Vanessa Edwards Foster is making history. The Houston delegate counts herself among the first openly transgender delegation to participate in the Democratic National Convention. Four years ago, in 2000, there was only one trans delegate, Jane Fee of Minnesota. This year that number has grown by five. "It’s an exciting time," gushes Foster who came to terms with her gender-identity at age 30. "I was a late bloomer," she says. Representing a mere fraction of the 4353 delegates and alternates at the DNC from all 50 states, they are nevertheless proving that the transgender-activist community has arrived. Melissa Sklarz Sklarz puts the sentiment best: "Now that we have a seat at the table, we can actually do some good with it. We are not going anywhere."

Boston Phoenix

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One of the actors in the ITV1 police drama "The Bill" has come out that he took on the role of a gay character in order to allow him to fight prejudice. Ofo Uhiara's character is a black, gay Christian man and believes it is important such a character is in a popular show so anti-gay opinions can be challenged. "I'm not gay, so I can't identify with that aspect. But I'm black and can imagine the racial abuse I've experienced is similar to the homophobic abuse a gay man would hear. I'm sure it touches the same heart and hurts in the same way," he added.
"I want Lance to be a positive role model and help break down barriers. He's not camp or effeminate. He's just a regular bloke with a particular sexual preference. And he just happens to be black and a Christian, as well, that's all." 7 million viewers tune in each week.

UKgay

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What was originally a $1 million civil rights lawsuit brought against Lincoln, Rhode Island's police department by a gay teen has been settled for an undisclosed sum. East Providence resident Jesse Ousley had claimed that, nearly four years ago, off-duty police officer Kevin Harty beat him bloody during a roadside confrontation, then conspired with other officers to cover up the evidence and trump up charges against him. Town attorney Michael DeSisto wrote, "Even though we agreed to the settlement, it does not mean we believe the officers were at fault. On the contrary, we believe that the officers did nothing wrong in this incident. However (Ousley's) settlement demand dropped so precipitously, and so low, that (a decision to accept) was the only responsible course." Ousley's attorney, Robert Caron, declined to discuss terms of the settlement, saying only it had been "settled for a sum."

Pawtucket Times

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Academy Award winner Ben Affleck gave a rousing speech at the Democratic National Convention's LGBT Caucus meeting. Comfortably joking about his "partner Matt Damon" and sharing that he has a cousin, an aunt and a godfather who are gay, Affleck said, "Everyone has someone who is gay." He went on to say that as Americans gays and lesbians have "every goddamn right" that all other Americans have.

UKgay

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A federal appeals court in Birmingham, Alabama, upheld a 1998 state law banning the sale of sex toys in the state, ruling that the Constitution doesn't include a right to sexual privacy. In a 2-1 decision, a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the state has a right to police the sale of devices including electronic vibrators and other products meant to stimulate the sex organs. Overturning a lower court, the panel rejected arguments that the Constitution protects the sale of the toys, which are sometimes recommended by counselors for people who have difficulty attaining sexual gratification. Circuit Judge Rosemary Barkett disagreed, writing that the decision conflicted with a Supreme Court decision last year that overturned a Texas law against sodomy.

Ledger-Enquirer

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On Friday, Maine became the sixth state in the United States to allow domestic partnership registry for same-sex couples. The law will give qualified partners the same inheritance rights as a married couple, something gay rights group Equality Maine says is a good step in the direction of full marriage rights. Partners must be unmarried, monogamous, mentally competent adults who have lived together in Maine for at least 12 months. Betsy Smith of Equality Maine said in reponse to criticism, "Marriage has been redefined several times and has evolved. It's evolving a little more today."

Portland Press-Herald

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Thailand gay political groups are seeking government help to retain the influx of gay tourism dollars for Thailand. Thailand has long been known as Asia's most accepting culture and boasts the largest Mardi Gras festival and an annual gay beauty pageant. However, nearby Singapore has in the past ten years opened its doors to gay tourism through legal changes. Ms Munthana Adisayathepkul, the head of Thailand's leading lesbian group and a key member of the Homosexual Political Group of Thailand, says the Thai government must help the groups in order to keep Thailand as a gay tourist hot spot.

