Women’s book celebrates institution of same-sex marriage
By Dinah Cardin/Salem Gazette

Karen Kahn and Pat Gozemba are the writers of a book about the turbulent history of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts and among those affected by the ongoing saga. (Photo by Dinah Cardin)

Karen Kahn and Pat Gozemba have only been married since last September, but they know the history of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts backwards and forwards. That’s why they are writing a book on the subject.
Scheduled for release in May of 2007, "Courting Equality: Photographs from the Gay Marriage Frontlines" (Beacon Press) chronicles the struggle that began in November of 2003 with the state Supreme Court’s decision to allow same-sex marriage.
The book has 110 photos, taken by Beverly photographer...(continue)

April is National Poetry Month!

To celebrate this special occasion, the New York City Department of Education, in collaboration with the Office of the Mayor, Department of Cultural Affairs, City University of New York, and the New York Times, is co-sponsoring the fourth annual Poem In Your Pocket Day on Friday, April 28, 2006. New Yorkers are encouraged to carry a poem in their pocket and share it with friends, family, coworkers and classmates. Public schools throughout the five boroughs will highlight poetry on this day through readings by CUNY poets, poetry workshops and specifically designed lesson plans. Tuck a poem in your pocket and see what surprises may come your way. What will your poem be? (click the image for more!)

National sushi provider has ties to anti-gay Christian group

Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church, has been outspoken about opposing gay rights, but has kept under wraps his ties to the lucrative sushi-quality seafood company True World Foods. (Photo illustration by Bo Shell)

GAY SUSHI LOVERS may want to think twice before picking up their chopsticks, as they could be indirectly supporting a controversial Christian group led by an outspoken anti-gay leader. New Jersey-based True World Foods, with 21 North American branches, provides sushi-grade seafood products to 6,000...

- BO SHELL, Washington Blade; April 28, 2006

National High Five Day is 4/20/06
Andy Towle of Towleroad: "Interestingly enough (as pointed out to me by Cyd Zeigler at Outsports), the high five was invented by baseball player Glenn Burke in 1977. Burke was the first ball player to declare his homosexuality (in 1982, after his retirement). Sadly, he died of AIDS in the mid-90's. Said Cyd, "And to think all of these straight guys are just doing what a gay man taught them in 1977!!!"

New Gay Online Community Offers New Space for Sharing
04.21.06

(New York, NY) - A new site on the World Wide Web enables the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender - and even gay curious - to gather online for the purposes of meeting new people, sharing stories, and organizing events, among other activities. MyRainbowSpace, found at www.myrainbowspace.com, continues in the tradition of the more established online communities, like Friendster, MySpace, and Xanga, while remaining true to the needs of their target audience.

The site not only provides many of the features that users have come to expect from online communities, including the ability to design customizable profiles, write blogs, send instant messages, and post bulletins, but also gives its members the ability to share their "coming out" stories and learn about gay and lesbian activism events across the globe. "MyRainbowSpace offers us the opportunity to share our life stories with each other, make new friends, engage in activism, and still have tons of fun," said the site's co-creator, Bonnie Koellhoffer, a part time student and New Jersey resident.

Koellhoffer said the idea for the site came from her own frustration with existing social networking sites. "As a lesbian woman, I found it difficult to navigate through the existing sites to find people with similar interests," ...Read the entire article here VIA Gaywired!

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

savvyplanners.com extends a warm welcome to the following new clients:

James and Matthew, Indiana

We Welcome You!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

Twins For Etheridge, Partner

Tuesday Apr 18, 2006

By Stephen M. Silverman (PEOPLE)

Etheridge and Michaels
CREDIT: JAMIE MCCARTHY / WIREIMAGE

Melissa Etheridge and partner Tammy Lynn Michaels are sharing some major family news with their fans.

"We are thrilled to announce that Tammy is pregnant, and expecting our twins sometime around this fall," the singer and the actress say in a joint statement on Etheridge's official Web site.

