Continuing struggle for equal opportunity and social justice among people of alternative gender preference; ‘gay bashing” in the culture and in national, state and local politics.

HEADLINES

2/18/10

"WE ARE BOUND BY FLORIDA STATUTE TO DEFEND AND ADHERE TO THE LAW." Department of Children and Families official explain's DCF's appeal from ruling of a Miami judge that a lesbian woman, who took the child of a relative into foster care from the child's birth, should be allowed to adopt the child in apparent violation of the state's law against gay adoption.

INTERNATIONAL

Websites

International Lesbian and Gay Association:  http://www.ilga.org/

Human Rights Campaign: http://www.hrc.org/

Analysis & Views:

2/11/10

"TEN THINGS" TO OPPOSE HOMOPHOBIA IN UGANDA. Nation launches a monthly "ten things" series in which experts on a particular area of progressive interest explain how citizens can be effective activists in that area. This installment deals with the draconian anti-gay laws in Uganda, identifing the sources of homophobic actions here and elsewhere, including a prominent role of right-wing American leaders.

1/30/10

Gay and transgenderd persons in Uganda live in daily fears for their lives from government enforcement of country's severe laws against homosexuality

12/29/09

Gay couple in African country of Malawi arrested for "gross indecency" after being the country's first gay "married" couple in a country that outlaws homosexuality.

12/10/09

UGANDA: AND YOU THOUGHT IDI AMIN WAS DEAD? Though the former military dictator died in 2003, his "spirit" lives on: the spirit of national chauvinism which targeted for killing and expulsion the Asian population of the country is revived in new legislation being planned to outlaw all forms of homosexual activity and to confront perhaps a half million men and women with the grim choice of fleeing the country or remaining in it and being killed or jailed.

10/27/09

"Aggravated homosexuality" can result in death penalty in Uganda.

8/14/08

Increase in homophobic attacks being noted in a long-time "gay friendly" section of Copenhagen.  http://www.cphpost.dk/get/108676.html

8/9/08

Argentina amends its military justice code to eliminate both capital punishment and punishment for homosexuality.

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=43499

8/8/08

Trans-gendered "visibility" rising at International AIDS conference, but not to the extent of the conference providing separate toilets for the trans-gendered attendees.

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=43479

8/4/08

Archbishop of Canterbury blames bishops of "liberal" North American Anglican churches for the rift in the church over gay rights issues.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/04/anglicanism.religion

7/30/08

World conference on sex research reports world-wide diversity of national policies regarding homosexuality: from legalizing same-sex marriage in Norway to providing 24-hour ultimatums for homosexuals to leave Gambia.

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=43154  

7/2/08

"Rebel" Anglican bishops meeting in London to organize against church hierarchy's perceived leniency about homosexuality results in several gay protesters being roughed up.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/anglican-rebels-punched-gay-rights-activists-858332.html  

1/29/08

Described as "most hated woman in America," Shirley Phelps-Roper gets in the news again for her anti-homosexuality tirade against Heath Ledger for Broke Back Mountain portrayal, and looses a fresh blast at Canada as the land of "perverted and immoral" people.

http://ottsun.canoe.ca/News/OttawaAndRegion/2008/01/29/4799177-sun.html 

1/1/08

"Depeding on which part of Berlin I go to, in one I get punched in the mouth because I'm a foreigner and in the other because I'm a queen":  A transgender performer at a Berlin night club reflects on the tenuous social acceptance of homosexuals in Germany.  Given the extreme hostility toward gays in religious Islam, he might have added that he would likely be punched out if he returned to his native country of Turkey

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/01/world/europe/01berlin.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin  

12/20/07

Legislation expected in Denmark that will give gay couples the same rights to adoption of foreign children as those of straight couples.

http://www.cphpost.dk/get/104903.html  

11/19/07

Role of father in the family is the focus of controversy in legislation being considered in Britain to open possibility of in vitro fertilization for lesbian couples.

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,,2213538,00.html

11/7/07

Gay rights activists in UK are unhappy about appointment of an Evangelical minister with anti-homosexual views to the country's human rights watchdog agency.

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article3135384.ece

9/30/07

Despite Ahmadinejad's statements do exist in Iran, but without official recognition or legitimacy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/world/middleeast/30gays.html?th&emc=th  

8/4/07

Brazilian judge gets in the middle of controversy about the "outing" as gay of a member of the Sao Paulo soccer team.  The judge says soccer is a "virile" sport and that homosexuals are not an appropriate role model for Brazilian boys.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6930806.stm

5/4/07

Despite reforms in Turkey's treatment of gay citizens, Islamic opposition to homosexuality is said to result in continuing discrimination.

http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=72191

4/17/07

Some married Australian men say they would rather die that admit to their wives that they have had sexual relations with other men.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/070417/2/1351d.html

3/17/07

First civil unions for same sex couples are celebrated in Mexico City under new legislation opposed by Catholic Church.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6461159.stm

1/24/07

Catholic Church in England is in rebellion against a civil rights law requiring adoption agencies to provide services for gay couples seeking adoptions.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,1996787,00.html

11/15/06

South Africa's parliament overwhelmingly approves legal recognition of gay marriages, the first African country to pass such legislation.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/111406U.shtml

5/29/06

Gay pride march, banned in Moscow, goes forward anyway and its leader and 50-100 other participants are arrested. 