Agence France-Presse

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The International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission, a global gay rights group, has watched the attacks on gays in lesbian in the past few years with alarm. There have definitely been more attacks recently, and officials say "Increasingly, gay people are unwilling to be the subject of abuse." Executive Director Paula Ettelbrick says the increase in publicity of gay and lesbian lobbyists has caused a backlash around the world, citing a recent murder in Jamaica and abuses in Nepal and India. Ettelbrick still says it's a good thing people are speaking out though, calling it a "growing movement and a growing reality of successful policy results."

Washington Blade

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A group collecting signatures in Ohio for a petition to bring to a ballot an amendment banning same-sex marriages says they may not be able to meet the deadline this week. Even if Ohioans to Protect Marriages do meet the deadline, a gay rights group, Ohioans for Growth & Equality, says they will likely challenge the signatures in court which, whether successful or not, may stall things enough that they'll miss the deadline for the November elections anyway.

Zanesville Times Recorder

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U.S. Representative Barney Frank spoke last night to the Democratic National Convention and mentioned for the first time during the week the topic of same-sex marriage. Frank talked about the actual gay agenda which seeks marriage rights, inclusion in the military and equal access to jobs, homes, and schools. Frank was one of six openly gay convention speakers, including Rep. Tammy Baldwin, the first to be given a prime-time speaker slot during a Democratic convention. Although some gay-rights activists disagree strongly with Kerry's refusal to back same-sex marriages, Frank said he was willing to put differences aside in order to beat President Bush this fall.

Washington Blade, Text of his speech at Boston.com

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Ellis Rubin, a Florida lawyer who is representing 40 gays and lesbians seeking full marriage rights, has dropped a gay couple because they appear insincere about getting hitched. Rubin claimed that Fred A. Blumberg and Gerald T. "Pete" Costello are simply asking for the marriage license in order to support the public cause, not because they really want to marry each other. Blumberg, who owns a cafe in Fort Myers, said he and Rubin got into an argument about publicity and neither understood each other. Rubin is currently debating on whether to add more couples to the case.

News-Press

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We know, you're as surprised as we are, but the General Association of Baptists in Kentucky, a group of around 500 African-American Baptist churches, voted unanimously to denounce same-sex marriages this week. Their resolution also supported an amendment to the Kentucky constitution banning same-sex marriages and claimed offense in the comparison of gay rights to civil rights for all. Courier-Journal

Today's Short Takes

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Queer Day is unfortunately experiencing technical difficulties with our server. We hope to be back tomorrow. Thanks for visiting and have a Queer Day.

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Sweeping into a meeting of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus at the Democratic Convention yesterday, our favorite loose cannon Teresa Heinz Kerry praised the activists for "pushing the envelope" to secure their rights. "If nothing else, you will have a mom in the White House," the wife of Democratic nominee John Kerry said. "You can call your Mama T anytime." Delegates and supporters leapt to their feet and chanted, "Mama T, Mama T, Mama T." Mama T's husband, on the other hand, opposes gay marriage, and while he has opposed anti-gay-marriage legislation at the federal level, he's supported it at the state level in Massachusetts.

Times Dispatch

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David Librace and his partner run a gay friendly R-V park in Lillian, Alabama. At night, local gay teens come down to hang out and play cards, including Scottie Weaver, who was recently stabbed to death in what police say is probably a hate crime based on his sexual orientation. Librace says he and his partner have been shot at three times because they're gay, so they don't take any chances: "We barricade our doors at night." About Weaver, he says, "Scotty was one of those kids, probably of about 40 I know, that get harassed by other kids, beat up ... get their eyes blacked." Librace says he's reported the attacks but nothing is ever done.

WPMI, Sovo (with photo)

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Brock Lesnar, a former professional wrestler making the transition to football, made a longish, anti-gay statement to an ESPN reporter not too long ago. He's having second thoughts about it now, but it's clear he doesn't get it. Lesnar thinks he's being persecuted, and defended everything he said the first time, in more moderate language: "If you're homosexual or gay, I'm letting everyone know I don't go that way. I'm not gay, so leave me alone. That's what I told the lady. That's all I said. I'm sorry if I insulted anybody. I am sorry. If you're gay, that's fine. Go ahead and be gay. But you don't have to tell me about it and approach me."

