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

Democratic U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer announced that she will not run for reelection in 2016, setting up a big money political battle for her seat in the nation's most populous state, CNN noted. Boxer, the 74-year-old Democratic junior Senator from California, said that she is not retiring altogether and will continue working on "the issues that I love" through her political action committee, PAC for a Change. Boxer was first elected to the Senate in 1992.

Tiffany & Co. is featuring a gay couple in its latest engagement campaign for the first time, joining an array of other businesses that have tacitly expressed support for same-sex marriage through advertising, according to Time.com . The couple in the Tiffany ad are not models, but a real-life New York City couple. "Nowadays, the road to marriage is no longer linear, and true love can happen more than once with love stories coming in a variety of forms," a Tiffany spokesman said in a statement to Elle.

A federal judge declared South Dakota's same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional, but marriage licenses won't be immediately issued because the ruling was put on hold pending a potential appeal, LGBTQ Nation reported. U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier sided in favor of the six couples who filed the lawsuit in May in Sioux Falls. The lawsuit challenges a 1996 state law and a voter-approved 2006 constitutional amendment that ban gay marriage. Attorney General Marty Jackley said the state will appeal the case to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which, in 2006, affirmed Nebraska's right to ban same-sex marriages.

A former Florida A&M University band member was sentenced to more than six years in prison for manslaughter and felony hazing in the death of a drum major, making him the first to receive prison time in the case, ESPN.com reported. Dante Martin received 77 months, but prosecutors wanted nine years in the beating death of 26-year-old Robert Champion during a hazing ritual in November 2011. ( Other band members have either served sentences or will face trial later this year. ) Defense attorneys and prosecutors agreed no band members said in depositions that Champion's sexual orientation played a role in the hazing, so the fact that he was gay was not brought up during the trial, CBS Miami had reported.

Starkville, Mississippi—the town that became the first in that state to pass an anti-discrimination resolution last year—repealed the law in a closed session, Advocate.com noted. The same lawmakers also rescinded a policy that extended health-insurance coverage to same-sex domestic partners of city employees. Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman has reportedly "slammed aldermen for removing LGBT-friendly policies without public debate and began the process vetoing the board's action." However, the alderman are able to override his order because the vote to repeal was five for repeal, two against repeal.

Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran has been fired for authoring a Christian book in 2013 that described homosexuality as a "sexual perversion," The Washington Post reported. Cochran had just returned to work Jan. 6 at the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department following a monthlong suspension for comments in his book, Who Told You That You Are Naked? Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced that the city would be separating from Cochran.

Ahead of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals tackling Texas' ban on same-sex marriage, a group of Fort Worth police officers spoke out in support of marriage equality on behalf of a gay colleague, according to NBCDFW.com . In the ad, three employees of the Fort Worth Police Department say Chris Gorrie, a police officer since 2006, should be allowed to marry whomever he wants and that those who support freedom and liberty should also support his freedom to marry. The 30-second ad—placed by Texas for Marriage, a joint campaign by Freedom to Marry and Equality Texas—began airing Jan. 4 in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin and El Paso, among other cities, and ran through the next day.

The Movement Advancement Project's ( MAP's ) newly released 2014 Momentum Report: A Snapshot of Progress and Setbacks for LGBT Equality shows that—despite many advances for the LGBT community—there are areas ( e.g., employment and housing ) where deep disparities continue to exist compared to the heterosexual sector, according to a press release. The report examines marriage, health, transgender equality, and other areas of progress—and also provides an overview of some of the biggest remaining gaps in equality. The report contains a timeline of some of the important events that occurred throughout the year. The report is at http://lgbtmap.org/momentum-report.

A new study based on data from the Sidney Borum Jr. Health Center shows what a handful of local and regional studies on transgender youth have long suggested: Transgender youth have disparately negative mental health outcomes compared to non-transgender youth, a press release stated. The study examined data from the electronic health records of 180 transgender patients age 12-29 years matched with non-transgender patients who were seen for healthcare at the Sidney Borum Jr. Health Center. Compared with non-transgender youth, transgender youth had an elevated probability of being diagnosed with depression ( 50.6 percent vs. 20.6 percent ); suffering from anxiety ( 26.7 percent vs. 10 percent ); attempting suicide ( 17.2 percent vs. 6.1 percent ); and engaging in self-harming activities without lethal intent ( 16.7 percent vs. 4.4 percent ).

The United Methodist Church has dismissed its complaint against an Alabama bishop who performed a same-sex wedding, WAAYTV.com reported. Leaders of one of America's oldest denominations released a statement Tuesday, saying the case against retired bishop Melvin Talbert had ended with a settlement. Talbert faced potential disciplinary action after he performed the wedding in Birmingham in October 2013.

