tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27334759247647184142024-03-14T00:56:57.453-07:00Q Biz NewsCovers and curates gay business news and other LGBT topics.Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-50391380056689913622015-07-06T09:52:00.002-07:002015-07-06T10:19:04.302-07:00New York City sees Pink Triangle exhibition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlDFT7vWCyQxCypQZrLOdeo6raIzGVIqRFGpn-7zmh934visAjoAqLFWA-9zES9p77_hyphenhyphenHVUXQnJzulYqh1p1XyjAEk0D0IFMYdE1r0VDvVasp0JCpKCEgiq-5gbZIqyMdmTrLDKrOqY/s1600/Pink_triangle_up.svg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlDFT7vWCyQxCypQZrLOdeo6raIzGVIqRFGpn-7zmh934visAjoAqLFWA-9zES9p77_hyphenhyphenHVUXQnJzulYqh1p1XyjAEk0D0IFMYdE1r0VDvVasp0JCpKCEgiq-5gbZIqyMdmTrLDKrOqY/s1600/Pink_triangle_up.svg" /></a></div>
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Nazis used pink triangles to mark homosexuals.</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The exhibit at the
Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City covers Nazi persecution of
homosexuals during World War II.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Under Hitler, more
than 100,000 gay men were arrested for violating Nazi Germany’s ban on
homosexuality. Gay prisoners were marked with pink triangles.<br />
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Today, pink triangles
are often displayed upside down to honor those victims and symbolize the LGBT
equality movement. Read more at <a href="http://www.advocate.com/politics/2015/07/06/lost-pink-triangles" target="_blank">The Advocate</a>.</div>
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Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-15536150692312206542015-07-06T09:37:00.000-07:002015-07-06T10:18:12.500-07:00Marriage equality a challenge in some Texas counties<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Lj_Mg4t8TaEWMIOl-aoUMDwHGw23LUQTXxD6UYlT6h7l_E1oTvCtjo6WtZNDJZJauuOBzRrmF2fIfx8xWbDoiKncbNe2gXbuDpK6YNlG8uQJAXKfTyuzw32-K9ZJ_pnrtxSzodX0MZI/s1600/LGBT_flag_over_Texas_map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Lj_Mg4t8TaEWMIOl-aoUMDwHGw23LUQTXxD6UYlT6h7l_E1oTvCtjo6WtZNDJZJauuOBzRrmF2fIfx8xWbDoiKncbNe2gXbuDpK6YNlG8uQJAXKfTyuzw32-K9ZJ_pnrtxSzodX0MZI/s320/LGBT_flag_over_Texas_map.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Struggle for marriage equality continues in some Texas counties.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3c3c3c; font-size: 10.0pt;">A gay couple is suing a rural Texas
county clerk for delaying their marriage license by “at least three weeks.”</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Katie Lang, Hood County clerk, claims the county must reprint paperwork to be
gender-neutral. However, she also says she won’t personally issue marriage
licenses to same-sex couples because it goes against her religious views.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Hood County has begun to issue same-sex marriage licenses since the lawsuit has
been filed. The case is Cato v Lang, 4:15-491, U.S. District Court, Northern
District of Texas (Fort Worth). Read more at<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-06/texas-couple-sues-clerk-claiming-foot-dragging-on-gay-marriage" target="_blank">Bloomberg</a>.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-86306112803216138882014-07-22T08:56:00.003-07:002014-07-22T08:56:48.591-07:00Obama’s executive order aims to prevent anti-gay discrimination among federal contractors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/140721123423-exp-obama-lgbt-executive-order-govt-more-fair-00002001-story-top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/140721123423-exp-obama-lgbt-executive-order-govt-more-fair-00002001-story-top.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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President Obama</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.25pt;">President Barack Obama signed an
executive order yesterday preventing federal contractors from discriminating
against LGBT workers. Faith-based organizations will not be exempt. The order comes
five decades after President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Obama acknowledged the history of executive actions and legislation to ban
discrimination in the workplace, saying our country should “make sure we the people
applies to all the people.” Read more at <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/21/politics/obama-lgbt-discrimination-executive-order/" target="_blank">CNN</a>.</span></div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-28886189492733330302014-07-03T13:46:00.000-07:002014-07-03T13:46:13.288-07:00Will Hobby Lobby enable workplace discrimination?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.salon.com/2014/06/alito_hobby_lobby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.salon.com/2014/06/alito_hobby_lobby.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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Are LGBTQ employees the next target?</div>
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I’m afraid the United States Supreme Court’s decision in the
Hobby Lobby contraception case will open the floodgates for conservative
businesses top use religion to their favor for other issues, including
<a href="http://www.salon.com/2014/07/03/hobby_lobbys_gay_mystery_did_scotus_just_grant_an_anti_lgbt_loophole/" target="_blank">discrimination against LGBTQ employees</a>. Time and again, the majority of its justices
have favored the interests of companies over individuals. I'm ready for a
