The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) has released a comprehensive new report, "Injustice at Every Turn," that shows the depth of discrimination transgender and gender non-conforming people endure in a wide range of areas, including education, health care, employment, and housing. Among the key findings are that respondents were nearly four times more likely to live in extreme poverty, with household income of less than $10,000; and that approximately 41 percent of respondents reported attempting suicide, compared to only 1.6 percent of the general population.
In South Dakota, authorities have refused to grant the name-change request of a Sioux Falls lesbian couple who were legally married in Iowa, according to LGBTQNation.com . Amy Muston married Ashley Stabe last year, adopting Stabe's surname in the process. However, five years ago South Dakota voters passed a constitutional amendment banning and denying recognition of same-sex marriage and civil unions. The Stabes have filed petitions to change their names.
In Florida, former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley has returned to the political arena, making a recent appearance to mentor young Republicans, according to The Daily Caller. Foley resigned from Congress in 2006 after it was revealed he had inappropriate contact with underage male pages. The president of the Palm Beach County Young Republicans said that Foley "has a great message and touched on so many different things."
In Alabama, Laura Gilbert, 25, said she was attacked outside an Opelika bar by a dozen people and then arrested because of her sexual orientation, Advocate.com reported. Gilbert and a friend went to a bar called the Villa; when they were about to leave, a female patron confronted them and a fight ensued. Then, the fight moved outside and involved many more people, including two men. Gilbert, who was cited for public intoxication and disorderly conduct, was the only person arrested.
The world's only conference focusing on the importance of language in LGBT life will be held at American University Feb. 11-13, according to a press release. The Lavender Languages and Linguistic Conference will be the launchpad for the creation of the first-ever journal devoted entirely to the subject, called The Journal of Language and Sexuality. Topics at the conference will include queerness in contemporary vampire fiction; and the relationships between language, migration and sexualities. The first issue is expected next year.
Florida's Ryan White CARE Act AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) will soon drop 6,500 residents from its rolls, an unparalleled move that raises serious concerns about the solvency of the state's safety net for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS, according to a press release from the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC). "In its more than two decades, ADAP has never faced a more severe crisis," said NMAC Executive Director Daniel C. Montoya. "For many low-income Americans living with HIV/AIDS, including people of color, ADAP provides the only avenue for receiving life-saving medications."
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the J. Paul Getty Trust have jointly acquired a huge collection of the prints, negatives and letters of the late gay artist Robert Mapplethorpe, according to the New York Times. It is the first time the two institutions have collected works of art to share. The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation is donating the majority of the 2,000+ photographs—including Mapplethorpe silver-gelatin prints and Polaroid works—and the trust and museum, with help from the David Geffen Foundation, are buying the rest. The foundation estimated the value of the entire collection at more than $30 million.
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) has sent a letter asking U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Dr. Clifford Stanley to establish special boards that would address issues faced by former service members discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) and the prior regulatory ban, according to a press release. The overwhelming majority of former servicemembers who have contacted SLDN recently want to change their discharge paperwork to remove the remnants of DADT, which SLDN said can subject them to discrimination in civilian life.
During an exchange with the Des Moines Register, Democratic Iowa state Sen. Mike Gronstal was asked about criticism that he is stopping "the will of Iowa voters" regarding same-sex marriage. Gronstal, a marriage-equality supporter, responded, "I'm not convinced it's the will of the Iowa voters. Two-thirds of Iowans voted against a constitutional convention. ... That was a larger issue than just gay marriage." He added, "We did not put it to a vote of the people when Iowa took out ... the prohibition on interracial marriage. We did not put the right of different-race couples to a vote of the people. We didn't put to a vote of the people whether or not women should be admitted to the bar."
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has announced the launch of its People of Color Media Training Institute as a part of the organization's National People of Color Media Initiative, according to a press release. The institute, funded by the Arcus Foundation and created specifically for people of color who are LGBT or LGBT allies, will develop a group of leaders to speak in national media outlets about issues that impact the lives of LGBT people and their families.
The popular African-American publication Ebony is featuring a lesbian couple in its current Black Love issue, according to Advocate.com . Yanette Freeman and Willa Walker discussed meeting through mutual friends in 1998 and eventually becoming a couple. Several couples are profiled in the magazine's issue, but Freeman and Walker are the only same-sex couple.
Sarah Palin feels that the gay Republican group GOProud should be at the upcoming Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)—and that organizations should not boycott the event because GOProud is there, according to Advocate.com . Talking with the Christian Broadcasting Network, Palin said that having everyone at the conference would "provide good information and balance" and would "allow for healthy debate, which is needed for people to gather information to make up their own minds on issues. Among those skipping CPAC are Sen. Jim DeMint and groups such as the Family Research Council.