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=91&ItemID=10337  

4/21/06

Belgium grants adoption rights to gay couples:

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/article_1

3/14/06

Israeli Political Party Endorses Gay Marriage

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/03/031406israel.htm

2/26/06

France grants gays joint parent rights

http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2006/02/25/1

1/30/06

U.S. and Iran take same stand on gay rights: ban them from UN recognition as NGOs: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/012806B.shtml

1/20/06       

Implications for gay life of movie Brokeback Mountain:

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0119-21.htm

Books:

Video/Film:

Implications for gay life of movie Brokeback Mountain:

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0119-21.htm

Other Media:

NATIONAL

Websites

Analysis & views:

TOP U.S. MILITARY OFFICER WANTS TO REPEAL "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL," MOST OFFICERS JUST RESPOND WITH A SHRUG, SO WHAT'S HOLDING BACK THE REPEAL? Admiral Mullen, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, has to ask himself about the issue at a press conference in Jordan. Most military personnel are said to have accommodated themselves quietly to the reality of serving alongside gay colleagues. With a rule in place no longer supported by custom, why does the rule remain and why does it take a year-long "review" of the matter? The answer seems to be the power held over Congress and the President by Republicans like John McCain who terrorize them with the spectre of endangerment of "our troops" by supposed morale deterioration in a "time of war."

2/3/10

Top U.S. defense officials express approval for repealing prohibition of military service for gays, but say the "review" process will be lengthy.

1/15/10

TAKE THE PLEDGE: DON'T ASK, DON'T GIVE. Operators of AmericaBlog, a website for the LGBT community, enthusiastic supporters of Obama's election, have begun an attempted boycott against Obama and the Democratic party for what they perceive as their betrayal of promises to that community over such issues as gays in the military, repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and support of state-level gay marriage enactment. Their boycott takes the form of a petition for which they have collected 6,000 signatures, as signers pledge to withhold all contributions to either Obama or the party until they begin to address LGBT issues.

GAY RIGHTS ISSUE TAKES CENTER STAGE (AGAIN) IN CALIFORNIA. Trial begins in federal court as activists claim that the action of state voters in passing Proposition 8 that over-turned legislation providing for gay marriage involves a state taking action to violate a U.S. constitutional right to "equal treatment under the law." Respondents to the suit say states have the right to amend their own constitutions without federal court interference---at least in this case.

SAME SEX MARRIAGE? NOT IN NEW YORK STATE, NOT THIS YEAR. Proponents of a bill legalizing such marriage are stunned by a decisive defeat in the State Senate, despite the support of New York's Governor and New York City's Mayor. This effectively kills any opportunity of New York to join other "heavily Democratic" states in endorsing gay marriage, at least until a new Senate is installed in 2011

11/17/09

Controversy in Utah as head of Mormon church likens the plight of gays today to that of the Mormon trekkers to Utah.

SHOULD HOMOSEXUALS HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS WITH HETEROSEXUALS TO PARTICIPATE IN WAR CRIMES OF U.S. MILITARY? Pierre Tristam, columnist for Daytona Beach News Journal, examines the floundering of U.S. presidential administrations, including that of President Obama, on the issue of whether gays should be allowed to serve only if they keep their homosexuality in the closet. Obama especially has been long on promises to the gay community, but short on delivery. Several comments on the Common Dreams reprint of this article say that the gay rights demand for military service inclusion is misguided, since it only demands that gays be able to join the ranks of the misbegotten military adventures of the U.S. around the world.

COMON DREAMS COMMENTS:

10/15/09

"WE WANT JUSTICE BUT NOT JUST FOR US." Laura Flanders describes what mainstream media have largely ignored: the massive National Equality March in Washington D.C. last weekend, which greatly exceeded in turnout the recent and well-covered "tea-baggers" march. While generally understood as a gay rights protest, the march garnered much support from grassroots civil rights organizations whose agendas of action go far beyond the LGBT agenda.

10/12/09

DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL...DO TELL. President Barack Obama gives another "major speech," this to a meeting of gay rights activists in which he declares his "unwavering support" for their agenda. He indicates he will sign the hate crimes bill (actually attached as a rider to a massive defense appropriations bill) that adds the sexual orientation of crime victims to the roster of crimes with enhanced punishment for perpetrators, pledges to work for repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act which denies the benefits of marriage to same-sex couples, as well as the military's "don't ask don't tell" policy of dismissing homosexual soldiers who openly acknowledge their sexual orientation.  He says these things will take time because they "raise a great deal of emotion in this country," and gives no timetable for completion of these pledges.  The chair of the meetings says that "we never had a better ally in the White House" which (sadly) seems to be true. 

Gay rights activists hope to capitalize on the "hate crime" killing at National Holocaust Museum to promote their effort to have Congress expand hate crimes legislation to include those in which crime victims are homosexual.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0616/p02s10-ussc.html

6/11/09

WITH GREENWICH CT ONLY 20 MINUTES AWAY, WHY WAIT?  Would-be same-sex married couples from Westchester County and New York City flock to the border town in Connecticut for marriages legal in that state, but still in legislative limbo in New York state.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/11/nyregion/11greenwich.html?th&emc=thhttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/11/nyregion/11greenwich.html?th&emc=th

Survey of gay couples married after Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriages five years ago shows that most are satisfied with the consequences to themselves of their marriages. 

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/05/24/for_gay_couples_married_matters/

5/1/09

Repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" policy for gays in U.S. military, but Secretary of Defense Gates says implementation is being "pushed down the road a bit."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/us/politics/01military.html?th&emc=th 

Same-sex marriage decision in Iowa spurs action to expand such marriages throughout New England.:    Connecticut  and Massachusetts have already legalized same-sex marriage.  The other four New England states (Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island) don't seem to be far behind.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/us/05marriage.html?th&emc=th

2/13/09

Gay couples around the U.S. make appearances at marriage license bureaus in a Valentines Day protest against state laws forbidding gay marriage

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/02/13/same_sex_couples_use_holiday_to_raise_point/