correction.<o:p></o:p></div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-80554860018232978782014-07-03T13:26:00.000-07:002014-07-03T13:54:18.720-07:00Buger King sees rainbows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/53b44ef2ecad04aa65d8477d-851-315/10347246_897590513587619_4395511976225441223_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/53b44ef2ecad04aa65d8477d-851-315/10347246_897590513587619_4395511976225441223_n.jpg" height="119" width="320" /></a></div>
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BK pride</div>
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According to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/burger-kings-gay-pride-whopper-2014-7" target="_blank">Business Insider</a>, a single San Francisco Burger King’s support for LGBT Pride is causing quite a stir. It has been selling
Whoppers wrapped in rainbow-colored paper that sports the phrase, "We are all the
same inside."<br />
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Of course, now bigots want to boycott Burger King. I say
bring it! I’m not a big fast food person, but BK makes a terrific veggie
burger. If we’re going to grab a fast food chain restaurant burger, please let it be from Burger King.</div>
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Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-46958518505052172432014-06-23T10:09:00.000-07:002014-06-23T10:09:03.854-07:00Capehart: Supreme Court must act on gay marriage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Jonathan+Capehart+New+York+Magazine+Election+a9RdGf9st78l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Jonathan+Capehart+New+York+Magazine+Election+a9RdGf9st78l.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jonathan Capehart</div>
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Jonathan Capehart makes his case for why the Supreme Court
needs to act on gay marriage due to the patchwork mess of Social Security benefits
from state to state. Check it out in "<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2014/06/23/social-security-agency-shows-why-supreme-court-must-act-on-gay-marriage/" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a>."<o:p></o:p></div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-69077530174945363992014-06-16T10:23:00.001-07:002014-06-16T10:25:14.421-07:00Obama to sign executive order preventing LGBT discrimination among federal contractors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.metroweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Obama-8476839488_c824a5ec33_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.metroweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Obama-8476839488_c824a5ec33_z.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">President Obama</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">According
to the White House, President Barack Obama will sign an executive order today
to prohibit federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual
orientation or gender identity, <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2014/06/16/6487095/obama-to-sign-executive-order.html" target="_blank">reports McClatchy News</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">“This
is a major step forward in the struggle for freedom and justice for LGBTQ
workers and their families,” said <a href="http://www.thetaskforce.org/press/releases/pr_061614" target="_blank">Rea Carey, executive director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF)</a>. “Now millions of people will have the economic
security they need to provide for their families.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15.454545021057129px;">ExxonMobile, t</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">he
largest company without LGBT workplace protections, will now be required change
its policies. The company draws hundreds of millions annually from federal contracts. It has consistently resisted such change. Earlier
this month, ExxonMobil’s shareholders voted for the 17th time to reject a
policy that would prohibit discrimination against its LGBT employees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">“This
order will bring much-needed relief to ExxonMobil’s LGBT employees,” said <a href="http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/white-house-new-federal-contractor-executive-order-forthcoming" target="_blank">Chad Griffin, president, Human Rights Campaign (HRC)</a>. Each year HRC rates companies’
attitudes toward LGBT employees. “Year after year, ExxonMobil has held the
lowest spot in HRC’s Corporate Equality Index -- the first and only company to
receive a negative score.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The
administration said no current federal law adequately prevents workplace
discrimination against LGBT employees. It is building upon existing protections
that prohibit federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in
employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national
origin and is “consistent with the president’s views that all Americans, LGBT
or not, should be treated with dignity and respect.” Obama will headline the
annual Democratic National Committee LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender)
Leadership Council’s fundraiser in <span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">New York on Tuesday.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 16.9pt;">“Through
his actions, the President has demonstrated again his commitment to ending
discrimination,” said Carey. “Now we must redouble our efforts for the urgent
