A survey conducted by the Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the UCLA School of Law showed that while 99 percent of same-sex couples participated in this year's census, one in seven such couples will not be identified, according to a press release. In addition, survey findings also show that 30 percent of same-sex couples are either married ( 14 percent ) or in a civil union or registered domestic partnership ( 15 percent ) .
In Georgia, two attendees at Atlanta's Black Gay Pride events—held over Labor Day weekend—were fatally shot Sept. 5, according to an Advocate.com item. The victims were Samuel Blizzard, Jr., 21 of Virginia and Calvin Streater, 26, of Atlanta. Authorities believe that the victims knew their killer, but admitted that there is no solid connection between the men attending the pride events and the slayings. Recently, Black Gay Pride organizer Durand Robinson was killed by gunfire.
In Washington, D.C., a robocall went out claiming that openly gay Councilmember Jim Graham paid for a woman's abortion, according to Advocate.com . The call said, in part, "Jim Graham paid for an abortion for his male companion's chief of staff's girlfriend. ... Paying to take the life is evil, especially when you weren't even the parent." Graham is running for re-election; voting will take place Sept. 14. Graham's opponents deny any connection to the call.
Approximately 10,000 people turned out for the 21st annual South Carolina Pride 2010, which took place in the state's capital of Columbia, according to TheState.com . Attendees wore a variety of items, including one man wearing an "I'm with Gaybraham Lincoln" T-shirt while accompanying someone with a black top hat. There were very few protesters, despite the faith-based group Palmetto Family Council criticizing the public funding SC Pride received.
In South Carolina, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alvin Greene has been accused of using anti-gay and anti-white slurs, WBTV.com reported. Former campaign aide Dottie Sue Maggart-Feldmen said that Greene used the slurs in a voicemail message he left for activist Will Bigger, who organized a forum at which Greene spoke. Greene has denied Maggart-Feldmen's accusations, calling her "a troublemaker." Republican incumbent Jim DeMint has a big lead over Greene and the Green Party's Tom Clements; the election is in November.
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter has announced that Monica Marquez, 41, will become the first lesbian and Latina to sit on the state's supreme court, according to Advocate.com . Ritter, however, was quick to say, "It is not because Monica is a Latina or because she is gay. I chose her because of her analytical ability and her keen intellect." Marquez will occupy the seat Dec. 1, taking over for retired Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey.
In Rhode Island, Marcus Hoffman, 40—who was found guilty of the first-degree sexual assault for the March 2007 rape of a lesbian—was sentenced to 40 years in prison, according to the Boston Globe. Prosecutors said that Huffman offered the drunken woman a ride home but then drove her to a substation and raped her, leaving her on the bathroom floor. Superior Court Judge Netti Vogel described Hoffman's behavior as "something out of a horror movie."
In Colorado, the U.S. Air Force Academy's alumni organization notified OutServe and Blue Alliance—two organizations composed of gay military personnel—that their joint dinner was cancelled, according to an Advocate.com item. OutServe co-director J.D. Smith said that the event was to recognize the "most ignored veterans in our country: gays and lesbians. It was made clear this dinner was not to be an event regarding 'don't ask, don't tell,' it was to be a night to honor the LGBT history in the Air Force."
Scott Stringer, president of the New York City borough of Manhattan, married his wife, Elyse Buxbaum, in New Haven, Conn., as a show of solidarity with gay and lesbian friends who cannot wed in New York state, Bay Windows reported. Stringer said that Sept. 2, when the couple got married, was an "incredibly meaningful day." Connecticut allows same-sex unions.
In Pennsylvania, Alisha Moore was fatally hit by a car Sept. 4 in the middle of an all-out brawl at North Philadelphia's Club Motivation, which often hosts LGBT and ballroom events, according to the Philadelphia Gay News. Two women got into a gray Chevrolet Monte Carlo after being turned away from the club for carrying open containers of alcohol; they then reportedly drove around the block several times, hitting patrons. Among the people allegedly injured was club owner Kadella Davis.
In Delaware, Christine O'Donnell, who has won the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat formerly occupied by Vice Preisdent Joe Biden, has spoken out ... against masturbation, according to EDGE Boston. O'Donnell has said, "The Bible says that lust in your heart is committing adultery. So you can't masturbate without lust." The website Care2.com is alleging that O'Donnell has been deceitful, saying, among other things, that she does not actually have a degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, as she has claimed.
Pastor Terry Jones, the Florida minister who had planned on burning copies of the Koran but then relented, harasses Gainesville's openly gay mayor, Craig Lowe, according to ChicagoPride. Jones has placed signs on the lawn of his church, The Dove Center, that read "No Homo Mayor." Lowe, in response, declared Sept. 11 "Interfaith Solidarity Day."
