31 January 2012

LGBT history month (UK)

Credit:  Facebook

Black history month (US)

Credit:  AP

Reform of laws on HIV sought (www.thehindu.com (India))

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11-Year-Old Girl to be Institutionalized Because TRAAAAANS! (unicornbooty.com)

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ezs note:  YOU can make a difference-- sign the petition!

Canada transportation rules: Could they prevent transgender people from flying? (www.washingtonpost.com)

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Arab Emirates ‘cure' video under fire from LBGT activists (chicago.gopride.com)

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Transgender People Concerned About Airport Screening Regulations in Canada

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28 January 2012

Actress' claim to be gay by choice riles activists (www.timesunion.com)

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Atlanta, Georgia

Credit:  CWCnews

Hello!

Weird January weather we're havin'!  Here's what's happening... Atlanta, Georgia... Riyadh, Ar Riyad, Saudi Arabia... London, London, City of, England, UK... Berlin, Germany... Nebo, North Carolina...  Sydney, New South Wales, Australia... Wesley Chapel, Florida... Turin, Piemonte, Italy... Brussels, Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium... Spokane, Washington... Taipei, T'ai-pei, Taiwan... San Francisco, California... Council Bluffs, Iowa... Tifton, Georgia... Deerfield, New Hampshire... Heanor, Derbyshire, England, UK... Durham, North Carolina...  Reading, Pennsylvania... Mountain View, California... Seattle, Washington... West Hartford, Connecticut... Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Philippines...

This month's top dog (arf,arf!) School board approves surveillance, transgender policies

I'll bet we can do it!  Here's the favorite charities:

American Red Cross
www.redcross.org

International Red Cross/Red Crescent
www.ifrc.org

Doctors Without Borders
www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Rainbow Fund
www.rainbowfund.org

The Anger Over ‘Tranny,’ From Neil Patrick Harris to RuPaul to Dan Savage (www.thedailybeast.com)

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OUT@NBCUniversal and Rain Team Up for Superbowl Sunday Benefit (losangeles.broadwayworld.com)

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HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan To Address Gay Rights Conference (www.ontopmag.com)

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Tony Perkins Blasts 'Star Wars: The Old Republic' For Including Gay Relationships (www.ontopmag.com)

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                                                                              Credit:Benson              

27 January 2012

Changes to Trans Health Program spark concern (www.xtra.ca)

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LGBT-Themed License Plates Could Hit The Streets Of California (losangeles.cbslocal.com)

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First lady Katie O’Malley regrets words about gay marriage foes (thedailyrecord.com)

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CNIC woes: For transgenders, their guru is their guardian (tribune.com.pk (Pakistan))

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LGBT History Month 2012 (www.highgatepeople.co.uk(UK))

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California legislators choose LGBT leader (www.examiner.com)

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26 January 2012

Gearing up for ‘Change’ (www.washingtonblade.com)

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NAACP president says group supports extending rights to transgender residents in Maryland (www.washingtonpost.com)

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Maryland First Lady Katie O'Malley blames "cowards" for gay marriage failure last year (www.therepublic.com)

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David Kato: A Hero of Hope (www.huffingtonpost.com)

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Identity, spirituality explored (www.gcsunade.com)

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Debate continues for countywide domestic partnership registry (www.cfnews13.com)

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Trans advocates criticize Tennessee Rep. Floyd (lgbtweekly.com)

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U.S. issues new guidance for LGBT asylum claims (www.washingtonblade.com)

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Romney, conservatism, raising a family and the gays (www.washingtonpost.com)

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Filling in the Data Gaps on Black Gay and Transgender Americans (www.americanprogress.org)

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Ireland to Host European Transgender Forum (www.gaelick.com(Ireland))

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The right voice (www.thehindu.com(India))

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Transgender persons being enrolled as Pak voters (zeenews.india.com(India))

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25 January 2012

Chances at Romance Publishes Groundbreaking Romance Novel Featuring a Transgendered Heroine (www.marketwatch.com)

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SPLC accuses county schools of violating gay rights (www.tuscaloosanews.com)

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Girl Guides of Canada considering transgender members (www.torontosun.com)

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Bill would bar prisons from paying for inmate sex changes (www.independentmail.com)

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Kylie at Mardi Gras (southern-courier.whereilive.com.au(Australia))

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A Generation Sacrificed, Again (www.huffingtonpost.com)

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Maryland's Martin O'Malley Supports Transgender Protections Bill (www.ontopmag.com)

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Matthew Shepard's father confronts Tennessee about teen suicides, bullying, hate crimes (www.metroweekly.com)

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Texas judge jails transgender widow of fallen firefighter for being late to court appearance (www.therepublic.com)