St. Paul Pioneer Press

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In a unanimous vote, Miami Beach, Florida, city commissioners passed a law that allows Miami Beach residents and visitors to register as domestic partners with the city clerk's office. The ordinance includes same-sex and opposite-sex couples and gives domestic partners the same hospital visitation rights as a spouse, and allows them to make health care decisions for their partner and participate in the education decisions regarding their partner's child. The law also recognizes civil unions, marriages and domestic partnerships valid in other jurisdictions, which officials say is very important for tourists.

Sun-Sentinel

Filed in: Gay | Lesbian | LINK

Gay couples should be able to marry in civil ceremonies and, if they are parents, they deserve all the legal rights of straight parents, says a policy the American Psychological Association adopted Wednesday at its meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii. "We're going out on a limb," says Diane Halpern, president of APA. "But we're doing what we should be doing." The group already has a policy opposing discrimination against gays, and many members are concerned about political actions to stop gay marriages, she says. Keeping gays from marrying "puts a particular stress on them just because of their sexual orientation. It's a health issue and a mental health issue," Halpern says.

Insurance newsnet

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The Guardian offers the most unusual gay news summary we've seen. It starts with an analysis of the challenges gay Muslims face, given conflicting verses about diversity and sex in the Koran. Interesting stuff, actually. Then with not so much as a transitional phrase, it's Boy George talking about how liberated UK TV is because a gay man on Big Brother made a plaster cast of a straight man's bottom. Rounding it out is comedian Scott Capurro saying that Queer Eye for the Straight Guy makes all gay men look like interchangeable clones. And there you have it.

The Guardian

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The political leader responsible for Idaho's law prohibiting gay marriage is advising state lawmakers to drop their attempt to put the ban in the state constitution. "Passing a constitutional amendment in Idaho would do absolutely nothing," U.S. Rep. Michael Simpson said. Simpson said the U.S. Supreme Court could just as easily override a state constitutional amendment as it could a state law, maintaining that policy on marriage rights has to be set at the federal level.

Spokesman Review

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Thailand's gay tourism industry has launched a political lobby group to try keep Singapore from taking all its business. Thailand boasts Asia's largest annual Mardi Gras as well as the most vibrant and open gay club scene. However, wedged between conservative Malaysia and Indonesia, Singapore has experienced a boom in gay clubs following a change of government attitude toward the so-called pink dollar in the late 1990s. A gay pride parade is planned there next year.

Yahoo! News (photo)

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The BBC has upheld a complaint against one of its commentators for describing an altercation between rugby players as a "gay slap." Brian Moore, a former England International, made the comment about an ineffectual blow delivered during a game this year. ic Wales

In the first such ruling in Korea, a court in Incheon has ruled that it does not recognize marriages between same-sex couples. A woman identified as Lee had been sued for assets and alimony by her ex-partner of 20 years, Kim. The court says Lee doesn't have to pay. Digital Chosunilbo

A Superior Court jury in Connecticut has rejected harassment claims filed by a Bonnie L. Duart, a lesbian prison guard who claims she was targeted for discrimination. The Day

Today's Short Takes

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Speakers at the podium of the Democratic National Convention are being gagged when it comes to gay marriage. Top party officials and campaign aides said that not only has gay marriage been yanked from the party's official platform, but speakers will be vetted to make sure they steer clear of pro-gay-marriage rhetoric. "You don't have to have a platform that itemizes issue after issue like a New York telephone book," explained national party secretary Alice Germond. Right.
New York Post

No one told this to John Kerry's younger daughter, Vanessa, however. She stood her ground, supporting gay marriage even as the Democrats are trying to sidestep the issue on the convention floor. "To be fair - I've been on the record about it - I personally believe in gay marriage," Vanessa Kerry volunteered at a reporters' breakfast. "And he believes in civil unions, which is still equal rights under the law," said Vanessa, who sat next to her sister, Alexandra. She added: "I respect his opinion enormously ... but if you want to get into the semantics of it, that's it." New York Daily News