passage of state employment protections and strong federal legislation.”</span></div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-33840292767015328342014-06-16T07:29:00.001-07:002014-06-16T07:31:15.565-07:00Former BP CEO Lord John Browne reflects on his closeted career<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fortunedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/466829019.jpg?w=840&h=485&crop=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://fortunedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/466829019.jpg?w=840&h=485&crop=1" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="article-image-caption">Lord John Browne</span></div>
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<span class="article-image-caption">Former BP CEO Lord John
Browne, who spent much of his career as a closeted gay man, has been publicly sharing
his insights recently to promote his new book, “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FJ3AERW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00FJ3AERW&linkCode=as2&tag=qb03-20" target="_blank">The Glass Closet: Why Coming Out is Good Business</a>.” In “Fortune,” Lord Browne writes about his
experiences. He says he was assumed to be straight and frequently was asked
about his girlfriend or wife. He says such assumptions can be stressful for
someone in the closet. Read more <a href="http://fortune.com/2014/06/16/confessions-of-a-gay-ex-ceo-how-corporate-america-can-unlock-the-closet/?xid=time" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-28092416887413019052014-05-29T09:32:00.000-07:002014-05-29T10:06:50.562-07:00Houston passes human rights ordinance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxsNJ7LxbQGquafPARpXKVItb2_TxlR4OqNb0MzQhf2_D8YV6BuIkspJILD1gTRvZoUuPm5z4qObWx69zr3wPaLmWnDfdXvhO67sLu0ZJWWER2LO5FGakceJgRObTmh3k_P76AIEuO4g/s1600/Houston-City-Hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxsNJ7LxbQGquafPARpXKVItb2_TxlR4OqNb0MzQhf2_D8YV6BuIkspJILD1gTRvZoUuPm5z4qObWx69zr3wPaLmWnDfdXvhO67sLu0ZJWWER2LO5FGakceJgRObTmh3k_P76AIEuO4g/s1600/Houston-City-Hall.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Houston City Hall</div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">The Houston City Council on Wednesday passed an ordinance
extending equal rights protections to LGBT residents, reports the <a href="http://www.chron.com/default/article/Council-passes-equal-rights-ordinance-5510672.php" target="_blank">Houston Chronicle</a>. The decision passed on an 11-6 vote and received applause from
supporters after nine hours of discussion that included personal testimonies. Opponents
say they will pursue repeal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">The Houston Equal Rights
Ordinance, which became known as HERO, bans discrimination based on sexual
orientation and gender identity and reinforces federal anti-discrimination laws
on sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability,
pregnancy and genetic information, as well as family, marital or military
status. It applies to businesses serving the public, private employers,
housing, city employment and city contracting. Violators could be fined as much
as $5,000. Religious institutions are exempt.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18pt;">Houston’s mayor, Annise Parker, is known as the first
openly gay mayor of a major U.S. city. She is credited with bringing the
measure to a vote.</span><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IEKNU5K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00IEKNU5K&linkCode=as2&tag=qb03-20&linkId=IKCSGXD6YPDTMMRJ">Irresistible Revolution: Confronting Race, Class, and the Assumptions of LGBT Politics</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=qb03-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00IEKNU5K" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
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Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-68366564088291860402014-02-07T10:08:00.000-08:002014-05-29T09:57:48.222-07:00Sochi Olympics underscores Russia’s homophobic laws and great cruising environment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCevI2j7YGNkJAapPyvvyHpz2aEJpH58h0QX1aZoR1AKU4BLilsLV1WixsYfw_-qCpY6xNjqxSCnVQbPMfjvsBGQCHVOHzUaWZmgQ6r79Y2g1fopYPLFe1fMIH78_dJHn9QtcLxmjEJ8/s1600/OlympicFlag_a.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCevI2j7YGNkJAapPyvvyHpz2aEJpH58h0QX1aZoR1AKU4BLilsLV1WixsYfw_-qCpY6xNjqxSCnVQbPMfjvsBGQCHVOHzUaWZmgQ6r79Y2g1fopYPLFe1fMIH78_dJHn9QtcLxmjEJ8/s1600/OlympicFlag_a.gif" /></a></div>
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Olympic Flag<br />
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At the opening ceremony for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, the
<a href="http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/02/germany-debuts-totally-awesome-rainbow-outfits-at-opening-ceremony/" target="_blank">German team</a> wore rainbow-colored coats. A <a href="http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/02/07/russia-gay-dutch-snowboarder-is-first-to-protest-at-olympics/" target="_blank">Dutch snowboarder</a> has already competed
while wearing rainbow gloves. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/google-doodle-lgbt-olympics-2014-2" target="_blank">Google makes its own statement</a> by unveiling a “doodle”
with illustrations of athletes encased in the colors of the gay rainbow. Already,
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/blog/178275/it-begins-4-lgbt-activists-arrested-russia-quoting-olympics-charter#" target="_blank">four activists have been arrested</a> in St. Petersburg for protesting LGBT discrimination
at the Olympics. Regardless, whoever designed those <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/22/sochi-olympic-bathroom_n_4643865.html" target="_blank">public toilets</a> did a big
favor for tearoom cruisers. Let the games begin!
