New Paltz, N.Y. Mayor Jason West—best known for unofficially overseeing the weddings of 24 same-sex couples in 2004—lost his re-election bid, according to Advocate.com . West lost to Democratic opponent Terry Dungan by an unofficial tally of 514-379. Dungan will take over as mayor on June 1. According to CatskillsNews.com, West said that if he had to do it all again, he would not change a thing. The soon-to-be ex-mayor blamed his defeat on his opponent's negative campaigning.
In Colorado, Gov. Bill Ritter plans to sign a measure that would protect individuals in the workplace on the bases of sexual orientation and gender identity, 365Gay.com reported. On May 3, the state Senate passed the bill; the measure had previously passed through the House. According to a Human Rights Campaign press release that 'applaud [ ed ] the many legislators who voted for fairness and equality,' Colorado will become the twentieth U.S. state to ban workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and the twelfth to do so on the basis of gender identity.
Republican U.S. Senator and presidential candidate John McCain is defending the military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' anti-gay ban, according to a press release from the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network ( SLDN ) . In a letter to SLDN, McCain said that the policy 'unambiguously maintains that open homosexuality within the military services presents an intolerable risk to morale, cohesion and discipline.' However, an increasing number of Republicans is supporting a repeal of the ban.
In Dallas, Texas, Willie Atkins—who may have infected more than 100 young males with HIV, and who videotaped his encounters—was sentenced to life in prison, CBS11TV.com reported. A jury convicted Atkins, 44, of attempting to entice a 15-year-old boy. However, tapes discovered during an investigation showed Atkins, who has been HIV-positive for over 16 years, having unprotected sex with 131 young men.
The Vermont State House of Representatives has voted to include gender identity in the state's anti-discrimination statute, EdgeBoston.com reported. The measure had bipartisan support as it was approved by a vote of 118-28. ( The Senate vote passed a similar bill 27-1. )
GLEE.com ( Gays, Lesbians & Everyone Else ) , a new LGBT networking site, has announced a unique partnership with The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce ( NGLCC ) , according to a jointly-released press release. GLEE.com has also teamed up with Sony Music/Columbia Records' LGBT-centered Music with a Twist Label to discover and promote musical acts.
