South Florida Gay News
John Fugate

• New Yorkers Furious Over Peeping Art Exhibit In one photo, a woman is on all fours, presumably picking something up, her posterior pressed against a glass window. Another photo shows a couple in bathrobes, their feet touching beneath a table. And there is one of a man, in jeans and a T-shirt, lying on his side as he takes a nap. In all the photos, taken by New York City artist Arne Svenson from his second-floor apartment, the faces are obscured or not shown. The people are unidentifiable. But the residents of a glass-walled luxury re... Keep on reading: New Yorkers Furious Over Peeping Art Exhibit

• Deputy Mayor Urges Anti-Gay Mayor to Address Crack Video A close ally of Toronto mayor Rob Ford said Wednesday that Ford has followed legal advice in remaining silent about a purported video that appears to show him smoking crack cocaine. Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday said he’s been told by Ford and his aides that lawyers have advised the mayor that saying less is better. Holyday said he doesn’t know why that advice has been given. He is urging Ford to address the video. The mayor of Canada’s largest city has continued to duck questions. He av... Keep on reading: Deputy Mayor Urges Anti-Gay Mayor to Address Crack Video

• Philadelphia’s Gay Candidates Miss Out in Primary The May 21 primary brought out just 7 percent of Philadelphia voters in an election that saw losses for a number of LGBT candidates, but victories for some allies. Out Harrisburg city controller Dan Miller lost his bid for the Democratic nomination for mayor to Eric Papenfuse. Papenfuse led Miller by fewer than 400 votes. Miller would have been the state’s first openly LGBT mayor. Openly gay attorney Leon A. King 2d was unsuccessful in his bid for the Democratic nomination for one of the... Keep on reading: Philadelphia’s Gay Candidates Miss Out in Primary

• Construction of LGBT-Friendly Senior Apartment Facility in Philadelphia Continues Mayor Michael Nutter will officiate a “topping-off” ceremony, as the final major piece of the structure is installed by crane, at 1 p.m. June 5 at the site, 249-257 S. 13th St. The John C. Anderson Apartments have been spearheaded by the Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund and Pennrose Properties. The apartment complex will be one of the nation’s largest publicly funded LGBT facilities and one of just a handful of senior-living facilities designed for LGBT residents. Construction began on the... Keep on reading: Construction of LGBT-Friendly Senior Apartment Facility in Philadelphia Continues

• Exxon Mobil Hit with LGBT Workplace Discrimination Complaint Oil and gas giant Exxon Mobil is the target of an LGBT Illinois workplace discrimination complaint filed May 22, after an LGBT organization uncovered alleged hiring bias. Freedom to Work, a national LGBT organization, has hit the company with a complaint for allegedly favoring non-LGBT job applicants over LGBT candidates. Freedom to Work sent Exxon Mobil two "test" resumes for fictitious candidates. One resume, which boasted better qualifications, identified the applicant as LGBT. "Exxo... Keep on reading: Exxon Mobil Hit with LGBT Workplace Discrimination Complaint

• Canada Lifts Gay Blood Ban; Restrictions Still Apply The Canadian Blood Services have approved the measure, and are hoping to implement it as soon as mid-summer. “The right thing to do and we are committed to regular review of this policy as additional data emerge and new technologies are implemented,” Dr. Dana Devine, vice president of Medical, Scientific and Research Affairs at Canadian Blood Services said in a statement. “We recognize that many people will feel that this change does not go far enough, but given the history of the bl... Keep on reading: Canada Lifts Gay Blood Ban; Restrictions Still Apply

• Defense Attorney: Charges Not Appropriate in Kaitlyn Hunt Case Kaitlyn Hunt and her attorney held a press conference on Wednesday to address the continued media scrutiny of a case that has made it’s way around the world. “I think they’re treating it very strongly, as if she was a predator. One cannot seriously maintain that Kaitlyn’s behavior is predatory,” said Hunt’s defense attorney Julia Graves. “The application of this law to Kaitlyn’s conduct is an example of a troubling trend in Florida and across the country of criminalizing teena... Keep on reading: Defense Attorney: Charges Not Appropriate in Kaitlyn Hunt Case

• Homophobia is a Cancer on the GOP Editor’s note: This letter was originally sent to Congressional staffers Alex Cruz, Joshua Salpeter, and Christine Delportillo and is being republished with the author’s permission. Alex, Joshua and Christine, For the last several years I have publicly applauded Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's leadership and political courage to help advance efforts around LGBT and HIV/AIDS issues.  In Democratic circles, party leaders in the past have even chastised me for doing so.  But I perso... Keep on reading: Homophobia is a Cancer on the GOP

• Are College Aid Forms Becoming More Gay-Friendly? College financial aid forms will be more fair and inclusive to LGBT and other nontraditional families starting Jan. 1, 2014. The catch: It might mean they’ll receive less financial aid as a result. The Department of Education announced the changes at the end of April. They include a switch to gender-neutral terminology, and a new way the government calculates family income in making aid decisions. "All students should be able to apply for federal student aid within a system that incor... Keep on reading: Are College Aid Forms Becoming More Gay-Friendly?