<p>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0816692742/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0816692742&linkCode=as2&tag=qb03-20&linkId=UY4UB6HND3Z2XOLS">Transnational LGBT Activism: Working for Sexual Rights Worldwide</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=qb03-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0816692742" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
</p>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-34582880526412054082014-01-14T17:51:00.001-08:002014-01-14T17:51:47.826-08:00Oklahoma gay marriage ban is just wrong<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2cop3s6ipIWjLs_V0xojqiJhLdnYGNEd3wAdpi6JybpALg2XsTQV5TdYkbsf1wYJN9ygLvGdPF1shPVN6-cm6sm1HR471lsFgRC6coWOLHDPs0sTMNhuGPCC0-4bhrB0Ll4cgWo3AGQ/s1600/TallgrassPrairie-OsageCounty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2cop3s6ipIWjLs_V0xojqiJhLdnYGNEd3wAdpi6JybpALg2XsTQV5TdYkbsf1wYJN9ygLvGdPF1shPVN6-cm6sm1HR471lsFgRC6coWOLHDPs0sTMNhuGPCC0-4bhrB0Ll4cgWo3AGQ/s320/TallgrassPrairie-OsageCounty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tallgrass Prairie Nature Preserve in Osage County, Oklahoma</div>
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<br /></div>
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A federal court judge <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/14/oklahoma-gay-marriage-ban/4480277/" target="_blank">has ruled</a> Oklahoma’s state amendment to
ban gay marriage unconstitutional, but local gay cowboys and cowgirls will have
to wait before they break their backs to put a ring on the finger of that
special person. Unlike Utah, where there was an immediate window to marry
before the U.S. Supreme Court put a temporary block in place, U.S. District
Judge Terrence Kern stayed his ruling pending an appeal. <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gYaUcNoWnOw6ireMsQanPgZwD10A?docId=c1489d66-6110-4dde-a93b-a95bde21d352" target="_blank">Kern said</a> Oklahoma’s
same-sex-marriage ban is an "arbitrary, irrational exclusion of just one
class of Oklahoma citizens from a governmental benefit." Arbitrary and
Irrational? In Oklahoma?! No way!<o:p></o:p></div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-75962479946297416882014-01-14T15:03:00.000-08:002014-01-14T15:20:48.136-08:00Nigeria's new anti-gay law spreads fear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzmiap48indl3EfV0oQgEoQtATdGO4U6i1g3jGQm2GSlp8A27TlosWta4b3JI3W1u19NHSdUcb-e6x35fM3FpPN0UM4gi60IC8pW20s5pSWqttSfQnb3fezWFwzic35yn-e7WIIIdbEo/s1600/Lagos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzmiap48indl3EfV0oQgEoQtATdGO4U6i1g3jGQm2GSlp8A27TlosWta4b3JI3W1u19NHSdUcb-e6x35fM3FpPN0UM4gi60IC8pW20s5pSWqttSfQnb3fezWFwzic35yn-e7WIIIdbEo/s1600/Lagos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lagos, Nigeria</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Human rights activists say police in northern Nigeria are
<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dozens-arrested-for-being-gay-in-north-nigeria/" target="_blank">torturing gay men</a> to get the names of other LGBT Nigerians to prosecute under a the country's new anti-gay law. Many activists fear a spike in <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hdAYgb1q8C7oOVsbmfegyIyD8DLA?docId=c2a7b38a-0284-4fc0-9cc2-c6875e6c4b12" target="_blank">homophobic violence</a>. The
law, pushed through by conservative religious groups, also <a href="http://www.undispatch.com/aids-groups-warn-of-setback-because-of-nigeria-anti-gay-law" target="_blank">targets HIV-AIDS</a> prevention