Black homophobia did not cause passage of Prop 8 gay marriage ban in California:  So argues Margaret Kimberley, noting that news media grossly over-estimated the percentage by which blacks voted for the proposition, and many white gays acted like whites by scapegoating blacks for a result which could not have been brought about by a mere 6% of the California population.  If you want to place blame, says Kimberley, place it on the white gays who failed to organize, especially in the black community, and blame as well the marginalization of black political thinking and its focus on "family and religion" issues as matters such as black poverty and incarceration have been taken "off the table" of the national discourse.

http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=934&Itemid=1  

11/21/08

Voter passage of same-sex marriage ban in California is challenged in court by those asserting that it represents a major "revision" in the constitution and therefore must be approved by more than a simple majority of voters.  http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1121/p25s02-usju.html  

11/12/08

As California bans same-sex marriages, Connecticut begins to implement a court order and issue marriage licenses.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-11-12-gay-marriage_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

11/5/08

Marriage gets "protected" in Florida and California. .  Floridians vote 62% (60% required) for constitutional amendment defining "marriage" as a union of a man and a woman.

http://floridacapitalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081105/CAPITOLNEWS/811050322

In CALIFORNIA, with half of precincts reporting, voters are approving by 53-47% margin Proposition 8, overturning legality of gay marriage established 6 months ago by state Supreme Court.

http://www.sacbee.com/391/story/1371978.html  

11/4/08

With Proposition 8 on today's California ballot that would overturn the state's legalization of same-sex marriage, gay and lesbian couples are rushing to take advantage of the state's liberal marriage law, as the voting on Proposition 8 is expected to be "really close."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/04/us/04marriage.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin  

10/14/08

Proponents of an anti-same sex amendment in California are using Gavin Newsom's public activities associated with gay marriage as a rallying cry in support of their position.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/13/MNKT13G9AD.DTL

10/12/08

Under Baltimore court ruling, after a same-sex couple with children break up, either of the couple can sue in court for visitation rights.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.marbella12oct12,0,4860101.column  

8/7/08

Santa Fe police and city council embroiled in controversy about an openly gay city councilwoman who threw beads to a policewoman directing traffic for a Gay Pride parade and then refused to remove them when ordered by her supervisors.

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Cop-s-warning-caught-on-tape  

7/30/08

Massachusetts House passes measure to open gay marriages to outside couples; expected to be signed into law shortly.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-07-29-mass-gaymarriage_N.htm

Can gay pride be translated into gay power?  Members of a group called Californians Against Hate hope so as they launch an effort to boycott San Diego hotels whose owner has made major contributions to the effort to place by petition a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage on the November ballot. Proponents of the amendment say this is an intimidation against the free speech of the hotelier.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/17/us/17gay.html?th&emc=th

7/16/08

Massachusetts Senate passes unanimously a measure that removes the legal bar against same sex marriages in the state by residents of other states. Boston's Catholic Bishops condemn the vote, but otherwise there was little protest to the action. Passage by House and signing by Governor is expected within a month.  http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/07/16/senate_votes_to_repeal_1913_law/

Gay marriage as wedge issue in 2008 elections.  Laura Flanders notes that the flap over gay marriage in California is being used once again by right wing groups to promote a conservative agenda that goes far beyond marriage issues.  She sees it as fully a "wedge" issue since it detracts from the progressive agenda of promoting a "community of belonging" as opposed to the privatized and terrorized state of social being that seems essential to the maintenance of the conservative one.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/06/18/9714/  

6/19/08

Straight couples in San Francisco are joining the "excitement" of historic occasion by happily joining gays in newly authorized same sex marriages.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/18/BARV11BB8C.DTL&tsp=1  

6/15/08

Just like martial bliss for "straight" couples, same-sex ones in Massachusetts are finding marriage a "mixed blessing." 

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/15/us/15marriage.html?th&emc=th

6/12/08

How can anti-gay activists "defend marriage" after same-sex marriage begins in California next week? In Bakersfield and across the state, county clerks indicate they will not be performing ANY marriage ceremonies at all, sometimes explained as budget-constrained decisions, but gay activists believe it's in retaliation for the legalization of same-sex marriage. Is that called cutting off your nose to spite your face?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/us/13marriage.html?th&emc=th 

6/9/08

New police commissioner in Philadelphia working to make police work "safe" for gay and lesbian officers in a "macho" police culture.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080609_Making_the_police_safe_for_gay_officers.html  

Battling gays for God in Pennsylvania:.  In the Quaker state as elsewhere, self-righteous legislators are attempting to legislate against same sex marriage as a threat to the institution of marriage. A critic suggests that, if this is the case, why not ban divorce? (They may yet get around to that.)

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/05/gays-god-and-government/  

5/23/08

California opponents of gay marriage ask court to delay implementation of decision against constitutionality of the state's ban, pending action on measure expected to be on referendum ballot in November.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/22/BAIQ10REV2.DTL  

In Californi, LGBT wins a battle but the marriage wars continue:.  CA Supreme Court decision validating gay marriages may face a referendum battle in November, just in time to make this the wedge issue in the 08 presidential election that it was in 04.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080602/lisotta

Plan for same-sex marriage constitutional ban advances in Pennsylvania legislature.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080319_Same-sex_marriage_ban_advances_in_Pa_.html

2/15/08

Maryland's Attorney General leads a parade of witnesses who appear before the legislature in support a state law legalizing same-sex marriage.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.marriage15feb15,0,1531797.story  

Milton MA school board ordered by state department of education to investigate allegations of a school student that she was harassed because her mother was a lesbian.

http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2008/02/13/milton_is_chided_in_school_dispute/  

1/30/08

Heath Ledger's death was a "lightning rod for homophobics" ...and John Gibson of Fox News helped fan the flames of that hatred.  Gibson used clips from Brokeback Mountain and unsupported assumptions about Ledger's sexuality and drug use to make a "joke" of his death that offended even some of the country's worst bigots.

