IT WAS A "DISORDER".
NOW it's not...but you still can't serve!

Pentagon Says Homosexuality Not a Mental Disorder

By REUTERS

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon no longer deems homosexuality a mental disorder, officials said on Wednesday, although the reversal has no impact on U.S. policy prohibiting openly gay people from serving in the military.

"The 1996 Pentagon document, which had been recertified as ''current'' three years ago, had listed homosexuality as a mental disorder alongside mental retardation, impulse control disorders and personality disorders."

After a 1996 Pentagon document placing homosexuality among a list of "certain mental disorders'' came to light this month...Read at The New York Times?

OUT GAY JUDGE APPOINTED IN MD. Ehrlich’s move follows firing of official for anti-gay slur

By JOSHUA LYNSEN, Washington Blade Online

Maryland Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich last week appointed a gay judge to the Baltimore District Court.

Christopher Panos, 47, a special master in the city’s Circuit Court family division, lives in Baltimore with his partner of 17 years, Dennis Cashen, and the couple’s 16-month-old daughter, Cate.

When reached by phone June 28, Panos said...Read the story at Washington Blade Online?

CONGRATULATIONS
Jason & David!

WEDDING BELLS TODAY!!!

The reluctant "heroes" (Const. Tree and Const. Connors of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) don't think it's a big deal. To many GLBTI Americans it is. And we're excited and happy for you! savvyplanners.com wishes to extend its best wishes, congratulations and admiration to the happy couple.

No press are invited. Read the story and their statements here via the Chronical Herald of Nova Scotia.

PRIDE in the 21st CENTURY!?
Photo: National Geographic

Could this be a "wink" from the universe? An omen of hope for GLBT rights and marriage equality? This rarely experienced "rainbow" happened on June 3rd, 2006. We thought that sharing this image again was a fitting way to close out Pride month activities and observations and an homage to how far we've come. Maybe it can provide some greater energy and inspiration to continue the struggle.

Read the story 'Rainbow Fire' via National Geographic/London Daily Mail

TASK FORCE BOARD MEMBER/ACTIVIST ERIC ROFES DIES

WASHINGTON, June 27 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force mourns the death of Eric Rofes, a leader, activist, visionary, former board member and dear friend to the Task Force. He died yesterday as the result of a heart attack.

“Words cannot express the loss we all feel. For more than 30 years, Eric was our movement’s visionary. He pushed us to be better, to never lose sight of what our movement for liberation is all about, and to love each other, fight for each other and celebrate our community. He was an organizer without par, a brilliant thinker and writer, and above all else, a wonderful person and friend. Our hearts go out to his partner Crispin Hollings and all the members of his extended family.” — Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force...read the entire NGLTF press release?

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

savvyplanners.com is thrilled and proud to announce the wedding of:

Michael & Ian of Washington, DC!

The gentlemen and their precious daughter, as well as, a small number of friends and family are taking a family cruise to Key West and are planning on having their ceremony in one of Key West's lush, tropical gardens after they dock.

"I'm very satisfied", said Michael, who emailed us to see if his quick stop in Key West could be shaped into a sweet, simple ceremony for their most important day, while including their daughter. Marcinho, in his inimitable fashion, let the client know that there is no doubt that this can be done!

Welcome to the savvyplanners.com family, Michael, Ian

and your lovely daughter!

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL!

Read a wonderful letter from the client!

We happily honor the client's request that further specifics be withheld.
-Maurizio R., Webmaster

Um, OK...Congressman Lynn Westmoreland,
The Co-sponsor of the
Ten Commandments Bill is unable...
(Just Watch and be amazed)



Wow!

A lot of 'pride' in Garden State
Sunday, June 25, 2006

By STEVEN GOLDSTEIN*
SPECIAL TO THE HERALD NEWS

"...Yet we gay rights leaders in New Jersey still hear the occasional question, "Can't you gay people seek all the rights of marriage without calling it marriage?

No we can't, because separate is not equal. Imagine the uproar if a politician proposed giving rights to different-race couples not under the label of marriage, but under the label "registered interracial partnerships. The newfangled labels of "civil unions" and "domestic partnerships" are no different...
Read the entire feature?

*Steven Goldstein is the chairman of Garden State Equality

The Colbert Report Pokes fun at Fox News Story about Gay Marriage leading to Animal Marriage...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Key West, Florida- savvyplanners.com is honored to announce the wedding of our next couple to get married on Key West next week! Misty and Margaret from Louisiana!!

