THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

Speaking of Bachmann, her appearance at a Chicago synagogue caused several attendees to walk out of a service, the Chicago Tribune noted. During a worship service on the eve of Yom Kippur, Rabbi Michael Siegel of Anshe Emet Synagogue offered what he called a customary greeting to Bachmann, in her capacity as a public official. However, some congregants walked out; one even started a campaign to support her opponent in the race for Bachmann's congressional seat.

Former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum and South Carolina senator Jim DeMint jointly endorsed Missouri Senate hopeful Todd Akin, according to Advocate.com . Akin found himself in a whirlwind of controversy after making remarks about rape-related pregnancies. Santorum and DeMint said, "Todd Akin is a principled conservative who is committed to winning and fighting for freedom in the U.S. Senate. Todd will work to stop reckless spending, stop the out of control debt, repeal the government takeover of healthcare, support our military and defend life at every stage."

In New Jersey, Princeton University student Richard Charles Tuckwell, 20, is accused of sexually explicit photos of a fellow male student who had fallen asleep in a dorm room, the New York Daily News reported. Tuckwell and the other student, 19, met during Lawn Party weekend Sept. 16; after the other man fell asleep, Tuckwell took the images using his cellphone camera. Tuckwell has been charged with invasion of privacy; an investigation is continuing into an allegation of sexual assault.

In Florida, Republican state Rep. Mike Horner quickly ended his re-election campaign after he was named as a client in a prostitution and racketeering case, according to SouthFloridaGayNews.com . (The Miami Herald reports the prostitution ring included escorts catering to gay clients.) Horner, a two-term member of the state House, has not been charged or arrested; however, he released a resignation statement saying, "My family still deserves better from me, as do all my friends, supporters and constituents."

In Texas, two gay men were attacked during Austin's pride celebrations in a possible hate crime, KVUE.com reported. Nick Soret said he and friend stopped for a slice of pizza when a stranger asked them, "What are you looking at?" After Soret responded, "I'm not looking at you," the man allegedly picked up the pizza and knocked it onto Soret, burning him. The attacker then assaulted both, punching them and leaving them with busted lips and bruises; the friend suffered a fractured jaw.

Also in Austin (interestingly enough), the police department has released an "It Gets Better video" featuring several gay and lesbian officers, Advocate.com reported. One officer says, "Before we put on our uniform, before we go to work protecting the citizens of Austin, we are a part of Texas, and we are gay." Other officers and department employees then offer personal stories.

The Liberty Hill Foundation has announced $500,000 in grants to LGBTQ youth, according to a news release. The Queer Youth Fund, a donor-initiated grantmaking program at the Liberty Hill Foundation, is responsible for the gifts. The Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center (San Francisco); the Gay & Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County; the Idaho Human Rights Education Center; Life Foundation, Inc., of Hawaii; and Out Now, Inc. (Springfield, Mass.) will each receive $100,000.

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and co-counsel filed a federal lawsuit against an anti-gay hate group that took a gay couple's engagement photo and misappropriated it for a political ad, according to an SPLC press release. The ad attacked Colorado state Sen. Jean White for supporting marriage equality; White lost in the primary. The lawsuit alleges that the couple, Brian Edwards and Tom Privitere, suffered harm, including mental distress and anguish, and that their likeness and personalities were misappropriated.

Kristene Chapa, the Texan lesbian teen who survived a violent June shooting that took the life of girlfriend Mollie Olgin, is speaking out about her ordeal, according to the Huffington Post. Chapa, currently in a rehabilitation facility, posted on Facebook, "Today marks 3 months since my accident. I've learned life is so fragile, and cherish the people you have in your life; love them, don't take things for granted and buy pepper spray! They deserve it!" The teen also confirmed she's dating again.

On Sept. 27, organizations around the country marked National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. National Minority AIDS Council Director of Legislative & Public Affairs Kali Lindsey said, "For too many young gay and bisexual men, HIV infection has become a rite of passage to adulthood. Gay and bisexual men represent the only statistical risk group in which HIV infection rates are increasing. This is unacceptable." Among the many other groups noting the day were the National Association of People with AIDS, the Human Rights Campaign and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Jerome P. Horwitz, PhD., the Karmanos Cancer Institute researcher who first discovered the anti-HIV drug azidothymidine (AZT), died recently in Michigan at age 93, according to HIVPlusMag.com . While searching for a cancer-fighting agent in the '60s, Horwitz discovered AZT but saw it as a failure because it didn't contain cancer. However, in the 1980s, AZT became the primary ingredient in an "AIDS cocktail" of antiretroviral drugs.