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/on-the-death-of-heath-ledger/  

An ex ex-gay paid $1k per month for 2 years to obtain "therapy" to combat his homosexuality in a faith-based program in Memphis called Love in Action.  The therapy involved resisting the temptation to visit adult book stores (presumably to view Playgirl) and learning such "manly" arts as throwing a football and changing the oil in one's car.

http://www.alternet.org/rights/70491/

11/8/07

Civil rights bill for gays passes the House.  By vote of 235-184, House passes bill granting broad rights of employment non-discrimination for gays and lesbians.  35 Republicans join 200 Democrats in voting for it.  A similar bill in the Senate has good prospects of passage; a presidential veto is a possibility.  Gay rights activists are disappointed the bill did not provide protection for the transgendered and allowed exemptions for employment by religious groups.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/08/washington/08employ.html? pagewanted=1&_r=1&th&emc=th

THE VOTE:

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll1057.xml

Black and gay activists in Maryland are trying to forge an alliance in which blacks support same sex marriage as a matter of civil rights.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.marriage25oct25,0,5453457.story  

What's with Republican politicians and homosexual scandals?  Senator Craig case highlights the GOP problem with having made gay-bashing a leading electoral strategy and forcing people from the gay wing of their own party into tawdry encounters in public rest rooms and e-mail exchanges with congressional pages.  A political writer says the party needs to come out of the closet and acknowledge homosexuality as a legitimate alternate life style so it can get on with its business of helping to govern the country.

http://www.alternet.org/story/61228/  

8/10/07

Human Rights Council sponsors first ever presidential debate on gay rights issues:   "Top tier" candidates Clinton and Obama face sharp questioning, while "also running" ones Gravel and Kucinich are praised for their broad support of gay agenda.  Invited Republican candidates are no-shows.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/09/AR2007080902331.html?wpisrc=newsletter   

7/10/07

Warning: Current nominee for Surgeon General may be harmful to the helath of Gay Americans:  Dr. James Holsinger, in his work as a Methodist layperson, has made pronouncements indicating his perpective on homosexuality as a disease and as abnormal.  Senate hearings on the nomination begin this week.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/10/opinion/10tue1.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin  

6/5/07

Kalamazoo Michigan becomes first city to respond to 2004 state vote against same-sex marriage to rescind its provision of health benefits to same-sex partners.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MI_SAME_SEX_BENEFITS_MIOL-?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT  

Connecticut gay and lesbian couples are taking the state to court over its "civil unions" law which, they say, denies them the full privileges of marriage.

http://www.courant.com/news/nationworld/ats-ap_top15may14,0,4906278.story?coll=sns-newsnation-headlines  

5/6/07

Infertility clinics in San Francisco area are increasingly attracting a clientele of childless gay or lesbian couples who seek biological parenthood as an alternative to adoption or remaining childless.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/05/06/GAYPARENT.TMP  

"New England has stubbornly gone its own way."  With today's expected passage in New Hampshire of legislation granting most of the rights of marriage to the civil unions of same-sex couples, every New England state will now have bucked the nationwide trend toward erecting new obstacles to "gay marriage."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/25/AR2007042502950.html?hpid=topnews  

4/19/07

Oregon expected to become fifth U.S. state to offer full benefits of marriage for same-sex couples.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-04-18-gay-rights_N.htm  

2/9/07

As first former professional basketball player "comes out" as gay, official NBA position is that sexuality is irrelevant for its athletes, but the reactions of fellow players show homophobic tendencies among many of them.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/08/AR2007020802247.html?referrer=email

Oregon State University studies in attempting to alter the sexual behavior of "gay" sheep by "curing" their homosexuality raises protest in gay/lesbian community by those who fear that the same technology might be applied to humans.

http://rawstory.com/showarticle.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fpageoneq.com%2Frssfeedstuff%2Findex.php%3Fid%3D10250

Gays and straights, separate but equal: New Jersey legislature approves measure to have the state join Vermont and Connecticut in giving civil union status to same-sex couples that provides many of the rights associated with marriage, but doesn't follow Massachusetts' path of legalizing gay marriage.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/15/nyregion/15union.html?hp&ex=homepage

12/10/06

Gay-oriented paper in Massachusetts publishes 1994 letter from Mitt Romney to a Log Cabin (gay) Republican organization pledging he will would be a strong advocate of gay rights. Today his opposition to same is a cornerstone of his announced candidacy for President.

http://www.courant.com/news/nationworld/hc-romney1210.artdec10,0,1812278.story?coll=hc-headlines-nationworld

Senator Brownback is questioning nomination for federal judgeship for a woman who attended a neighbor's lesbian commitment ceremony.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1153AP_Judge_Gay_Marriage.html

Students in Okeechobee High School sue school for alleged discrimination against a club for gay and lesbian students.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2006/11/16/m1a_OGAY_1116.html

11/15/06

In a backlash against "affirming" tendency of some U.S. Christian denominations in accepting gay relationships and marriages, Catholic, Baptist and Presbyterian denominations issue statements condemning homosexuality.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/14/AR2006111401337.html?referrer=email

11/3/06

Gays in the military are being warned that "don't ask, don't tell" policy doesn't apply to internet, as military investigators are "asking" by their active search on soldiers' e-mails and gay websites.

http://www.planetout.com/news/election/article.html?2006/11/01/5  

GOP looks for another bite at the apple, using the New Jersey court ruling mandating equality of treatment of gay and heterosexual couples as a campaign issue to express their commitment to the "sanctity of marriage" and the danger of "activist judges."

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/27/us/politics/27marriage.html?th&emc=th

10/25/06

New Jersey Supreme Court rules that state must either approve gay marriage or establish civil unions with equality of rights for same-sex couples.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/ats-ap_top11oct25,0,6964364.story?coll=sns-newsnation-headlines

In Ohio, California and North Carolina, Democratic congressional candidates are being accused, on flimsy grounds, of being associated with "man boy" and other homosexually-oriented organizations.