These women will have a ceremony on the Gulf of Mexico, presided over by the new mayor of Key West, Mayor Morgan McPherson who has newly agreed to perform ceremonies for our clients. Their intimate ceremony, with ten special guests coming down to attend, will be captured by noted Key West Photographer, Peter Estenoz. A lovely, private reception and cake cutting is to follow at a fantastic restaurant that evening.

The team of coordinators for this event are Eric and Marcinho with special thanks to Eileen, Larry, Debra, Karen, Rich and Ann.

Congratulations Misty and Margaret!

Welcome to the savvyplanners.com family!

Episcopal Church votes to curb gay bishops

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Reuters) - The U.S. Episcopal Church, trying to appease an angry and alienated worldwide Anglican community, reversed itself on Wednesday and agreed to try to avoid the consecration of more openly gay bishops.

The action came 24 hours after one of two legislative bodies at the 2.3 million member U.S. church's convention had rejected a similar idea.

The non-binding resolution adopted at the convention calls on those in authority "to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate (for bishop) whose manner of life presents a challenge to the...continue reading via Yahoo! News?

Pentagon Lists Homosexuality As Disorder

By LOLITA C. BALDOR

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- A Pentagon document classifies homosexuality as a mental disorder, decades after mental health experts abandoned that position...read full story at Washington Post

OPINION:
(The following is an opinion of MW Savant and does not necessarily reflect the views of savvyplanners.com, its management, staff or clients)

"Is anybody out there grasping this irrational, reprehensible and vengeful Pentagon drech for what it is? Ummm, could it be a deliberate leak? So now that the current and sanctioned bigotry nurtured by the Right gives license to re-condemn those who are not "just like" them, they dust off the good ole' "mental disorder" classification? They obviously feel justified and SAFE in spreading the well-received, targeted and hateful, anti-GLBT sentiment that they encourage---and scared enough to actually do it. They are learning, however, that increasing numbers of Americans are just about fed-up with being enticed to hate by the government whose purpose is to protect its citizens.

So now that more people are coming to their senses about the biases, stereotypes and outright lies about GLBT people, these vipers throw fuel on the fire in order to restock their supply of lemmings and lambs? The document is ten years old, I believe. Leaked on purpose?

Now that more and more fellow Americans are learning to live life without the baseless "hatred" and fear of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people and realizing that we all can and do co-exist without the horsemen of the apocalypse galloping through the city streets---our government pitches this rubbish to those willing to blissfully consume it!?

We have, all along, been seeing the unmitigated, brazen, sanctioned dishonesty and blatant display of this administration's feeling "above the law" and "untouchable". While this is nothing new, nor shocking, it is a complete slap in the face to the growth, learning and respect that we were learning for our fellow citizens in recent years. It denigrates the science and experts who were brilliant enough to have discredited this divisive rubbish three decades ago. It is a slap in the face to the GLBT pioneers who lived and died under this governmentally sanctioned hatred. It is the twenty-first century Washington! We can continue to evolve as a society and as a culture if only you'd stop the madness. What are you so afraid of?

That's it "fellas"! Another smoke screen? Another diversion? Another display of your rancorous, obvious and cowardly attempt to outrage enough people to deflect the ruthless and steadfast watchful eye that is observing your smug disregard for the American constitution, checks and balances and the American people? Absolutely!

This travesty will be seen, by those of us who pay attention enough to be outraged and by history, for exactly what it is. The folly of this action will have grave ramifications on your, already, sinking ship. Your timing is staggering as is your malevolent arrogance.

Stop scapegoating the GLBTQI community in the midst of all of your unfathomable failures. Stop vilifying the GLBTI community as a tool to mask those historical embarrassments. Focus on the real problems of this nation. Stop burning the ladder to enlightenment and harmony.Stop teaching and encouraging hatred in this nation yet again. Stop it!"

The list of "disorders" can be found here
via Americablog.

Comments on AOL's Gay & Lesbian Channel/ by gayesteditorever: "What Was Reich Is Wrong"

New US church leader says
homosexuality no sin
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -

Interviewed on CNN, [Bishop Katharine] Jefferts Schori was asked if it was a sin to be homosexual.