In Washington, D.C., Freedom2Wed is sponsoring a contest to provide a wedding to a same-sex couple, the Washington Blade reported. Hundreds of couples entered, and six finalist couples have been chosen. The couple receiving the most online votes will receive a wedding package worth $100,000; said package will include everything from rings to a ceremony/reception. The contest, being held at www.Freedom2Wed.com, runs through Sept. 30.
In Las Vegas, Nev., the Liberace Museum will permanently close its doors Oct. 17, Advocate.com reported. The museum—which exhibited various artifacts owned by the late pianist—was a victim of today's economy. At its peak, the museum attracted about 400,000 visitors annually. Liberace Foundation Board of Directors Chair Jeffrey Koep said, "The biggest thing to the board is the human beings affected, that we are going to have to get rid of our employees."
A riddle elicited some interesting responses from kids at a New York City school, according to a segment on TV's Good Morning America: Sunday. Here is the riddle: "Mr. Smith and his son are driving in a car, They get into an accident, Mr. Smith dies and his son is rushed to the hospital. The surgeon says, 'I can't operate on him because he is my son.' How is that possible?" The traditional answer is that the surgeon is the boy's mother; however, several students answered that the boy has two fathers.
Bartenders from around the country converged in Palm Springs, Calif., for the Palm Springs Cocktail Challenge, according to Advocate.com . Bartenders have been competing for months to qualify for the finale, which took place at Georgie's Alibi/Azuls. Among the contestants were Jae Cho of Chicago's Sidetrack; Wil Douglas of Charlie's Las Vegas; and Jeff Wiley of Seattle's Lobby Bar. However, Scot Newell of Georgie's Alibi in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was the winner.
To commemorate World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, POSITIVELY AWARE magazine is compiling a photo essay entitled "A Day with HIV in America." On Sept. 21, people from all across the country will take snapshots of moments from their everyday lives. Photos are to be submitted by Sept. 23 to artdirector@positivelyaware.com . Submissions must include the person's name ( and the names of anyone else in the photo ) , phone number ( of all participants ) , and a caption describing the scene, giving the location and time of day the picture was taken.
In California, a court has granted sole legal and physical custody to a lesbian mother whose parental rights were challenged by the sperm-donor father, according to a press release. In the case of Daniel C. vs. Karen B., the parties, who met through an Internet ad, had signed a pact in which they agreed that the sperm donor could visit the child occasionally but that the child would always live with the mother. They also had agreed that the mother's partner could adopt the child.
New York Gov. David Paterson has signed the Dignity for All Students Act, which includes criteria for public schools to initiate anti-harassment training programs, according to the New York Post. He signed the measure at New York City's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. Paterson talked about how he was teased endlessly because he is legally blind—but drew cheers when he said that he hit one of the teasing classmates in the head with a metal lunchbox.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has confirmed that the Senate intends to bring the National Defense Authorization Act ( NDAA ) to the senate floor next week, according to a press release from the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. The NDAA contains the amendment to allow for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ( DADT ) . "We applaud the Senate Majority Leader's courage and his statement tonight to bring the defense bill to the floor. Now, we must deliver," said Aubrey Sarvis, Army veteran and executive director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.
Fifteen-year-old Greensburg ( Ind. ) High School student Billy Lucas recently committed suicide—and friends are saying that bullying may have pushed him to the breaking point, according to WTHR.com . A press release from the Trevor Project—a national organization focused on crisis intervention and suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ youth—points toward Lucas' sexual orientation ( whether real or perceived ) as the reason for the bullying. Executive Director Charles Robbins said, "Billy Lucas, a 15-year-old at Greensburg High School stood out among the 630 students in the school because he was different. Other students perceived that Billy was gay and he was relentlessly tormented as a result."
GLSEN—the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network—has released The 2009 National School Climate Survey, a poll of 7,261 middle and high school students, according to a press release. Among the key findings are that nearly nine out of 10 LGBT students experienced harassment at school within the past year and nearly two-thirds felt unsafe because of their sexual orientation. The survey also found that gay-straight alliances, indeed, have positive results, with LGBT students experiencing less anti-gay behavior.
Out lesbian U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., has introduced the Health Data Collection Improvement Act, which would allow people to collect voluntary data on gender identity and sexual orientation in surveys and programs approved by the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a press release. Baldwin said, "Currently, the federal government does not collect any information about the health and well-being of LGBT Americans. ... Although we have ample anecdotal evidence of LGBT health disparities, only valid research data will allow us to take critical steps toward improving the health of LGBT Americans and their families."
