Immigration Laws a Roadblock for Same-Sex Couples

(Link) Among the findings: “Two ways a person can become a citizen in the U.S. and in many other countries is sponsorship by a family member and marriage to someone who is a citizen. If you don’t have the right to marry, it limits how you can become a legitimate citizen.”

Hubby Cleared of Sabotage Charges Against Wife's Lover

(Link) Husband catches wife in clinch with another woman. Wife vows to end the romance, but moves the other woman into the house in the meantime. Somebody does a "brake job" on other woman's car, but hubby couldn't have done it, right?

Schwarzenegger Terminates Same-Sex Marriage Bill

(Link) Saying the issue should be settled by the voters or the courts, the Governator passes the buck -- no doubt pleasing his fundamentalist financiers. Voters and rabble rousers, you know what to do.

Couple Who Survived Rita Finds Shelter in Mass.

(Link) Married in Massachusetts, Yolanda and Jan Meehan-Hoo moved to Louisiana just in time to lose everything to Hurricane Rita. Unlike straight married couples, FEMA is denying aid because the agency "doesn't recognize gay and lesbian couples as a household."

Lesbian Rebbe Takes Jewish School on the Road

Tired of feeling either unwelcome or undereducated by traditional schools, a Jewish Theological Seminary grad leaves the closet behind to start her own queer yeshiva. Editor's Note: Cara contacted us in July 2008 to let us know she's actually bi, not lesbian. She does have a girlfriend currently, but wanted to pass on the info to support bi visibility.

Connecticut Prepares for Civil Unions

(Link) With only two days to go, businesses are scrambling to figure out how to equalize the bennies for all those same-sex couples that'll be getting hitched. The catch? State and federal laws are still clashing on the subject.

Non-Biological Mom Wins Custody Ruling

(Link) A Pennsylvania court thinks of the children. Having a nutcase for a biological mom who's out to slam her ex (even if it harms the kids) isn't in their best interest.

Canada's New Democrats Get First Out Leader

(Link) Allison Brewer's now the first out lesbian to lead a political party in North America. Of course Canada has far more political parties than the US, but who's counting?

Contest On For Lesbian Short Comedy Films

(Link) Zoom Media wants your lesbian shorts. Uh, short movies, I mean. And they need not be about short lesbians. But they should be funny. The films, that is. And preferably the lesbians in them will be amusing as well. Got that?

Pentagon Admits Sending Openly LGBT Troops to War

(Link) "Off to the trenches with you, Sergeant Sappho! Fight like a good troopie and we'll hold off kicking you out and taking away your benefits until the Oil Wars are over."

Melissa Etheridge Still Rocking the House

(Link) How excited are concert goers about Melissa's electrifying performances? " "Oh, God," says one fan. "I had to take a Xanax just to come to the show." No stats yet on how many tons of hotel keys and undies they have to sweep off the stage post performance.

Olivia Travel: Will They Become the Lesbian AARP?

(Link) The cruise line of choice for affluent lesbians toys with the idea of starting retirement resorts for women. "Hey! You straight kids! Get off my lawn!"

Bullied Lesbian Sues New Jersey High School

(Link) If it takes a village to raise a child, why should it also require a team of lawyers to help a teenager survive high school? Homophobic harrassment rears its ugly head once more.

Portia Chickened Out on Love Scene with Angelina

(Link) Afraid of being outed, Portia De Rossi turned down a co-starring role in "Gia". "Today's Top Reason Why Staying in the Closet is Bad: You don't get to have hot, pretend sex with Angelina Jolie."

Oregon Marriage Dispute Back in Court

(Link) Don't tear up that license yet. Gay rights say Oregon's same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional and are going to court to overturn it.

Christian Coalition Crumbling In Wake of Unpaid Bills

(Link) The LNews.blogspot.com Word of the Day is "schadenfreude", (shäd-n-froid): "Pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others."

Teen Expelled for Having Two Mommies

(Link) Because her moms don't meet the school's "lifestyle requirement," a 14-year-old girl apparently isn't worthy of their brand of education. In some circles, Judgement Day is not a task left to the Almighty...

Report: Police Abuses Rampant in LGBT Communities

(Link) Amnesty International's latest report shows abuse and mistreatment by cops is widespread, unreported and going unchecked. If you've been hassled, you need to report it, m'kay?

Grethe Cammermeyer to Speak at UW Tacoma

(Link) The Army colonel who sued the Army over its stance on booting out homosexuals in uniform -- and got her job back -- will be telling her story Sept. 22nd at Carwein Auditorium.

Florida School Settles Lesbian in Tuxedo Dispute

(Link) Didn't you just love wearing that fake, frilly scoop-net blouse for your high school senior pic? Neither did Kelli Davis, so she wore a tux instead -- which was apparently too much for Fleming High to handle.

Rainbow Flag Sends Students into Gay Panic

(Link) Fearing that a single pride flag hung outside a dorm window might signal their living quarters as queer, Duke University students raise a ruckus and demand its removal.

