Gay spouses to get AAA discounts Florida Times-Union -
AAA Auto Club South will now allow same-sex married couples to receive spousal discounts under AAA’s Associate Membership program, a rights group that advocates for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people announced Thursday.
The company met with members of Equality Florida on Wednesday after the group received calls from gay couples who had been denied family memberships.
“Our policy does include gay and lesbian spouses, wherever they were married. Whether in other states or countries, they qualify,” said Tom O’Brien, president and chief executive officer of AAA Auto Club South, in a statement.
Gay marriage is not legal in Florida but has been approved in other states.
See Gay spouses to get AAA discounts
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Here Networks LLC and Its Publishing Affiliate Complete Merger Deal With PlanetOut Inc.
Here Networks LLC announced today the completion of the business combination of Here Networks LLC and its publishing affiliate, which includes the LGBT publications The Advocate and Out, with PlanetOut Inc. (formerly-traded under the ticker symbol, LGBT). The new public company resulting from this business combination will be named Here Media Inc. with Stephen P. Jarchow serving as Chairman and Paul Colichman serving as CEO.
On Wednesday, June 10, 2009 , the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of PlanetOut Inc. common stock voted to approve the proposed business combination.
“The close of this deal represents an exciting moment for LGBT consumers across the globe,” said Stephen P. Jarchow and Paul Colichman . “We look forward to bringing new features that will enhance the user experience and keep our customers engaged.”
Here Media now becomes the premier global company for providing news and entertainment to the LGBT community. The company is also uniquely positioned to provide advertisers opportunities to reach its niche audience across platforms including television, online, print publishing, and filmed entertainment. Here Media’s unmatched reach positions the company as a leader in creating an interactive relationship with consumers across all its iconic brands.
Jarchow and Colichman, along with current PlanetOut Inc. Chairman Phil Kleweno , will serve as the initial board of directors of Here Media.
About Here Media
Here Media, Inc. produces and distributes niche content across all platforms worldwide. Here Media’s iconic brands distribute gay media and world cinema programming with universal, humanistic appeal. Its distribution platforms include theaters, television, VOD, broadband, online, print and mobile. It earns subscription, advertising and licensing revenue from its award-winning content.
Here Media owns and operates a variety of media assets including:
- Here Studios, a full service motion picture studio.
- Here Films, a motion picture distribution company.
- here! Networks, a premium television network featuring programming that appeals to a gay and lesbian audience airing in 96 of the top 100 US markets, including every top 10 market.
- Iconic print brands including Out, Advocate and HIV Plus, as well as Alyson Books .
- Online properties including Gay.com, Planetout.com, Advocate.com, Out.com and SheWired.com which provide broadband video and social networking.
Paul Colichman is Chief Executive Officer of Here Media and Stephen P. Jarchow is Chairman. Together, they have produced and/or distributed over 200 motion pictures including Academy Award(R) winners “Gods and Monsters” and “Departures”.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding Here Media’s plans to launch new technologies and user experiences., .These statements include those containing the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” and similar words. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the limited operating history and variability of operating results of Here Media and its subsidiaries; ability to achieve its operating plan; competition; timing and success of product launches; success of marketing efforts; and dependence on technology infrastructure, cable and satellite operators and the Internet. Additional information concerning factors that could affect Here Media’s future business and financial results is included in Here Media’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/06/here-networks…
Gay Republican Sen. Koering eyeing governors seat
Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, told the Pioneer Press he’s thinking about jumping into the race for governor in 2010. Koering, a gay man, opened up about his sexual orientation in 2005 during a bitter debate over a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Koering said he is “forming an exploratory committee and will be talking to state party leaders, delegates, and community leaders to gauge the possibility of a 2010 gubernatorial run.”
Of the other announced GOP candidate, he told PiPress’ Rachel Stassen-Berger that, “I’d don’t [sic] think they have nothing on me. I guess I get worried that if it is just going to be somebody from the metro area, I guess I’d like to see somebody from the rural area put their hat in the ring.”
Koering is a somewhat conservative Republican with strong anti-abortion and gun rights bona fides, but was a supporter of legalizing medical marijuana for terminally ill patients and is against banning same-sex marriage by constitutional amendment, both generally regarded as progressive stances.
He says he can work on both sides of the aisle. “The state is in a critical condition right now,” he said. “We are in need of a chief executive officer who can work across party lines to get through these troubled times.” See Gay Republican Sen. Koering eyeing governors seat
Minnesota Independent -
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/06/gay-republica…
L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center to President Obama: ‘We Need Action and We Need It Now!’