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/1020-04.htm  

10/18/06

Surviving spouse of Congressman Gerry Studds, to whom he was legally married under Massachusetts law, is denied survivor's benefits by federal Defense of Marriage Act.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/17/AR2006101701263.html?referrer=email&referrer=email&referrer=email  

10/14/06

Supporters of same-sex marriage initiatives on state ballots are having a struggle with voter distraction with other issues and better organization by their opponents.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/14/us/politics/14marriage.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

If Arizona passes a proposition banning gay marriage, unmarried heterosexuals could also lose domestic partnership benefits.

http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2006/08/30/News/Likins.Gay.Marriage.Ban.Could.Hurt.Ua-2251633-page2.shtml?r.com

8/12/06

Provincetown MA trying to promote itself as more than a "gay town."  http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/08/12/a_sea_change_in_p_town/  

"Homosexuality is Shameful" read a t-shirt which got a student barred from a California high school classroom in 2004. He was protesting the school's sanctioning of a "Day of Silence" to counter homophobic actions of students in the school.  Washington Post editorial explores how this case highlights the judicially unresolved matter of the balance of rights of speech on all sides of a social issue.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/06/AR2006080600704.html?referrer=email

7/15/06

Court setbacks to gay rights in three states: Nebraska and Tennessee courts clear way for constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. Nevada judge re-instates a gay marriage ban that a court last year declared unconstitutional. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/15/us/15gay.html?th&emc=th

7/14/06

Prejudice in reverse: some gay people in Provincetown are beginning to use slurs against straight people as "breeders."  Tension between the gay and straight people in this "tolerant" town continues.  http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/07/14/a_new_intolerance_visits_provincetown/?page=2
 

7/7/06

Massachusetts stands alone (for now) as only state with court-protected gay marriages, as adverse rulings by "high" courts in New York and Georgia overturn that protection.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/06/AR2006070600544.html?referrer=email

7/6/06

Civic and business leaders in Massachusetts challenge Governor and Catholic church in urging the dropping of efforts for a constitutional amendment against gay marriage.  http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/07/06/leaders_oppose_bid_to_ban_gay_marriage/  

6/6/06

Log Cabin Republicans (gay and lesbian activists) denounce Bush for "desecrating" the sacred grounds of the White House to announce his support for amendment forbidding gay marriage.  http://online.logcabin.org/news_views/reading-room-back-up/an-open-letter-to-president.html  

In an AOL poll, usually more conservative than American public at large, 2/3s say that Bush has handled gay marriage "poorly" and that the issue should be at the bottom end of his priorities. 

http://www2.filehost.to/files/2006-06-06_01/043644_bush_poll.jpg

6/5/06

Progressives accuse Bush of using support for a same-sex marriage constitutional amendment to cater to his conservative "base;" many conservatives are saying it won't work.  http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_8784.shtml

6/5/06

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, strong supporter of gay rights, urges Stonewall Democrats convention in Pittsburg to be "tolerant" in their campaign of opposing Rick Santorum's bid for re-election to the Senate. 

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06156/695762-85.stm

6/5/06

Act of defiance at Catholic mass in St. Paul MN accompanies refusal to give sacrament to gay rights activists. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/04/AR2006060400773.html?referrer=email

6/3/06

Must be an election coming up, time to rally Kansas to the GOP flag, as President Bush is about to mount the white steed of an anti-gay marriage amendment again.  

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/06/01/bush.marriage.ap/index.html

5/18/06

Lobbyists on both sides of same-sex marriage debate increase their efforts in anticipation of July 12 vote of Massachusetts legislature whether to put a ban on such marriages to the voters as a referendum. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/05/18/tactics_honed_as_debate_nears_on_banning_gay_marriage/

5/18/06

Senate Judiciary Committee moves its meeting and proceeds with "mark up" of marriage amendment proposal after Senator Rus Feingold has an ascerbic exchange with Committee Chairman Arlen Specter. http://pageoneq.com/news/2006/Marriage_Amendment_Hearing_moved_behind_closed_0518.html

5/17/06

With Abe Rosenthal as Executive Editor of the New York Times, news about gay people was not deemd "fit to print."    

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0517-29.htm
   

4/25/06

Boston federal judge rules that military can exclude gays under the "don't ask don't tell" rule:  http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/04/25/dont_ask_dont_tell_suit_dismissed/

4/21/06

Appeals court in California rules that San Diego school could prohibit a student wearing a t-shirt declaring "homosexuality is shameful." 

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/21/BAGBGICPFJ1.DTL

4/21/06

Bill that includes sexuality in Colorado's civil rights law advances, despite fervent Republican opposition:

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/04/042006colorado.htm

4/18/06

Arizona bill that would ban gay adoption fails and disappears:

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/04/041806azAdopt.htm

4/14/06

Governor of Kentucky celebrates "diversity day" by removing from state hiring practices a provision against those with diverse sexual preferences:  http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/14317425.htm

4/12/06

Pentagon admits surveillance of gay activist groups working to rescind the military's "don't ask don't tell" rule:

http://pageoneq.com/news/2006/sldn_041106.html

4/11/06

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/04/041106massAmend.htm  

4/6/06

Senator Feingold, potential Presidential candidate, says he supports gay marriage and opposes Wisconsin constitutional amendment against; http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060404/ap_on_go_co/feingold_gay_marriage_1