"I don't believe so. I believe that God creates us with different gifts. Each one of us comes into this world with a different collection of things that challenge us and things that give us joy and allow us to bless the world around us," she said.

"Some people come into this world with affections ordered toward other people of the same gender and some people come into this world with affections directed at people of the other gender." ...read it at REUTERS

Trouble with the link above? Go Here.
View VIDEO of her comments Here.

Reminder:
LIFETIME Television presents

GWEN ARAUJO'S Story TONIGHT!

In a surprisingly daring and intriguing move, Lifetime Television will present a movie about Trans murder victim Gwen Araujo featuring Academy Award winner, Mercedes Ruehl and JD Pardo. The film airs on Monday, June 19th at 9pm (ET). Read more about "A Girl Like Me": The Gwen Araujo Story.

Spoiler Warning: Read about Gwen on Wikipedia.

Honoring GLBTI Pioneers!!!

Printer-friendly version

For more information:
media@equalityforum.com; 215-732-3378
Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director; 215-732-7375

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 19, 2006

Equality Forum to coordinate GLBT History Month

Rev. Nancy Wilson and Yale Professor Kenji Yoshino named National Co-Chairs

PHILADELPHIA—Equality Forum will produce and disseminate a video, biography, and bibliography celebrating the achievements of 31 GLBT leaders selected for each day during GLBT History Month in October. Nominations from GLBT organizations for the 31 leaders will be reviewed by GLBT History Month National Co-Chairs Rev. Nancy Wilson, Moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) and Professor Kenji Yoshino, Deputy Dean for Intellectual Life at Yale Law School. Nominees must be national or international GLBT persons, living or deceased, who have distinguished themselves within their field of endeavor, as recognized national heroes, or in the GLBT civil rights movement. The recommendations of the National Co-Chairs will be authorized by the Equality Forum Board of Directors. According to Lowell Selvin, CEO, PlanetOut, "Equality Forum's GLBT History Month project will serve as a constant reminder of the work the community has done and the work we still need to do in our fight for civil rights. Equality Forum's dedication to commemorating history while being a newsmaker in its own right speaks to the good work that can be done when we work together."...read the entire release here.

Gay parade draws 2.4 million

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) -- More than 2 million gay men, lesbians and transvestites waving rainbow flags and dressed in lavish Carnival costumes paraded Saturday to celebrate gay pride and demand an end to homophobia.

The 10th annual Sao Paulo Gay Pride Parade saw go-go boys and drag queens dancing on the roofs of sound trucks blasting music as they rolled down the skyscraper-lined Avenida Paulista -- the financial heart of Brazil's biggest city.

It also turned into a cheering festival for Brazil's World Cup soccer team, with many paraders dressed in the country's yellow, green and blue. (Watch parade revelers in Brazil and Mexico -- 1:40)...

continue story via CNN?

LIFETIME Television presents

GWEN ARAUJO'S Story!

In a surprisingly daring and intriguing move, Lifetime Television will present a movie about Trans murder victim Gwen Araujo featuring Academy Award winner, Mercedes Ruehl and JD Pardo. The film airs on Monday, June 19th at 9pm (ET). Read more about "A Girl Like Me": The Gwen Araujo Story.

Spoiler Warning: Read about Gwen on Wikipedia.

Kentucky Court Delivers Blow To Gay Parenting
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(Frankfort, Kentucky) The Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled that even though a partner in a same-sex relationship may have shared responsibilities in raising a child she has no legal right to be considered a co-parent.

The case involved a lesbian couple where one partner adopted a baby but where both partners shared in caring for the child.

Brenda Fawbush had adopted the baby girl and her partner Teresa Davis helped care for her. But, six years later, when the couple split up Fawbush refused...continue via 365Gay?

Angus Reid Global Scan : Polls & Research
U.S. Ponders Options for Same-Sex Couples

Angus Reid Global Scan) – Adults in the United States remain divided over the issue of same-sex marriage, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 27 per cent of respondents think gays and lesbians should be allowed to get married, up two points since May 2004.

In addition, 25 per cent of respondents would allow homosexual couples to enter into a legal partnership that should not be called marriage, and 39 per cent would offer no legal recognition to gay and lesbian relationships...continue reading?

Colorado Court Rules Girls Can Marry at 15

Judges Say Law Permits Even Younger Brides and Grooms

By JON SARCHE, AP

Colorado Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald said she was appalled by the ruling. "That's a child. You're taking advantage of an undeveloped person," she said.

