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ATLANTA EAGLE DEFENDANTS NOT GUILTY
An Atlanta judge found three defendants in the Atlanta Eagle gay bar case not guilty Thursday, and the prosecutor agreed to dismiss the charges against the other five defendants. [3/12/10]
KISSIMMEE EXTENDS BENEFITS TO SAME-SEX PARTNERS
In a 4-1 vote, Kissimmee, Florida City Commissioners have approved health and dental benefits for both same sex and opposite sex domestic partners of city employees. > Full Story. [3/11/10]
ANOTHER GAY RIGHTS BILL DIES IN A VIRGINIA SUBCOMMITTEE
A third gay rights bill died Tuesday in a Virginia House subcommittee, the AP reported. > Full Story. [3/3/10]
NEW PFLAG CHAPTER IN OLIVE BRANCH, MISSISSIPPI
PFLAG Chapter has been approved for the city of Olive Branch (and serving all of DeSoto County)
Visit the website for more information: www.pflagobms.org
> Full Story. [2/22/10]
VIRGINIA DELEGATE INTRODUCES BILL TO REPEAL SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BAN
"Virginia will not recognize "a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage." Nor will the state recognize "another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage." To repeal that amendment, Englin is sponsoring House Joint Resolution 55. It is similar to proposals he carried in 2007 and 2009. They did not get much attention, but Englin says he won't give up. HJ 55, which is being co-sponsored by Delegate L. Kaye Kory, D-Falls Church, has been referred to the House Privileges and Elections Committee. The panel has not voted on the measure." > Full Story. [2/8/10]
WHY IS OK REP. JASON NELSON CHANGING JUST 1 WORD OF A LAW BANNING...
Jason Nelson, the Republican Oklahoma state rep - who does not have gay face! - introduced HB 3408, called "An act relating to marriage" which would make it a felony for a minister of the gospel to solemnize a marriage not recognized by the state. Apparently their 2004 constitutional amendment codifying marriage as an exclusively heterosexual institution, banning civil unions and other legal protections for gay and lesbian people, and punishing any issuance of a marriage license to a same-sex couple weren't enough to "protect marriage." Now we have to throw ministers in jail for 1 to 5 years just to make quadruple sure.
> Full Story. [1/28/10]
WINTER PARTY FESTIVAL MARCH 3–8, 2010
MIAMI, Jan. 22 - More than 6,000 people dancing on the sands of South Beach is among the many highlights that draw thousands worldwide to one of the country's premier LGBT fund-raising events: the annual Winter Party Festival, which features art and culture, shopping, cocktail receptions, pool parties, and multiple dance events with world-class DJs and entertainment. This year's Winter Party Festival takes place March 3–8 and, once again, promises to deliver something for everyone. Even better, the event raises important dollars that benefit many throughout the year.
Winter Party Festival is produced by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Since 1994, Winter Party Festival and its sister event, the Miami Recognition Dinner, have raised more than $2.3 million for organizations serving the South Florida LGBT community. Two-thirds of the net proceeds from Winter Party Festival will be distributed to the Miami-Dade LGBT community through a granting program administered by the Dade Community Foundation, while the remaining one-third of the proceeds will benefit the Task Force.
"Our incredible line-up of official Winter Party Festival events provides people with memories of a lifetime. This event changes people's lives - through their experiences here in Miami Beach and through the organizations and individuals that are the beneficiaries of our fundraising," says Winter Party Festival chairperson Chad Richter. "And, visitors and locals alike get to enjoy all this while reaping the benefits of an annual boom for business - this event is important for local businesses too."
"Winter Party Festival draws people from around the world to a place where they can celebrate our unity and our diversity while supporting human rights," says Russell Roybal, deputy executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "We work at the grassroots level in local communities like South Florida and at the national level where we are driving change in our laws and political arena to ensure all voices are heard and equality is secured."
For information, tickets and a complete list of events, visit www.winterparty.com..
Note to editors: Only authorized events listed on the Web site and in the free program guide are official Winter Party Festival programs. Media are urged to check that events are official before listing as part of the Winter Party. Only official Winter Party Festival events have a proven track record of giving back significant funds to the LGBT community nationally and locally.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is the first national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights organization and remains the community's uncompromising progressive voice. It fights for equality and justice by building grassroots power through training, advocacy, organizing and forward-thinking research and expertise. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation. Learn more at www.theTaskForce.org.
> Full Story. [1/26/10]
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