In Michigan, the Ruth Ellis Center hosted its second annual benefit, "Voices," with special celebrity guest Wanda Sykes Sept. 20, according to a press release. "Voices," held at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, celebrates the resilience of the more than 4,000 homeless, runaway and at-risk LGBTQ youth the center serves annually. The event also included two major announcements: this year's recipients of the Ruth's Angels Award and Sykes' surprise announcement that she had donated $15,000 to the Ruth Ellis Center, matching a $15,000 grant PNC Bank announced.

In Massachusetts, a recent federal court ruling that granted a trans inmate gender-reassignment surgery does not have the backing of politicians, according to Advocate.com . Both candidates for the Senate—Republican Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren—criticized the ruling, with them saying it's a waste of taxpayer dollars. In addition, the administration of Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick said it will appeal the judge's decision.

New York state Sen. Roy McDonald—one of four Republicans who voted to support marriage equality in the state last year—has decided not to continue his re-election campaign because of the opposition to that development, according to Fox23News.com . Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo has pledged to support McDonald, who lost the primary to Kathleen Marchione in a Sept. 13 in an extremely close race.

In Missouri, Maplewood's city hall passed a sexual-orientation nondiscrimination ordinance four votes to three, according to Fox2Now.com . During public comments, approximately a dozen people argued for both sides of the issue. Maplewood is only the seventh out of 96 municipalities in the St. Louis metro area to pass such ordinance.

In Illinois, a Cook County sheriff's deputy David Nardi claims that his superiors did not prevent his colleagues from harassing him because of his sexual orientation, according to Edge on the Net. Nardi alleges that some officers and a supervising sergeant have harassed him since he started working at the sheriff's office in 1999. The co-workers have reportedly made lewd noises and used anti-gay slurs toward him.

In California, former gay-porn star Ryan Idol has been sentenced to 12 years in state prison for beating his former girlfriend, the Sacramento Bee reported. Sacramento Superior Court Judge Troy L. Nunley imposed the term Sept. 26 on the 46-year-old Idol (real name: Marc Anthony Donais). In 2009, Idol's girlfriend ended their relationship when she reportedly caught him with his male lover. He entered her apartment and beat her with a porcelain toilet lid.

The LGBT-rights group Truth Wins Out criticized Springfield, Ill., Catholic Bishop Thomas Paprocki after he released a video message implying that, "because the Democratic Party is pro-choice and supports marriage equality, casting one's vote for a Democratic candidate threatens one's eternal soul," according to a press release. "We are incredibly alarmed by the blatant politicization of the Catholic pulpit in this election year," said Wayne Besen, executive director of Truth Wins Out. "The bishops are trying to turn Catholic parishes into political precincts."

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has confirmed in a letter that same-sex couples will officially be considered families in immigration proceedings, Advocate.com reported. The development aims to keep couples from being split up by deportation. Napolitano's letter came in response to an inquiry sent in July by Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Jerrold Nadler and more than 80 other members of Congress.

In New York City, a Sept. 27 health alert warned of four cases of "invasive meningococcal disease" that occurred among the city's gay and bisexual men in the past four weeks; however, there have been 12 cases since August 2010—and four of those men died, Gay City News reported. The men in the 12 cases ranged in age from 21 to 59, and eight were HIV-positive. The alert stated that symptoms of meningitis include "high fever, headache, stiff neck and rash that develop rapidly within two days."

The initial line-up for the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) sixth annual national dinner has been announced, according to a press release. The Oct. 6 event —which will take place at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.—will feature Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker, NAACP President Benjamin Jealous, Oscar-winning actress Sally Field and HRC President Chad Griffin. More than 3,000 people are expected to attend the event, which will also showcase a Cirque du Soleil performance.

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill that ensures that women in same-sex relationships as well as single women can access fertility services on the same terms as women in opposite-sex relationships, according to a joint press release from Equality California and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Assembly Bill 2356—which Assemblymember Nancy Skinner authored, and Equality California and the NCLR co-sponsored—lets women using known donors to access certain fertility procedures that are less expensive and more effective.

The U.S. Department of Education has released a free, two-part training toolkit for educations that is designed to reduce incidents of bullying, according to a press release. The Safe and Supportive Schools Technical Assistance Center developed the toolkit; the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Healthy Students, in collaboration with the NEA and the American Federation of Teachers, provided support.

At the University of Virginia, students want an end to the tradition of inserting the word "not" before the word "gay" in its traditional fight song, according to Advocate.com . The student council unanimously passed a resolution that urges the campus community to stop singing "not gay" during the "Good Ol' Song." The Cavalier Daily's editorial staff also urged students to drop the addition.