DENVER (June 15) - A 15-year-old girl can enter into a common-law marriage in Colorado, and younger girls and boys possibly can, too, a state appeals court ruled Thursday.

While the three-judge panel stopped short of setting a specific minimum age for such marriages, it said they could be legal for girls at 12 and boys at 14 under English common law, which Colorado recognizes.

Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald said she was appalled by the ruling and said lawmakers need to...continue via AOL News?

What is Common-law marriage and where is it legal?

Use of word 'queer' defended
Lawmaker dismisses reaction to his comments

By Associated Press
June 16, 2006

ATHENS, Tenn. - A Republican lawmaker [Rep. Eric Watson, R-Cleveland] who described homosexuals as "queers" when he spoke at a rally supporting a ban on same-sex marriage in Tennessee dismissed unfavorable reaction to his comment and said that is what gays want to be called.

At a rally for the Nov. 7 constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, Watson said

"it will be sad day when queers and lesbians are allowed to get married ... and kiss in front of the courthouse."

Watson, a Bradley County deputy and a graduate of Andersonville Seminary in Camilla, Ga., is seeking re-election. While Watson said he was not aware of any negative...
continue at Knoxnews?

Further information at: Tennessee Guerilla Women

(the morphing Bachelor/rette Do)

It's your party!
By John Forrester, Globe Correspondent | June 15, 2006

Should it be a night of raucous debauchery or an intimate celebration with friends? While bachelor and bachelorette parties are traditionally celebrated with members of the same sex, some spouses-to-be are treating their "last night of freedom" as a chance to gather with friends of both sexes.

Kate M. Jackson explores the idea of co ed bachelor/bachelorette parties in today's Style & Arts section. By including both sexes, some say, the original definition of a bachelor/ bachelorette party is blurred. Others contend the pre-wedding ritual is exclusionary. On a Boston.com message board, the topic generated a good amount of interest. The following are a few of the postings:...Read at Boston Globe?

Why I oppose the Marriage Protection Amendment
by Sen. Ted Kennedy
via Bay Windows

"It’s no surprise that the American people are frustrated with the Republican Senate these days. They deserve and want action on the enormous challenges we face as a nation — the endless and costly war in Iraq, the many dangers to our national security, skyrocketing gas prices, soaring health-care costs, the upcoming hurricane season. How we can have safer schools and better care for our children, and so many other urgent issues. But instead of dealing with these real priorities, the Senate Republican leadership is asking us to spend time writing bigotry into the Constitution.

Let’s be clear about what this debate is really about. It’s a blatant effort to deny some members of our society the right to..."---continue reading at Bay Windows?

(Boston) Pride survives divas and downpours
by Ethan Jacobs/Bay Windows
Photo: Marilyn Humphries

Nearly 100,000 turn out for festivities

At this year’s Pride, all the rainbow flags, balloons and signs looked depressingly out of place; from the moment the Moving Violations riders revved up their engines at the start of the parade to late that afternoon when Pride festival headliner Shannon ended her set and waved goodbye to the crowd, this year’s Boston Pride festivities were deluged with rain from start to finish, with nary a natural rainbow in sight. Yet that didn’t stop an estimated crowd of 100,000 revelers from braving the rain to celebrate the 36th annual Pride Parade. The crowd was down from past years, and the festival show was cut short due to the weather, but the crowds still lined the streets to cheer on the parade, and there was a robust crowd watching the show and wandering the booths of the vendors and nonprofits on the Boston Common. The only major snafu came when festival emcee Hedda Lettuce, whose raunchy stand-up act clashed with the tone of the largely family-friendly event, tore into the Pride Committee from the stage after organizers asked her to tone down her act, inviting them to “eat [her]...continue at BayWindows?

South Florida’s Gay Monthly Networking Event
Supporting The Human Rights Campaign HRC-South Florida
Thursday June 15, 2006
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Cathode Ray Club
1307 E Las Olas Blvd, Ft Lauderdale FL $10 Suggested Donation

Tony Sandonato: P_palm(at)bellsouth.net
954-771-9290

Club Blue is a monthly social and networking event designed to promote the Human Rights Campaign and its membership in South Florida. Join the HRC South Florida Committee each month to network with other gay/Lesbian professionals and learn about HRC in South Florida!

