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

NY Times: On gay rights and policies, Obama lets senior staff take lead (www.lgbtqnation.com)

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LGBT History Law step in right direction, but lacks guidance (www.turlockjournal.com)

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Transgender people in advertising (www.xtra.ca (Canada))

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Free and Equal in Dignity and Rights (www.caribarena.com (Antigua)

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Gays call for end to homophobia (www.eyewitnessnews.co.za (South Africa))

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Ilion, New York

Credit- Aileen Sweeney

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)

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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})

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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)

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

Promoting gay rights essential for health of Africans

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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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