GLBTQ: Gay News Magazine Headlines (T24T-2)

Calif. lawmakers back Prop. 8 challenge
Legislature is on record as opposing Prop 8
SACRAMENTO (AP) | Feb. 17 at 4:34 PM Feb. 17 at 4:34 PM
A legislative committee has endorsed legal efforts to overturn California's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage.

The Assembly Judiciary Committee voted 7-3 Tuesday to put the legislature on record as opposing Proposition 8.

The California Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for March 5 on a series of lawsuits that argue citizens lack the authority to put the gay marriage ban directly to voters.

The resolution goes next to the full Assembly, and the state Senate is scheduled to consider a companion measure in coming weeks.
...

N.M. domestic partnership bill heads to Senate
Measure is supported by Gov. Richardson
SANTA FE (AP) | Feb. 17 at 11:02 AM Feb. 17 at 11:02 AM

A proposal giving same-sex couples the same legal protections and benefits as married couples cleared a difficult legislative hurdle Monday and is headed to the Senate for a vote.

The measure allows for domestic partnerships for unmarried couples, including gay couples.

The bill had stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this month. The deadlock was broken when the committee voted 6-5 to send the bill to the Senate without recommendation whether it be approved or rejected.

Sen. Bernadette Sanchez, D-Albuquerque, cast the deciding vote. She has been considered a likely opponent of the legislation but said she wanted all senators to be able to debate ...

Gay rights group opposes adoption bill
Law would be similar to one passed in Ark. last year
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) | Feb. 16 at 2:26 PM Feb. 16 at 2:26 PM
A gay rights group is opposing Kentucky legislation that would bar adoptions by non-traditional couples.

The legislation filed by Republican state Sen. Gary Tapp of Shelbyville calls for children to be placed only in adoptive or foster homes with people who "are not cohabiting outside of a marriage that is legally valid in Kentucky."

Fairness Campaign director Chris Hartman said the legislation would "eliminate potential loving parents" for children who need them. He said the legislation would affect both same-sex couples and unmarried heterosexual couples.

David Edmunds, a spokesman for The Family Foundation, said his organization supports the measure that he says is inten ...

The feature story in the March issue of the Advocate about out black comedian Wanda Sykes makes note that African Americans declaring their homosexuality have been “conspicuously absent” from magazine covers. One would think then that the nation’s leading LGBT newsmagazine would put Sykes, who gave it an exclusive interview, on its cover. Instead, a barely [...]

The health department is sponsoring a pub crawl tonight to thank the city’s gay bar owners and their staffers for helping researchers track an outbreak of tuberculosis cases among young gay men. As the Bay Area Reporter disclosed last month, the health department’s TB control section requested more than 140 people who work at Castro area [...]

The city’s Planning Commission voted last night to unanimously reject Walgreens’ proposal to expand its pharmacy on 18th Street in the heart of the Castro. The company had wanted to take over the adjacent vacant storefront to create a bigger and more inviting space for its pharmacy clients and staff. But the plan faced opposition from [...]

Tennessee Equality Project's (TEP) Political Action Committee (PAC) has endorsed David Glasgow as its candidate for Metro Council in the 18th district. TEP Power PAC Chair Jenny Ford made the announcement to TEP supporters as they gathered at the Rymer...

The Nashville State Community College hosted it's annual Sweethearts for Scholarships fundraiser at the downtown Hiton. It was an evening of fine-dining and glamour that included an acoustic performance by Jim Otto.

More than 100 people from all parts of Tennessee convened in Nashville on Tuesday, Feb. 17, for the Tennessee Equality Project Advancing Equality Day on the Hill./[x20]/i/[x20]/i/[x20]/i/[x20]/iNow in its six year, this year's group was bigger than...