Center CEO Welcomes Obama to L.A. With Open Letter, Urging Him to Fulfill Campaign Promises and Speak Out in Favor of LGBT Equality
LOS ANGELES, CA — The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Chief Executive Officer Lorri L. Jean released the following letter to President Barack Obama today:
Welcome to California, Mr. President. I welcome you with a heavy heart because of the California Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Prop. 8, relegating same-sex couples to second-class status and denying us that most noble promise of America, “liberty and justice for all.”
You are arriving in Los Angeles on the heels of emotional demonstrations throughout California and our nation and your silence at such a time speaks volumes. LGBT people and our allies have the “audacity to hope” for a country that treats us fairly and equally and for a President with the will to stand up for those ideals. From you we expect nothing less.
We know the country faces many serious challenges and we have strived to be patient. We’ve waited for the slightest sign you would live up to your promise to be a “fierce advocate” for our equal rights while watching gay and lesbian members of the armed forces, who have never been more needed, get discharged from the military. And so far you have done nothing. No stop loss order. No call to cease such foolish and discriminatory actions that make our nation less safe.
You pledged to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, Mr. President. You promised to support a “complete repeal” of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and pledged to advocate for legislation that would give same-sex couples the 1,100+ federal rights and benefits we are denied, including the same rights to social security benefits. You said, “Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples.”
What of those promises, Mr. President?
Your commitment to repeal DOMA has been removed from the White House Web site. Your promise to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was removed and then replaced with a watered-down version. And in the aftermath of yesterday’s California Supreme Court ruling, you have remained silent while your press secretary summarily dismisses questions about the issue.
We not only need to hear from our President, we need his action. And we need it now.
We need your words, Mr. President. But we also need your deeds. We expect you to fulfill the promises you made to us. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. taught us, “Justice too long delayed is justice denied.” Do not delay, Mr. President. The time for action is now.
Sincerely, Lorri L. Jean Chief Executive Officer L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/05/la-gay-lesbia…
Duane Reade Announces Premier-Level Sponsorship of AIDS Walk New York
~Announces Partnership to Provide New Yorkers with Free HIV/AIDS Testing~
NEW YORK, NY — Duane Reade Holdings, Inc. today announced that The Duane Reade Charitable Foundation has doubled its support from last year and will donate $100,000 as a Premier-level sponsor of AIDS Walk New York (AWNY). AWNY raises funds for Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) and fifty other AIDS service organizations in the New York tri-state area. AWNY is the world’s largest HIV/AIDS fundraising event and has raised more than $100 million since 1996. This year’s 10-kilometer AWNY is expected to attract more than 45,000 participants and will be held in New York City’s Central Park on Sunday, May 17th, 2009. In partnership with GMHC, Duane Reade will also provide free, confidential, on-the-spot, HIV testing starting in June 2009 in several neighborhoods/locations throughout the New York metropolitan area.
Jim Scarfone, Senior Vice President Human Resources & Administration for Duane Reade and a Trustee of The Duane Reade Charitable Foundation, commented, “As the only uniquely New York drug store chain, Duane Reade understands the needs of our city’s residents and strives to give back to the community in meaningful ways. As such, we are very pleased to support GMHC and the 2009 AIDS Walk New York for the third straight year and join in their efforts to promote awareness and prevention of the spread of HIV in New York City. Moreover, we are pleased to be able to double our support for the 2009 walk, and to partner with GMHC to provide free, confidential and on-the-spot HIV testing through their mobile testing unit for the second year.”
According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City has more residents living with HIV or AIDS than any other city in the United States. More than 100,000 New Yorkers currently live with HIV, a virus that has become the third leading cause of death for New Yorkers under the age of 65. More than 1,000 New Yorkers each year find out they are HIV-positive when they already have AIDS due to a lack of testing, prevention, and education about the disease.
“We are immensely grateful for Duane Reade’s outstanding support of AIDS Walk New York and our partnership in expanding HIV testing throughout the boroughs,” said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Gay Men’s Health Crisis. “Having a trusted family friend like Duane Reade as a partner helps us to continue breaking through the barriers associated with HIV testing such as stigma, fear and lack of access to care. With their ongoing help, we will continue to find the one of four HIV-positive New Yorkers who are unaware of their HIV status, and provide them with the information and care they need.”
To learn more about AIDS Walk New York and its benefactors, please visit www.aidswalk.net/newyork.
To learn more about GMHC, please visit http://www.gmhc.org/.
The Duane Reade Charitable Foundation was formed in March 2007 and is committed to supporting charitable organizations that promote health and wellness in New York’s communities. A portion of the charity’s budget is also reserved to support programs that address local community needs.
About Duane Reade
Uniquely New York since 1960, Duane Reade is the largest drug store chain in the metropolitan New York City area. Focused on making the lives of New Yorkers easier, Duane Reade offers a wide variety of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, health and beauty care items, cosmetics and other daily essentials — How I Feel, How I Look, and What I Need Now — in over 250 convenient locations.