Read the news at AOL Celebrity/People Magazine

SNACK FOOD WEDDING CAKES!!!?
via slashfood.com (Nicole Weston)
Photo: NY Times

More and more couples are moving away from the traditional wedding cake model, having cupcake towers so that each guest can have an individual, elaborately decorated cake. The cupcakes maintain the elegance of tradition, but allow for an infusion of fun. Even further from the standard, however, is the snack-food cake. A snack food cake can be made of anything from Twinkies to Snowballs and chocolate donuts. What I didn't realize was... Read Ding Dong Wedding Cakes?

Five Years of Gay Marriage!

via Radio Netherlands

It's exactly five years this month since the first gay and lesbian weddings were allowed in the Netherlands.

At the time, this was the only country in the world where it was possible for gay couples to marry. On the day itself,...Read Five Years of Gay Marriage?

Md. Senate hopefuls back gay marriage
Cardin, Steele oppose same-sex unions

Photo: Candidates for Maryland’s open U.S. Senate seat include (clockwise from top left) Kweisi Mfume, Lise Van Sustern, Allen Lichtman, Rep. Ben Cardin, Lt. Gov. Michael Steele and Kevin Zeese. More of them support gay marriage than oppose it. (Washington Blade)

By ELIZABETH WEILL-GREENBERG
Washington Blade

More Democratic hopefuls seeking the Maryland U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Paul Sarbanes support marriage equality than oppose it.

Kweisi Mfume, Lise Van Susteren and Allan Lichtman support full marriage equality for gay couples. Green candidate Kevin Zeese has also announced that he supports marriage rights for gays.

Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, the leading Republican...read more at Washington Blade

Families of Same-Sex Couples to Attend Easter Egg Roll

WASHINGTON (AP) - Same sex couples with children who say they want more visibility for their families will be attending Monday's Easter Egg Roll at the White House.

Gay and lesbian families made a coordinated effort to get tickets to the event that's been an Easter Monday tradition since the...read more via ABC 7

Longtime Gay Activist Julia Pell Dies
by The Associated Press
Photo: 365gay.com

Pell came out as a lesbian in the early 1990s. She was a lobbyist for gay rights legislation in the Rhode Island Statehouse and served as president of the Rhode Island Alliance for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights.Her father, a Democrat, invoked his daughter's name during a 1993 Senate debate in which he supported... read more here via 365gay.com.

Heartfelt and Revealing Post In Defense of Mr. Shales' Column in the Washington Post

Mr. William Stosine, a recognized writer and GLBTI activist posts his reply to my comments regarding Mr. Tom Shales' column about the Rosie cruise documentary's characerization of GLBTI people.

I feel very glad to have had this chance to learn about Mr. Shales to some degree through Mr. Stosine's entry here. Thank you Mr. Stosine.

-MW Savant

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

savvyplanners.com extends a warm welcome to the following new clients this week:

Misty and Michelle, Louisiana
Joyce and Shannon, Florida
Jessica and Heather, Florida

We Welcome You All!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

Have you heard of 4mula, Inc. yet?
Special by: savvyplanners.com CEO, MW Savant

"WELL YOU MOST CERTAINLY WILL. We simply do NOT promote products. That's not our business.However, I had the extraordinary privilege of being introduced to the products of this brilliant human being and could not resist the teaser. More to come in the not-too-distant future once I have received permission to display the products here and provide you links to them.

I am so very excited to be able to share these items with our very special clients and friends! YOUR guests and clients will thank you. Sure you'll thank me (!!) But you'll WORSHIP Timothy and his TEAM!

The man pictured is the co-genius behind one of the most appealing and satisfying, upscale, wedding gifting/favor items around. While I'd love to give more info...I MUST get clearance. Not that they'll need the assistance of myself or anyone else for that matter! :-) I am blown away and relieved to see a functional, important and valuable innovation again! Thanks to Timothy! Loyal readers: more information to come!"

Thanks,




Blogmaster's note: He MADE me do it! Mr. Savant insisted on an immediate preview on this company.
He promises more to come. Thanks. - Maurizio

Gay Ally William Sloane Coffin, [Jr.] Dies

by The Associated Press
April 13, 2006 - 8:00 am ET

(Montpelier, Vermont) The Rev. William Sloane Coffin, [Jr.], a former Yale University chaplain known for his peace activism during the Vietnam War and his continuing work for social justice, died Wednesday at his home in rural Strafford. He was 81.

