LGBT
San Diego Pride announces 2013 theme
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, San Diego LGBT Pride has announced today that Freedom to Love and Marry is the theme for the 39th annual Pride celebration weekend, July 12 – 14. Announcing the theme, Fernando Lopez, administrative and public affairs director wrote in an email, “We are standing at a critical moment in…
Rep. Susan Davis supports immigration equality for LGBT couples
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53) once again signed on as a cosponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 519), formerly know as the Permanent Partners Immigration Act. The UAFA would allow U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor a permanent partner for immigration purposes. Under current law only married heterosexuals can be…
Neighborhood Market Association Endorses Lorena Gonzalez in AD 80
SAN DIEGO – Lorena Gonzalez has been endorsed by the Neighborhood Market Association, her campaign announced today. The Neighborhood Market Association (NMA) is a non-profit mutual benefit corporation dedicated to empowering independent retailers throughout California, Nevada, Arizona and the West Coast. Mark Arabo, the CEO of the Neighborhood Market Association, praised Gonzalez for her collaboration…
Senators call for non-discrimination executive order from President Obama
WASHINGTON – Thirty-seven United States senators, led by Sen. Jeff Merkley, have today sent a letter to President Obama urging him to issue an executive order barring federal contractors from discriminating in hiring on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Because of a lack of federal protections, it remains legal to fire or…
CDC: 20 million new sexually transmitted infections yearly
(CNN) — There are about 20 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) each year in the United States, costing some $16 billion in direct medical costs, according to numbers released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Young people are disproportionately affected, the agency said, with half of all new infections occurring in…
Gay rights supporters ‘break up’ with Beverly Hills Hotel over owner’s homophobia (VIDEO)
LOS ANGELES – Gay rights activists pledged a boycott of the Beverly Hills Hotel today, citing the hotel owner’s state-sponsored homophobia. The hotel is owned by the nation of Brunei, a country in South East Asia where male homosexuality is a crime. A video made by the group calls on supporters to “break up” with…
Newark teen bullying sparks city response
(CNN) — Footage of the beating of a New Jersey teen, who was apparently forced to strip naked before a belt-whipping over a $20 debt, has since garnered the attention of Newark city officials after the online video went viral. “Take everything off right now. You’re moving too slow,” a person yelled during shaky cell…
Statement from the president on the Senate passage of VAWA
Today, the White House released the following statement from President Barack Obama on the Senate passage of the Violence Against Women Act: “Today the Senate passed a strong bipartisan bill to reauthorize and strengthen the Violence Against Women Act. This important step shows what we can do when we come together across party lines to…
Illinois Senate to vote on same-sex marriage bill on Valentine’s Day
(CNN) — The Illinois Senate will vote Thursday — Valentine’s Day — on whether to legalize same-sex marriage. Because Democrats have supermajority control of the General Assembly, the measure is expected to be approved. After the Senate vote, the measure would be considered by the House. Gov. Pat Quinn, a Democrat, has indicated he would…