Senate gives nod to gay-inclusive hate crimes bill
The U.S. Senate voted 63-28 to attach gay-inclusive federal hate crimes legislation to the 2010 defense authorization bill. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D.-Mass., who first proposed amending U.S. hate crimes law to cover sexual orientation, issued a statement saying that the proposal would “[close] the flagrant loopholes that for too long have prevented effective prosecution of these shocking crimes that terrorize entire groups of communities across America.” Google/The Associated Press
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/07/senate-gives-…
Hallmark, Having Dipped Toe In Gay Greetings, Plunges In
Hallmark Cards is set to ramp up its greeting card business for those “non-traditional” families on your list, supplying its stock of wedding and civil unions greeting cards to all 500 corporate-owed stores.The firm, the very name of which is synonymous with wholesome greetings on any occasion, is responding to consumer needs by making the cards more available starting this summer.Last year, Hallmark made a splash by introducing its first congratulatory greetings for two-groom and two-bride weddings and civil union ceremonies, noted a May 14 article at Contra Costa Times.Now, Hallmark is poised for a mass release of greetings. See Hallmark, Having Dipped Toe In Gay Greetings, Plunges In
EDGE Boston * Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/05/hallmark-havi…
Spirit Journeys Announces Gay Travel Adventure Rafting the Grand
Spirit Journeys is very pleased to announce its new gay travel adventure rafting through the Grand Canyon. “Going Deep” is the title of this adventure and it begins and ends in Las Vegas and includes eight days and seven nights of rafting the Colorado River some 280 miles through the Grand Canyon. On this journey, the goal is to experience the canyon and the river at a more profound level than on an ordinary vacation.
Grand Canyon Rafting
The adventure into Self will be enhanced the inspiring surroundings the Canyon has to offer. Being on the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyon has a way of making humans very humble; in the presence of such majesty, major life shifts can happen. Meditation, Heart Circles and group movement rituals will be used to help open the mind and heart and deepen the experience of this incredible place. The intention is to actively engage the Canyon and the River; to know them on a more intimate level. The raft stops several times each day to hike, to explore side canyons, to swim in favorite swimming holes or to stand in the power of waterfalls.
Howie Holben is the guide for this gay vacation. He is owner and caretaker of Spirit Journeys. He was raised in northern Arizona and has always felt a special bond to the sacred places of the Southwest. The gifts he brings to this Journey are his extensive knowledge of these places and the love for the path we follow on this journey. Since early childhood, he has been drawn to indigenous peoples and their spiritual teachings, traditions and practices. This attraction has taken him on many adventures, exploring the countless ways of “being in the world”. His personal journey through addiction and recovery has spawned in him a genuine interest in assisting others on their own spiritual path and he takes great pleasure in introducing people to practices, sacred ways and cultures to help them “step outside their box”. A Reiki/Karuna Ki Master and Quantum Touch Practioner, his desire is to help others uncover their potential and set their hearts and minds free.
For additional information on this and other special gay vacations, contact Howie Holben or visit www.spiritjourneys.com.
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/03/spirit-journe…
Action filed with West Bend Library Board to remove specific gay books
WEST BEND - Concerned with the presence and appropriateness of some materials at the West Bend Community Memorial Library, West Bend residents Ginny and Jim Maziarka are taking action.
The Maziarkas have filed a formal, written complaint with the library. The complaint has been placed on the March agenda and will be heard by the members of the Library Board when they convene for their monthly meeting on Tuesday night.
Due to a large crowd that is expected to attend the proceedings, the meeting has been moved from the library board room to the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
“We find the books for youth on homosexuality to be biased, gay-affirming, promotional and romanticized,” the Maziarkas said in an e-mail sent to the Daily News. “We believe our library should be offering appropriate, wholesome literature to our youth instead of pursuing the illegitimate goals of transforming the views of other people’s children on the contentious issue of homosexuality.”
See
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/03/action-filed-…
Portland’s first out mayor takes office
Although he’s aware of the importance of being the first gay man elected to helm one of the nation’s biggest cities, Sam Adams, the newly sworn-in mayor of Portland, Ore., intends to be a leader for all its citizens. “I don’t want to be a gay mayor,” he said. “I do want to be a great mayor. There is no gay pothole and no straight pothole. They’re just potholes.” Oregonian (Portland), The (12/30) Google (01/02) See Portland’s first out mayor takes office
SmartBrief, DC
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/portlands-fir…
Jon Stewart Rips Huckabee on Gay Marriage
The Daily Show host Jon Stewart discussed gay marriage with former Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee on his show Wednesday night and ripped holes in Huckabee’s argument that gays shouldn’t be able to marry because marriage is the bedrock of our society.
Stewart argued that marriage has been constantly redefined in the past 5,000 years, saying “You write that marriage is the bedrock of our society. Why would you not want more couples to buy into the stability of marriage?”
Stewart also questioned Huckabee’s argument that homosexuality is a choice, saying “I think it’s the difference between what you believe gay people are and what I do … At What Point Did You Choose Not To Be Gay? … I’ll tell you this: religion is far more of a choice than homosexuality.”
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/12/jon-stewart-r…
