2 hrs ago | Daily Record
NJ Dems see urgency for enacting social agenda
TRENTON, N.J. - With a former prosecutor waiting in the wings to take over as New Jersey's first Republican governor in a dozen years, Democrats know time is short to push through a social agenda in the Legislature that includes legalizing gay marriage and the use of marijuana for chronic medical conditions.
www.theeagleonline.com | Rick in Kansas
Being gay is not a choice. What if it were?
This past Friday, I hung out with one of my buddies to eat pizza, talk politics and laugh at Sarah Palin. We went through our routine of taking up interesting political topics and eventually wound up discussing homosexuality. My friend asked if I knew that Bill Richardson had once said that being gay is a choice. I couldn’t believe it. This was a man who ran for president — in a Democratic primary. How could he have been so naïve? After extensive Googling, I discovered the governor later claimed he made a mistake. The problem is that thousands of people in America make this mistake every day. Many religious groups have created camps dedicated to turning gay people straight. As I thought of these groups, something sparked in my mind: What if they were right? What if being gay is a choice?
www.thedailybeast.com | Rick in Kansas
Getty Images From an iPhone app that measures and scores your sexual prowess to a website that's tracking where, when and how the entire world is getting laid, internet sexcessories are getting stranger by the day.
New name: The Danish LGBT organisation changes it's name
The national Danish organisation for LGBT-people since 1948 has changed it's name from LBL to LGBT Denmark.
www.huffingtonpost.com | Rick in Kansas
Philippines: Gays Legally Deemed Immoral and a Danger to Youth
The Philippines Electoral Commission has refused a group of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens the right to register as a political party to run in the 2010 elections.
Corvino: The slippery slope of religious exemptions
I believe that a free society should make broad accommodation for religious practice. Here in the United States, we allow people to preach and worship as they see fit (or not at all), and we are better for it. But the gay-rights debate concerning religious accommodation is not about worship.
Though suit dismissed, hospital staffers apologize to lesbian not allowed to see dying partner
Several Jackson Memorial Hospital nurses in Miami personally apologized to Janice Langbehn, a Washington state lesbian who said a Jackson social worker wouldn't allow her to be with her dying partner in 2007.
Christian Leaders to Present Anti-Gay, Anti-Abortion 'Manifesto'
A group of 145 Roman Catholic, evangelical, and Orthodox Christian leaders will present a document today at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. today saying they are in solidarity against abortions and same-sex marriage.
lezgetreal.com | Paulathesurfmom
Vermont Judge Awards Custody of Child to Non-Biological Lesbian Mom
In a stunning decision, Rutland Vermont Family Court Judge William Cohen ruled Friday that he is awarding sole custody of 7-year-old Isabella Miller to her non-biological lesbian mother, Janet Jenkins.
For six years, the case has been jumping between courts in Vermont, where Jenkins lives, and Virginia, where her former lesbian spouse, Lisa Miller, now lives. The couple split up in 2003 after entering a civil union in Vermont, have since then been battling in the courts over custody and visitation rights to their daughter Isabelle, who was born to Miller.Chaz Bono: Sex change is his 'best decision'
The 40-year-old writer, activist and reality-TV star, who was born a girl to Sonny Bono and Cher, says he's eight months into the years-long transformation and says he feels great.
LA County hate crimes decreased slightly in 2008
Crimes motivated by hate decreased slightly in Los Angeles County last year compared with the previous year, according to a report released Thursday.
Senate Hearings on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Postponed Indefinitely
"A planned November hearing by the US Senate Armed Services Committee to consider ending a ban on gays serving openly in the US military will be postponed, a spokeswoman indicated Friday.
Chuck Raasch: Pastor's purpose-driven politics
Rick Warren is on multiple missions. The Christian pastor who spoke the prayer at President Barack Obama's inauguration, a choice that prompted protests from gay-rights activists, came to Washington, D.C., this month to talk about the future of evangelicalism at the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.
www.republicoft.com | Rick in Kansas
I just have one thing to say about this .
Forget WWJD. The new question is apparently What Would MLK Do? A coalition of politically and theologically conservative Christian leaders, including nine Roman Catholic bishops, who have just signed a declaration saying they will not comply with laws that could require them to recognize same-sex unions or ...www.sfgate.com | Rick in Kansas
Sometimes there are statements made that are so unbelievable, you just laugh out loud.
www.edgeptown.com | Rick in Kansas
Conservative Austria Legalizes Civil Unions
Beginning in 2010, gay and lesbian families in the conservative country Austria will be able to enter into civil unions--although the new status they will enjoy falls short: there are 37 specific rights and protections that heterosexual married couples will enjoy that will be denied to same-sex couples, including artificial insemination services and adoption rights.
www.rutlandherald.com | Rick in Kansas
(This one is going to be big) Judge hands child to Vt. mother
A Rutland Family Court judge ordered a first-of-its kind parent custody change Friday in a child-visitation dispute involving a Virginia woman and her former lesbian partner who lives in Fair Haven.
In a 21-page order, Judge William Cohen granted sole custody of 7-year-old Isabella Miller to her nonbiological but court-recognized parent, Janet Jenkins.www.boxturtlebulletin.com | Rick in Kansas
Brian Brown, the Executive Director of anti-gay activist group, National Organization for Marriage, recently sent out an email entitled Beating Down the Beatitudes in DC? in which he calls on recipients from around the nation to call and email District of Columbia officials and insist that gay people not be treated with equality and dignity in that city.
www.boxturtlebulletin.com | Rick in Kansas
Texas kid beaten with metal pole, entirely preventable
Few hate crimes are specifically preventable. It is not often that the intended violence is known in advance and reported to authorities. Which makes the case of Jayron Martin so frustrating and infuriating.
www.canada.com | Rick in Kansas
Lesbian U.S. soldier wins key legal battle
A lesbian soldier who deserted the U.S. army won a key court victory Friday when a judge ordered the refugee board to reconsider her failed asylum claim and take into account compelling evidence that she was persecuted and that her sexual orientation could mean stiffer punishment for going AWOL.
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