FEDS Scrap Same-Sex Laws

This article from : AAP via news.com.au/The Courier Mail

THE federal government has used its powers to disallow the ACT's (Australian Capital Territory) same-sex unions laws, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

Mr Ruddock said he and Territories Minister Jim Lloyd met Governor-General Michael Jeffery this morning in Executive Council to invalidate the ACT's Civil Unions Act. The Act would be invalid from midnight tonight.

"The ACT civil relationships ordinance has been...continue via The Courier Mail.

LGBT organisations apply for consultative status at the United Nations
09/06/2006,
The International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK:

ILGA’s campaign to make LGBT voices come out at the United Nations rose to a new level last week with six additional groups applying for consultative status at the UN. The groups that applied by the May 31, 2006 deadline include the Associação Brasileira de Gays, Lésbicas e Transgêneros (ABGLT), COC Nederlands, the Federación Estatal de Lesbianas, Gays, Transexuales y Bisexuales (FELGT) of Spain, Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ), Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), and the Riksförbundet för sexuellt likaberättigande (RFSL) of Sweden. Over 2,700 NGOs have consultative status at the UN, which allows them to participate fully in global debates such as at the newly formed Human Rights Council, by circulating written statements, giving oral statements, and organizing side events...continue reading article.

Howard Dean Supports Gay Tax Revolt

By Jim Kouri, The Sierra Times

Chairman of the Democrat National Committee Howard Dean is supporting Charles Merrill and his same-sex partner Kevin Boyle in their civil disobedience against paying Federal Income Tax because they cannot have the same tax benefits as heterosexual married couples. But unless the two gay activists mention Dean's support and remarks in their statements and press releases, the...continue at Sierra Times.

AN AIRFORCE "LOVE BOMB" TO MAKE 'EM GAY?

The US military investigated building a "gay bomb", which would make enemy soldiers "sexually irresistible" to each other, government papers say.

Other weapons that never saw the light of day include one to make soldiers obvious by their bad breath...continue at BBC News.

Photo: BBC

READER FORUM:
Why is same-sex marriage so divisive for people on both sides of the issue?

[Blogger's note: Here are some interesting views from readers of The Daily Times of Salisbury, Maryland and delmarvanow.com.]

Photo: KATU.com

ActForLove.org Launches Million Marble March to Protest Gay Marriage Amendment

(06.11.06 via 247Gay.com)

(Washington, D.C.) - In response to President George Bush's push for a Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, ActForLove.org, a dating site for liberal activists, has announced the "Million Marble March," a campaign to send marbles to the White House to replace the ones Bush 'has lost'.

"The President has clearly lost his marbles, and we want to help him find them," said John Hlinko, founder of ActForLove.org. "With Americans concerned about the...continue reading at 247Gay.com

CONGRATULATIONS CANADA!

Canadian Gays Mark 3rd Anniversary Of Same-Sex Marriage
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(Toronto, Ontario) Dozens of same-sex couples celebrated in front of Toronto City Hall on Friday, marking the third anniversary of the landmark court ruling that struck down Canada's ban on gay marriage.

On hand to mark the occasion was federal New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton, a former Toronto city council member. On June 10, 2003 the Ontario...continue via 365Gay.com

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to the newest members of the savvyplanners.com client-family! We'd like to extend a heartfelt welcome to Carolyn C. & Shannon R. from Daytona Beach, Florida! WELCOME ABOARD, Ladies !!!!

The couple will experience a gorgeous, oceanfront, sunset wedding on the Atlantic. The mayor of Key West will officiate. (You can click here to read their wonderful letter of thanks.)

FDA Approves Cervical Cancer Vaccine
Gardasil Will Be Available by End of the Month
By ANDREW BRIDGES, AP

Read: via AOL News

Angie, Brad and Shi' (aaawww!)

It's the first official photo of Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, born in Namibia on May 27 to a "very excited and happy" Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. See more exclusive photos of the beautiful baby girl in this week's issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

Due to technical difficulties, we were unable to publish the BLOG until today. The host has resolved the issues. We apologize for the delays and any inconvenience.

Now you see 'em, now you don't
by Ethan Jacobs, Bay Windows


Find out what made a major department store change their display window for Boston Pride...

Click the PIC or click here.