Coffin had been suffering from congestive heart failure and had been under the care of a hospice, said his daughter, Amy Coffin.

"He was out in the sun. Everybody was...Continue via 365gay.com?

Calif. High Court Lets Partner Law Stand
PlanetOut Network, Thursday, April 13, 2006

The California Supreme Court on Wednesday again refused to hear an appeal challenging the state's domestic partner law. The high court's dismissal, hailed by LGBT rights advocates, reaffirms current legal protections for same-sex couples and their families.

Opponents of domestic partner rights had... Read Calif. High Court Lets Partner Law Stand?

Nigeria Toughens Criminalization Of Gay Marriage Bill

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(Abuja) A proposed law that would impose a prison sentence on same-sex couples who marry has been toughened by the Nigerian Senate to include anyone who attends a gay wedding or is a member of any LGBT organization.

The marriage ban was proposed by President Olusegun Obasanjo and is likely to pass easily, received first reading in the...Read Nigeria Toughens Criminalization of Gay Marriage Bill?

Trafficking in stereotypes serves no one well
by Margaret Peterson, The Morning Call Online (PA)

The message on the answering machine came after I had already waded through a stack of e-mail — positive and negative — about last week's column on same-sex marriage.

In that column, I argued against an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution that would permanently ban same-sex marriage and civil unions. The state already has a law defining marriage as between a man and woman.

The voice on the telephone message had a deep, salt-of-the-earth quality of an older man. He identified himself as...Read Trafficking in Stereotypes Serves No One Well?

D.C.-bound gay families may leave prez with egg on face
By Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald.com
Thursday, April 13, 2006

Photo Credit: Children attending the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, Washington, D.C., 1958
United States National Park Service/Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library

Two years after President Bush backed calls for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, the White House may find itself in the unusual position of hosting hundreds of gay families from Massachusetts and beyond at next week’s annual Easter egg roll.
The families plan to line up Friday evening so that they can be the first ones on the White House lawn Monday as they tweak a 134-year-old tradition.
“We want our children to have access to the same great American traditions that other children do, and we can think of nothing better than doing that at the White House egg roll,” said Jennifer Chrisler, director of the Family Pride Coalition, an advocacy group for gay and lesbian families.
Chrisler plans to attend with her 4-year-old twin boys and spouse, former state Sen. Cheryl Jacques. The couple married in Boston two years ago after a Supreme Judicial Court decision making Massachusetts...Read D.C.-bound gay families may leave prez with egg on face?

EXTRA:

White House Letter: At the Easter egg roll, focus on a family issue (International Herald Tribune)

An Anti-Gay Easter by John Ireland (In These Times)
Whose children will be allowed to participate in the White House’s annual Easter Egg Roll on April 17? Not the sons and daughters of gay parents, if the Christian right gets its way...

KY. Governor: Diversity Doesn't Include Gays

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

April 11, 2006 - 9:00 pm ET

(Frankfort, Kentucky) Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher celebrated "Diversity Day" by dropping sexuality from a longstanding executive order that bars discrimination in the public service.

As several hundred school students watched, Fletcher declared Tuesday to be "Diversity Day" and signed a new executive order replacing one signed in 2003 by then-Gov. Paul Patton.

Fletcher told the students that state employees should not be...Read Diversity Doesn't Include Gays?

Puerto Rico to Consider Civil Unions

AP

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - A proposed amendment to Puerto Rico's marriage code would allow civil unions for same-sex and heterosexual couples in the U.S. territory, a legislator said.

Under a draft version of the proposal, couples who have lived together more than three years could register their civil union, said Liza Fernandez, co-president of a legislative committee of the House of Representatives charged with updating the code.

The couples would receive many of the...Read Puerto Rico to Consider Civil Unions?

Church welcomes Gays and Lesbians

New Brunswick assembly marks anniversary

BY SOFIA KOSMETATOS Star-Ledger Staff

Every Sunday, Michele Newcombe and her partner, LaShea Saunders, travel more than 100 miles from Bridgeton in South Jersey to attend church services in New Brunswick

The couple say the nearly two-hour drive is worth it because of Pastor Kevin Taylor, who started the Unity Fellowship Church of New Brunswick five years ago as a house of worship where gays and lesbians would be welcomed.