In more CPAC news, the head of the group organizing the event said it might be "difficult" to work with GOProud in the future, according to Advocate.com . Al Cardenas, who heads the American Conservative Union (ACU), said that he has "been disappointed with [GOProud's] website and their quotes in the media"—the latter a reference to GOProud chair Christopher Barrons' public criticism of ex-ACU head Cleta Mitchell. That same day, conservative former U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle said she supported GOProud's participation at CPAC.
Anti-gay U.S. Rep. Christopher Lee has resigned after a shirtless image of him soliciting a woman on Craigslist was revealed, according to Advocate.com . The woman had placed a personal ad, and Lee reportedly responded by describing himself as "fit fun classy," lowballing his age by seven years and saying he was divorced. (He's actually married.) A spokesman for Lee said that someone might have hacked into the now-former politician's Gmail account.
Truth Wins Out has asked the American Family Association (AFA) to fire Bryan Fischer, its director of issue analysis, for publishing an offensive online column defaming Native Americans. In part, Fischer originally wrote, "In all the discussions about the European settlement of the New World, one feature has been conspicuously absent: the role that the superstition, savagery and sexual immorality of native Americans played in making them morally disqualified from sovereign control of American soil." Wayne Besen, the out gay activist who heads Truth Wins Out, said, "The dishonesty of [the AFA] knows no bounds." The AFA has rescinded the article following public outrage.
In Colorado, Douglas County Lt. Jeff Engor resigned after it was confirmed he left hundreds of anti-gay and racist postings on sites for news affiliates, according to Advocate.com . For example, last December he wrote about the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell:" "New miltary [sic] slogans: The few, the queer, the Marines! Butt Rangers lead the way! Be as gay as you can be!" Undersheriff Tony Spurlock called Engor's statements "very shocking and inappropriate."
Terry Jones—the Florida minister who made waves by threatening to burn copies of the Koran last year and who led a campaign against gay Gainesville mayor Craig Lowe—is going on the road throughout the United States, according to an Advocate.com item. Jones will be the headliner on the Stand Up America tour, which will condemn Islam, homosexuality and abortion. The United Kingdom recently banned him from entering, citing Jones' views.
In Fort Wayne, Ind., a former mayor's name has been removed from consideration for naming a new building—out of concern that it might start too many jokes, according to Advocate.com . The city started an online vote, and Mayor Harry Baals (pronounced "balls") became the runaway hit. However, officials said that his name was an easy target for jokes, and it has been taken off the list.
In Pennsylvania, Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson's now-former press secretary, Chuck Ardo, has accused Thompson of homophobia after he recently quit, according to Advocate.com . Thompson has not denied Ardo's claims that she referred to Harrisburg's openly gay comptroller, Dan Miller, as "that homosexual, evil little man." Miller has called Thompson "mentally unstable" and has alleged that "ever since I didn't vote for her for council, she's been very hostile." Thompson is now seeking her fourth spokesperson in her 13 months in office.
Also in Pennsylvania, authorities are looking for a transgender doctor in connection with the death of a British student who died after a botched operation, the Daily Mail reported. Claudia Aderotimi, 20, was believed to have an illegal "butt enhancement" procedure carried out by an unlicensed practitioner in a hotel room after they meet on a plastic-surgery website. The suspect could be charged with manslaughter, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years.
In New York, people attended a tribute to slain Ugandan activist David Kato, VOANews.com reported. The vigil started near the United Nations building and moved to just outside a Ugandan mission. Attendees stated their feelings and urged that Kato's killer be brought to justice. One attendee, Vitto Carmine, said, "Hate kills. And we, as Americans, need to wake up to the fact that the radical conservatism that is infecting Uganda is our fault. It is the Christian Right's fault for feeding this kind of hatred in Uganda."
The International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC)—which partners with activists and organizations all over the world to document human-rights violations—will hold its annual event "A Celebration of Courage" March 7 in New York City. Actor Alan Cumming will emcee the gala; while Jeff Sharlet and the LGBT Centre of Mongolia will receive the Outspoken Award and the Felipa de Souza Award, respectively. See http:// www.iglhrc.org .
In Massachusetts, Mitchell Reich has become the first openly gay president of the publication the Harvard Law Review, according to Passport Magazine. The 125th president of the review, Reich, a second-year student, said that his sexual orientation was never an issue. However, Reich added, "If I had seen someone who was the president of the Harvard Law Review and [also] openly gay, that would have been helpful to me."
In Washington, D.C., Mayor Vincent Gray appointed veteran public health and AIDS physician Gregory Pappas as director of the city's HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Disease and Tuberculosis Administration, the Washington Blade reported. The openly gay Pappas has held various AIDS and public health-related positions over the past 25 years, including a post as advisor to U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher during the Clinton administration.
The Hawaii House passed a civil-unions measure 31-19 Feb. 11, according to UPI.com . The measure now goes back to the state Senate, which approved a similar bill in January. The Senate is expected to approve the measure (which now has minor alterations) and Gov. Neil Abercrombie has said he'll sign the measure. Alan Spector, co-chair for Equality Hawaii, said in a statement, "The action taken by the House today sends a strong message that our state recognizes the importance of moving towards equality."