Another issue in the platform that no one seems to be talking much about is the Democrats' push for an end to the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. The deeply polarizing issue of gays and lesbians in the military might have even more traction this election, with U.S. deployments strained around the globe, tours of duty extended and discussion of reinstating the draft. Sign on San Diego (photos)

Democrats try to keep marriage out of convention

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Did you think the vote of House representatives trying to prevent judges from reviewing the Defense of Marriage Act would be without repercussions? U.S. Rep. Barbara Cubin of Wyoming voted in favor and now she stands accused of trampling a fundamental principle of the U.S. Constitution. Her accuser? Cale Case, one of her Republican challengers. Cubin announced her support of the bill to prevent "unelected, lifetime-appointed federal judges from forcing states like Wyoming to accept same-sex marriage licenses granted in other states." "This is not about gay marriage," Case said. "This is about our form of government and the fact that Congress cannot impose laws that violate the Constitution."

Casper Star Tribune

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A flurry of homophobic attacks in Northern Ireland took a sinister turn this week when a gay couple woke to find graffiti on their house. Their home was covered in slogans which included "get out gay bastards" and "2 weeks or bang bang." The threats were also repeated in a letter left on the doorstep of the unnamed couple's home. The ferocity of attacks on gays in the area has increased. "This is an extremely worrying development leaving two young men living in fear for their lives. Both these men have suffered continuous homophobia and hate when all they wish for is to live in peace," the Rainbow Project said in a statement today.

UKgay

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Human Rights Watch is very concerned about the Nepalese Supreme Court’s proposed ban on activities, including advocacy, by or on behalf of gay, lesbian and transgender people. In the wake of repeated recent allegations of police misconduct, the threatened ban would endorse a flagrant violation of fundamental human rights. On July 12, 2004, Nepal’s Supreme Court issued a writ demanding that the Ministry of Home Affairs show cause within fifteen days why "open homosexual activities" should not be banned. A private attorney requested the ban on Blue Diamond Society activities, a non-governmental organization working in the areas of sexual health and human rights. The petition accused the group of trying to "make homosexual activities legal." The petition demanded the organization be barred on the grounds that homosexual conduct is prohibited in Nepal by law.

Noticias, 2nd Article

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A gay masseur from Thailand was found strangled and stabbed to death in his Chelsea flat in London. Today Scotland Yard appealed for information on the murder of 32-year-old Niphan "Nikki" Trikhana, a Thai national who came to the UK in 2001. Speaking outside the scene of the crime, Detective Inspector Bill Jephson told This is Local London that Trikhana had only moved into the luxury flat two weeks ago and was last seen alive on July 15. His decomposing body was only found several days subsequent to his death. While police do not believe it was a homophobic attack, they're not prepared to speculate about a motive yet and are following of line of inquiry which could include the murdered masseur's clients.

This is Local London (photo)

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Jamaican singer and homophobe Beenie Man is about to embark on a U.S. tour and British gay rights group OutRage! is helping coordinate a worldwide "Stop Murder Music" campaign urging U.S. gay and human-rights groups to "press for cancellation of Beenie Man's concerts on the grounds that he incites the murder of gays and lesbians, and that his performance may lead to public disorder and to homophobic hate crimes." His lyrics do call for "executing" all queers and he urges listeners to kill gay DJs. Peter Tatchell of Outrage! comments, "No one would give a platform to a singer who advocated killing Black or Jewish people."

