Hello!

It's the last day of the year! Hope the past year was good, and the year to come is just as good... here's what happened... Ilion, New York... Lexington, Kentucky... Gwangju, Kwangju-jikhalsi, South Korea... Brussels, Brussels Hoofdstedlijk Gewest, Belgium... Council Bluffs, Iowa... San Francisco, California... Woodbridge, Virginia... Mountain View, California... Vernon Hill, Virginia... Morrow, Georgia... Abbotsford, British Columbia... Atlanta, Georgia... Massapequa, New York... Kings Park, New York... Koln, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany... Boston, Massachusetts... Groningen, Netherlands... Erlangen, Bayern, Germany... Laurel, Mississippi... Berlin, Germany... Pacific Palisades, California... Taipei, Taiwan... Savannah, Georgia... Ruprechtshofen, Niederosterreich, Austria...

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

You've had - and hope to have - a happy year... let's make it a good year too!  The following charities are a good idea to give to.

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

See ya next year!

New laws promote gay history, illegal immigrants (www.contracostatimes.com)

*more above*

Sexual minorities get a 'Pehchaan' of their own (timesofindia.indiatimes.com (India))

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U.N. lists LGBT rights abuses for the first time (www.gaypeopleschronicle.com)

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In Pakistan, a transgender leader is standing for election (sdgln.com)

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The New Civil Rights Movement's Top 10 International LGBT Stories of 2011

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Three States to Enact Gay Rights Laws (kezi.com)

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US sees call for more gay-friendly senior housing (www.necn.com)

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Peace

If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama

Tribune Take: Transgenders in politics, a good thing (tribune.com.pk (Pakistan))

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Peace

“It is, however, well known that the main national liberation organizations in this country have consistently followed a policy of non-violence. They have conducted themselves peaceably at all times, regardless of government attacks and persecutions .” - Nelson Mandela

FILM: Our most-watched films of 2011 (www.irinnews.org (UN))

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12-28-11: Being Transgender in Maryland (mdmorn.wordpress.com)

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Breast implants 'save lives': advocacy group (www.thelocal.se (Sweden))

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A year in LGBT issues (blogs.phillymag.com)

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COMMENTARY: Money talks for LGBT groups (sdgln.com)

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ezs note-  let me see... how should I put this... just as Jimmy says, GIVE!

The Catholic Church And The Sin Of Sexism (lezgetreal.com)

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Blaine Man Sentenced to 367 Months for January Murder

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Peace

'Gender equality has been debated for a long time throughout the world. Even in the EU women do not have equal opportunities. Is it because they are not as capable or as well educated? No.'  -Dr. Shirin Ebadi

The Top 12 Gay Political Stories Of 2011 (www.huffingtonpost.com)

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Gay Viral Videos Of 2011: Zach Wahls, Michele Bachmann, Gay Grandpas And More (www.huffingtonpost.com)

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Transgender Woman Beats the Hell Out of Transphobic Man (unicornbooty.com)

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After Legal Battle, Transgender Woman Returns To Work (www.wmtw.com)

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De Leon: Queer and Immigrant for the Holidays (news.feetintwoworlds.org)

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President of transgender association to contest elections (tribune.com.pk (Pakistan))

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Can transgender people pray? (www.federalwaymirror.com)

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We pray (thoughtsonblank.wordpress.com)

ezs note: This is one of the best, most inspiring pieces I've read this year. Whether you are a believer, semi-believer, or nonbeliever who seeks some inspiration, in my mind, this is the place to go.

Happy Kwanzaa!

Credit: Urbandogg

Hillary Clinton produces video in support of gay rights (www.zambianwatchdog.com {Zambia})

*more above*

Merry Christmas!

credit: LeeX

Houston, Texas

Credit: Affiliated Engineers

Hello!

Ho, ho, ho!  Here's Santa, gettin' on his Harley!  Here's what happened... Houston, Texas... Northampton, Northamptonshire, England... Central District, Hong Kong, S.A.R., China... Boston, Massachusetts... Kohtla-jarva, Ida-Virumaa, Estonia... Pyongjom, Kyonggi-do, South Korea... Mountain View, California... London, England, UK... Washington, DC... Loveland, Colorado... Rocky River, Ohio... Amherst, Massachusetts... Raleigh, North Carolina... Atlanta, Georgia... Kennesaw, Georgia... Croydon, England, UK... Laurel, Mississippi... West Hartford, Connecticut... Athens, Attiki, Greece... Dayton, Ohio... Ottawa, Ontario, Canada... Cheshire, Connecticut... Olimpia, Sao Paolo, Brazil... Southampton, England, UK...

