After the IRS decision to allow gay and lesbian married couples to file joint federal tax returns, we noted that a number of states would have to provide guidance because they require two contradictory things: (1) if you file a joint federal return, you must file a joint state return, and (2) same-sex married couples cannot…
An African American man was found hanging from a tree in Claiborne County, Mississippi, Thursday the FBI said in a statement. The Huffington Post reported that the body was found with a bed sheet around the neck and wearing a skull cap, authorities said at a press conference later held by the FBI and the…
In spite of corporations’ and civil rights advocates’ outcry of opposition, the Indiana House of Representatives is expected to pass a sweeping bill early next week allowing individuals to use religion as an excuse to discriminate against LGBT people and other minorities. Astonishingly, the governor is expected to sign the bill into law. “This ill-conceived…
Next week marks the annual LGBT Health Awareness Week. From March 23 to March 27, national and state LGBT organizations will come together to raise awareness about sexual health while advocating for trust, truth and transparency in relationships. According to the National Coalition for LGBT Health the purpose of this campaign is to better the…
SAN FRANCISCO — Water sprinklers installed in the doorways of Saint Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco by the Archdiocese of San Francisco to deter homeless people from sleeping there at night will be dismantled. KCBS reported that the San Francisco Archdiocese has apologized for the ‘misunderstood’ and ‘ill-conceived’ effort to keep the homeless out of…
This week, CNN Films released a digital short about Ryland, a 6-year-old transgender boy and his parents. San Diegans were introduced to Ryland at last year’s Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast as his parents Jeff and Hillary presented a video of the background and transition of their son Ryland. The CNN film, directed by Sarah Feeley,…
In the aftermath of GOP 2016 presidential contender Dr. Ben Carson’s recent stunning “prison” explanation for homosexuality, it is illuminating to look at some of his past statements on the subject. For the uninitiated, Carson, a retired Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon, New York Times bestselling author, and columnist for the conservative press, told CNN that being gay was…
Who would have thought that kitschy, disco hits from the mega platinum pop group ABBA would turn into a Broadway show and major motion picture? Well, producer Judy Craymer did. Back in 1983 she met with group members and songwriters Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson while they were working with Tim Rice on the musical…
“Every gay person must come out,” Harvey Milk said in his What America Is speech in June 1978. “As difficult as it is, you must tell your immediate family. You must tell your relatives. You must tell your friends if indeed they are your friends. You must tell the people you work with. You must…
In 1991, Mariah Hanson held the first Dinah in the Palm Springs Museum. It was out of control: 1,500 girls were climbing the walls, the ceiling reverberated, shirts came off and the party-goers brought the roof down. Needless to say, Hanson was no longer invited to the museum. Twenty-five years later, the City of Palm…