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24 January 2012

Oberst: Don't block anti-bias law (www.omaha.com)

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LifeLine role a mix of pressure and pleasure (www.stuff.co.nz (New Zealand))

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Lesbian Air Force Colonel "Honored and Humbled" to Be Invited to Join First Lady at State of the Union (www.metroweekly.com)

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Mitt Romney Discloses Contributions to Antigay Groups (www.advocate.com)

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Boy Scouts Of America Embraces 'No Name-Calling Week,' Anti-Bullying Event Established By LGBT Organization (www.huffingtonpost.com)

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Palm Beach County broadens anti-discrimination protections (weblogs.sun-sentinel.com)

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Jack Gantos wins 2012 Newbery Medal (articles.chicagotribune.com)

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Gary Johnson, Former New Mexico Governor, On Why He's Gay Voters' Best Presidential Choice (www.huffingtonpost.com)

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IU’s GLBT Alumni Association gathers Jan. 27-29 for annual celebration (newsinfo.iu.edu)

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Baird promotes tolerance for gays in clever effort to hide anti-gay agenda (fullcomment.nationalpost.com(Canada))

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20 January 2012

Jumping Beyond the Broom (www.americanprogress.org)

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Sweden's Transgender Sterilization Law Slammed By International Activists, Politicians (www.huffingtonpost.com)

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ezs note: I signed the petition... did you?

Weeklong queer fest starts today (timesofindia.indiatimes.com(India))

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Campus, Museum of Tolerance explore collaboration

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The New Civil Rights Movement Nominated For GLAAD Media Award (thenewcivilrightsmovement.com)

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Groundbreaking Global Report on LGBT Tourism Released Created Through UNWTO-IGLTA partnership (www.etravelblackboardasia.com(Australia))

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Rainbows for Cuba! (www.thedailyactivist.com)

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Guarne, Antioquia, Colombia


Credit:  Flickr

Hello!

A bit of warm before the storm!  Here's what happening...  Guarne, Antioquia, Colombia... Jakarta, Jakarta Raya,Indonesia... Bronx, New York... Wesley Chapel, Florida... Tomball, Texas... Woburn, Massachusetts... Boston, Massachusetts... Council Bluffs, Iowa... Burlington, Ontario, Canada... Atlanta, Georgia... Farmington, Minnesota... Wells, Maine... Terre Haute, Indiana... Toronto, Ontario, Canada... Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil... Monroeville, Pennsylvania... Redmond, Washington... Saint Paul, Minnesota...  Palembang, Sumatera Selatan, Indonesia... Mexico, Distrito Federal, Mexico... Norwalk, Connecticut... Kingston, Saint Andrew, Jamaica... Woodland Hills, California... Manila, Philippines... Groningen, Netherlands... Brussels, Brussels Hoofdstedelijk, Belgium... Bangalore, Karnataka, India...Mountain View, California... Washington, District of Columbia... Croydon, England, UK...

This month's top dog:  'Transphobic' tampon advert causes outrage

We ALL can help...

American Red Cross
www.redcross.org

International Red Cross/Red Crescent
www.ifrc.org

Doctors Without Borders
www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Rainbow Fund
www.rainbowfund.org

19 January 2012

Boston doctor finds treating transgender youth a transforming experience (www.jta.org)

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Gov signs transgender rights bill (www.wwlp.com)

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Protesters glitter-bomb Santorum rally (www.charlestoncitypaper.com)

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GLAAD to host queer-inclusive panels at Sundance (qsaltlake.com)

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GLAAD Announces Nominees for Outstanding Comic Book 2011 (www.comicsalliance.com)

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Lady Gaga up for GLAAD award (www.iol.co.za(South Africa)

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17 January 2012

Gay Catholic Group Responds to Pope's Homophobic Comments (www.huffingtonpost.com)

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Park Ridge church becomes ‘reconciling congregation,’ welcomes LGBT community (parkridge.suntimes.com)

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In LGBT Debates, Discomfort Is Part of the Point (www.huffingtonpost.com)

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Pee in Safety! (prospect.org)

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ezs note:  Okay, okay, this article may give you a few yuks, but if you or a friend really has to go, this blog has some very useful information.  Particularly, www.safe2pee.org has some very useful information.  Let me know how it goes.

Honduras is test of new U.S. policy on gay rights (www.miamiherald.com)

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Thai airline employs transgender flight attendants (www.globalpost.com)

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Proposed Baltimore Law Would Allow Transgender People to Use Bathroom of Their Choice (www.opposingviews.com)

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16 January 2012

Martin Luther King Jr. day

Credit:  AP

Centeno, Mukasa receive MLK Day Journey Awards (www.princeton.edu)

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Gwent Police is one of UK’s best for workplace equality (www.southwalesargus.co.uk)

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An Open Letter to the Transphobic Girl Scout (jezebel.com)

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In Kuwait, transgender people tell of police torture and sexual abuse (sdgln.com)

Jaime Love: Govan School expels transgender teen for wearing girl's clothes (www.examiner.com)

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14 January 2012

Menasha, Wisconsin

Credit:  Menasha Contractors

Hello!