Newcombe, 51 and Saunders, 37, joined the New Brunswick church because of Taylor, a charismatic man and a skilled orator who, they say, can talk about the Bible in "plain English."

"I was away from the church a long time," Newcombe said. "Being raised a Catholic, my choice of sexuality was condemned. It really turned me off from religion, period."

Since its first service in a living room, the church has grown to 125 members and a home of its own in a warehouse on Jersey Ave...Read Church Welcomes Gays and Lesbians?


EXTRA:
"Till Death Do Us Part"

Thoughts on Gay Marriage from the Pulpit

By Rev. Kevin E. Taylor
via National Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Centers (NALGBTCC)

SUPPORT EQUALITY FORUM

"Equality Forum began in 1993 as PrideFest Philadelphia, a non-profit organization hosting 15 regional organizations presenting substantive programs in a weekend. In 1999, PrideFest changed its name to PrideFest America and expanded to seven days. In 2003 the Board renamed the organization to Equality Forum to reflect the inclusion of international programs and an annual Featured Nation.

Equality Forum's mission is to advance national and international GLBT civil rights. Equality Forum undertakes high impact initiatives, produces documentary films, highlights GLBT history and presents annually the largest national and international GLBT civil rights forum.

Founder and Executive Director: Malcolm Lazin"

Pentagon Admits Spying On Gay Groups
by Paul Johnson, 365Gay.com Washington Bureau Chief

(Washington) After months of silence the Department of Defense has confirmed that it spied on groups opposed to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, the law banning openly lesbian, gay and bisexual service members.

Last December media reports said that the Pentagon has been spying on “suspicious” meetings by civilian groups, including student groups opposed to the military’s "don't ask, don't tell". (story)

The reports said that the Pentagon had spied on New York University law school’s LGBT advocacy group OUTlaw and gay groups at the State University of New York at Albany and William Patterson College in New Jersey.

In February, the DoD acknowledged in a letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee that it had ‘inappropriately’ collected information on ...Read Pentagon Admits Spying on Gay Groups?

Mass. Legislature Mulls Gay Marriage Ban

by Michael J. Meade, 365Gay.com Boston Bureau

Boston, Massachusetts) The Massachusetts legislature will meet in joint session on May 10 to consider a proposed amendment to the state Constitution that would end same-sex marriage in the only state that allows gays to wed.

The proposed amendment also would prevent the state from...Read Mass.Legislature Mulls Gay Marriage Ban?

Christians Sue for Right Not to Tolerate Policies

By Stephanie Simon, LA Times Staff Writer
April 10, 2006

ATLANTA — Ruth Malhotra (pictured) went to court last month for the right to be intolerant.

Malhotra says her Christian faith compels her to speak out against homosexuality. But the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she's a senior, bans speech that puts down others because of their sexual orientation.

Malhotra sees that as an unacceptable infringement on her right to religious expression. So she's demanding that Georgia Tech revoke its tolerance...Read Christians Sue for Right not to Tolerate?

6:35 am | Schools reject Gay-Straight club
By Steve Lyttle; Charlotte Observer

The Rowan-Salisbury School Board denied permission Monday night for the Gay-Straight Alliance to form a club at South Rowan High School. The decision came in a meeting that drew more than 100 spectators at the board office in Salisbury. Television video taped at...Read School Rejects Gay-Straight Club?

Equality Riders, others cited for trespassing at Brigham Young University
Advocate.com

Five Soulforce activists were cited for trespassing and escorted off the campus at Brigham Young University Monday, after demonstrating against the Mormon church's antigay policies as part of the Equality Ride. A rally was held later that day at nearby Kiwanis Park in Provo, Utah.

The five were members of Soulforce, a gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender group, and have been taking part in a... Read Equality Riders Cited?

UCC Continues To Lose Churches Over Pro-Gay Stand

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(New York City) The number of churches leaving the United Church of Christ over the denomination's support for same-sex marriage and other LGBT issues continues to grow.