Gay activist group "The Ultimate Brokeback Mountain Forum" running a campaign to put 2,000 copies of the video in rural libraries across the country: 

http://gaysouthflorida.blogspot.com/

3/13/06

Maryland Republican pushes for impeachment of pro

gay rights judge

http://www.247gay.com/article.cfm?section=66&id=8710

3/11/06

Gay rights activists decry Supreme Court decision to allow military recruitment on college campuses that try to deny access because of military's "don't ask, don't tell"  rule:  http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0310-04.htm

Jewish panel delays vote on gay issues in Conservative Judaism: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/09/national/09jews.html?th&emc=th

3/7/06

Mass. Gov. Romney seeks exemption for Catholic church to

ban gay adoptions

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/03/06/romney_looking_for_gay_

3/7/06

Opinion on Oscars: Hollywood isn't being straight with gay community:  http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2006/03/07/hollywood_isnt_being_

straight_with_gay_community/

3/1/06

Negative review of Brokeback Mountain: great acting and scenery, miserable depiction of anything loving in homosexual relations and a tone-deafness to either homophile or homophobe culture:

http://counterpunch.org/donnelly03012006.html

2/26/06

Gay and Lesbian adoption next target for US religious right

http://smh.com.au/news/world/gay-and-lesbian-adoption-next-target-for-us-religious-right/2006/02/26/

2/26/06

Ohio senator's retort to gay adoption bill: Ban GOP adoptions

http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2006/02/24/3

2/21/06

Bills or ballot votes for gay adoption actions are being promoted  in 16 U.S. states: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0221-03.htm  

2/20/06

Virginia House approves revised gay marriage ban

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/02/022006vaBan.htm

Gay agenda revealed! (satire): http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0220-22.htm

2/19/06

NC pastor supportive of gay rights to stop performing civil marriages

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/13918768.htm

2/17/06

Proposed gay marriage amendmant to go on Idaho ballot

http://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=17617

2/3/06

Washington State passes gay rights bill: http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/news/story.jsp?floc=ne-main-9-l1&flok=FF-APO-1110&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20060128%2F0700593418.htm&sc=1110  

1/30/06
Maryland court strikes down ban on gay marriage as un-constitutional: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/012106Y.shtml

1/23/06

State of Washington House passes gay civil rights bill: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/012106B.shtml

1/23/06

Gay marriage: taking the battle to the states: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/012106Y.shtml

1/22/06       

Homophobia in everyday conversation: http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=91&ItemID=9552

Books:

Video/Film:

Other Media:

FLORIDA

STATEWIDE

Websites:

Equality Florida: http://www.eqfl.org/index.php

Analysis & views:

2/18/10

"WE ARE BOUND BY FLORIDA STATUTE TO DEFEND AND ADHERE TO THE LAW." Department of Children and Families official explain's DCF's appeal from ruling of a Miami judge that a lesbian woman, who took the child of a relative into foster care from the child's birth, should be allowed to adopt the child in apparent violation of the state's law against gay adoption.

1/23/10

Florida gays hoping to adopt children are anxiously waiting for ruling of U.S. Appeals Court on whether the state ban on such adoptions in unconstitutional

11/18/09

Alex Sink, candidate for Governor of Florida, calls for lifting of state ban on gay adoptions.

7/23/09

Florida Governor Charlie Crist says in Tallahassee about gay adoptions that he would "think about it." Three hours later in Jacksonville he "re-iterates" his opposition

11/3/08

Poll shows anti-gay "marriage amendment" in Florida is at 55%, short of the 60% required for passage, but the 10% "undecided" could swing the vote in its favor.

http://floridacapitalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081101/CAPITOLNEWS/811010324 

10/19/08

Most Floridians support a ban on gay marriage but not the denying of legal rights to unmarried couples, which Amendment 2 seems to do.

http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/101908/met_346052164.shtml

10/12/08

New state poll shows Florida voters are close to approval of constitutional amendment against gay marriage, with around 55% of the required 60% expressing approval.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/legislature/story/718887.html  

1/15/08

Marriage in Florida may remain "unprotected" by the state constitution.  Florida4Marriage had circulated a petition for the November ballot for a constitutional back-up (against legal challenges) of a state law banning same-sex marriages.  Now they learn that they did not submit enough valid signatures and, without any funds, have only until February 1 to secure the requisite number of signatures for their petition.

http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/379560.html

11/5/07

As Florida4Marriage nears collection of requisite number of signatures to put on the ballot a measure banning gay marriage in the state constitution, opponents note that the measure might not be simply redundant of the federal Defense of Marriage act banning such marriages.  The experience in other states with similar legislation suggests that it may open the door to legal challenges to any kind of benefits provided to straight as well as to gay domestic partners, such as those in such Florida cities as Gainesville and Tampa.  Accordingly, opponents of the initiative are calling on POSSLQs (U.S. Census abbreviation of Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters) to join with their gay brothers and sisters in responding to the bell being tolled for all people in "domestic partnerships."

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20071105/NEWS/711050540

9/6/07

Proponents of amendment to Florida constitution to ban same-sex marriage are close to the number of signatures needed to place measure on November 2008 ballot.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Headlines/frtHEAD03POL090607.htm  

7/11/07

A lot of money and a smart political strategy will be employed by an advocacy group to oppose the Florida constitutional ban on domestic partnerships, a wording which the advocates believe will bring support from unmarried heterosexual ones as one as homosexual ones.

http://www.miamiherald.com/884/story/166642.html  

4/26/07

Gainesville legislator Larry Cretul, who led a fight against "domestic partner" benefits in last year's session of the Florida legislature, now re-elected, says he has "other priorities" for this session and won't take up the issue again.

http://gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070426/LOCAL/704260353/-1/news  

4/7/07

'We're going to Disney World' say some gay couples as the popular Orlando resort opens "commitment ceremonies" to same-sex couples, to the consternation of some local conservatives.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-disney0707apr07,0,7891859.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

2/15/07

New chairman of Florida Republican Party favors a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriages.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-gop1307feb13,0,7037685.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