programs and health care for those who are infected.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-8639227375778017412014-01-07T09:17:00.000-08:002014-01-07T09:17:25.193-08:00Gay groups ask Apple to cut ties with Russia’s Euroset over spokesperson’s extreme homophobic comments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6cKkWDRDOM4NNyR13eXMIetg6Cf5bTuWk1XXj6-eCyztOX5X6fUcPIVAZvLqsmPLIRCC9cMF-xR_hpltfAIS39t7rr6W3UpPO441GpGsrcB0HvPVRng33AXn79OfNgaAae4bYq1HAA0/s1600/Moscow-Euroset_shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6cKkWDRDOM4NNyR13eXMIetg6Cf5bTuWk1XXj6-eCyztOX5X6fUcPIVAZvLqsmPLIRCC9cMF-xR_hpltfAIS39t7rr6W3UpPO441GpGsrcB0HvPVRng33AXn79OfNgaAae4bYq1HAA0/s1600/Moscow-Euroset_shop.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A Euroset shop in Moscow</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />Several Russian LGBT organizations have <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/lesterfeder/lgbt-groups-ask-apple-to-cut-ties-with-russian-retailer-afte" target="_blank">formed a coalition</a>
to pressure Apple to break ties with Russia-based mobile phone retailer
Euroset. Ivan Okhlobystin, Euroset’s creative director and spokesperson, recently
suggested burning all gays alive in furnaces, followed by more homophobic
comments on Twitter. The coalition wrote an <a href="http://queerussia.info/2014/01/06/3514/" target="_blank">open letter</a> to Tim Cook, Apple’s
CEO. The groups are also asking Euroset vendors in Europe and Asia to
reevaluate their partnerships.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-9361626215516685482014-01-06T13:58:00.000-08:002014-01-07T09:17:46.287-08:00Supreme Court temporarily blocks Utah gay marriages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4YKjqGNfmW0FN6pG9IjTT0R47WskhymjqrybLMmOrYJx_uyKQIVWHSjxcaGQ-Y6uCEpWNcWdgyadpigTLlLjuZTT3BFz5twcat6El2IAzA088iMSo160Mgu1dvVkNUYAUMLbNnRK50M/s1600/USSupremeCourt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4YKjqGNfmW0FN6pG9IjTT0R47WskhymjqrybLMmOrYJx_uyKQIVWHSjxcaGQ-Y6uCEpWNcWdgyadpigTLlLjuZTT3BFz5twcat6El2IAzA088iMSo160Mgu1dvVkNUYAUMLbNnRK50M/s1600/USSupremeCourt.JPG" height="229" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
United States Supreme Court</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
The United States Supreme Court has <a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-supreme-court-utah-gay-marriage-20140106,0,1384120.story" target="_blank">temporarily blocked</a> same-sex marriages in
Utah until a federal appeals court rules on whether the state law banning the
marriages violates the Constitution. The process could last several weeks.<br />
<o:p></o:p>Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-57380110061799071762014-01-03T06:45:00.001-08:002014-01-03T06:56:04.589-08:00‘Equality Means Business’ in Memphis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXRr1ihQfdfMFpsTZBK8Op26BX6IhK2tLhLjMFAWo3BSd0xrHHEb7ciL2VADhPyxjP0I-xgbKH4nDcUDvCjrVKlkM4aTLCfq_MJFrEvsyYZnPTMCFgWNPYZQtcEdUlcH7cb7J1RyycqU/s1600/MemphisElvis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXRr1ihQfdfMFpsTZBK8Op26BX6IhK2tLhLjMFAWo3BSd0xrHHEb7ciL2VADhPyxjP0I-xgbKH4nDcUDvCjrVKlkM4aTLCfq_MJFrEvsyYZnPTMCFgWNPYZQtcEdUlcH7cb7J1RyycqU/s320/MemphisElvis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Elvis statue at Beale and Main Street, Memphis</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
A Tennessee group wants to encourage LGBT equality through the <a href="http://wreg.com/2014/01/02/new-push-to-promote-lgbt-equality-in-memphis/" target="_blank">power of the gay purse</a>. The <a href="http://tnequalityproject.org/" target="_blank">Tennessee Equality Project’s</a> campaign, ‘Equality Means Business,’
enables companies to <a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/MemphisGaydar/archives/2014/01/02/tennessee-equality-project-launches-campaign-to-promote-equality-friendly-businesses" target="_blank">promote solidarity with gay customers</a> with a window sticker.
