An openly gay Florida teenager was shot to death while dressed as a woman, Sun-sentinel.com reported. Simmie Williams, Jr., 17, was shot by two young men in Fort Lauderdale. Transgender prostitutes often hang out in the area where Williams was killed. Police are currently investigating, and are looking into the possibility that it was a hate crime. The victim's mother said he was occasionally picked on because of his sexual orientation.
Lambda Legal recently issued a letter to the City of Los Angeles requesting that it cut ties with a Boy Scouts of America affiliate that administers youth programs for the city's Police and Fire Departments. Lambda Legal said Los Angeles should honor its own non-discrimination policy by cutting ties with the affiliate program, called Learning for Life, which does not discriminate based on sexual orientation but has ties to Boy Scouts of America, which does. Boy Scouts of American bars gays and lesbians.
A recent study shows that aging is a major concern among many gays and lesbians. According to a press release by Community Marketing, Inc., which conducted the study, over 70 percent of gays and lesbians over 40 are worried about getting older and not being able to take care of themselves. The study also indicated that many older gays and lesbians are not prepared for issues that go hand-in-hand with old age, such as caring for a partner, outliving their savings and more.
Openly lesbian U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin ( D-Wis. ) is calling on Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to change the U.S. Department of State's LGBT policies. According to a press released issued by Baldwin's office, she and other legislators demand that Rice institute changes in the State Department's policies in order to provide same-sex partner benefits for its employees. 'As in the case of Former Ambassador to Romania Michael Guest, the inequitable treatment of gay and lesbian Foreign Service Officers ( FSOs ) and their partners should not be allowed to lead highly qualified employees to leave the State Department at a time when their service is needed more than ever,' the letter read.
EdgeBoston.com reported that identical twin gay porn actors have been arrested for burglary. Keyontyli and Taleon Goffney ( stage names Teyon and Keyon ) were charged in connection with the robbery of a South Philadelphia business, where they allegedly cut through the roof to gain access. According to Philly.com, the twins are part of a multi-state investigation, and are suspected of roughly 35 other burglaries.
A judge recently ruled that a lesbian couple should be able to divorce in New York, even though they can't legally wed in the state. A New York Supreme Court judge ruled that the couple, who were wed in Canada in 2004, should be allowed to legally end their relationship by divorcing, reported the New York Daily News. This means one of the women can now proceed with her divorce and custody battle. New York Law prohibits gay marriage, but its laws don't specifically prohibit recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. An attorney for one of the women plans to appeal the case.
The Matthew Shepard Foundation announced that at its upcoming 7th Annual Bear to Make a Difference Gala, it will launch an aggressive anti-hate campaign that will engage about one million people. Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard, the gay college student who was killed in Wyoming, will unveil the campaign in observance of the 10 years since his death.
According to the San Jose Mercury News, a California county board said that it formally opposes the Food and Drug Administration's lifetime ban on blood donations by gay men. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to oppose the FDA's ban, but won't go so far as banning all blood drives until the federal policy is lifted. San Jose State University recently took a stand against the ban by banning campus blood donations until the FDA changes its policy. The county board said such a ban would hurt the region's blood supply.
A Florida eatery is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person who attacked a gay man, according to South Florida's Sun-Sentinel. A gay Fort Lauderdale man was verbally and physically attacked while dining at the restaurant with his partner. The restaurant's owner is putting up the reward with his own money. Police are currently investigating the attack, and are looking into it as a possible hate crime.
Viewers of the daytime serial As the World Turns have started a protest campaign, wondering why fictional same-sex couple Luke Snyder and Noah Mayer have not kissed since September, CNN.com reported. Fans have started a letter-writing campaign and have even started a Web site that counts the last time they smooched.
On a recent episode of The Tyra Banks Show, the talk-show host interviewed Republican presidential candidate Gov. Mike Huckabee. During the interview, Tyra Banks questioned Huckabee about his thoughts on homosexuality. She questioned whether or not he wanted the gay vote, why he was opposed to same-sex marriage and more. 'I'm asking you so many questions about this because I love the gays and the gays love me,' Banks said. 'And I know I cannot walk down the street here in New York City if I didn't press that issue and truly ask you that.' Huckabee remained firm on his positions.