4/2/06

State legislature considers two different anti-bullying bills for schools; one forbidding harassment based on sexual orientation given little chance of passage: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14243116.htm  

3/10/06

Gay adoption supporters rally at capitol in Tallahassee: http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060310/CAPITOLNEWS/603100352  

2/28/06

Crack appears in Florida legislature's resolve to maintain its 30-year-old ban on gay adoptions:  http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060228/NEWS02/602280320/1010

2/9/06

Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, not on 06 ballot for lack of petition signatures, is being debated for 08 ballot at Florida Supreme Court: http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060208/APN/602080971

2/7/06

Petition for Florida constitution ban on gay marriage is 200.000 votes short, backers consider a 2008 ballot rather than 2006: http://www.tdo.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060128/NEWS02/601280325/1011

2/6/06

Jim Davis, candidate for governor, says he favors gay civil rights, not gay marriage: http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060204/APN/602040903&cachetime=5

2/5/06

Fla. Gov candidate Davis supports gay adoption, not marriage

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/02/020506flaGov.htm

Other information sources:

FLORIDA LOCALITIES

Websites:

Jacksonville:

JASMY (social and empowering group for young people of alternate gender preference:  http://www.jasmyn.org/index.html

Analysis and views:

Tallahassee:

1/30/10

Leon County (Tallahassee) moves forward on proposal to add outlawing of discrimination against gays and lesbians to the country's charter.

Gainesville;

3/16/09

Community battle in Gainesville FL over city protection of civil rights of gays, lesbians and trans-gendered escalates as early voting starts today.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090316/ARTICLES/903169989/1002?Title=Amendment-1-Where-do-both-sides-stand-

Orlando:

3/16/09

Gunfire punctuates conflict between black and white student Spring breakers at Daytona Beach

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/EastVolusia/evlEAST05031609.htm

Jacksonville:

3/12/09

Survey shows widespread discrimination against gays, lesbians and trans-gendered in Jacksonville, only major city in the state that does not have city ordinance forbidding discrimination on basis of sexual orientation.

http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-03-12/story/i_never_knew_people_could_be_so_hateful

2/23/09

POINT AND COUINTER-POINT ON GAY RIGHTS IN GAINESVILLE FLORIDA.   On March 24, city voters will decide if the city has the right to determine for itself whether civil rights protection will extend to homosexuals as well as other categories of persons beyond those covered in the state's Civil Rights Law.  The local newspaper opens its op-ed section to the heads of both the organization promoting the amendment and the one opposing it. For the amendment:

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090222/OPINION03/902210991/-1/OPINION?Title=Mark-Minck-Voters-should-approve-Amendment-1

OPPOSED TO THE AMENDMENT

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090222/OPINION03/902210996/-1/OPINION?Title=Craig-Lowe-Voters-shouldn-t-approve-Amendment-1

Gainesville:

12/5/08

'IF YOU TAKE AWAY YOUR COMMUNITY'S RIGHT TO DO THAT AND CEDE THAT RIGHT TO THE STATE, THEN YOU DEFACTO SAY, THAT, 'OK, WE ARE WILLING TO ALLOW THOSE DISCRIMINATIONS.'" Mayor of Gainesville FL, as City Commission responds to a petition to place on March 2009 ballot a measure that would remove from the city the right to maintain non-discrimination laws against against any category of persons not covered in Florida Human Rights Law.  Since that law does not cover gender identity or sexual orientation, it would overturn a City ordinance protecting the trans-gendered.  The Commission in one action voted to express its disapproval of the proposed amendment. In another, it "clarified" the language to go on the ballot, by listing the categories of coverage that would be eliminated by the measure.  The measure's proponents accuse the Commission of stacking the deck against its passage.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20081205/NEWS/812051018/1105/NEWS?Title=Commissioners_OK_amendment_wording

Gainesville:

11/7/08

Gainesville City Commission turns down initial draft of a referendum on city's trans-gender non-discrimination policy that must be put on a ballot after a citizens' petition.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20081107/NEWS/811071009/1002?Title=First_draft_of_transgender_referendum_nixed  

West Palm Beach:

10/14/08

Gay rights "Equality Riders" from Minneapolis get arrested at Florida Atlantic University in West Palm Beach after they tried to enter a chapel

 http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/10/13/1013gayrightsgroup.html  

Broward Co.:

10/5/08

Gay parents of a 5 year old child in Broward County lead in the campaign against Amendment 2 to the Florida constitution.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/columnists/sfl-flbmayocol1005sboct05,0,638420.column

Gainesville:

7/30/08

Gainesville petition-gatherers are surprised to learn their just-submitted signatures which may result in a Spring 2009 city referendum, may inadvertently invalidate non-discrimination policy for "sexual orientation" as well as the trans-gendered people against whom the petition was directed. 

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20080730/NEWS/26433908/1002&title=Transgender_law_challengers_submit_8_600_signatures

Ft. Lauderdale:

6/17/08

Ft. Lauderdale's gay pride festival is not just for gays, as it strives to bring together people of all sexual orientations.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/572692.html  

Orlando:

6/6/08

"Gay Days" and "Love Won Out" conference collide in Orlando:.  Many gays and lesbians attracted to annual gay days at Disney World will be protesting this weekend a Christian fundamentalist meeting whose theme is that homosexuality is "curable" with generous infusions of "love."  Critics says that's like saying blacks can be cured of their blackness, Jews of their Jewishness.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-exgays0608jun06,0,7424176.story

Okeechobee:

4/11/08

Federal court throws out suit of an Okeechobee High School student club based on sexual orientation, saying it is "mute" because the student who filed the suit has now graduated; ACLU may appeal.

http://www.jacksonville.com/apnews/stories/041008/D8VVC0HG0.shtml

Gainesville:

1/30/08

Gainesville City Commission by 4-3 vote, approves ordinance forbidding discrimination against transgendered persons, following acrimonious debate and public hearing that included concerns about clear definition of transgendered and the "weighty" question of which public rest rooms such individuals would use.

http://www.gainesvillesun.com/article/20080130/NEWS/801300328/1002/NEWS  

Marion Co.:

10/25/07

Eight prison officials at a "close-custody" facility in Marion County are "disciplined" for allowing and participating in a same-sex wedding in the facility, citing the illegality of same-sex marriages in Florida and the danger to inmates of assembling for the ceremony.

http://www.gainesvillesun.com/article/20071024/NEWS/71024063

Broward Co.:

10/18/07

Broward County's foster care system has contracted with agency that locates and educates potential foster parents for gay children, many of whom have been left out of any opportunity for foster care.

http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/275442.html  

Ft. Lauderdale:

7/30/07

Despite the anti-gay remarks of its mayor, Ft. Lauderdale expects to maintain its status as one of the country's most popular destinations for gay tourists.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbbacklash0730nbjul30,0,734991.story

Gainesville:

7/25/07

New domestic partnership registry in Gainesville off to a slow start; 4 couples turn up to register on the first day, one a pair of male UF students who say they are not in a "romantic relationship."

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20070725/LOCAL/707250329  

Gainesville;

7/24/07

As Gainesville city clerk opens at 9 this morning, same sex couples and unmarried opposite sex ones can sign up for a "domestic registry" that will give them many of the rights usually associated with marriage.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20070724/LOCAL/707240319

Ft. Lauderdale;

7/18/07

Ft. Lauderdale gay activists want the city's Mayor to resign after allegedly homophobic remarks.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-flbnaugle0718nbjul18,0,2355796.story?coll=sofla_tab01_layout

Ft. Lauderdale:

7/10/07

Florida Equality, a gay advocacy group, urges members to send the Mayor of Ft. Lauderdale sheets or rolls of toilet paper to "clean up his mind" after he made comments opposing new public toilet facilities for city beaches and parks.  He expresses what FE calls a "ridiculous" fear that they will be used for gay sexual encourters, even though some models are fitted with time limit devices that are supposed to discourage such activity. Apparently the designers don't understand the concept of a "quickie."

http://www.miamiherald.com/884/story/165510.html

Miami:

7/7/07

Talk show host on Spanish language TV Telemundo in Miami is fired after making an "unintended slur" against gay men, referring jokingly to sending a gang of "Hialeah grouper" to help counter gang violence, thinking she was talking about fish when "grouper" is in fact a Spanish word for gay men.

http://www.miamiherald.com/884/story/163176.html

Gainesville:

6/15/07

Gainesville City Commission votes to approve a domestic partner registry which will confer rights or marriage to both same sex and opposite sex couples.

http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070612/LOCAL/706120336  

Orlando:

6/15/07

Group of AIDS health-care workers, lobbying in Tallahassee against cuts in Medicaid for AIDS patients say they heard a Umatilla lawmaker say (he denies it) that his cousin died of AIDS and "deserved it" because of his homosexual life style."

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-hays1507jun15,0,3963341.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

Gainesville:

6/11/07

Establishment of a same-sex registry that would give gay couples most of the rights of marriage approaches vote in Gainesville FL city commission.

http://gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070611/LOCAL/706110306/-1/news  

Ft. Lauderdale:

6/9/07

Renowned gay library in Ft. Lauderdale has to vacate its premises to make way for a condo development.

http://www.miamiherald.com/884/story/133922.html

St. Petersburg:

6/8/07

St. Petersburg police trying to avoid repetition of scene at last year's gay parade, when a group of fundamentalist preachers trailed the parade yelling epithets at the marchers.

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/06/08/Southpinellas/Protests_to_be_limite.shtml

Okeechobee:

4/7/07

Gay-Straight Alliance club in Okeechobee FL High School gets favorable ruling from judge about the school offering them rights of other student clubs.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2007/04/07/m1a_ogay_0407.html  

Largo:

3/26/07

Largo FL city commission said that the firing of a city manager who had a sex change was the result of his "management style," not his "life style."

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FL_OFFICIAL_SEX_CHANGE_FLOL-?SITE=FLDAY&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-03-25-13-26-43

Largo:

3/25/07

"It takes a real man to become a woman" says City Manager of Largo FL as he undergoes painful procedure for a sex change; he is also fired from his job.

http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBC87XWOZE.html

Orlando:

7/12/06

Orange County Commission votes unanimously to joins Monroe, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Leon counties in adding sexual orientation to their fair-housing laws; only moderate opposition from Christian conservatives is expressed.   http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-gayhouse1206jul12,0,5759381.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

Orlando:

5/21/06

In address to Family Policy Council meeting in Orlando, Gov. Bush says he is re-considering his opposition to the Council's political agenda in support of constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage. 

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-mjeb2006may20,0,1105514.story  

Gainesville:

4/23/06

LGBT organizations at University of Florida are shifting their focus: from social support for one another to activism in gay civil rights:

 http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060423/LOCAL/60423007/1078

Ft. Lauderdale:

3/10/06

Domestic partner benefit for local government employees becomes campaign issue in Broward County races:

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14084572.htm

Gainesville:

2/6/06

So far only 25 sign up for UF domestic partner benefits: http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060205/APN/602050601

Gainesville:

2/1/06

Gay rights activist speaks at UF, cites progress as well as setbacks for movement:   http://www.alligator.org/pt2/index.php  

Gainesville:

1/23/06   

 University of Florida policy of domestic partner benefits for "non-platonic" relationships:  Cartoon: http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060122/EDITORIALS03/60120008/1099/edit

Other information sources

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