DC, Mass. lead in gay households

The 2009 ACS found that DC had the most gay couples living together, Mass. the most lesbians.

Gay Calif. Assembly leader sworn in, breaks barrier

(Sacramento) The first openly gay lawmaker to lead either house of the California Legislature has been sworn in as speaker of the state Assembly.

John Perez, a Los Angeles Democrat, took the reins of the 80-member house on Monday, as the state tries to close a $20 billion budget deficit and …

Brazilian general says gays can’t lead

Lawyers for plaintiffs rest case on gay marriage

(San Francisco) Lawyers for two same-sex couples challenging the constitutionality of California’s ban on same-sex marriage rested their case Monday after showing videotape of a simulcast in which supporters of the ban said gay marriage would lead to polygamy and bestiality.

The footage was shown as an example of the work …

Military lawyers say wait to end Don’t Ask

(Washington) Lawyers for the nation’s top military officer are recommending holding off on an internal Pentagon effort that could lead to the repeal of the ban on openly gay military service. The delay could push a decision by Congress to the middle of the next presidential election.

Other advisers at the …

Ent. Weekly on Holmes ‘outing’

Popular magazine weighs in on controversy. Sherlock Holmes star: Lead characters ‘homos.’

Ent. Weekly on Holmes ‘outing’

Popular magazine weighs in on controversy. Sherlock Holmes star: Lead characters ‘homos.’

Field Poll: Brown has big lead in Calif gov’s race

(Sacramento) A new Field Poll shows California Attorney General Jerry Brown with a strong lead in next year’s race for governor, even before he’s declared himself a candidate and despite months of campaigning by his Democratic rival and three Republicans vying for their party’s nomination.

The poll released Thursday found that …

Gay rights attorney dies at 94

Albert L. Gordon, whose sons are gay, was one of LA’s gay community’s lead pro-bono lawyers.

President Obama to Bestow Presidential Medal of Freedom on Harvey Milk

Equality California Urges Governor to Sign Harvey Milk Day Bill into Law

San Francisco – Today President Obama announced that he will honor assassinated civil rights leader Harvey Milk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor recognizing significant contributions to the nation and the world. The President will also honor Senator Edward Kennedy and tennis legend Billie Jean King, an open lesbian and longtime champion for the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, with the Medal of Freedom on August 12.

“President Obama understands that Harvey Milk’s legacy reaches far beyond San Francisco, and that his story is an inspiration to everyone who believes in equality and fairness,” said Geoff Kors, Equality California (EQCA) executive director. “Harvey Milk risked everything to change the course of history and to secure many of the civil rights and protections we enjoy today. In light of Harvey Milk receiving this incredible honor, we urge Governor Schwarzenegger to sign the Harvey Milk bill into law as a tribute to Harvey Milk’s courageous work to end discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.”

Last year, EQCA sponsored the first bill in the country to officially honor Milk, the nation’s first openly gay man elected to major political office, but the Governor vetoed it. Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) introduced the Harvey Milk Day bill, sponsored by EQCA, again this year. The legislation would require the governor to annually proclaim May 22 as Harvey Milk Day, designating it as a “day of special significance,” to recognize Milk’s work to secure equal protections.

Equality California (EQCA) is the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender-rights advocacy organization in California. In the past decade, EQCA has strategically moved California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for LGBT individuals to a state with some of the most comprehensive civil-rights protections in the nation. EQCA has passed over 50 pieces of legislation and continues to advance equality through legislative advocacy, public education and community empowerment. www.eqca.org