Windy City Media

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In Bay Minette, Alabama, an 18-year-old man who was robbed, beaten, cut and strangled at his trailer home and then set on fire along a dirt road may have been targeted because he was gay, a Baldwin County investigator said. Captain Huey "Hoss" Mack Jr. told the Mobile Register that Baldwin County sheriff's investigators still believe robbery was the primary motive in Scotty Joe Weaver's killing. Two of Weaver's roommates -- Christopher Ryan Gaines, 20, and Nichole Kelsay, 18 - were charged with capital murder in Weaver's death. Gaines' friend, Robert Holly Lofton Porter, 18, was also charged with capital murder. The three are being held in a Baldwin County jail without bond. Mack said all three suspects were out of work, and Weaver was paying the bills at their home. Ledger-Enquirer

Update: The nature of the wounds that killed Weaver suggest that he was targeted in part because he was known to be sexually interested in men, Baldwin County District Attorney David Whetstone said Tuesday. Whetstone said the number and location of the wounds support that theory. "This is an obvious case of either an overkill or abuse of a corpse," Whetstone said, declining to elaborate. "That indicates more than a mere robbery." Yet Weaver's mother, Martha Weaver, says, "This wasn't a hate crime. Everybody knew how Scotty was." She said her son had been friends with Kelsay since first grade and met Gaines a few years later. "They accepted him all these years," said his aunt, Elizabeth Smith. "It's ridiculous to think for one day, they did not accept him." AL.com

Scotty Joe Weaver

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But first a Nadia history lesson. Once upon a time, Jose Luis Corte Leodoro stayed in Pretoria, South Africa, while his wife, Conceicao Almada, took their six sons to the Portuguese island of Madeira in 1993. He has not contacted them since. His son Jorge, who always favored women's clothing, is none other than the Big Brother beauty Nadia. Although this article is a bit sensational, it's one of the only in-depth pieces we've seen about Nadia's life and family. The Mirror (photos)

Meanwhile, back on Big Brother UK, Nadia fears her secret is out. Some late-night shouting over the wall at the compound has Nadia paranoid that the housemates know about her past. The post-op transsexual has thus far chosen not to tell her housemates the news because there's no need to make an issue of it. But late last night she was out on the smokers' bench with Dan, Shell and Stuart when some shouts could be heard from the other side of the fence. "I heard my name," said a worried Nadia, asking the other housemates if they had heard what had been said. House members claim they couldn't make out what was said and Nadia's is left worrying that the public are trying to alert the other housemates about her past. Digital Spy

Big Brother UK's Nadia

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The early reviews are in for Spike Lee's "She Hate Me," about a man who makes a cottage industry out of impregnating lesbians. "[It] begins as an indictment of corporate greed, morphs into a lesbian sex farce, takes a left turn and becomes a 'Godfather' spoof, then returns to its populist beginnings with an ending that Frank Capra might have filmed, had Capra been into miniskirt-wearing lesbians who had a secret hankering for some good, old-fashioned heterosexual love."

U-Redlands Daily Facts (photo)

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Nearly three decades ago, attorney Ellis Rubin was one of the most vehement anti-gay lawyers in the country serving as the attorney for the right wing group that overturned Miami-Dade's gay rights ordinance. Now, Rubin has joined The Equality Campaign as its senior legal counsel and is representing at his own expense numerous couples in Florida cases contesting laws that bar same-sex marriage. Rubin calls it his "atonement."

Rainbow Network

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In the olden days, Shakespeare's plays were performed with men in all the roles because theater was too tawdry for ladies. Now a play about a group of schoolgirls who put on "Romeo & Juliet" is stirring things up in Connecticut. Opponents say "Shakespeare's R&J" is "pro-lesbian," etc., etc., and a representative of the Connecticut Catholic Conference suggested that the town of Cheshire consider local regulations to prevent theater that offends people's religious beliefs. Paul McMasters, ombudsman at the Freedom Forum in Arlington, Virginia, points out that there is still a First Amendment. The baffled playwright, Joe Calarco, says the play has nothing to do with lesbians or gay issues.

Record-Journal

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A landmark anti-discrimination ruling about sexual harassment by neighbors has been upheld in the Supreme Court in Hobart, Australia. The court has thrown out an appeal against a decision ordering a Hobart man to pay about $2,800 U.S. in damages to his "former transsexual neighbor." Actually, she's still a transsexual; they're just not neighbors anymore. Anyway, Roslyn Houston won the judgment after she was verbally abused, called a "sicko" and a "pervert" and poked in the chest by the man. The judgment was not only a victory for Houston but it extended the scope of the accommodation section of anti-discrimination law to include neighbors as well as landlords.

