TV shows with gay characters could lose Florida tax credits
Television shows and films with gay characters could miss on tax credits in Florida for not being “family-friendly”. Lawmakers in the state have been coy over the meaning of the phrase “non-traditional family values”.
Barbara Walters regrets Ricky Martin gay interview
Veteran US broadcaster Barbara Walters has said that asking Ricky Martin to confirm whether he was gay was “inappropriate”. She now believes it could have damaged his career in the US.
DC gay couples begin marrying today
The first gay couples to marry in Washington DC held their ceremonies today. They were able to apply for marriage licences last Wednesday and, due to a mandatory waiting period, the first ceremonies were set to take place today.
Homophobic senator Roy Ashburn comes out as gay
The California senator who was arrested on suspicion of drink driving last week after leaving a gay club has come out. Roy Ashburn said he was gay on a local radio show yesterday.
Anti-gay senator arrested after visiting gay club
An anti-gay California senator was arrested last week on suspicion of drunk driving after visiting a gay bar. Roy Ashburn, who has a history of opposing gay rights, had been at a gay bar called Faces and had a man in his car when he was stopped.
US senators call to end gay blood ban
Seventeen Democrat senators and one independent have called to end America’s ban on gay men donating blood. The 1983 rule is “outdated, medically and scientifically unsound”, they argued in a letter to the Food and Drug Administration yesterday.
Anti-gay group wants killer whale stoned to death
An anti-gay religious group is calling for a killer whale which drowned its trainer to be stoned to death. According to the American Family Association, the Bible says that captive killer whale Tillikum should have been put to death in 1991 after the first time he killed a trainer.
US senators introduce bill to overturn gay military ban earlier than Obama planned
Following President Barack Obama’s call for the end of the United States’ ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ policy, banning gays in the military, senators are introducing legislation to repeal the current law or halt discharges of gays continuing to take place.
Mexico City’s new gay marriage prompts throngs of licences being granted
Scores of lesbian and gay couples have registered for marriage licences in Mexico City, the first place in Latin America to legalise gay marriage with the first ceremonies taking place in ten days.
Gay couples in DC begin applying to marry
Gay couples in Washington DC were expected to descend on the city hall today to apply for marriage licences after a same-sex marriage law came into power.
Lesbian love scenes for Desperate Housewives
US comedy Desperate Housewives is to get its first lesbian relationship. Highly-strung Katherine Mayfair will be seduced by her new flatmate after dreaming about sleeping with her.
John Perez sworn in as California Speaker
Openly gay California Assembleyman John Perez was sworn in as Speaker yesterday. He was unanimously elected as Speaker by a caucus of his Democratic colleagues in December and takes over from incumbent Karen Bass to hold one of the most powerful political positions in the state.
Last-ditch attempt to block gay marriage in DC
Gay marriage opponents have filed an appeal in the Supreme Court in an 11th hour attempt to block the district’s gay marriage law.
Marines chief says US military gay ban ‘is working’
The commandant of the Marine Corps said yesterday he did not agree with lifting the ban on gay US soldiers being open about their sexuality. General James Conway told a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing that he believed that the “current policy works”.
Beverly Hills denounces anti-gay beauty queen
The city of Beverly Hills has rejected Lauren Ashley, the beauty queen who said that God wanted gay people dead. Ms Ashley, a contestant in the Miss California pageant, claimed to hold the title of Miss Beverly Hills, but a statement from the city says there is no such role.
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