Participants also receive recognition online and through a business list. The
group says some Memphis businesses have been discriminating against LGBT people.<o:p></o:p>Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-72609766385706204212014-01-02T09:06:00.000-08:002014-01-02T09:08:28.647-08:00Gay couples fight Kansas tax law<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilS6_RiwlPt5pBQVP4FHm77UOjVmk5dpGT_5I1aef4LaWGcOlHwk_9dJIxnbvezzplXZsjpZFIro-DP_L6nWTTUa2iZGC0FxZ5EnNsl0xmK7L1BQS34ETRz18hSW-kntRGb20hi8NEJNA/s1600/Wichita+skyline+with+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilS6_RiwlPt5pBQVP4FHm77UOjVmk5dpGT_5I1aef4LaWGcOlHwk_9dJIxnbvezzplXZsjpZFIro-DP_L6nWTTUa2iZGC0FxZ5EnNsl0xmK7L1BQS34ETRz18hSW-kntRGb20hi8NEJNA/s320/Wichita+skyline+with+river.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wichita, Kan.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">The Kansas Department of Revenue is being <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/morning_call/2014/01/gay-couples-sue-over-kansas-tax-policy.html" target="_blank">sued by two same-sex couples</a> over unequal treatment when filing taxes. In Kansas,
married gay couples must file two separate returns—one for federal, which
recognizes the marriage as legal, and one for Kansas, which considers the union invalid.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-13454106293397831982013-12-24T08:30:00.001-08:002013-12-24T08:33:57.015-08:00Business tycoon Branson calls for Uganda boycott over draconian anti-gay laws<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7LY69gfr7nl_w4EaVIFLngYbqvjkd2KeuJYZnm9mXGzKx4i_HW_kTVkORSmhPWUxCcXQeGRQd9V8_auH9hfNmFrTIR4qquEGIIkGW3a-CDOGoDAFPuzIetOhpp8gu-j7lfpDU4syWBE/s1600/RichardBranson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7LY69gfr7nl_w4EaVIFLngYbqvjkd2KeuJYZnm9mXGzKx4i_HW_kTVkORSmhPWUxCcXQeGRQd9V8_auH9hfNmFrTIR4qquEGIIkGW3a-CDOGoDAFPuzIetOhpp8gu-j7lfpDU4syWBE/s320/RichardBranson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Richard Branson<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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Richard Branson, the flamboyant, outspoken founder and CEO
of Virgin Group, says there <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25506754" target="_blank">should be consequences</a> for Uganda’s “dreadful
witch hunt” of gays and lesbians. <a href="http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/let-people-love-whoever-they-want" target="_blank">Branson refuses to invest in Uganda</a> and wants
others to do the same.<o:p></o:p></div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-84918962522591056802013-12-23T13:29:00.000-08:002013-12-23T13:29:03.496-08:00Federal judge keeps Utah’s same-sex marriages going, but battle to continue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yGd7hSL19sCTM4RiwGDneMAPedmgIe9wOrfiuTeRzEbdEHoNPAnEe3ZaMRYi_ttLeohvof2Uc5KBImLEXf6WLiBgjwkcsAWUxQZc5lFccv3aNZHXx6tkxqFww9mxuQtc9Qt7XfS5Un0/s1600/Gaymarriagerings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yGd7hSL19sCTM4RiwGDneMAPedmgIe9wOrfiuTeRzEbdEHoNPAnEe3ZaMRYi_ttLeohvof2Uc5KBImLEXf6WLiBgjwkcsAWUxQZc5lFccv3aNZHXx6tkxqFww9mxuQtc9Qt7XfS5Un0/s320/Gaymarriagerings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<span class="tl">Today <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/motion-stay-utah-gay-marriage-ruling-denied-21306184?singlePage=true" target="_blank">U.S. District</a></span><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/motion-stay-utah-gay-marriage-ruling-denied-21306184?singlePage=true" target="_blank"> Judge Robert J. Shelby</a> said same-sex marriage could continue in Utah as he rejected a
request to put them on hold. So far, more than 300 gay
couples have obtained marriage licenses in the state.<o:p></o:p>Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-27437344449580080752013-12-23T09:41:00.000-08:002013-12-23T09:41:08.575-08:00Gay columnist gets hate mail for criticizing Robertson's bigotry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGWgMM-3Uf2YWwlf00UlWwoxfL7VRxb4wMT40WonoZozSdJvPFHSPcnWDjD1z2VaEgP2tnkxEH6lKAifuYOouale-v_XrkL7PE1h95dEIWDrjigj9V0Khiunyp0ENXpbzEeb3xTxVtQ4/s1600/Barro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGWgMM-3Uf2YWwlf00UlWwoxfL7VRxb4wMT40WonoZozSdJvPFHSPcnWDjD1z2VaEgP2tnkxEH6lKAifuYOouale-v_XrkL7PE1h95dEIWDrjigj9V0Khiunyp0ENXpbzEeb3xTxVtQ4/s320/Barro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Josh Barro</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />On Saturday, Josh Barro of <i>Business