The Mercury

Filed in: Transgender | LINK

Gay New Zealand television celebrity David McNee visited two Auckland sex-on-premises venues the night he was murdered, a New Zealand court heard. McNee, who appeared in a range of television shows as an interior designer, was beaten to death on July 22, 2003. Phillip Edwards, a 24-year-old homeless man was arrested and charged with his killing eight days later driving McNee's car. McNee had picked Edwards up earlier that day. Edwards later told police he had killed McNee because McNee thought he was gay and had tried to touch him. The result? He bashed McNee 30 or 40 times in the head.

Sydney Star Observer

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Tuesday brought a showdown in Seattle, Washington, over gay marriage. Washington state law defines marriage as between a man and a woman, but gay couples called that definition old fashioned and unconstitutional. Last March, gay marriage supporters chanted at the King County Courthouse to get those rights. The answer was "No." So Tuesday, those couples turned away by bureaucrats asked a judge for help. The man asked to define marriage is Judge William Downing. His courtroom was filled with same-sex couples, and those wearing white ribbons supporting the "sanctity" of man woman marriage. After the arguments the judge said they'll have to wait a week to 10 days for his decision. Both sides say they will appeal if they don't like what he says. KOMO TV

Clutching a stuffed animal, a young disabled man waited patiently Tuesday as his two dads listened to their lawyer argue that same-sex couples have a right to marry. A couple for 23 years, David and Michael Serkin-Poole of Bellevue care for 19-year-old Jason and another disabled adult daughter and son. In the absence of marriage, they have spent thousands of dollars on legal arrangements, including joint adoptions, to safeguard their family. "We believe being denied a marriage license is in violation of our constitutional rights in Washington state," David Serkin-Poole said after the hearing. "We feel it's extremely important to be legally bound for the sake of our kids." King County Journal

Gay marriage showdown in Seattle

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In Bend, Oregon, a new law that makes it illegal to discriminate against gays, lesbians and transgenders has withstood its first challenge. Officials say petitioners Dave Eaton and Bill Brackett failed to gather enough valid signatures to refer the ordinance to voters. Deschutes County Clerk Nancy Blankenship said preliminary results show that the petitioners gathered 3,223 valid signatures before deadline. That is just shy of the 3,348 signatures required to send the ordinance to voters for approval in November. Sad, huh? The ordinance, which was approved last month, makes it illegal to deny housing, employment or public accommodations to a person based on sexual orientation.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

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Saying 11 years is plenty of time for Cincinnati voters to change their minds about gay rights, opponents of the city's controversial Article XII filed petitions with the clerk of City Council to get the charter amendment repealed. With more than enough signatures already counted, the move all but assures that Cincinnati voters will get a second chance to vote on the measure, 11 years to the day after 62 percent of them approved it. Gary Wright, co-chairman of the repeal campaign, called Article XII "an outdated law that makes it perfectly legal to fire someone ... just because they're gay." Phil Burress, who helped write the amendment, said "it's really about special rights for homosexuals."

Cincinnati Enquirer

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The debate about a proposal to lock a ban on same-sex marriage into the Louisiana state Constitution will be waged in low-budget media campaigns and heavy grass-roots efforts to inform voters before the September 18 ballot. Times Piscayne

National Public Radio Commentator Heather Dune Macadam's father became a woman 20 years ago. But only recently has Heather become used to calling her father "she." From the All Things Considered radio program. NPR (audio)

The BBC upheld a complaint against one of its commentators for describing an altercation between rugby players as a "gay slap." Brian Moore made the comment about an ineffectual blow delivered during a Six Nations Grandstand game this year. icWales

At the request of the organizers of the IX Eurogames in Munich, Germany, the co-president of the 1st World Outgames Montreal 2006 and three-time Olympic medalist Mark Tewksbury will co-host the opening ceremonies with popular German television host Isabel Varell. Yahoo! Finance

Today's Short Takes

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Speaking during a weekend panel at San Diego's Comic-Con convention, producers for "The Simpsons" announced an upcoming Simpsons story line will focus on what happens when Springfield legalizes gay marriage. "We have a show where, to raise money, Springfield legalizes gay marriage," producer Al Jean said. "Homer becomes a minister by going on the Internet and filling out a form. A longtime character comes out of the closet, but I'm not saying who."
Who could it be? The early favorite appears to be Waylon Smithers, but that might be too easy. Other suspects include nuclear plant cohorts cohorts Carl and Lenny, Moe the bartender, and others. "It's Homer!" said a joking Simpsons creator Matt Groening to conventiongoers. The gay marriage-themed episode is scheduled to air in January.