So far more than 50 churches have left the faith. That number is relatively small, leaders of the Church say, and represents less than one percent of the UCC's 5,725 churches.

The latest to disaffiliate is Shepherd of the Hills United Church of Christ in Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania.

"We believe a marriage is between one man and one woman," said Keith Leonard, president of the church consistory.

"Our name will remain Shepherd of the Hills Church, with additional designation to...Read UCC Continues to Lose Churches?

Poll: New Yorkers Support Gay Marriage

by Doug Windsor, 365Gay.com New York Bureau

(New York City) The majority of people across New York State support same-sex marriage according to a new poll released Monday.

The survey shows that 53 percent of prospective voters support marriage equality for gays and lesbians, while 38 percent do not.

The poll was conducted by Global Strategy Group in March for Empire State Pride Agenda, the state's largest LGBT civil rights organization and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percent.

It is the third Global Strategy poll for Pride Agenda and shows as New...Read New Yorkers Support Gay Marriage?

NAACP Leader Opposes Amendment Banning Same-Sex Marriage
Katrina A. Jackson, Associated Press
Myrtle Beach online

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Black leaders, including those in the church, have an obligation to oppose a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in South Carolina, the Rev. Nelson B. Rivers III, chief operating officer of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said Saturday. "This is not about sexual orientation or about a lifestyl...read NAACP Leader Opposes?

Council Calls For University’s Non-discrimination Policy To Protect Transgendered Students
Published On Monday, April 10, 2006 1:49 AM

By RACHEL L. POLLACK

Crimson Staff Writer (Harvard University)

The Undergraduate Council (UC) made a push for transgender rights last night by urging the University to include “gender identity and expression” in its non-discrimination code.

The legislation, which passed by a vote of 33 in favor with three abstentions, comes two days before members of the Transgender Task Force (TTF) will meet with the Office of General Counsel to discuss inserting the clause...Read Council Calls For University’s Non-discrimination Policy To Protect Transgendered Students

Arguments over gay marriage create a patchwork of marriage laws in U.S. states
The Associated Press (apwire)/ ohmy News International, Korea
MATT SURMAN, NEW YORK

Carolyn and Leslie Gabel-Brett are married when they are at their vacation home in Massachusetts, but when they cross the state border to their full-time house in Connecticut, they are suddenly unmarried _ at least as far as the law is concerned.

The two women are living in a legal limbo produced by a patchwork of U.S. state laws on same-sex marriage...Read Arguments over gay marriage create a patchwork of marriage laws...?

Ballot statement with same sex love
By Rahul Karmakar; Hindustan Times
-Kokrajhar, April 8, 2006

Around the time mainstream India raged over Deepa Mehta's Fire, a tribal village near here displayed exemplary tolerance in accepting a lesbian couple.
Over half-a-decade later, Bodo tribal residents of Simlaguri village have made another path-breaking statement...Read Ballot statement with same sex love?

SEA COW !!!

Living in the Florida Keys provides a rare opportunity to encounter the gentle and splendid Manatee. Some clients report that it is one of the most astounding meetings they've ever had. Some of our staff can confirm that too.

Problem: The state is considering downlisting the endangered Manatee to the "Protected" list. This is a terrible mistake. If you have ever been in the water with one, the propeller-scarred backs of these creatures is just one indication of their precarious spot.

Action: It would sure be great if you'd take a moment to quickly and easily sign this petition urging Gov. Bush to NOT downlist this gentle giant!

Kaine will vote against marriage amendment
Spokesman says governor has concerns that the wording of the proposal is overly broad

BY PAMELA STALLSMITH
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Apr 8, 2006
Richmond, VA.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will vote against a proposed constitutional amendment this fall that would ban same-sex marriage. The Democrat, a former civil-rights lawyer, is concerned that the wording of it is overreaching, threatening the rights of unmarried people to engage in private contracts. He has reservations about ...