Doctor Doolitt...Whaaaa?????
A very interesting article on gayness in vertebrates.
by Jonah Lehrer
From the JUN/JUL 2006 issue of Seed; Photo: Catherine Ledner

Joan Roughgarden thinks Charles Darwin made a terrible mistake. Not about natural selection—she's no bible-toting creationist—but about his other great theory of evolution: sexual selection. According to Roughgarden, sexual selection can't explain the homosexuality that's been documented in over 450 different vertebrate species. This means that same-sex sexuality—long disparaged as a quirk of human culture—is a normal, and probably necessary, fact of life. By neglecting all those gay animals, she says, Darwin misunderstood the basic nature of heterosexuality. Male big horn sheep live in what are often called "homosexual societies...continue at Seed Magazine

Here's How They Voted!
(Photo and data provided by Human Rights Campaign)

Thanks to the HRC for compiling this listing of how the Senators voted on the FMA.

Roll Call Results By STATE (via AOL News)

Akaka, Daniel K. (D-HI) No
Baucus, Max (D-MT) No
Bayh, Evan (D-IN) No
Biden, Joseph R. (D-DE) No
Bingaman, Jeff (D-NM) No
Boxer, Barbara (D-CA) No
Cantwell, Maria (D-WA) No
Carper, Thomas R. (D-DE) No
Chafee, Lincoln D. (R-RI) No
Clinton, Hillary Rodham (D-NY) No
Collins, Susan (R-ME) No
Conrad, Kent (D-ND) No
Dayton, Mark (D-MN) No
Dorgan, Byron L. (D-ND) No
Durbin, Richard J. (D-IL) No
Feingold, Russell D. (D-WI) No
Feinstein, Dianne (D-CA) No
Gregg, Judd (R-NH) No
Harkin, Tom (D-IA) No
Inouye, Daniel K. (D-HI) No
Jeffords, James M. (I-VT) No
Johnson, Tim (D-SD) No
Kennedy, Edward M. (D-MA) No
Kerry, John F. (D-MA) No
Kohl, Herb (D-WI) No
Landrieu, Mary L. (D-LA) No
Lautenberg, Frank R. (D-NJ) No
Leahy, Patrick J. (D-VT) No
Levin, Carl (D-MI) No
Lieberman, Joseph I. (D-CT) No
Lincoln, Blanche (D-AR) No
McCain, John (R-AZ) No
Menendez, Bob (D-NJ) No
Mikulski, Barbara A. (D-MD) No
Murray, Patty (D-WA) No
Nelson, Bill (D-FL) No
Obama, Barack (D-IL) No
Pryor, Mark (D-AR) No
Reed, Jack (D-RI) No
Reid, Harry (D-NV) No
Salazar, Ken (D-CO) No
Sarbanes, Paul S. (D-MD) No
Schumer, Charles (D-NY) No
Snowe, Olympia (R-ME) No
Specter, Arlen (R-PA) No
Stabenow, Debbie (D-MI) No
Sununu, John E. (R-NH) No
Wyden, Ron (D-OR) No
Dodd, Christopher J. (D-CT) Not Present
Hagel, Chuck (R-NE) Not Present
Rockefeller, John D. (D-WV) Not Present
Alexander, Lamar (R-TN) Yes
Allard, Wayne (R-CO) Yes
Allen, George (R-VA) Yes
Bennett, Robert F. (R-UT) Yes
Bond, Christopher S. (R-MO) Yes
Brownback, Sam (R-KS) Yes
Bunning, Jim (R-KY) Yes
Burns, Conrad (R-MT) Yes
Burr, Richard (R-NC) Yes
Byrd, Robert C. (D-WV) Yes
Chambliss, Saxby (R-GA) Yes
Coburn, Thomas (R-OK) Yes
Cochran, Thad (R-MS) Yes
Coleman, Norm (R-MN) Yes
Cornyn, John (R-TX) Yes
Craig, Larry E. (R-ID) Yes
Crapo, Mike (R-ID) Yes
DeMint, Jim (R-SC) Yes
DeWine, Mike (R-OH) Yes
Dole, Elizabeth (R-NC) Yes
Domenici, Pete V. (R-NM) Yes
Ensign, John (R-NV) Yes
Enzi, Mike (R-WY) Yes
Frist, William H. (R-TN) Yes
Graham, Lindsay (R-SC) Yes
Grassley, Charles E. (R-IA) Yes
Hatch, Orrin G. (R-UT) Yes
Hutchison, Kay Bailey (R-TX) Yes
Inhofe, James M. (R-OK) Yes
Isakson, Johnny (R-GA) Yes
Kyl, John (R-AZ) Yes
Lott, Trent (R-MS) Yes
Lugar, Richard G. (R-IN) Yes
Martinez, Mel (R-FL) Yes
McConnell, Mitch (R-KY) Yes
Murkowski, Lisa (R-AK) Yes
Nelson, Ben (D-NE) Yes
Roberts, Pat (R-KS) Yes
Santorum, Rick (R-PA) Yes
Sessions, Jeff (R-AL) Yes
Shelby, Richard C. (R-AL) Yes
Smith, Gordon (R-OR) Yes
Stevens, Ted (R-AK) Yes
Talent, James M. (R-MO) Yes
Thomas, Craig (R-WY) Yes
Thune, John (R-SD) Yes
Vitter, David (R-LA) Yes
Voinovich, George (R-OH) Yes
Warner, John W. (R-VA) Yes