E

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The FBI has rescinded health benefits that had been provided to the same-sex partner of a special agent. The couple wed in Massachusetts in May. Katy Gossman, the special agent with the FBI in New Haven, Connecticut, received an e-mail from the bureau informing her that her wife, Kristin, would be removed from her health plan. The Connecticut couple had been receiving spousal benefits since May 30. After their small marriage ceremony, the Gossmans sought health benefits for Kristin, whom she listed as her spouse. She sent the form and a copy of her marriage license to FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C. She had received a form back from the Human Resources Department in Washington approving the benefits.

Newsday

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Delegates to the Democratic National Convention this week will be asked to endorse the party's most pro-gay platform ever, but one which stops short of supporting gay marriage. But, while it does not call for equal marriage rights, it does not oppose the idea either. "We support full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of our nation and seek equal responsibilities, benefits, and protections for these families," the draft platform that was worked out earlier this month." The draft also condemns amending the US Constitution to ban gay marriage. The draft platform calls for support of including gays and lesbians in hate crimes legislation and well as the enactment of bipartisan legislation barring workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation. 365gay

Two hundred and fifty-five gay and lesbian and seven transgender delegates are attending the Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, through Thursday. Singer-songwriter Carole King, speaking before the gay and lesbian delegation, said that's not good enough. "I do not agree with [Mr. Kerry's] stance on gay marriage," she said. "He needs a little more time to come to a different position. I think that with our support, love, openness, and encouragement, he will eventually come to where we are." Toledo Blade

Gay and lesbian activists are slamming the Kerry campaign for its weak stance on the gay marriage issue and picketed the gay Democratic bash that dumped Margaret Cho. "John Kerry is trying to speak out of both sides of his mouth on this issue,'' said Andy Thayer, spokesman for the pro-gay marriage group, DontAmend.com. "John Kerry wants to get rid of equal marriage rights here in Massachusetts.'' The group is also unhappy that Cho was dropped from the lineup after word got out that she was planning to slam Kerry and the Democratic Party on the gay marriage issue. Boston Herald

Monday's lineup of speakers included two former presidents, a former presidential candidate and several members of Congress, including Tammy Baldwin, a congresswoman from Wisconsin, the first openly lesbian politician ever elected to Washington D.C.Illinois Leader (photo)

Lesbian politician Roberta Achtenberg also spoke at the convention on Monday, saying, "(I) am a proud American. In addition to being a Senior Vice President of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, I am a lawyer, a mother, and a lesbian. I am proud to be all of those things and one thing more: a Democrat!" Yahoo! Finance

Democratic National Convention

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Wigstock, the hair-raising dragapalooza that refuses to curl up and dye, is going back to it's roots, returning to the original stomping grounds: Tompkins Square Park in New York City. On Saturday, August 21st, the Lady Bunny is back at it again with confirmed performances from RuPaul, Boy George, Jackie Beat, HRH Princess Diandra, Miss Guy, Sugga Pie Koko, The Ladies of Lips, Milan, Cashetta, Flotilla Debarge, Lily of the Valley and dozens of other - all crammed into an intermission-free 2-hour extravaganza. Says Bunny, "For years people have griped, 'Wigstock was better when it was in Tompkins Square Park and it was free.' Well, quit your whining, bitches, cuz it's back in Tompkins Square and it is totally free!"