Insider</i> published <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/when-you-defend-phil-robertson-heres-what-youre-really-defending-2013-12" target="_blank">a column that criticizes</a> defenders of <i>Duck Dynasty’s</i> Phil Robertson’s racist,
homophobic remarks in <i>GQ</i>. Since then,
he’s received plenty of ridiculous, laughable hate mail—<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/duck-dynasty-fans-are-sending-me-ridiculous-hate-mail-2013-12" target="_blank">check out some excerpts here</a>. By the way, who else thinks <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Barro" target="_blank">Josh Barrow</a>, who is openly gay and an
occasional talking head on cable news shows (see <a href="http://youtu.be/mvOL6JysNwk" target="_blank">unrelated clip</a>), is totally
hot?! </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-89187524448841203272013-12-22T10:20:00.000-08:002013-12-22T10:20:29.106-08:00Utah sees gay marriage rush after ruling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVf5D6JL2iFPd8JIRsQdvPZW5hdQr8ySY3qx0htcJ5FM-0a_ot8TfdUzU-_zBhLrALSlAmtE_oiA4_pTj_s13Y-pYNd2sHPXpcxMemrrzULvd5d_QgxLmN1GHZDEq2WpuAFVJXhP9F4zw/s1600/FrankEMossCourthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVf5D6JL2iFPd8JIRsQdvPZW5hdQr8ySY3qx0htcJ5FM-0a_ot8TfdUzU-_zBhLrALSlAmtE_oiA4_pTj_s13Y-pYNd2sHPXpcxMemrrzULvd5d_QgxLmN1GHZDEq2WpuAFVJXhP9F4zw/s320/FrankEMossCourthouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Frank E. Moss United States Courthouse, Salt Lake City</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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Utah, a state that is home to the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints and considered to be one of the most conservative in
the nation, has joined the ranks of Massachusetts, New York and California. <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/12/utah-gay-marriage-101431.html" target="_blank">A judge overturned its gay marriage ban Friday</a>, making it the 18th state where
same-sex couples can legally marry. While gay and lesbian couples rush to say “I
Do,” <a href="http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/57295097-78/utah-marriage-state-court.html.csp" target="_blank">state officials are moving to put the decision on hold</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-88778590590951828912013-12-20T12:32:00.000-08:002013-12-20T12:32:08.432-08:00Could Indiana, a red state, be next for gay marriage?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_kmpOMkHHkeEBvgICDcU8-YA0O3flNFeZTzyMYITOy8vyKhM8_mEVNkQBqUX-IyfXcCkDvY8Q8gNx6Jy_BQGKAv3WDHGTG-Mpc4p5Fttc6bJOimeWWHYDLitlRniiJkWUMK1g7iMyhY/s1600/Indianapolis-night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_kmpOMkHHkeEBvgICDcU8-YA0O3flNFeZTzyMYITOy8vyKhM8_mEVNkQBqUX-IyfXcCkDvY8Q8gNx6Jy_BQGKAv3WDHGTG-Mpc4p5Fttc6bJOimeWWHYDLitlRniiJkWUMK1g7iMyhY/s320/Indianapolis-night.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Indianapolis at night</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It looks like <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/gay-marriage-supporters-hope-deep-red-ind-21284549" target="_blank">quite a battle is shaping up in conservative Indiana</a>
as same-sex marriage supporters push to amend the state’s constitution to ban
same-sex marriage. Volunteers with Freedom Indiana are running phone banks and contacting
lawmakers before the Legislature reconvenes next month, while big companies
such as Eli Lilly & Co. and Cummins Inc. have each contributed $100,000 to
the campaign.<o:p></o:p></div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-79701384422694988842013-12-20T07:22:00.001-08:002013-12-20T09:29:47.017-08:00Lockheed Martin stops Boy Scout support over anti-gay bigotry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkK1wqksrqRbSM2jaeu9u0KiE5hg3b0aiJ0xaIgojC1m5iZUTYBEaPJgeNoDFJFJA9osK2h4LkSH03JaT3z3eTdYfdY95idWWJgEtzux0wDPbatMXWfQva6vptoLXt47s3WwigVZsivU/s1600/LockheedMartin_headquarters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkK1wqksrqRbSM2jaeu9u0KiE5hg3b0aiJ0xaIgojC1m5iZUTYBEaPJgeNoDFJFJA9osK2h4LkSH03JaT3z3eTdYfdY95idWWJgEtzux0wDPbatMXWfQva6vptoLXt47s3WwigVZsivU/s320/LockheedMartin_headquarters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lockheed Martin headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland</div>