Read Kaine will vote against marriage amendment

UConn Students Divided Over How To Greet Scalia
April 8, 2006 By GRACE E. MERRITT, Courant Staff Writer

A same-sex kissing booth is not exactly what you'd expect to greet a U.S. Supreme Court justice visiting Hartford next week.But for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, known for his conservative rulings, strongly worded opinions and a recent hand-to-chin gesture that caused a stir outside church, it might not be that farfetched. Scalia is coming to the University of...

Read UConn Students Divided Over How To Greet Scalia?

Thank you Easter Bunny!
(Click Image to print out a full sized version for the kids. From enchanted learning. Become a member?)
Laura Bush keeps Easter egg roll open to all
DEB PRICE, Detroit News

"As a parent, you want everything for your child," says Colleen Gillespie. "We want this event to tell our daughter that she is as welcome on the White House lawn as any other kid in the world."
It turns out, First Lady Laura Bush agrees. "Mrs. Bush is the overseer of the event, and all families are welcome to attend," her spokesman...

Read: Laura Bush keeps Easter egg roll open to all

S*****-on-a-Shingle!

I make every attempt to keep my personal rants off this forum because that's not what it's here for. Or maybe it is. So here goes.

I take immeasurable umbrage at the snide, "snappish" mess that Tom Shales of the Washington Post spewed about the the people depicted in Rosie's documentary, "All Aboard...". His review of the film is his prerogative. The review's following comment and others contained therein are what are just not cool.

In 'Rosie's Family Cruise' Steers Away From Deep Water' Tom Shales has the audacity to assert that the passengers were being shown as

'...a scrubbed-up, politely tidy image of gay men and women -- a portrait meticulously devoid of the drag queens, pierced nipples and campy vamping one often sees when a local TV station rushes off to cover a gay-themed event.'

Speaking as someone who was there and obviously gets no special consideration for offering my opinion (as in: nobody offered ME a Freakin' cruise!) I wish to share the truth about the people I met from that ship as it arrived on Key West that June.

The passengers, many of whom visited our booth (and signed up at our table for info and such) at the ('kid friendly') street fair hosted by the Key West Business Guild, were perfectly lovely people! Some might even venture to call them "ATYPICAL! (Whatever the HELL that is)"

I am miffed by this crap-stirring nonsense of Shales and its tone which I perceive as a somewhat doleful, careless and unnecessary indictment of what gay people are "supposed to be"! Speaking of platitudes...Mr. Shales: NEWSFLASH! Same-sex moms and dads are pretty much as 'regular folks' as anybody else. For you to have expectations of a Cruisin' Cruise is simply bigoted and foolish. The ink that reinforced this baneful stereotype is on your hands too.

The parents that I met personally, were 'undetectable' from anyone else on Duval Street that day based on your perceptions. Parents of every description straight or not, simply looked like "PARENTS" You Know...? Carrying a load of kiddie stuff, hats, sunscreen, shades, lunch!!! They displayed their "parent" status by giving clear directions to their charges in regard to crossing the street correctly, proper manners--- I know! Boring right?

Fortunately people are astute enough to recognize your comments for the inflammatory rubbish they are. I find it highly offensive that you would choose to reinforce an, already, lamentable characterization of GLBTI people and parents based on stereotypes. Granted, there are some GLBTI folks who choose to express ourselves in the manner you recklessly applied to these GLBTI parents. I wonder how readily you might have chosen to hurl those charges against an ethnic minority instead?

Sweaty, casual, relaxed, comfortable, confident, protected and respected were the parents and children that came to my booth for a bit of shelter from the scorching Key West sun. The conversations were about plans, parenting and "you'd never BELIEVE what little Joe or Jane did at the breakfast buffet" stories.

They spoke to me of feeling safe (for the first time or in a long time) in living their lives as who they were: same-sex parents in a society where same-sex parents and same-sex couples are reviled.

They talked about the joy of being able to go somewhere and feel---brace yourself---
"Normal"! They spoke of their happiness and pride in caring for another human being and their promise to see them develop through to self-sufficiency and adulthood. I know it ain't "sexy", Mr. Shales, but dignity and honor are all people want in life. Despite your feelings about film (which you found nothing good about), the collateral damage must be considered.

