(compiled by Michelle Aschenbrenner)
Pictures of Pride: LGBT Celebrations around the World
http://hrw.org/photos/2007/lgbt0707/index.html
Mass. House to take up bill to repeal 1913 marriage law
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/07/house_expected.html
The House today voted 118 to 35 to repeal a 1913 state law that prevents gay and lesbian couples from most other states from marrying in Massachusetts.
State sees economics of gay marriage
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/07/15/state_sees_economics_of_gay_marriage/
The office of Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is touting a potential $111 million economic boost over the next three years as a practical reason for the state Legislature to overturn a 1913 law that prohibits marriages of out-of-state couples whose unions would not be recognized in their home states. The bill today is likely to have a vote in the state Senate.
United Nations: Defeat for Discrimination, Victory for Inclusion
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/07/23/global19435.htm
The decision by the United Nations Economic and Social Council granting consultative status to two groups that work on sexual orientation and gender identity is a victory in the ongoing struggle for inclusion at the UN. The two groups approved on July 21 and 22, 2008 are COC Netherlands and the State Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals and Bisexuals of Spain (FELGTB), national organizations representing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the Netherlands and Spain.
Video/The Gay Agenda: What is a gay issue?
http://www.365gay.com/video/072408-gayagenda-issues/
Why isn’t poverty a gay issue? Why do we focus so hard on the military and marriage? Jennifer Vanasco and Jon Mallow discuss what the criteria should be for issues our organizations and media consider “gay.”
Protests Mark HRC Gala
http://www.365gay.com/news/072808-hrc-gala/
(San Francisco, Calif.) The cracks that developed in LGBT solidarity over the past year were never more evident than on the weekend when transgender rights supporters picketed a gala in San Francisco hosted by the national Human Rights Campaign. A large number of demonstrators protested HRC’s support for a version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act which adds gays and lesbians to protected classes, but excludes transgendered people. More than a dozen LGBT groups immediately distanced themselves from the legislation, but not HRC. The bill passed the House and a Senate version is pending, but the HRC position has deeply divided LGBT activists.
Iraqi gays face murder, rape
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/07/24/gay.iraqis/index.html
The climate for gay men and lesbians in Iraq has gotten much worse since the removal of Saddam Hussein, as militias have targeted them in attacks and raped and killed an unknown number of victims, according to this article. "Gay men and lesbians in Iraq face a lot of risks right now, because homosexuality is sometimes interpreted by people in Iraq as being a Western import," said Scott Portman of human-rights group Heartland Alliance. "So they can sometimes be targeted by insurgent groups or militias, in part, because of animosity toward the West and, in part, because homosexuality is not well-accepted in Iraqi society."
Diversity Lesson 101: Intersexuality
http://queersunited.blogspot.com/2008/04/diversity-lesson-101-intersexuality_1907.html
Intersexuality is a very misunderstood minority with very little scientific research or cultural and educational awareness on this group of individuals who suffer enormously at the expense of society and the medical establishment. Intersexuality is when individuals are neither exclusively male or female. People who are born intersex may have differing degrees of being both male and female, internally, externally, or both.
Judge OKs adult trial for teen suspect
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/jul/25/judge-oks-adult-trial-for-teen-suspect/
Relying on past court decisions, a judge ruled Thursday that trying a 14-year-old boy accused of murder in an adult court does not violate the constitution, swatting down legal arguments raised by the boy's attorney that it was cruel and unusual punishment to do so. Teenage defendant Brandon McInerney of Oxnard is charged with first-degree murder and a hate crime in connection with the Feb. 12 killing of classmate Larry King, 15, who sometimes wore makeup and told friends he was gay.
The risks, rewards of being out as a teen
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/13/AR2008071302066.html?nav%3Dhcmodule&sub=AR
Saro Harvey, a 15-year-old out high-school student in suburban Virginia, is part of a new generation of LGBT youths who, by coming out to family, friends and teachers, have avoided isolation of the closet but risk being attacked by anti-gay foes for who they are. Although 11 states, including Maryland, have anti-bullying laws inclusive of sexual orientation, they aren't always enough to prevent violent incidents involving LGBT youths, such as the February shooting death of 15-year-old Lawrence King in Oxnard, Calif.
Hate Crimes Against Gays Rise in L.A.
http://www.365gay.com/news/072508-hate-crimes-gays/
(Los Angeles, Calif.) Hate crimes in Los Angeles County soared last year to their highest mark in five years even as overall crime dropped across the region, according to a report released Thursday.`The annual report by the county’s human relations commission shows 763 hate crimes were reported in 2007, a 28 percent increase from 2006.
Thousands converge on Barcelona for European gay games
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iDlnSTHgcWs5mODHH1OTL5TiceeQ
BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) — More than 5,000 athletes, gay and straight, from across Europe are converging on Barcelona for the Eurogames which get underway on Thursday in the Spanish port city, organisers said. More than 30,000 tourists are expected to attend the Olympics-style games which could pump 30 million euros (47.6 million US dollars) into the local economy, according to Barcelona gay sports group.
