episcopal Church to be asked to put brakes on gay bishops, unions (Reuters)
» Notre Dame President to allow gay film festival, Vagina Monologues (New York Times)
» Lambda Legal releases Workplace Fairness Survey (Lambda Legal)
   › Survey text (Lambda Legal)
» Arizona bill would allow public university clubs to discriminate (Capital Media Services)
» Hispanic Chamber names Gay and Lesbian Fund non-profit of the year (Out in America)
» Scotland Catholic Bishop froths over gay adoption (Life Site)
» Chrysler ad uses offensive gay stereotype (Pink News)
» California bill would mandate teaching of LGBT contributions (Associated Press)
» Transvestite dies in possible River Thames suicide (Pink News)
» Man with violent past attempts to strangle girlfriend over lesbian past (Pink News)
» Jamaica riot sparked by alleged gay advance (Pink News)
» Superheroes fight for gay sexual health (Pink News)
» Column: Feingold was right on Iraq, and now on gay marriage (Gay City News)

» Forum discusses homo- and transphobia after Massachusetts gay bar shootings (Fall River Herald News)
» Column: We must work to protect the sexual freedom of all (The University Daily Kansan)
» WalMart to sell Brokeback over right-wing objections (E!Online)
» World Pride to go forward in Jerusalem (Pink News)
» Campaign underway to get Brokeback DVD into rural, foreign libraries (Pink News)
» Craig attracting plenty of Bond boys (Pink News)
» Scotland Yard to produce gay cop census (Pink News)
» India to provide free HIV drugs to additional 70,000 people (New Kerala)
» Ford shareholders to vote on gay protections (Gay.com)
» Study casts light on why gay men risk HIV infection (Gay.com)
» Africans with HIV/AIDS often undiagnosed by doctors (AIDSMap)

» Feingold supports gay marriage (Senator Russ Feingold)
» G.A.O. says U.S. AIDS plan hampers prevention in targeted nations (Reuters)
» New York state won't let married gay couples file jointly (Lambda Legal)
» Immigration bill bad for same-sex couples (Edge)
» Federal judge orders Minnesota schools to give gay-straight group equal access (Associated Press)
» Premature marriage case lands before federal appeals court (Associated Press)
» Australia Parliamentarian praises capital's civil unions plan (Pink News)
   › Gay Australia Senator supports plan (Pink News)
» Fear of arrest results in Egyptian gays not having HIV tests (Pink News)
» Peru presidential frontrunner's father threatens bisexual radio host with death (Pink News)
» Suspect in murder of gay Russia journalist hailed as national hero (Pink News)
» NYC gay bars raided for drugs (Pink News)
» Gay Conservative U.K. Mayor candidate tries to de-gay his campaign (Pink News)

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

From The Congressional Record:

LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2005 -- (Senate - April 04, 2006)

Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need for hate crimes legislation. Each Congress, Senator Kennedy and I introduce hate crimes legislation that would add new categories to current hate crimes law, sending a signal that violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society. Likewise, each Congress I have come to the floor to highlight a separate hate crime that has occurred in our country.

On March 18, 2006, in Savannah, GA, Travis McLain, was beaten by Charles Pickett in what appears to be a crime motivated by hate. McLain suffered a concussion and lost several teeth when he was attacked in a local parking garage. McLain has stated that Pickett used anti-gay language while attacking him. Georgia Equality, the state's largest gay rights organization is calling this attack an anti-gay hate crime.

I believe that the Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to defend them against the harms that come out of hate. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act is a symbol that can become substance. I believe that by passing this legislation and changing current law, we can change hearts and minds as well.

» Lesbian Scotland Parliamentarian weds partner (left) (Pink News)
» Dozens protest in Geneva against Moscow Pride ban (Gay Russia)
» Column: China has far to go in treating gays equally (Shanghai Daily)
» Editorial: Australia should change laws to stop discrimination (The Age)
» Austin voters to decide partner benefits (Austin American-Statesman)
» Study: HIV+ stayed on first combination for seven years during early-HAART era (AIDSMap)
» Conservative rabbis make changes in holy law easier, possibly forshadowing gay-friendly move (Haaretz)
» Australia to examine workplace bias against gays (The Australian)
» Children in Mugabe's Zimbabwe are dying of AIDS before starvation gets them (United Press International)
» Sponsor of controversial Mr. Heterosexual contest gets the police security bill (365Gay.com)
» HIV infection rates down in southern India (Pakistan Daily Times)
» Five Sa'udi women undergo sexual reassignment surgery (Reuters)
» Anglican Church enters Australia gay marriage debate (Pink News)
» Australia Prime Minister denies anti-gay agenda while pushing anti-gay agenda (Pink News)
» Belarus using homophobic taunts to defuse anti-government protests (Pink News)
» Gay U.K. Muslim student loses national student election; cites homophobia, Islamophobia (Pink News)
» Russia prosecutor declares homosexual acts a "perversion" (Pink News)
» Growing percentage of Russia's HIV+ are ages 15 to 30 (Interfax)
» Sheldon rails against lesbians in school (Traditional Values Coalition)
» Illinois town argues over Gay Games rowing event (Associated Press)
» Gay marriage supporters disagree on strategy (CNN)
» Ireland Prime Minister promises gay partnerships (Associated Press)

» Acting Israel Prime Minister has lesbian daughter (Associated Press)
» Florida considers anti-bullying bill (News-Press)
» Connecticut grants 700 civil unions as some wait for full marriage (365Gay.com)
» Idaho legislature considers roadblocks to gay-straight clubs (KPVI-TV)
» Bulgaria coach says Brit ref is "homosexual"; U.K. league says that's "offensive" (People's Daily)
» Acquitted lesbian Presbyterian pastor still not out of the woods (Christian Post)
» Cambodia gays hold third annual Pride (Khaleej Times)
» Dinah Shore to attract 15,000 (Desert Sun)
» India gays call for repeal of archaic law (Deccan Herald)
» Bronx cop, previously arrested for beating transgender prostitutes, arrested again (New York Post)
» Palo Alto, Los Altos -- the best of times, the worst of times (San Jose Mercury News)
» China transgender man makes first public foray after surgery (People's Daily)

» San Francisco HIV infections fall 10% (Associated Press)
» Gay students are the focus of numerous bills nationwide (San Francisco Chronicle)
» China transgender man wants to marry (Hinudstan Times)
» "Ex-gay" road show goes to Indiana (Indianapolis Star)
» Detained AIDS activist plans to sue China (Ely Times)
» DeWine, in tough GOP primary, decides to support federal marriage ban (United Press International)