Senate rejects gay marriage ban
By LAURIE KELLMAN, Associated Press Writer

Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas (left); Wayne Allard of Colorado (center) and Sam Brownback of Kansas were among the most vocal supporters of the Federal Marriage Amendment. Allard introduced the measure in the Senate. (Photo by Leigh H. Mosley)

WASHINGTON - The Senate on Wednesday rejected a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, but supporters said new votes for the measure represent progress that gives conservative Republicans reason to vote on...(full story via yahoo/AP)

Pioneer LGBT Publisher Passes Away

PRESS RELEASE

Gay Chicago Magazine
3115 North Broadway
Chicago, IL 60657
773.327.7789 X 102

Media Contact: Andrew Hayes, 773.506.8042

Ralph Paul Gernhardt, 72, Publisher,
Gay Chicago Magazine

(Chicago's longest-lived Gay publication)
June 1, 1934 - June 4, 2006

OBITUARY:

Ralph Paul Gernhardt

Ralph Paul Gernhardt, 72, founder and Publisher Emeritus of Gay Chicago Magazine, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, June 4, 2006 after a long battle with lung cancer.

On the occasion of the magazine's 20th anniversary in 1996, Gernhardt said that he launched Chicago's longest-lived LGBT publication, Gay Chicago Magazine, in 1976 because, "I felt there was a need for something. At that particular time, the gay community didn't have any regular periodicals supplying information about what was going on in the community."

Gay Chicago Magazine was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 1989, and Gernhardt himself was inducted in 2004 for "foster[ing] the development and cohesion of Chicago's sexual-minority communities by helping to provide them, for nearly three decades, with the news and information vital to any community's growth."

Gernhardt was born on Chicago's North Side in 1934. After graduating from high school in Fox Lake, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving as a special weapons technician and observer in post-war Korea. Finishing his four-year tour of duty in Wyoming, he returned to Chicago and completed training for a radio broadcasting career. His 17-year radio career included work in Michigan, Wyoming, Colorado, Louisiana, Texas and Tennessee. In 1959, he married Marilyn Ridgedale, and the couple had two children, Craig and Christy. In the early 1970s, he moved back to Chicago to be near his family. Here he taught radio broadcasting before starting his LGBT career.

During that career, besides publishing, Gernhardt became an organizer of the Gay Athletic Association, which preceded the current Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association. He and Gay Chicago co-publisher Dan DiLeo also sponsored numerous bowling and softball teams. They were founding members of the Gay and Lesbian Press Association. Using Gay Chicago pages, they tirelessly promoted safer-sex practices, supported anonymous HIV testing programs and distributed free condoms in addition to publishing a safe sex calendar. With Robert Fagenholz and his son, Fred, of the recently closed Marigold Bowling Arcade, they formed "Strike Against AIDS" a group that contributed tens of thousands of dollars to fight AIDS. Gernhardt's support of AIDS work, athletics, and community events (such as an annual Gay Day at the Great AmericaT amusement park) continued until his passing.

Gernhardt's career also included presenting the Gay Chicago Magazine Awards from 1977 to 1992, which honored outstanding achievements by community members in those years. He aided fund-raising efforts for Center on Halsted activities and led the creation and presentation of Gay Chicago Magazine's Grabby Awards, which recognized outstanding accomplishments and entertainment in the gay erotic video field. The 16th annual Grabby Awards were presented to a packed house at the Vic Theatre during the recent Memorial Day weekend.