SF Ad Company Address Upcoming Marriage Vote

(Link) If Schwarzenegger wants a sequel as California governor, the ad pushes him to think of his legacy in terms of civil rights.

Connecticut to Allow Civil Unions

(Link) The state will also honor civil unions from other states and foreign countries -- but it won't honor same-sex marriages. Like those of their neighbors in Masschusetts

HRC's Annual Corporate Report Card Released

(Link) The Human Rights Campaign's Annual Report rates companies with the best -- and worst -- policies of support for gay, lesbian and transgender employees. (Full HRC Report)

University Bans Paper Cup With Queer-Positive Quote

(Link) Fearing student coffee-drinkers might catch the ghey, Concerned Women for America pressures Baylor to ban a particular Starbucks cup from the campus. If only recruiting was that easy!

What's In a Name? A Marriage License -- Briefly

(Link) Undaunted by Alabama's "Defense of Marriage Act", Juanita simply changed her name to "Joseph" and married her gal. Alas, two years later, an anonymous tipster called the judge...

Nominee Roberts Still Giving Wishy-Washy Answers

(Link) If he makes the cut, Roberts will be wearing those Supreme Court robes for a long time and making big decisions that afffect us all. So far, the closest he's come to saying he wouldn't overturn Lawrence vs Texas is that he believes "the U.S. Constitution protects the right of privacy."

Study: Kids of Gay, Lesbian Parents Not Warped

(Link) Among the findings by the Brookings Institute? That preschool children of lesbian mothers tend to be less aggressive, bossy, and domineering than children of heterosexual mothers, and that taking kids away from same-sex parents and putting them into straight foster homes is more damaging than helpful.

Texas Churches Kick Off Anti-Gay Voter Drive

(Link) The head of the GOP-backed Restoration Project says the goal is to "restore Bible-based morality". It's a good bet that "morality" stance doesn't include discrimination against eating shellfish, ham on Sunday or wearing polyester.

Lesbian in Custody Case Rejects Virginia's Role

(Link) If we were the legal equals of heteros, would this case ever see the inside of a courtroom? This child custody case may head to the Supreme Court.

Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Survivors Group Celebrates 10 Years

(Link) What started off as a backyard support party for a friend battling cancer has become the largest predominately lesbian gathering in the Southeast.

New Report Says More Women Are Trying Same-Sex Love

(Link) Sure, it's only experimental but your chances for a date just increased! Here come the "Have You Hugged Your LUG Today?" bumperstickers...

US House of Reps Passes Hate Crimes Act

(Link) The measure gives law enforcement officers the tools to prosecute hate crimes against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people -- and 30 Republicans jumped the usual fence to vote for it.

Governator Wants Confab With LGBT Group Over Upcoming Veto

(Link) Apparently shocked that he's ticked off such a large group by vowing to veto the okay for gay marriage, Schwarzenegger calls for a meeting with with Cali's community leaders. The catch? He hasn't actually committed to showing up for it himself.

Massachusetts Won't Ban Gay Marriage

(Link) Despite a recent attempt to overturn the okay, lawmakers overwhelmingly ruled to keep same-sex marriage legal. Quoth State Senator Brian Lee (a Republican, no less!): "Gay marriage has begun, and life has not changed for the citizens of the commonwealth, with the exception of those who can now marry."

Non-Prof Seeks Survivors of Religious Schools

(Link) If they plan to raise funds by creating a Naughty Catholic Schoolgrrls calendar, bring on the babes! Because we are all about the non-prof, giving and stuff like that.

Old Military Law Stops Discharge of LGBT Troops

(Link) Despite Pentagon denials, there really is a rule that prevents military discharges during wartime. Apparently, we're only a "threat to unit cohesiveness" during peacetime.

KKK Protests Pro-Gay Church Meeting

(Link) Fearing Phelps might be stealing their thunder, the Ku Klux Klowns show up for a friendly neighborhood queer-bashing demonstration.

Portia De Rossi Wants to be Mrs Degeneres

(Link) So would a lot of gals! But is it just me or does that last comment sound a wee bit "Heche-like"? Does Ms. De Rossi have an agenda?

Anti-Gay Groups Encouraged to Use Kindler, Gentler Tactic

(Link) Focus on the Family has decided to knock it off with the Leviticus quotes -- but only so they can get a law passed that'll allow Maine to discriminate against gays and lesbians in matters of jobs, housing and lines of credit. How conservatively compassionate of them.

New Hampshire Ponders Okay of Civil Marriage

(Link) A panel of various experts -- surprisingly free of religous fundies -- brings up more arguments for same-sex marriage rather than against it, particularly when kids are involved. Stable, low-conflict relationships between parents seems to be a winner here.

Schwartzenegger Denies Political Anti-Gay-Bashing Bill

(Link) The bill in question, AB 866, was designed to stop gay-bashing in political campaigns. With Arnie's veto, it's now okay in California to use orientation against a candidate. Lovely.