Chicago police officer Nelson Stewart, 59, has been accused of promising a male prostitute early release from jail in exchange for sex. On Sept. 28, Stewart—a divorced father of two children ages 19 and 21—was ordered held on $100,000 bail on charges of custodial sexual misconduct, bribery and official misconduct, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The other man, 30, was arrest June 6 after he offered to perform sex on an undercover policeman for $20. Stewart allegedly told the inmate if he did him a "favor" he could be released later that day.

A Buffalo, Minn., man has been arrested for vandalizing at least six churches—some with messages that Jesus was gay, according to Advocate.com . Wade Murray (who caused more than $7,000 worth of damage) confessed to vandalizing the churches after being arrested because he said he believes God wants him to "hurt people."

Pro-gay football player Chris Kluwe has challenged Minnesota state Rep. Mary Franson to a debate over marriage equality, the Huffington Post reported. Kluwe, a punter for the Minnesota Vikings, recently wrote a controversial letter to Maryland Delegate C. Emmett Burns defending same-sex marriage. Kluwe told City Pages he's been talking with the group Minnesotans for Equality about organizing a debate between him and Franson. Franson, a Republican, recently said she doesn't believe same-sex marriage is "normal behavior."

On the other end of the spectrum, football player Matt Birk of the Baltimore Ravens has penned an editorial against same-sex marriage, according to the Huffington Post. Birk, responding to pro-gay teammate Brendon Ayanbadejo, said, writes in the Star Tribune, "Same-sex unions may not affect my marriage specifically, but it will affect my children—the next generation. Marriage redefinition will affect the broader well-being of children and the welfare of society. As a Christian and a citizen, I am compelled to care about both."

At a plenary luncheon entitled "Game On: All In to End HIV," basketball star/HIV activist Magic Johnson and TV talk-show host Wendy Williams joined dozens of people living with HIV/AIDS, advocates and care providers in signing the "Declaration to End HIV/AIDS in America," according to a National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) press release. NMAC and a panel of more than 80 leaders of the HIV/AIDS community developed the declaration. The entire declaration can be viewed at http://nmac.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/DeclarationToEndAIDSInAmerica_FINAL.pdf.

Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released a statement recognizing October as LGBT History Month. In the release, she said, "Today, we begin a monthlong tribute to the incredible history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. It's a history that began long before the Stonewall riots of 1969, and it's one that continues to this day—from the courageous LGBT leaders on the front lines of the struggle for full equality to the millions of everyday heroes across the country who are moving our nation forward by simply refusing to live their lives in the shadows." She concluded by urging LGBT individuals to help re-elect President Obama.

Log Cabin Republicans released its first wave of Congressional endorsements Monday, giving a nod to 20 "incumbents and challengers who value individual liberty, personal responsibility, and believe in an inclusive Republican Party," according to a statement. Among the endorsed candidates are Judy Biggert and Bob Dold of Illinois; Mary Bono-Mack (who was Sonny Bono's second wife) of California; and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida.

Wisconsin anchor Jennifer Livingston reminded viewers that October is National Anti-Bullying Month by calling out a man who called her fat in an email, SheWired.com reported. Livingston—rather than kowtowing—called the man out on air, although not by name. The email, disguised as advice, read in part, "Surely you don't consider yourself a suitable example for this community's young people, girls in particular. Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain." Livingston went on to say that although she is an adult with a thick skin, kids are subjected to this type of taunting every day.

Pro basketball player Matt Barnes (who plays for the L.A. Clippers) used an anti-gay slur when he was arrested in Manhattan Beach, Calif., July 30, Advocate.com reported. In a video TMZ has released of the incident, Barnes tells arresting officer David Gibbons, "You're the fucking faggot who followed me." He also called the officer a "bitch" and tried to resist arrest.

The conservative group the Pacific Justice Institute filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of California's new ban on "ex-gay" or "reparative" therapy for minors, Advocate.com reported. California Gov. Jerry Brown recently signed into law Senate Bill 1172, which prohibits state-licensed therapists from using that type of therapy. The measure is the first of its kind in the United States.

Oreo's 100th-anniversary campaign has had plenty of gay twists—and that includes the final cookie image, Advocate.com reported. There has been a rainbow-colored cookie to mark gay pride, as well as a tribute to Project Runway. However, the last image celebrates the anniversary of the high five—which a gay man likely invented. Los Angeles Dodger Glenn Burke was the first baseball player to come out as gay, albeit in retirement; in 1977, he thrust his hand in the air to greet a teammaate.