Gernhardt is survived by his son, Craig, of Chicago; daughter, Christy (Paul) Street and grandchildren, Jacob, Justin and Maggie, of Conyers, Georgia; sisters, Joy Smage, Carol Francis; and dedicated family at Gay Chicago Magazine.

MEMORIAL/FUNERAL INFO:

Drake Funeral Home
5303 North Western
Visitation Wed. June 7th 3-9pm
Service Thur. June 8th 1pm
Memorial immediately follows at local, private residence

Book: "Gay Marriage: For Better or For Worse? :What We've Learned from the Evidence"
by William N. Eskridge, Darren R. Spedale

This book provides, perhaps, the most compelling statistical same-sex marriage data based on a nearly two decade sample.

According to authors William N. Eskridge, Jr. and Darren R. Spedale, the answer is a resounding "no."

In their new book, GAY MARRIAGE: For Better or for Worse? What We've Learned From the Evidence (Oxford University Press, May 2006), the first of its kind to present empirical evidence about same-sex marriage, Spedale and Eskridge look to Scandinavia where gay couples have enjoyed the rights and benefits of marriage since 1989...website.

(thanks Towleroad)

'immoral attack on gay America'

Monday, June 5, 2006

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force calls President Bush's push for Federal Marriage Amendment an 'immoral attack on gay America'

"Yes, this is about pandering to his base. Yes, this is about diverting America's attention from his foreign and domestic failures. But above all, this is an immoral attack on gay people, our families and our fundamental humanity. In the not-too-distant future, all those involved in this spectacle will look back with shame and regret." — Matt Foreman, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

Read the press release from The Task Force.

GOTTA LOVE Ms. Huffington!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (The Huffington Post)

Check out her item:
"Bush's Old Friend on Gay Marriage:
I Don't Think He Gives A S**T About it..."

Read the original Newsweek Story By Debra Rosenberg, Newsweek
(With Richard Wolffe, Holly Bailey and Karen Breslau)

“Big Gay GOP Fear Factor Fever” (song)

Source & Photo: Huffington Post

This is an interesting new song from the ever-turning mind of Paul Hipp!

Listen To “Big Gay GOP Fear Factor Fever”...

SPECIAL to the BLOG:
by MW Savant, CEO
Thanks for the permission, Jet!
Photo: Uncredited

I came across an enlightening piece about GLBTI athletes and how living in or out of the closet has impacted their lives.

An absolutely fantastic piece by Jet In Columbus on blogcritics.org!

(and he's handy with that HTML stuff!)

IT'S OUR GRAND OPENING!!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, our SSL secure, online store Is preparing to launch next month (July 1, 2006)! There are many shipment options to meet your requirements!

Visit the Savvy Marriage Equality Shoppe!™

All products feature our exclusive marriage equity logo which was created for us for Key West Pride! The discount has already been applied, prior to checkout!! Awesome!

New products are already being designed and we are thrilled to offer you the ONLY authorized savvyplanners.com Marriage Equality products to help you spread the word OR to just look phenomenal while you're out and about!

Most of the products do not even feature our name. So it is truly the message that matters. Those of you who DO purchase our branded pieces...we certainly appreciate the word of mouth. THANKS!

You may subcribe from the left side of the store, near the bottom, to receive our store newsletter with new product updates and specials (No SPAM- We PROMISE!). Have a look. And thanks for your continued support!

BROOKLYN BRIDGE WEDDING MARCH
Plans are underway for the 3rd Annual Wedding March across the Brooklyn Bridge. Please have your friends and family reserve SATURDAY, June 3, 2006 in their calendars because we have received the permits and we will be forming at 11am in Cadman Plaza where we will be joined by political leaders, honored guests, and celebrities as we start our...Continue at Marriage Equality NY

Thanks to Good As You

Watch the NY State Appeals Court,
Same-Sex Marriage Oral Arguments
Hearing of May 31, 2006

Watch it (2+Hrs) here.

About NY State's Highest Court

Actual Accounts from Moscow Pride

Follow this link to the ILGA-Europe file (PDF) with detailed accounts of the fury of Moscow Pride. The document includes copies of documents, powerful photos and accounts from people who were actually in the center of it all as it happened.

Visit ILGA-Europe's site