Marriage May Stay Legal in Massachusetts

(Link) Despite threats to yank same-sex marriage and replace it with civil unions, lawmakers are accepting the obvious: "It's a dangerous precedent to take away rights that have been granted by the court for an identifiable group of people."

Will Ellen Drop the Happy Dance?

(Link) "A lot of people stay contained and want to come off a certain way," she said. "I think that dance is an expression of freedom and I don't care how I look - this is just me being me." C'mon Ellen. We like the Happy Dance!

Melissa Etheridge Wins 2005 Mautner Award

(Link) "Brave and Crazy" singer rewarded for her role and brave and beautiful in the fight against breast cancer: "I am truly delighted to be a part of Mary Helen Mautner’s legacy of putting lesbians and healthcare on the right track."

Are You Being Served -- or Slammed?

(Link) A Welsh branch of Stonewall is sending out queer mystery shoppers to uproot discrimination in the goods and services sector. How soon can we start this up in the States?

Gender Gap Exists Between Gay, Lesbian Activists

(Link) Shocking study shows that "boy issues" and "grrl issues" are quite different. And backs up the necessity for this site's existence.

Americans For Truth Praises Governator for Upcoming Veto

(Link) Because the only thing more threatening to America than a homosexual is a married homosexual. If this group's rant doesn't amuse you, surely the website's "Rent a Wife" ad will.

Teen Sues High School For Kissing Rights

(Link) Q: Why was the high schooler outed to her parents, suspended several times and transferred to another campus? A: Because she was a lesbian who kissed her girlfriend! Oh, the humanity...

Courtney Love Swings a Bat for the Pink Team

(Link) Now that her smack habit is history, Ms Love needs a new drug. Could it be macking on the grrlies? Apparently so!

California Marriage Bill Ready for Governator's Signature

(Link) After two defeats, the state's assembly voted 41-35 to approve same-sex marriages in California. Will San Francisco become the new honeymoon capitol of the US?

Nearly 60% Now Support Gays Serving in Uniform

(Link) Pardon the pun, but do you think the outrage over the discharge of qualified Arabic linguists had anything to do with it? Or is it the guys and gals now quietly out to their military co-workers, knowing they won't be booted during wartime?

Singing Lesbians to Rescue Opera House

(Link) Promotional posters and flyers for the opera promise “sexual desire, dominance and submission”. No mention of drink specials or half price tickets on "Mullet Night."

Custody Case Could Go to Supreme Court

(Link) The Vermont vs Virginia case continues, and the ruling could be a benchmark for what laws should govern same-sex relationships and the children born to them. It'll also have an impact on a little Federal rule called the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act.

Lesbian Teen May Sue to Keep Pageant Title

(Link) Apparently it's impossible to be adorably cute and queer in the Bahamas. At least she has more class than the Evangelical Fundies who are trying to rip the crown from her head.

Houstonians Establish Shelter for LBGT Katrina Survivors

(Link) “Being a gay person housed in a tent city with a bunch of rednecks is not going to be that much fun. When you’ve lost everything, you don’t need to worry about your sexual orientation or your HIV status being revealed.”

Utah Supreme Court Hears Lesbian's Child Custody Case

(Link) Complete with cheating, religious conversion -- and a threat to Utah's common law marriage doctine. In other news, there are lesbians in Utah.

Ellen Degeneres' Aunt, Hometown Hit by Katrina

From CNN: A shaken and emotional Ellen DeGeneressaid her 82-year-old aunt had to quickly evacuate her home in Pass Christian, Mississippi, as Hurricane Katrina headed toward the Gulf Coast.

"My aunt has lost everything, she has nothing," DeGeneres told AP Radio Wednesday. "She grabbed four pictures out of her house. She's lost her entire life."

DeGeneres, who was born in Metairie, Louisiana, said her childhood was filled with weekends at her aunt Helen Currie's home, just over the state line from New Orleans.

"It's where I grew up every weekend. I spent all my childhood there," she said. "Pass Christian ... is just gone. There's not one building left -- no church, no nothing."

Meanwhile, DeGeneres said she is talking to networks about organizing a telethon to raise funds for hurricane victims similar to what was done after the September 11 terror attacks.

"Whether you have family there or not, it's a devastating situation," the 47-year-old actress-comedian said.

Cali Officially Wants "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repealed

(Link) "Today, we sent a message to the President and Congress: the people of California want every man and woman, regardless of whom they love, to be able to serve their country openly and proudly."

Gay Rights Suit on Docket in Maryland

(Link) Maryland joins six other states currently challenging marriage laws in the fight for equality. " "Civil marriage for same-sex couples poses no threat to constitutional rights of religious freedom."

Fundie Group Blames Queers for Katrina

(Link) Evangelical Repent America says the deadly hurricane is God's revenge on New Orleans for Southern Decadence. You knew somebody was going to use it for the publicity. Thanks to Elaine, aka Pink PurlGrrl, for finding this bit 'o news!