Web Site: http://www.aidswalk.net/ newyork See * Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Whitman unveils conservative positions
Reporting from Cupertino, Calif. — A day after launching her campaign for governor, former EBay Chief Executive Meg Whitman on Tuesday unveiled a sharply conservative approach to California’s fiscal crisis and offered a fusillade of positions on other issues that are likely to complicate her run for office in 2010.
In a wide-ranging interview, the first-time Republican candidate’s demeanor vacillated between that of a confident, take-charge chief executive officer delivering a PowerPoint presentation to that of an ill-at-ease novice who has studied stacks of policy binders, but has yet to master the art of political maneuvering.
Views that could potentially attract or alienate all manner of voters emerged on the subject of gay marriage.
Explaining her support for Proposition 8, the November measure that banned same-sex marriage, she called it a “matter of personal conscience and my faith.”
But Whitman, a Presbyterian who supports gay civil unions, said the thousands of same-sex marriages that took place last year before the ban should be legally recognized — a sentiment opposed by many Proposition 8 backers. Moreover, she said, gay and lesbian couples should be able to adopt children.
See Whitman unveils conservative positions
Los Angeles Times - CA,USA
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/02/whitman-unvei…
Whitman unveils conservative positions
Reporting from Cupertino, Calif. — A day after launching her campaign for governor, former EBay Chief Executive Meg Whitman on Tuesday unveiled a sharply conservative approach to California’s fiscal crisis and offered a fusillade of positions on other issues that are likely to complicate her run for office in 2010.
In a wide-ranging interview, the first-time Republican candidate’s demeanor vacillated between that of a confident, take-charge chief executive officer delivering a PowerPoint presentation to that of an ill-at-ease novice who has studied stacks of policy binders, but has yet to master the art of political maneuvering.
Views that could potentially attract or alienate all manner of voters emerged on the subject of gay marriage.
Explaining her support for Proposition 8, the November measure that banned same-sex marriage, she called it a “matter of personal conscience and my faith.”
But Whitman, a Presbyterian who supports gay civil unions, said the thousands of same-sex marriages that took place last year before the ban should be legally recognized — a sentiment opposed by many Proposition 8 backers. Moreover, she said, gay and lesbian couples should be able to adopt children.
See Whitman unveils conservative positions
Los Angeles Times - CA,USA
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/02/whitman-unvei…
BNY Mellon Named One of Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality
NEW YORK, MY — The Bank of New York Mellon, (NYSE:BK) the global leader in asset management and securities servicing, has been named one of the “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation.
The “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” distinction is awarded to businesses that scored 100% on the HRC Foundation’s 2009 Corporate Equality Index, the primary method for businesses to benchmark and evaluate their policies, practices and diversity efforts relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workers. The index evaluates non-discrimination policies, benefits, diversity training and other internal resources for LGBT workers, as well as external support for LGBT consumers and job seekers.
“We’re committed to ensuring every employee in our company has an opportunity to contribute and excel, and I’m thrilled that this is being recognized,” said Robert P. Kelly, chairman and chief executive officer of The Bank of New York Mellon.
“Our company has made great strides in our ability to attract and support LGBT employees,” said Bruce Miller, an executive vice president and global sales coordinator and is co-chair of the company’s Prism affinity network. Prism strives to promote a workplace in which all LGBT employees are fully included in corporate life. “In recent years, Prism membership has grown from approximately 100 members to nearly 525 worldwide today. Prism members are becoming more visible in the company, viewing The Bank of New York Mellon as a place where employees are embraced for their talents and contributions.”
Prism is co-chaired by Denise Beckman, a vice president in Asset Servicing Technology.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the United States’ largest civil rights organization working to achieve LGBT equality. A complete list of the honored businesses is available online: www.hrc.org/placestowork.
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 34 countries and serving more than 100 markets. The company is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, providing superior asset management and wealth management, asset servicing, issuer services, clearing services and treasury services through a worldwide client-focused team. It has $20.2 trillion in assets under custody and administration, $928 billion in assets under management and services more than $11 trillion in outstanding debt. Additional information is available at www.bnymellon.com.
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Leslie Hagen back on the job at Justice
Leslie Hagen, who during the Bush administration reportedly was fired from a post in the Justice Department’s Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys because of rumors that she was a lesbian, has been reinstated. Her job, which previously was subject to an annual contract-renewal process, has been made a permanent position. However, NPR reports that Hagen has not received an apology for the wrongful firing, even though her complaints were corroborated by the Justice Department’s inspector general. Justice also has declined to reimburse her for thousands of dollars of related legal bills, according to this article. National Public Radio
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/02/leslie-hagen-…
