Important update on LGBT workplace equality

In an important step for LGBT workplace equality, Valerie Bowman Jarrett, senior advisor to the president and assistant to the president for Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs in the Obama administration Tweeted this morning: “Executive action to ban fed contractors from discriminating against #LGBT workers is good for America & for business #WorkplaceEquality“

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HRC’s Griffin requests meeting with newly elected Southern Baptist president

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), has sent a letter to Rev. Ronnie Floyd, the newly elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), following the passage of anti-LGBT resolutions at the group’s annual meeting this week. In the letter, HRC President Chad Griffin writes: “I can tell you from personal experiences how excruciating it…

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Uganda’s homophobic foreign minister Sam Kutesa slated to be next U.N. General Assembly president

In an announcement that has been roundly denounced by the United States, Uganda’s foreign minister Sam Kutesa has been voted in by acclamation to serve as the next United Nations General Assembly president, replacing outgoing – and widely respected – John W. Ashe of Antigua and Barbuda. New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said: “It would…

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Younger gay men say, ‘I do’ to Obama and marriage equality

BOSTON – Jack’d, the fastest growing gay app in the world among young gay men, today released the findings of a community survey conducted among its users in the United States. Ahead of the second anniversary of Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage May 9, Jack’d surveyed its users on their thoughts on marriage, relationships and…

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San Diego Opera names Carol Lazier as acting board president, defers closure to May 19

SAN DIEGO – San Diego Opera has announced Carol Lazier, the former secretary of the board, is now the acting president after President Karen Cohn resigned along with 12 other directors in a board meeting that lasted over four hours. At a duly convened meeting  April 17,  by vote of the directors constituting a majority…

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MWW acquires LGBT agency Macias Media Group LLC

LOS ANGELES – MWW (www.mww.com), one of the top five independent public relations firms, has announced that it has acquired Macias Media Group LLC (MMG), a full-service marketing, public relations and corporate communications firm focused on connecting clients with the coveted LGBT consumer space. As part of this transaction, MMG Founder and President Stephen Macias…

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California Music Educators Association names Kevin Beiser ‘Music Legislator of the Year’

SAN DIEGO – The California Music Educators Association (CMEA) has chosen Kevin Beiser, San Diego Unified School District’s recently elected Board of Trustees president, as the 2013 CMEA Legislative Music Leadership awardee. Beiser had earlier received recognition from the San Diego chapter of the CMEA, which nominated him for the state-wide award. “After receiving the…

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Uganda’s president signs anti-gay bill, defies West

Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni signed a law imposing harsh penalties for homosexuality today, defying protests from rights groups, criticism from Western donors and a U.S. warning that it will complicate relations. Reuters reported that the new bill strengthened existing punishments for anyone caught having gay sex, imposing jail terms of up to life for “aggravated…

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Kevin Beiser: public education’s unlikely gay superhero

Kevin Beiser grew up in a family whose challenges included constant moving, homelessness, school suspensions, low expectations from teachers and addiction. Nevertheless, he is now president of one of the largest school districts in the nation, San Diego Unified. “I remember my first couple of days at middle school,” Beiser recalls. “I was following my…

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Lambda Archives elects new officers and welcomes new board members

SAN DIEGO –  At their first meeting of the new year, Jan. 7, Lambda Archives San Diego welcomed in new officers and board members. New elected board officers are Maureen Steiner, president; Cheli Mohamed, vice president; Haydee Sam, treasurer; Chuck Kaminski, secretary. New board members include Drew Ector, Fernando Lopez, Robert Mahlowitz, and Haydee Sam.  They will join existing…

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