An important bill that will protect transgendered Massachusettians passed both house and state legislature Wednesday and is pending signage into legislation by Gov. Deval Patrick, who supports the bill. The pending legislation will protect transgender people from hate crimes, violence, and discrimination. “Transgender individuals in Massachusetts face unacceptably high levels of violence and discrimination in…
The small community of Fire Island was struck with nearly uncontrollable fires Monday night, requiring nearly 20 fire departments to help squelch the flames, reports Newsday. The fires were devastating to the small community and were difficult to contain due to the location of the island. The blaze is reported to have begun at Sip…
Gov. Jerry Brown and San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders are a part of a larger network of local and state officials who are urging the federal government to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, the San Diego Union Tribune reports. The legislation passed the Senate committee and now awaits voting by the full Senate. If…
San Diego mayoral candidate Bonnie Dumanis has won the endorsement of the San Diego Police Chiefs’ and Sherriff’s Association. The association represents the top law enforcement leaders from many local, state, and federal agencies. “You are a proven and recognized leader in the San Diego law enforcement and legal communities. Additionally, you have dedicated your…
The Internal Revenue Service has announced that it would abide by a 2010 decision that would allow transgendered people to deduct medical expenses associated with gender reassignment surgery. Originally, the IRS had chalked up sex-change surgery as purely cosmetic, reported TIME. But after an acquiescence was filed earlier this month, the government agency notified the…
Barbara Grier, a major contributor to gay literature, died Thursday in her Tallahassee, Fla. home due to lung cancer at the age of 78. Known for her non-fiction chronicle about lesbian nuns that later garnered complaints from the Roman Catholic church, Grier was a revered author and gay activists, later becoming the founder of Naiad…
David Testo, professional American soccer athlete and former MLS player, is gay and regrets not telling the public sooner. “I’m gay, I’m gay. I did not choose. It’s just part of who I am. And it has nothing to do with the talent of a soccer player. You can be both an excellent soccer player…
The Respect for Marriage Act (RMA) was considered today by the Senate Judiciary Committee, and in response, the Defense of Marriage Act would be repealed in addition to amending current law to guarantee that the federal government recognize any married couple as legally valid in the state where the marriage was entered – even if…
House Republicans are dumping more and more money into their fight to uphold DOMA, but the Senate Judiciary Committee is pressing ahead with the Respect for Marriage Act – historic legislation that would repeal DOMA once and for all. DOMA deprives same-sex couples of over 1,100 federal rights, benefits, and responsibilities of marriage. It’s not…
Brett Ratner has apologized after he uttered a gay slur during a press conference for his new film, Tower Heist, The Associated Press reports. “It was a dumb way of expressing myself,” Ratner said in his statement. “Everyone who knows me knows that I don’t have a prejudiced bone in my body. But as a…