The cold is coming!  The cold is coming! Here's what's happening... Menasha, Wisconsin... Council Bluffs, Iowa... Auckland, New Zealand... Groningen, Netherlands... Piraeus, Attiki, Greece... Brussels, Brussels Hoofdstedelijk, Belgium...  Washington, District of Columbia... Los Angeles, California... Atlanta, Georgia... Morganton, North Carolina...  Royal Oak, Michigan.... Dubai, United Arab Emirates... Mountain View, California....  Sofia, Grad Sofiya, Bulgaria... Chicago, Illinois... London, England, UK... Camberley, Surrey, England, UK... Central District, Hong Kong, SAR, China...

This month's top dog:  'Transphobic' tampon advert causes outrage

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. day!

Globally, we can help... help a friend in need...

American Red Cross
www.redcross.org

International Red Cross/Red Crescent
www.ifrc.org

Doctors Without Borders
www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Rainbow Fund
www.rainbowfund.org

Have an unchilly day!

ABC Cancels Work It After Two Episodes (www.thedeadbolt.com)

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10 January 2012

Peace


I have done without electricity, and tend the fireplace and stove myself. Evenings, I light the old lamps. There is no running water, and I pump the water from the well. I chop the wood and cook the food. These simple acts make man simple; and how difficult it is to be simple. In Bollingen, silence surrounds me almost audibly, and I live in modest harmony with nature. An indescribable stillness prevailed.

In the Tower at Bollingen it is as if one lived in many centuries simultaneously. The place will outlive me, and in its location and style it points backward to things long ago. There is very little about it to suggest the present. If a man of the sixteenth century were to move into the house, only the kerosene lamp and the matches would be new to him; otherwise, he would know his way about without difficulty. There is nothing to disturb the dead, neither electric light nor telephone. (Carl Jung)

Wintour Award (www.vogue.co.uk(UK))

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Shun homophobia (bulatlat.com (Philippines))

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Romney Likes 'Being Able to Fire People' for Being Gay (www.huffingtonpost.com)

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Tampon Ad: Missing the Points (blogs.montrealgazette.com(Canada))

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08 January 2012

Reopened Parkside pool caters for city’s transgender community (www.cambridgefirst.co.uk)

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Transgender City Manager Ousted From Lake Worth for ‘Personal Reasons’ (www.southfloridagaynews.com)

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What to do when a transgender man needs his pap smear? (www.dailymail.co.uk (UK))

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Zoologger: Transgender fish perform reverse sex flip (www.newscientist.com)

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Transgender Americans take on New York (www.bbc.co.uk)

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Cheryl Rebottaro: Why PFLAG has returned to Santa Cruz County (www.santacruzsentinel.com)

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07 January 2012

My pick is for Obama... but not without some SERIOUS reservations...

This is a candidate that I've given a great deal of thought to.  One may wonder why.  On the GOP side, the serious contenders are yahoos, or worse.  (You may bring up Jon Huntsman. I hate to say it, but according to the GOP dictionary, his picture would be under "unelectable".)  Essentially, this is a four person race.  There is Mitt Romney, whose gyrations are so bewildering, no one - Republican, Democratic, Green, what have you - can make out what he really means.  Ron Paul may be loved by a smattering of Texans, but little else.  Rick Santorum is consistent, I'll give him that - consistently psychotic, consistently bizarre.  Newt Gingrich will be sending people to the moon.  Uh-huh.

On the Democratic side is Barack Obama.

Now, a Democratic booster would say to me, "See?  Barack Obama is just so easy to pick, it's remarkably simple.  The only candidate worth their chops, Jon Huntsman, is going down in flames.  Vote Barack Obama!"  Yeah, pal, while I'm glad you can serve whatever the Democratic Party dishes out to you, for the rest of us, it just ain't that easy.

On the positive side, I am glad ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) has expanded, DOMA (Defense Of Marriage Act) has been effectively scuttled, as has the idiotic 'Don't ask, don't tell' military policy.  Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech in Switzerland last month was a ringing call to action.

Despite this, however, Barack Obama's overall record has been worrisome at best.

First off, there is the actual record of "Don't ask, don't tell" repeal.  He waited until after the GOP won  the November election.  In its own twisted way, it was (kinda) good that that the Republicans won the House, because Obama seemed shaken out of his own bizarre funk.  Would Obama done as well had the Democrats won?  Maybe... but I doubt it.