Your drech did get my ire up because of its callous and thoughtless tone. Perhaps when looking for the visual of the gays you have come to expect, write a piece about an all gay, adult, singles' cruise and do nothing more to slag off hard working GLBTI parents for the sake of a "punchy" headline. I think back with fondness and admiration of these people doing something that so many others refuse to. They are daring to parent. Daring to be uninhibited, unashamed and proud of their families. Daring to be GLBTI people just trying to have a nice vacation. I remember each and every family I met and those things most.

Pierced or not, Sir, they were people that I found it an honor to meet. I won't forget that in spite of their not living up to your expectations of how they "should" have been portrayed in your estimation. Perhaps some of those platitudinous, goody-goody positive images were---OMG!---just boring and realistic?

MW Savant, CEO
***
Nod of thanks to AmericaBlog

A life lost in Laramie sparks emotional plea to end hate
By: Emily Craighead, Staff Writer; Princeton Packet/PrincetonPacket Online

Judy Shepard draws tears during talk at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North

Judy Shepard speaks calmly as she reads the victim impact statement submitted in the trial of one of the two men convicted of murdering her son, Matthew Shepard.
"He was always anxious for the next step, the next stage of his life to begin," she says, describing the loving, vibrant young man her son was.
As she goes on, tears roll down the cheeks of students and parents in the audience at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North, and quiet sniffling...Read Judy Shepard draws tears during talk?

Notes:
1. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Judy Shepard for her courageous and important work. Visit the Matthew Shepard Foundation to learn more.

2. This quote came from Judy Shepards's speech and is excerpted from the Packet feature---

'She also sees hypocrisy in the failure to accept gay marriage.
"You are who you are, you love who you love," she says. "That's just the way it is. If you can go to Vegas and get married by Elvis, what's the big deal?"'

Consumer Confidence!!!

It's Official! savvyplanners.com is registered with the Better Business Bureau of the State of New Jersey, the home of our new headquarters.

We also continue to be registered with federal, state of Florida and New Jersey Departments of Commerce and State of Florida business registries as well. While our registration has been accepted and added, we are not yet "members" of the BBB. Membership is "optional", though the bureau maintains reports on registered members and non-members alike. Nor does this listing imply any particular endorsement by the BBB. It simply offers consumers a place to turn to verify that a business is legitimate or recognized and to inquire about their service reputation. This makes it easier to make informed and more confident buying decisions.

It is a privilege to serve our clients! Your comfort and quality of care are our prime directives. Your confidence and security shouldn't be given lightly. We will continue to strive to earn it every day! Welcome to the family!

Group says state discriminates against same-sex couples
By SARAH SKIDMORE (Associated Press Writer)

Emmett Parman, 2, plays with his two mothers, Jeana Fazzini (left) and K.D. Parman. IMAGE: Brian Lee/

PORTLAND, Ore. - A lawsuit filed by a same-sex couple charges that Oregon has broken the law by recognizing only one of them as the parent of their child. Read It?

Extra: Williamette Week Editorial (Ore.)

What Are They Scared Of!?

Number Of Stations Rejecting Gay-Positive Church Ad Grows
by Beth Shapiro, 365Gay.com New York Bureau
April 6, 2006

(New York City) A growing number of television networks are saying no to a television commercial from the United Church of Christ that features gay couple - including the parent of Logo TV, the LGBT network.

The commercial has already been rejected by CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox and WB. Now cable networks, mainly owned or associated...Read It?

See the 2004 Commercial again?

FLORIDA MARRIAGE AMENDMENT REDUX
"Goal is 155,000 Signatures in 155 Days"
By JONI B. HANNIGAN
Managing Editor, Florida Baptist Witness
Published February 16, 2006

Caption:Photo by Joni B. Hannigan
Bill Bunkley (l), legislative consultant to the Florida Baptist Convention, stands with Bill Stephens, Mat Staver, and John Stemberger outside the Florida Supreme Court building Feb 8.

"TALLAHASSEE (FBW)-Leaders of a citizen initiative to amend Florida’s Constitution to define marriage as the institution between one man and one woman remained hopeful Feb. 8 after presenting oral arguments defending the ballot language to the Florida Supreme Court.