• BREAKING NEWS: Boy Scouts to Allow Gay Youths to Join (CNN) -- [Breaking News Update, 6:13 p.m. Thursday] Delegates to the annual meeting of the Boy Scouts of America made a monumental statement Thursday, voting to allow openly gay youths to join scouting. The organization's 1,400-member national council voted for the policy change, which will take effect January 1. "No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone," says the approved resolution. The BSA will main... Keep on reading: BREAKING NEWS: Boy Scouts to Allow Gay Youths to Join

• Jeremy Affeldt On Homophobia: I Was Wrong SAN FRANCISCO -- When Jeremy Affeldt came to the Bay Area as an opposing player, he refused to leave his hotel room aside from going to and from the ballpark. He was admittedly homophobic. When he joined the San Francisco Giants five years ago, Affeldt became determined to get rid of his negative feelings toward the gay population. The transformation took time and a change of heart, given what he calls his "sheltered" upbringing in the Eastern Washington city of Spokane. Now, Affeldt is more ... Keep on reading: Jeremy Affeldt On Homophobia: I Was Wrong

• Committee Nears Final Big Immigration Decisions The Senate Judiciary Committee hopes to nail down an elusive compromise on high-tech visas and may punt a controversy over gay marriage to the full Senate as it makes final drafting decisions on immigration legislation that grants a shot at citizenship to millions living in the country illegally. The high-tech issue involves a negotiation at arm’s length between industry, which relies on ever-increasing numbers of skilled foreigners, and organized labor, which represents American workers, a... Keep on reading: Committee Nears Final Big Immigration Decisions

• Senate Panel Approves Immigration Bill; Nixes Gay Spouses WASHINGTON -- Far-reaching legislation that grants a chance at citizenship to millions of immigrants living illegally in the United States cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a solid bipartisan vote Tuesday night after supporters somberly sidestepped a controversy over the rights of gay spouses. The 13-5 vote cleared the way for an epic showdown on the Senate floor on legislation that is one of President Barack Obama’s top domestic priorities - yet also gives the Republican Party a ch... Keep on reading: Senate Panel Approves Immigration Bill; Nixes Gay Spouses

• Texas Judge: Lesbian Couple Can’t Cohabitate MCKINNEY, Texas -- A judge has ruled that a North Texas lesbian couple can't live together because of a morality clause in one of the women's divorce papers. The clause is common in divorce cases in Texas and other states. It prevents a divorced parent from having a romantic partner spend the night while children are in the home. If the couple marries, they can get out from under the legal provision - but that is not an option for gay couples in Texas, where such marriages aren't recognized. ... Keep on reading: Texas Judge: Lesbian Couple Can’t Cohabitate

• Rep. Greg Harris: Illinois Gay Marriage Bill Will Pass by Month’s End Rep. Greg Harris told Windy City Times May 21 that the "Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act," which would bring equal marriage to the state, will pass by the end of session. "When I put it up on the board, it's going to go up to win," Harris said, adding that he would "absolutely" call for a vote on the measure before spring session ends May 31. "This issue is at the front and center of virtually every conversation going on in Springfield," Harris said. Read more at our media pa... Keep on reading: Rep. Greg Harris: Illinois Gay Marriage Bill Will Pass by Month’s End

• American Psychiatric Association Names Gay Man as New Leader Fifty years ago Saul Levin wouldn’t have been considered fit to run the American Psychiatric Association, in fact, he would have been considered mentally ill. Levin is openly gay. And he was recently named as the new CEO of the psychology association, as first reported by the Washington Blade. Just 40 years ago, the APA declared homosexuality was not a mental disorder. Now, Levin becomes the first out gay person to head the organization, which was founded in 1844 and represents over 30,0... Keep on reading: American Psychiatric Association Names Gay Man as New Leader

• Standing Accused of Being a Gay Activist Today I stand accused; accused by a known acquaintance, a local business owner and gay man. I stand accused of being a gay activist. Oddly, I’ve never thought of myself as an activist of any sort past pressing individuals to discard their baggage and help themselves to a better future. As a volunteer I serve on the Board of Directors of The Stonewall National Museum & Archives, as part of that role I serve on the Board’s Executive Committee as a result of my acting as treasurer. My ro... Keep on reading: Standing Accused of Being a Gay Activist