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., attempted to amend an extreme measure she opposes that would limit a woman's rights and endanger her health, according to a press release. In a House Health Subcommittee mark-up, Baldwin offered an amendment to the Republican-sponsored H.R. 358, the "Protect Life Act," so that the bill could not take effect if it increased taxes on individuals or small businesses. However, ruling it irrelevant, Republicans did not vote on Baldwin's amendment and passed the measure.
Following last year's anti-gay controversy, retail giant Target teamed with singer Lady Gaga by offering early free downloads of her new single, "Born This Way"—a song Sir Elton John has called the new gay anthem, according to TwinCities.com . In 2010, Target was in the crosshairs of gay-rights groups for making a $150,000 corporate donation aiding an anti-gay-rights Republican, Tom Emmer, in the Minnesota governor's race. Incidentally, in addition to Gaga, Target is collaborating with out gay singer Ricky Martin.
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has allowed a woman to be named as a parent on a state birth certificate of the child born to her same-sex married spouse—without needing a court order, according to a Lambda Legal press release. Susan Sommer, director of constitutional litigation at Lambda Legal, said, "Lambda Legal has advocated with the government for this important step for Maryland children, who now can count on having both their moms listed on their birth certificates from their first days in the world."
Regent Media—which owns OUT, The Advocate and Gay.com, among other properties—has been accused of scamming two Wall Street banks out of $90 million, according to Queerty.com . Regent allegedly created false movie-licensing and distribution deals and passed them off to the banks as legit ones in order to drive future revenue. The money then allegedly went into the pockets of Regent Group of Entertainment Companies CEO/Chairman Stephen Jarchow.
West Hollywood, Calif., resident Steven Krumholz was arrested in the U.S. Virgin Islands on suspicion of selling drugs during an event promoted as the "world's largest gay cruise," according to the Wisconsin Gazette. After boarding the Allure of the Seas, agents found drugs on a passenger who claimed that he had ordered the items from Krumholz. The authorities then searched Krumholz's cabin, where they reportedly found more than 142 Ecstasy pills, ketamine, meth and approximately $50,000 in cash.
Palm Center Director Aaron Belkin issued a statement in response to former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's comments in support of the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." On Feb. 11, Rumsfeld told ABC News Radio that repealing the ban on openly gay service is "an idea whose time has come." "With Secretary Rumsfeld's statement that the 'time has come' to repeal the ban, there are now three Republican Secretaries of Defense—Cohen, Gates, and Rumsfeld—who have come down on the side of allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly," Belkin said.
Real-estate mogul and potential Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said that he does not support same-sex marriage even though he likes that New York City "has lots of gays," according to Advocate.com . Trump, who describes himself as "a conservative Republican," said, "New York is a place with lots of gays, and I think it is great. But I'm not in favor of gay marriage." When former pageant contestant Carrie Prejean spoke out against marriage equality, Trump defended her, comparing her views to President Obama's.
Gay couple Matty Daley and Bobby Canciello's record for the world's longest kiss has been broken, according to Advocate.com . Ekkachai and Laksana Tiranarat—a straight couple from Bangkok, Thailand—reportedly kissed for more than 46 hours. On their Facebook page, Daley and Canciello wrote, "Looks like we won't be getting our spot in the next Guinness Book, but mad props to these two for achieving something even more fantastic than we were able to do at the time."
In New York, the Brooklyn deli Hana Food is changing the names of some of its sandwiches (including one called the "Gay Boy") at its new location, according to an Advocate.com item. Among the other names customers coined for sandwiches were "Butter Face" and "The Illegal." The "Gay Boy" contained egg, vegan bacon, vegan cheese, avocado and sprouts in a sun-dried tomato wrap.
The Motor City Pride Festival is moving to downtown Detroit after being in Ferndale, Mich., for a decade, according to the Detroit Free Press. In addition to a change in location, the festival will expand from one to two days, June 4-5. Event chair Dave White told The Daily Tribune of Royal Oak that "Ferndale has been great to work with and it was a really hard decision to leave such a supportive city." Ferndale officials are reportedly disappointed with the development, saying that the city could handle the festival's expansion.
In Oregon, the Beaverton school district has settled a lawsuit filed by Seth Stambaugh, a student teacher who claimed he was fired after talking about marriage equality with a fourth-grade student, according to Advocate.com . When the youngster asked Stambaugh, who is gay, if he was married, the teacher responded, "No ... because I would choose to marry another man." The district agreed to pay Stambaugh $75,000 and "provide leadership training concerning issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression."
Approximately one in five syphilis cases are wrong, according to the Wall Street Journal. A CDC report revealed that a study of five U.S. labs shows about 18 percent of the positive results from a test method used since the 1980s were actually negative. The CDC is recommending additional tests when this particular test is used, although the center stressed that the analysis does not miss people who are positive.