Despite not gaining enough signatures to put the amendment before voters in 2006, Mat Staver, lead counsel for Orlando-based Liberty Counsel, represented the official sponsor of the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment, Florida4Marriage.org, which gathered 456,7363 ballots by Feb. 1..."

"John Stemberger, state chairman of the Florida4Marriage.org, called for the launch of “155 in 155,” a movement calling for 155,000 petitions to be signed in 155 days, which began Feb. 8 and ends July 12, 2006. “If there was ever a time for direct democracy, this was it,” Stemberger said at the rally.'

Read It?
Note: Interesting piece.

Ireland Backs Legalizing Gay Partnerships
© 2006 The Associated Press/Chron.com

DUBLIN, Ireland — Ireland will legalize civil partnerships for gay couples, Prime Minister Bertie Ahern pledged Monday as he opened new offices for the country's main gay rights group.
Civil partnerships allow gay couples the same rights to inheritance, state benefits and other financial rights as held by married heterosexual couples.

"Sexual orientation cannot, and must not, be the basis of a second-class citizenship. Our laws have changed, and...Read it?

GET MORE DETAILS from Ireland regarding the time delay:
Gay Community News, Ireland

Navratilova sets the record straight
by Ethan Jacobs, (Bay Windows)

"In a recent phone interview with Martina Navratilova about her new healthy living book, Shape Your Self, the tennis star and lesbian icon wouldn’t let me get off the phone without clearing up a recent controversy surrounding the Rainbow credit card and a not-so-flattering cover story published last year in The Advocate.
“I do want to tell you something about the Rainbow Card because I know there are some misconceptions about that,” she told me, noting that the Advocate “really did a number on me” and “totally made some stories that completely were not true.” Read It?

Rainbow Retirement

Gay Old Timers
The GLBT community looks ahead to its golden years
by Will O'Bryan, Metro Weekly
Published on 04/06/2006

"Sitting at the southern tip of the mouth of Tampa Bay, there is a spot akin to somewhere over the rainbow. It's here, in Palmetto, Fla., you'll find the Palms of Manasota, which, according to the literature, is ''America's First Gay & Lesbian Retirement Community."

Walking through the manicured, greenery of Phase I in late December, signs of gaiety in the neighborhood are nearly as rare as children. Occasionally, there is the telltale equality...read Rainbow Retirement piece?

Note: There is a great deal of information and a good number of resource links. Worth the trip.

Episcopalians Consider Freeze on Gay Bishops
By Julia Duin, THE WASHINGTON TIMES April 5, 2006

U.S. Episcopal leaders will try to safeguard their membership in the worldwide Anglican Communion by holding back, at least until 2008, on electing new homosexual bishops and on allowing same-sex unions, according to two Episcopal bishops. Church leaders are even considering "repentance" for...Read Episcopalians Consider Freeze on Gay Bishops?

"All Aboard" — Documentary About Rosie O'Donnell Cruise — Makes TV Premiere April 6
By Andrew Gans
Playbill News

The HBO cable network will broadcast the television premiere of "All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise" April 6 at 8 PM ET.

The feature-length documentary was filmed aboard the Norwegian Dawn in summer 2004 during the first voyage of r family vacations, which caters to gay and lesbian families and their friends. The weeklong trip began in New York City, making stops in Florida and the Bahamas before...Read About Rosie Documentary?

Extras: Go to the HBO Page about the Film

Note: We had the privilege of being there to welcome r family vacations' passengers when they arrived at Key West. Even got to meet the happy couple (The O'Donnells). We had a booth at the Key west Business Guild's street fair and were mere feet away during the ceremony in which Rosie was given the key to the island (city) by Mayor Jimmy Weekly who, by the way, performed most of our ceremonies that year. We spoke with some of the wonderful passengers and their children who came to our booth and Special Thanks go out to: Adam, Erika, Fred, Tracy & Jeff for working the event!

"Who's Baaaad!?"

Homeland Security Official Faces Child Sex Charges
NBC6.net South Florida

MIAMI -- The deputy press secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was charged with using a computer to seduce a child after authorities said he struck up sexual conversations with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl.

Brian J. Doyle, 55, who is the...Read about the heterosexual alleged pedophile?