Missouri state Rep. Elijah Haahr ( R-134-Springfield ) has proposed legislation that would allow Christian groups to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation on college campuses, while still retaining all the privileges of being a school-sanctioned student group, according to an LGBTQ Nation item. Stephanie Perkins—deputy director of PROMO, Missouri's statewide LGBT advocacy organization—said in response, "Freedom means for everyone, and no student should be turned away from opportunities to succeed and expand their university experience on campus just because of who they are." Haahr's bill could easily pass in the GOP-controlled state legislature, where Republicans also enjoy a veto-proof majority in both chambers over Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.

Dignitaries such as Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton as well as Mayor Bill de Blasio attended the funeral of former Democratic New York Gov. Mario Cuomo Jan. 6, according to CBS News. ( Cuomo—the father of current Gov. Andrew Cuomo, CNN journalist Chris Cuomo and three other children—died New Year's Day. ) On Jan. 5, hundreds waited in a line that stretched more than a block to pay their respects at Cuomo's wake; Vice President Joe Biden, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and actor Alan Alda were among those who paid tribute.

The Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) has spotlighted six of the new members of the 114th Congress, highlighting rhetoric, record and positions on LGBT issues, a press release stated. One of the freshman featured is U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, a Republican from Illinois who was previously a member of the Illinois House. Among other things, Bost reportedly opposed any form of relationship recognition for same-sex couples, saying, "I didn't vote for civil unions and I won't be voting for gay marriages." Others whose records are highlighted include U.S. Reps. Jody Hice ( R-Ga. ), Glenn Grothman ( R-Wis. ), Tom Emmer ( R-Minn. ), Cresent Hardy ( R-Nev. ); and U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis ( R-N.C. ).

Also, the Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) Foundation, the organization's educational arm, announced that Michael Sam—who made history as the country's first openly gay professional football player—will be honored at HRC's national Time to THRIVE conference in February in Portland, Oregon, a press release stated. Last year's conference featured actress Ellen Page's coming-out speech as well as an appearance by Chelsea Clinton. Time to THRIVE is a national convening of youth-serving professionals to build awareness and cultural competency, learn current and emerging best practices, and gather resources from leading experts and national organizations in the field.

Lambda Legal announced that Douglas Hammett-Lair started receiving spousal survivor benefits after the Chicago-based CNA Financial Corporation amended its retirement plan to allow many surviving same-sex spouses to receive benefits, according to a press release. The change came after Lambda Legal and private counsel Louis Ascherman urged CNA to grant spousal benefits to same-sex couples together for years, but only recently able to marry due to discriminatory marriage exclusions. Gary was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and died in December 2013. Doug then applied for spousal survivor benefits from CNA, but his request was denied because "a qualified spouse must be married to the participant at least one year prior to death in order to be eligible for a benefit."

North Carolina legislative leaders say they'll ask the U.S. Supreme Court to quickly hear their appeal seeking to reverse lower-court rulings that legalized same-sex marriage in the state, according to ABC11.com . Senate leader Phil Berger and likely House Speaker Tim Moore said the two Republicans will ask the nation's highest court to hear the North Carolina case before a lower appeals court in Richmond, Virginia. Federal judges in Greensboro and Asheville ruled in October that the state constitution's amendment banning marriage equality was unconstitutional.

In Texas, opponents of Plano's inclusion of LGBT people in its anti-discrimination policy plan to try to gather 3,800 signatures to repeal the measure, according to Courthouse News Service. Members of the conservative Liberty Institute, Houston Pastors' Council and Plano Citizens United announced the initiative at a news conference. The effort to repeal the city's Equal Rights Policy came one month after the City Council approved an amendment to the 25-year-old ordinance that expands protections to people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or military/veteran status.

A Maryland man has pled guilty to stabbing a 15-year-old transgender girl on a Metro train, the Associated Press noted. Reginald Klaiber, 25, of Greenbelt, Maryland, admitted guilt to assault with a dangerous weapon with a hate-crime enhancement in Superior Court in Washington, D.C.. He faces up to 15 years in prison at sentencing on March 11.

Clark County, Nevada—where Las Vegas is—has issued its 1,000th same-sex marriage license, according to the AP. Las Vegas residents Christopher Barnson and Daryl Reed received the milestone license, with wedding rings already on their fingers. Same-sex marriage became legal in Nevada Oct. 9, 2014.

In Pittsburgh, trans man Andi Woodhouse was remembered at the 10th Street Bridge, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Woodhouse died Dec. 13, 2014, at age 24 after he fell from the bridge onto the Parkway East in an apparent suicide. Woodhouse's sister, Ashley Ginnetto, said before the vigil that her brother was "the sweetest, biggest-hearted person" she ever knew. "And the people who were being picked on were the ones he loved the most."