Wigstock

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Organizers of an annual gay and lesbian bicycle tour say someone set a fire and left hate messages at the group's northern Michigan camp site. A fire destroyed a plastic portable toilet stall, and campers formed a bucket brigade to douse it. Afterward, campers found handwritten, homophobic messages littering the site. The fire caused about $500 in damage. "We're all very devastated," Friends North member Rose Clement told the Traverse City Record-Eagle. "If that fire would've spread into the field, this could've been horrific." Organizers said about 75 participants were camped out after the group's bike ride, with about 15-20 gathered around a campfire Saturday night a few hundred yards away.

mLive

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Oregon voters join half a dozen other states this fall in voting on a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriages. The state Elections Division announced today that the proposed ban qualified for the November 2 ballot with advocates turning in 240,850 signatures, more than twice the 100,840 required. The placement sets up what is likely to be an expensive and contentious campaign between the Defense of Marriage Coalition and Basic Rights Oregon (they're on our team.) Oregon voters have defeated anti-gay rights ballot measures in 1992, 1994 and 2000, although one passed in 1988 and was later overturned in the courts.

Statesman Journal

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In Regina, Saskatchewan, a unique collection of contemporary gay-themed artwork has prompted a police investigation. One part of the exhibit - a collection of photos showing aroused naked men lounging in suggestive poses - resulted in a complaint to the authorities. Regina police spokeswoman Elizabeth Popowich confirmed Monday that officers are investigating. "We had an officer go over and take a report and that report has been forwarded to our vice section," Popowich said. "We're really surprised," said Barbara Fischer, curator of the Blackwood Gallery. She helped compile "General Ideas," a trio of Canadian artists who specialized in juxtaposing mass culture with elements of gay identity. Two of the artists, Jorge Zontal and Felix Partz, have since died. A.A. Bronson, born in Vancouver, still works out of Toronto and New York. "It's been shown all over the world for 12 years and this is the first complaint we have ever received," Bronson said.

National Post

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On a humid day in Tampa last month, John Dowless could be seen passing out cards at Landry’s Seafood House to a group of about 40 of Florida’s most conservative. Dowless arranged the lunch on behalf of Mel Martinez, the former housing secretary and one of eight Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate race this fall. As Martinez railed against the threat of same-sex marriage, Dowless asked for prayer for Martinez and to get involved in his campaign. Ironically, at least two powerful men working for the Martinez campaign are gay. One of them is John Dowless. The other is Kirk Fordham, employed as Martinez’s finance director. Dowless identified himself as gay while at the Lava Lounge to "Sam" whose account of Dowless’ statements was witnessed by a Washington Blade editor. Dowless didn’t let their difference of opinions stop him from allegedly making a pass at Sam though.

Washington Blade

Filed in: Gay | LINK

A transsexual brothel madam walked free from court after winning the right to be sentenced as a woman in a landmark case in London, England. Vanessa Wadman, 34, sold £350 bottles of champagne and encouraged sex acts in full view of customers at a Soho hostess bar called The Masters Club. Vice Squad charged her as a man with six counts of living off immoral earnings, a male-only crime believe it or not. Wadman joined forces with prosecutors to demand six charges of the female-only crime of controlling prostitution be added to the indictment so the immoral earnings charges could be quashed. Judge Geoffrey Rivlin granted her request under the Human Rights Act and Wadman pleaded guilty.

News Shopper

Filed in: Transgender | LINK

A controversial film about drag queens in India is set to debut in its home country. "The Pink Mirror" had been featured across the world at film festivals, and received its UK premiere at the Commonwealth Film Festival in Manchester earlier this year. However, it had been banned at home in India because of its gay content. It will now be shown by the British Council in Mumbai at an anniversary event coinciding with its 100th screening on August 6th. Director Sridhar Rangayan has welcomed the chance to show the film to a native audience. Film censors in India had previously refused to give it a classification.

UKgay

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Donald Henneberger, formerly Donald Smith, married his partner of 23 years after gay marriage was legalized in Massachusetts and took his partner's last name. Now he's having trouble getting a new passport. A letter from the National Passport Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, denied his request for a name change stating they would not recognize a marriage license for a same-sex couple as proof of a name change. The center addressed the letter to "Mr. Henneberger." Henneberger married his partner Arthur Henneberger in May and the couple checked a box that automatically changes the last names of the partners to whatever they request.

Mercury News

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