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<br /></div>
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According to a statement released Thursday by Lockheed
Martin, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/lockheed-martin-ends-boy-scouts-gifts-gay-ban-21276805" target="_blank">the company is putting a stop to donations to the Boy Scouts of America</a> over its ban on gay leaders. This year, the Boy Scouts began allow gay boys to participate,
but it continues to ban gays from leadership roles. <o:p></o:p></div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-58103875746003448132013-12-19T17:23:00.001-08:002013-12-19T17:23:34.940-08:00New Mexico Supreme Court rules in favor of same-sex marriage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafrP_6GPlNzEtTXh6n6oSaZarHkOkuZS1y_Wq1y9idggCBgwYR10Q7S2oBLen9tvgMrtKnz-27f23CuXIUkYnyrjkdt523WdnxnUIp5T6bnqDGaj0T-0-1jWfTgOFhesh87x96Fg70Gs/s1600/SantaFeNM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafrP_6GPlNzEtTXh6n6oSaZarHkOkuZS1y_Wq1y9idggCBgwYR10Q7S2oBLen9tvgMrtKnz-27f23CuXIUkYnyrjkdt523WdnxnUIp5T6bnqDGaj0T-0-1jWfTgOFhesh87x96Fg70Gs/s320/SantaFeNM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Santa Fe, New Mexico</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/19/us-usa-gaymarriage-newmexico-idUSBRE9BI11E20131219" target="_blank">New Mexico has become the seventeenth state to allow gay marriage</a>. Some counties had begun to allow same-sex marriages earlier this year
because no state law prevented it. Hooray for New Mexico!<o:p></o:p></div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-11658146924894956442013-12-19T06:18:00.002-08:002013-12-19T06:19:28.660-08:00Orlando says come here to play if you’re gay <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yaEzyhRHxJa7EiVI96_9Mg4DPD6a-UTjnTL0a-H7hjP154ZsT7ATv5xIpksghagXe0XfyQb9tz5oeizEI1XzJNX1tAr0K-uMBOWgiuK93YG1wDQFP7jxL3lbC4Iw3a6H080XkXJ4HDI/s1600/DisneyWorldGayDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yaEzyhRHxJa7EiVI96_9Mg4DPD6a-UTjnTL0a-H7hjP154ZsT7ATv5xIpksghagXe0XfyQb9tz5oeizEI1XzJNX1tAr0K-uMBOWgiuK93YG1wDQFP7jxL3lbC4Iw3a6H080XkXJ4HDI/s320/DisneyWorldGayDay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gay Day at Disney World, 2007</div>
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<br /></div>
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Central Florida's gay and lesbian travel bureau, <a href="http://www.orlandogaytravel.com/about-ogt/" target="_blank">Converge Orlando Inc.</a>, wants to attract more LGBT travelers and has <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2013/12/converge-orlando-ramps-up-big-lgbt.html" target="_blank">established goals to meet those aims</a>. Orlando is famous for its theme parks, but also offers <a href="http://www.orlandogaytravel.com/visitor-info/" target="_blank">plenty of great places</a> to eat, shop, party and soak up some sun.<o:p></o:p></div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2733475924764718414.post-11603206693687199492013-12-18T09:14:00.000-08:002013-12-18T09:14:14.913-08:00Obama skips Winter Olympics in Russia to send a message to its anti-gay leaders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwl9L1vYw6WNcmOBn9yI9tAQ3xxpXUle6eldBfc5C086lAvB7_DW55Eydy-iDkm-fapHAhv31SaiwmZvdu_e5VIdO7OP3pacJmsG6EEm1I77Xzj26A4AnQoQA_pcD5Smk6KR9CGFNyWI/s1600/BJK-headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwl9L1vYw6WNcmOBn9yI9tAQ3xxpXUle6eldBfc5C086lAvB7_DW55Eydy-iDkm-fapHAhv31SaiwmZvdu_e5VIdO7OP3pacJmsG6EEm1I77Xzj26A4AnQoQA_pcD5Smk6KR9CGFNyWI/s320/BJK-headshot.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Billie Jean King</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Oh hell no!” is the <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/sochi/2013/12/17/white-house-sochi-olympics-delegation-to-include-gay-athlete/4051581/" target="_blank">message President Obama has sent to Russia</a> in the wake of anti-gay legislation enacted before the 2014 Winter
Olympics in Sochi. However, he will send two high-profile gay athletes, Billie
Jean King and Caitlin Cahow, as delegates to take part in the ceremonies. Take
that, Russian homophobes!</div>
Robin Hartzellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119378400203561824noreply@blogger.com0