Second, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. These twin wars have surpassed ten  years, with Afghanistan still counting.  There's no fudging it.  This war must end NOW.


Third, his answer (or, more to the point, non-answer) to Occupy Wall Street and the various  Occupy forces across this land.  Yes, the forces are terribly diverse.  What would have been proper, however, would be to identify the ideas of broad appeal (75% or greater) and then implement them.  I hate to say it, President Obama, but you failed.

As November approaches, the only question is on the Republican side.  Unless an earthquake happens,  Obama is safe.  For those of us who are who are on the lefty side, it would seem that Obama is as good as it gets.  (Sigh.)

There are a few things Obama can do to right his ship, however.

1.  Every day he is in the White House, from today until the election day, he will talk to local     Democrats.  It doesn't really matter whether it's from San Francisco or Podunk, Iowa.  What does matter is that they are frank - brutally frank, in fact.

2.  Similarly, he will talk to leaders of Occupy Wall Street and others in Occupy movements.

3.  I know you can't read every letter or e-letter that comes your way - but a random sample  - truly random - wouldn't hurt.

4. BUT... every flakoid who vents his/her spleen to you does not deserve equal attention.

President Obama, despite everything I've said, I do believe your heart is in the right place.  But before you accept pats on the back from the cheering section, there is one sobering fact that you must realize: there are thousands of Democrats around  the country who feel quite comfortable in following you.  Yes, you won-- but you must thank your lucky stars that you did win.  You must be humble enough to get a second opinion - and not just those who lived a Washingtonian life, but from Maine to Hawaii, and from Florida to Alaska.

It is then - and only then - that you and your administration will show true value and import.

Detroit Teen Found Dead After Helping Police (newsone.com)

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Council Bluffs, Iowa

Credit: Council Bluffs Public Library collection

Hello!

This warm, and it's January?  Nah...  Here's what happened... Council Bluffs, Iowa... West Hartford, Connecticut... Aßlar, Hessen, Germany...  Quebec City, Canada... Montebello, California... Wesley Chapel, Florida... Izmir, Turkey... Croydon, UK... Great Sutton, Surrey, UK... Woodbury, Connecticut... Trumbull, Connecticut...  New Haven, Connecticut... Bad Vilbel, Hessen, Germany... Taipei, T'ai-pei, Taiwan... Slidell, Louisiana... Groningen, Netherlands... San Francisco, California... Farmington, Michigan... Mountain View, California... Riyadh, Ar Riyad, Saudi Arabia... Chicago, Illinois... Atlanta, Georgia... Hamilton, Ontario, Canada...

This month's top dog:  Twin boys, one transgender, become brother and sister

Make your new year a happy year!

American Red Cross
www.redcross.org

International Red Cross/Red Crescent
www.ifrc.org

Doctors Without Borders
www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Rainbow Fund
www.rainbowfund.org

Chaz Bono saving up for penis operation (www.digitalspy.com)

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06 January 2012

Officials Close Investigation Into ‘Fighter’ Director’s Alleged Groping (abcnews.go.com)

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Police search for man who raped transgender teen (www.abc2news)

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ezs note: If you live in Baltimore or the area, or visit there, and you have information regarding this crime, please let the Baltimore police know immediately!

Former Basketball Player Is World’s Tallest Trans Person (www.advocate.com)

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More homophobic crimes reported to police (www.southwalesargus.co.uk(UK/Wales)))

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Maryland legislature to consider gay marriage, transgender rights bills (www.lgbtqnation.com)

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TTPC plans membership meeting for Jan. 14 (www.outandaboutnewspaper).com)

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Peace

“A smile is the beginning of Peace” — Mother Teresa

Transgender Niece Tells Cops -- He Groped My Breasts (www.tmz.com)

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Rick Santorum jeered after comparing gay marriage to polygamy (www.latimes.com)

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01 January 2012

mull this one over...


"They are preserving the sanctity of marriage so that two gay men who've been together for twenty-five years can't get married, but a guy can still get drunk in Vegas and marry a hooker at the Elvis chapel. The sanctity of marriage is saved!"
- Lea DeLaria quotes

Long Beach's gay community faced good and bad news in '11 (www.presstelegram.com)

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Feature report: Gay committee will color Angeles City like a rainbow (www.pia.gov.ph {Philippines}))

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At least 20 say they ended up disfigured after 'The Duchess' performed black-market beauty procedures (miamiherald.typepad.com)

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Suicide Rate for Trans Women Denied Implants Alarming (www.advocate.com)

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Gender identity bill is a legislative priority for Maryland's governor Martin O'Malley

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Happy New Year 2012!

Credit:  Silverguy