• Peace Corps to Allow Gay Couples to Serve Together While the Defense of Marriage Act still defines marriage as the union between a man and a woman for federal purposes, the Peace Corps announced it would extend benefits to gay couples to allow them to serve as volunteers together overseas, according to NBC News. The Peace Corps, a government-run volunteering program started by President Kennedy, will open up the application process for gay couples on June 3. “Service in the Peace Corps is a life-defining leadership experience for America... Keep on reading: Peace Corps to Allow Gay Couples to Serve Together

• New Art Gallery Opens on Wilton Drive Things on Wilton Drive are about to get a little more chic with the newest addition to the Arts and Entertainment District, Rossetti Fine Art. The gallery, located at 2176 on Wilton Drive, opens on Saturday, May 25, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a ribbon cutting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Owner Thom Rossetti said his gallery will cater to all levels of art without the “attitude” of other fine art establishments. “I looked all over Fort Lauderdale for a new gallery location and I... Keep on reading: New Art Gallery Opens on Wilton Drive

• State Attorney: Charges Against Kaitlyn Hunt Have Nothing to Do with Her Being Gay Like many high school students, Kaitlyn Hunt found someone she liked, a classmate, and they started dating. The difference is that Hunt, an 18-year-old senior at Sebastian River High School in Sebastian, Fla., met a 14-year-old freshman girl, who police are referring to as C.S. Once their relationship became sexual, it also became illegal, and Hunt now faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted as well as being put on a sexual offender registry list for life. Indian River State Attorney Bruc... Keep on reading: State Attorney: Charges Against Kaitlyn Hunt Have Nothing to Do with Her Being Gay

• Meningococcal Disease Case Reported in Gay and Bi Men in Chicago A case of the disease that causes meningitis has been reported in Chicago among a man who sex with men (MSM), the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) said May 20. The case of meningococcal disease is similar to those reported among gay and bisexual men in Los Angeles and New York this year, said Brian Richardson, CDPH spokesperson. "This is the only case we have seen reported in Chicago this year," Richardson noted. Richardson said that the man, whose case was reported to CDPH Ma... Keep on reading: Meningococcal Disease Case Reported in Gay and Bi Men in Chicago

• Sally Ride to Get Posthumous Medal of Freedom WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama will bestow the Medal of Freedom posthumously on Sally Ride, the first American woman to fly in space. Obama says Ride was a role model to young women and showed that achievement has no limits. He says Ride advocated for innovation in science, engineering and math. Ride rode on the space shuttle Challenger on June 18, 1983. She died in July 2012 at 61 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Ride broke another barrier by disclosing that she was ga... Keep on reading: Sally Ride to Get Posthumous Medal of Freedom

• Westboro Baptist Church Blames Oklahoma Tornado on Gay NBA Player Jason Collins In another episode of the Biblical blame game, the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church is charging recently out NBA player Jason Collins with being the catalyst for the deadly tornado in Oklahoma. Fred Phelps Jr., the son of the Kansas church founder, is linking homosexuality to the natural disaster that killed 91 people. On Twitter, Phelps referred to Oklahoma sportsman Kevin Durant, who he says offended God by saying “no one has the right to judge” the first openly gay basketball player. ... Keep on reading: Westboro Baptist Church Blames Oklahoma Tornado on Gay NBA Player Jason Collins

• Gay Marriage Bans Can Psychologically Affect People Researchers at the National Institutes of Health are awaiting the Supreme Court decisions on gay marriage cases this June for scientific reasons -- they want to study the psychological impact (whether positive or negative) of the outcome. In 2010, Mark Hatzenbuehler, a psychologist at Columbia University who studies the health effects of social policies, and a group of researchers published a study concluding that gay marriage bans in 2004 and 2005 had increased the number of anxiety disorder... Keep on reading: Gay Marriage Bans Can Psychologically Affect People

• Right Winger Wants Obama to Come Out A Christian commentator wants President Obama to be the first openly gay president in history, according to the right-wing watchdog website, Right Wing Watch. In a video on the News with Views YouTube page, “Coach” David Daubenmire pleads with Obama to come out of the closet and admit he’s gay, or at least bisexual. “I think it's time for President Obama to come out of the closet,” Daubenmire said. “How about he come out and admit he's the first openly gay president or, better ... Keep on reading: Right Winger Wants Obama to Come Out

• Reddit Users Lash Out at Anti-Gay Event Offering Free Chick-fil-A, Speaker Cornerstone Baptist Temple in Dayton, Ohio took an ad out in their local paper offering $25 Chick-fil-A gift cards to married straight couples that attended an event honoring what the church called “Biblical marriage.” In a statement to The Huffington Post, Chick-fil-A said the event was not sponsored by Chick-fil-A or any of its Dayton restaurants. The gift cards were purchased by a local restaurant and donated to the church for their Sunday event. The ad, which was first posted to Re... Keep on reading: Reddit Users Lash Out at Anti-Gay Event Offering Free Chick-fil-A, Speaker

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