This month's top dog: Grady High to host CNN forum on LGBT issues

Last moments for Christmas Eve!  Make this time a special time!  Here's some charities you might give to:

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

Ho, ho, ho!  (Vroomm, vroomm!)

MDC member admits he is gay (their words,not mine) (www.zimdiaspora.com {Africa})

Acting While Trans: A Look Back at 2011 for Transgender Actors in the Media (www.huffingtonpost.com)

*more above*

Amy Koch Affair Scandal: Minnesota's LGBT Community Apologizes To Resigned Senate Majority Leader

Promoting gay rights essential for health of Africans

*more above*

Colorado Girl Scouts give acceptance for Christmas (www.edenfantasys.com)

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Reflections on the trial of Lawrence King's murderer (www.huffingtonpost.com)

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Thai airline hiring transgender flight attendants (www.gayapolis.com)

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Girl Scout troops disband in protest over allowing seven-year-old transgender to join group (www.dailymail.co.uk {UK})

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Warren Beatty toasts transgender son (www.ctv.ca {Canada})

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Happy Winter Solstice!

source: calamitiesofnature.com

Why does the media still refer to "Bradley" Manning? The curious silence around a transgender hero (globalcomment.com)

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Hatred intensifies for 'Work It', the worst show in television history (gawker.com)

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Where you can go for help

Make a copy of this guide and use when needed.  Even when you don't need it today, you might need it tomorrow!



AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP)
Provides free and low-cost legal services to people with HIV/AIDS in the
San Francisco Bay Area.
 415-701-1100 (San Francisco)
  510-451-5353 (Oakland)
www.ALRP.org


Disability Rights California
Advances the rights of Californians with disabilities.
 800-649-0154
www.DisabilityRightsCA.org

Equality California
Works with policymakers and communities to achieve equality and secure
legal protections for LGBT people, including seniors.
 415-581-0005
www.EQCA.org

Lambda Legal (Los Angeles office)
Works to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of LGBT people and those
with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
 213-382-7600
 www.LambdaLegal.org/wro

Law Help California
Helps Californians find legal aid referrals and self-help resources, with
specific assistance for seniors.
 800-551-5554 (Bay Area)
 www.LawHelpCalifornia.org

National Center for Lesbian Rights—Elder Law Project
Provides legal services, legislative support and policy work to advance
equality for LGBT elders.
 800-528-6257
 www.NCLRights.org/ElderLaw

National Center for Transgender Equality
Advances the equality of transgender people through advocacy, collaboration
and empowerment, with a special emphasis on issues facing trans elders.
 202-903-0112
 www.TransEquality.org

National Resource Center on LGBT Aging
Provides a wide array of resources for LGBT older adults, aging service
providers, and advocates.
 212-741-2247
 www.LGBTAgingCenter.org

National Senior Citizens Law Center
Protects the rights of low-income older adults through advocacy, litigation,
and technical assistance, and manages www.LGBTLongTermCare.org.
 213-674-2900
 www.NSCLC.org


Positive Resource Center
Provides comprehensive benefits counseling and employment services for
people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS in San Francisco.
 415-777-0333
 www.PositiveResource.org

Proyecto Poderoso—a joint project of the National Center for Lesbian
Rights and California Rural Legal Assistance
Works to improve legal services for low-income LGBT people in rural
California.
 209-946-0605
 www.NCLRights.org/ProyectoPoderoso

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN)
Works to guarantee equality of treatment and opportunity for LGBT servicemembers and provides resources on issues affecting LGBT elder veterans.
 202-328-3244
 www.SLDN.org

Swords to Plowshares
Provides counseling and case management, employment and training, and
housing and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area.
 415-252-4788
 www.STP-SF.org

Transgender Law Center
Utilizes direct legal services, public policy advocacy, and educational opportunities to advance the rights and safety of diverse transgender communities.
 415-865-0176
 www.TransgenderLawCenter.org

Credit: Navigating the System: A Know-Your-Rights Guide for LGBT Elders in California
please download the guide for specific information  (California only when specified)

Domestic violence charity seeking transgender worker (pressitt.com {UK})

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Prudential named a best place to work by the Human Rights Campaign (www.thestreet.com)

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Silencing communal conversation (forward.com)

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Massachusetts newspaper mocks transgender people: 'If they want, they can change it back' (thinkprogress.org)

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Utah: 73% think gays deserve protection, but 54% think it's a choice (www.gayapolis.com)

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