House panel considers future of military gay ban
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/23/dontask.donttell/?iref=hpmostpop
Congress, for the first time since the implementation of the military gay ban, on Wednesday heard testimony on whether it should be repealed. Two out former service personnel, former Navy Capt. Joan Dorrah and former Marine Sgt. Eric Alva, were among those who testified before a House panel that allowing gays to serve openly would have no impact on the cohesion of military units.
Stonewall group to help British army with LGBT recruitment, retention
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7504238.stm
The British army recently participated in Stonewall's Diversity Champions program. The group will help the army with its recruitment and retention of LGBT military personnel.
Mars tables Snickers spot after complaints about anti-gay content
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3i05185ecb9182ed52f09ecdd2f220fb7d
Mars has pulled an ad for Snickers after complaints from the Human Rights Campaign. The ad features TV personality Mr. T assaulting a race-walker with a hand-cranked machine gun modified to shoot Snickers bars while admonishing him to "get some nuts."
Nike Drops Homophobic Ads
http://www.365gay.com/features/nike-homophobic-ad/
Nike said Friday it would pull its ads for its Hyperdunk basketball shoes, responding to criticism that they fed homophobic views. Nike previously defended the ads, but said it would withdraw them as quickly as possible “to underline our ongoing commitment to supporting diversity in sport and the workplace,” The Oregonian reported.
Ben & Jerry's says hello to Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25694811/
Ben & Jerry's plans to pay homage to Elton John with a confection that mixes chocolate ice cream, peanut butter cookie dough, butter brickle and white chocolate chunks. Proceeds from Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road, named after the singer's 1970s album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," will benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Beijing's gays have new nightlife Destination
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/18/content_8569593.htm
Xinhua, China's government-run news service, offers a report on Beijing's thriving gay nightclub Destination. The content of the report -- and its very existence -- suggests the climate for LGBT people is improving in China.
Dubai detains foreigners accused of being gay
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ipp8araUe3DrRQf54n-8HRlgdyhAD91VO43O0
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Police in the Gulf tourist hub of Dubai say they've detained 17 foreign men for allegedly being gay and wearing women's clothing in malls and other public places. The paper quotes Dubai's police chief as saying the arrests are part of a campaign against "transvestites." Despite Dubai's Western outlook, homosexuality is illegal in the Muslim city-state.
Lack of Oklahoma anti-bias law means hate crimes not recorded as such
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080718_11_A1_hGAYCO522310
Twice within the past week, Robert Stotler and his partner have been targets of anti-gay messages at their Tulsa home. Stotler and his partner say they are victims of hate crimes, but police say they are not. Their reports call the crimes acts of vandalism or malicious mischief. By Oklahoma statutes, the police are right. Oklahoma is one of 17 states that have hate-crime laws that do not protect homosexuals from crimes directed at them because of their sexual orientation.
U.S. census won't recognize gay nuptials
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9860727?source=most_emailed
The U.S. Census Bureau will not count couples who marry legally in California and Massachusetts as married spouses in its 2010 Census reports because federal law does not recognize such unions. The agency will amend the responses of gay and lesbian couples who report they are married to read "unmarried partners," but will retain in its records their original answers.
Will out host become MSNBC's next breakout star?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/17/arts/television/17madd.html?_r=2&ref=arts&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Out Air America radio host Rachel Maddow, who has acted as a vacation fill-in for Keith Olbermann on MSNBC, is on the "short list" to have her own prime-time show on the cable news network. The former AIDS-policy advocate and unabashed liberal believes Americans are ready to watch a gay TV host at night. "Well, I think Ellen DeGeneres has shown people are ready for her," Maddow said, referring to her daytime counterpart. "But I will not dance the way Ellen does."
GLAAD: ABC, FX are most gay-friendly TV networks
http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN1433704320080714
ABC and cable channel FX are the most gay-friendly TV networks, according to the GLAAD Network Responsibility Index, which is based on 4,911 hours of prime-time programming on the five major broadcast networks and 1,241 hours of original shows on 10 of the highest-rated cable channels. NBC, Fox, A&E, Spike, TBS, USA Network and TNT all ranked at the bottom of the index, GLAAD reported.
Gay and Lesbian Consumers More Likely to Follow Latest Styles and Trends
http://www.outinamerica.com/home/news.asp?articleid=32242
Washington, DC - July 21, 2008 - According to a new national survey conducted online by Harris Interactive(r), nearly half (48%) of gay and lesbian adults report they like to keep up with the latest styles and trends, compared to only 38 percent of heterosexual adults. This also seems to accelerate behaviors tracked by a similar survey in January 2007 when 38 percent of gay and lesbian adults reported they like to keep up with the latest styles and trends (compared to 32% of heterosexual adults).
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