The organization Truth Wins Out praised former Exodus International official and "ex-gay" activist Randy Thomas for stepping forward in a blog post to admit that he is, and always has been, a gay man, according to a press release. Thomas's post, entitled "A Peaceful Disclosure," explains that the years since the downfall of Exodus International, as well as the tragic suicide of a beloved friend who "struggled with his faith and sexuality," have forced him to authentically come to terms with who he is. Truth Wins Out Associate Director Evan Hurst said, "The question isn't whether or not this will keep happening—it will—but rather who will be the next to come out."

The National LGBTQ Task Force announced that Rev. Rodney McKenzie Jr. has joined the organization as the new director of faith work, according to a press release. McKenzie, an out LGBTQ person of faith and a community organizer, brings more than 13 years of experience working for organizations fighting for grassroots political power in marginalized communities.

A judge has set a $40,000 bond for a Florida transgender woman authorities say illegally injected toxic substances to enhance women's buttocks, SeattlePI.com reported. During a court appearance, Oneal Ron Morris said she couldn't afford the bond and would remain in jail, where she faces trial in seven separate cases; the charges include manslaughter in the death of a woman who authorities say paid Morris $2,000 for injections. Morris has pled not guilty.

Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, will be interviewed by tech journalist and Re/code co-Executive Editor Kara Swisher at the Lesbians Who Tech Summit on Friday, Feb. 27, according to a press release. About 1,200 people are slated to attend the summit, which will take place in San Francisco Feb. 26-March 1. Visit lesbianswhotech.org/summit2015/ .

For the sixth consecutive year, The Advocate has compiled its annual list of the "Queerest Cities in America," according to a press release. Dayton, Ohio, topped the list, with Atlanta; West Palm Beach, Florida; Lansing, Michigan; and Madison, Wisconsin, completing the top five. Matthew Breen, editor-in-chief of The Advocate, said, "We seek the unexpectedly queer-friendly places in America, using criteria that changes each year. The results are always a surprising, and this year's list delivers some absolutely unexpected queerest cities."

The Associated Press reported that an adoption decree granted to a married lesbian couple in Okmulgee County is believed to be among the first same-sex adoptions in Oklahoma, the women's attorney has said. Two young boys in state Department of Human Services care were adopted by the Tulsa women in a Dec. 19 proceeding conducted by Associate District Judge Duane Woodliff, who has since retired. Attorney Terri Craig, who represents the couple, said, "An unmarried couple could not adopt in the state of Oklahoma. A married couple can. That's what kicked the door open for us."

Illinois HIV Care Connect announced the launch of an upgraded website ( www.hivcareconnect.com ) featuring information about the importance of achieving viral suppression for people living with HIV, according to Business Wire. The viral suppression page on the website ( www.hivcareconnect.com/viral-suppression ) educates people living with HIV about the importance of achieving viral suppression. The page includes a link to a survey through which people with HIV can test their understanding of viral suppression and provide feedback to Illinois HIV Care Connect.

Famed New York-based retailer Saks Fifth Avenue is asking that a discrimination complaint be dismissed, claiming that transgender employees are not protected by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, according to LGBTQ Nation. The department store chain made the claim in response to a lawsuit filed by Leyth Jamal, a transgender former employee who worked in Saks' Houston stores, alleging discrimination, harassment and a hostile work environment based on her gender identity. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ( EEOC ) concluded in a landmark 2012 ruling that sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 includes discrimination based on gender identity.

In Virginia, a gay couple will win an all-expenses-paid wedding at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in a promotion for Richmond tourism, according to Richmond.com . The wedding, in the garden's Robins Tea House, will take place March 7. The couple will receive wardrobe and styling, a custom wedding cake, floral arrangements, an overnight stay at the Linden Row Inn, including a suite on the day of the wedding for preparation. Eligible couples ( who must reside in Virginia ) are encouraged to share their stories on RichmondIsOut.com by Jan. 31.

In a controversial move, former state Sen. the Rev. James Meeks has been nominated by Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner to become chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education. Meeks, who heads the Salem Baptist Church on Chicago's South Side, has a long history of challenging goals sought by the LGBT community, so the Jan. 10 announcement was questioned by some LGBT-rights advocates. In a statement, Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, said that the nomination "does not measure up to Rauner's election commitment of holding 'no social agenda' and is an insult."

Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality ( AFTAH ) keeps talking about Michael Sam, The Huffington Post reported. LaBarbera has now penned a poem to Sam, who became the first openly gay man drafted into the NFL in spring 2014. Referencing Sam's televised, headline-making kiss with boyfriend Vito Cammisano, the outspoken anti-gay activist apes the rhythm and meter of Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham" in the poem, which he's titled "I Saw the Kiss by Michael Sam. It Made Me Mad. He Kissed a Man!"