And The Awards Goes To....

The near capacity performance of “And The Award Goes To…” at the Alex Theatre celebrated Grammy, Oscar and, of course, TONY award-winning music as only the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles could.

A program worthy of touring the states, this one-of-a-kind show was a send-up of the awards-show as well as a salute to some of the best songs of the last 30 years from stage to screen. With their own list of nominated for Best Video moments, included "Girls will be Girls," "MSNBC's Keith Oberman," and "Tina Fey as Sarah Palin in Saturday Night Live" - And the Award went to .... Hairspray-creator Marc Shaiman's internet sensation “Prop 8 the Musical.”

Hosted by the incomparable Miss Coco Peru (drag icon, and star of films including Trick and Girls Will Be Girls), and the jewel in the evening crown was the incomparable talent of Tony Nominee and Broadway babe Valarie Pettiford (Fosse, The Wiz, Chicago).

The nearly 200 men who make up the GMCLA, not only vocally won the audiences hearts over, but also doubled as an impressive dance troupe worthy of The Great White Way. "Valarie Pettiford is simply one of the most powerful performers, she absolutely blew me away!" said Kate Linder (The Young & the Restless), while Broadway veteran and TV mom Ilene Graff remarked, "The Gay Mens Chorus of Los Angeles always put on a great show. You just know your going to be impressed and they never let you down." Channing Chase (AMC's MAD MEN), added "We had a great time. A very entertaining show! DJ Pick singing "It's Hard out here for a Pimp" was hilarious."

With an abundance of video elements, lavish costumes, and lots of dancing and spectacle; “And The Award Goes To…” began by lampooning the 'red carpet' culture with a pre-show red-carpet entrance, complete with “paparazzi,” fighting for that money shot; “faux celebrities” promoting non existent films and products; and, of course, “entertainment reporters” commenting on it all.

As the curtain goes up, the GMCLA launches into a salute to Academy Award winning songs like "Sooner or Later," "If I Didnt Have you," "Al otro lado del rio," “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “It's Hard out Here for a Pimp;” Grammy winning songs like "Fallin,"“Sown To Earth,"“Rehab,” and “Unforgettable;” and songs from Tony Award winning shows like “Avenue Q”, “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” and “Hairspray,”with "You Cant Stop The Beat," "Sunrise," "Not Wearing Underwear," "Favorite ONE," "Let's Make Love," and "Change the World.”

The evenings success was due in part to the amazing scenic design of Brite Ideas, Inc., and of course, the creative talents of their conductor/artistic director Bruce Mayhall, director Larry Todd Johnson, producer Chris Verdugo, choreographer Mark Chung, co-director/choreographer Christopher Graham, lighting designer Steve Young, costume designer Philip Hayman, production manager Brianne Perogla, pianist Nelson Kole, as well as executive producer Hywel Sims. And a very special note a praise to ASL Interpreter Jon Maher, whose skills not only serve a purpose but also entertain.

10 Animals Which Will Be Extinct Within Your Lifetime

Amur Leopard
Historially the Amur Leopard's range included the Amur River Basin and the mountains of northeast China and the Korean Peninsular, but today it is only found in one small area of far eastern Russia, and (possibly) Jilin Province in China. The main cause of the Amur Leopard's demise: Being hunted for its fur and for medicinal use. Declines in its traditional prey have caused the leopard to hunt domestic animal populations, causing it to be further hunted. Because population levels are so diminished, the gene pool is severely restricted, making it especially vulnerable. An additional threat is a proposed oil pipeline which would cut directly through their last remaining habitat.

Axolotl
The Axolotl, often called the 'Mexican walking fish' though it's really a salamander, is native to the ancient water channel system of Mexico City. It prefers deep brackish water with plenty of vegetation. The threats to the Axolotl's habitat date back the 17th century, when the city's water system began being neglected, drained and having sewage dumped in it. The main threat today is further degradation of this water system. Fortunately, the axolotl breeds well in captivity, perhaps allowing wild reintroduction at a later date, should its habitat be restored.

Black Rhino
Between 1970 and 1992, 96% of the Black Rhino population was killed for their horns, used in traditional Chinese medicine and for dagger handles in Yemen. At the low point of the poaching, 2,400 animals remained across all of sub-Saharan Africa. Since then conservation efforts have allowed populations to rebound slighting, to a bit more than 3,000 individuals. However the animal remains critically endangered, and only intensive and active protection from poaching, sometimes in fenced reserves, allows the animal to survive.

Chinese Alligator
The Chinese Alligator is one of the smallest crocodilians physically, and now thanks to habitat destruction due to conversion of wetlands to agriculture, it has one of the smallest wild populations as well: Less than 130 individuals remain. It's habitat used to extend throughout the Yangtze river system, but now this is confined to a small reserve. The only bright spot in the Chinese Alligator's saga is that it does breed well in captivity and there are tentative efforts to establish new reserves.

Red Wolf
It's strange to write that the good news about the Red Wolf is that there about 100 individuals left in the wild. That's good news because in 1980 the animal was declared extinct in the wild, after the last 17 red wolves were taken into captivity to breed them for reintroduction into remote regions of North Carolina. Historically the Red Wolf ranged throughout the southeast part of the United States, and perhaps at one point as far north as Maine. Historically, and currently, the primary threat to the Red Wolf is loss of habitat as land is converted from forest to agriculture.

Javan Rhino
Though the Javan Rhino used to be widespread in southeast Asia, it now lives in only one small area of Java. A very small population (10 individuals) of a subspecies, the Vietnamese Javan Rhino lives in the Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam. Historically the primary threat came from being hunted for its horn and body parts for medicinal use. Additional threats come from habitat loss from logging. The population of Javan Rhinos is so small that a diseases could easily wipe out the entire species.

Saiga Antelope
One of the world's most distinctive looking animals, the Saiga Antelope lives in dry steppes and semi-desert grasslands of Central Asia. It was well protected from poaching in the former Soviet Union, and populations were in the millions. Since the collapse of the Soviet empire management of the population has broken down, and poaching, habitat degradation due to over-grazing by sheep have caused steep drops in population. Since the average lifespan of the Saiga Antelope is only three or four years, if females don't mate every year (a possibility because males are poached at higher rates than females) then rapid declines in numbers can easily occur.


Siberian Tiger
The Siberian tiger is the largest of the six surviving subspecies of tiger, all of which are threatened. Very closely related to the Capsian Tiger (there is genetic research that indicates they may as well be the same species), its historic range spanned all of western and central Asia. The western populations went extinct over this range over the course of the 20th century as habitat loss and active persecution (particularly in the Caspian Sea region by the Soviets), and now the last remaining populations are confined to the Russian Far East. Habitat loss, hunting for skins and body parts for use in traditional medicine remain significant threats.

Silky Sifaka
Found only in northeastern Madagascar, the Silky Sifaka is one of the world's 25 most endangered primates, with reports of population levels being as low as 100 and as high as 1000 individuals. The main threats come from (you guessed it) habitat loss due to logging and conversion of land to agriculture. Hunting for food is also an issue, as the Silky Sifaka has no local taboo around it prohibiting it eating, unlike some other lemur species.

Sumatran Orangutan
Recently recognized as distinct from its cousins on the island of Borneo, the Sumatra Orangutan's habitat historically extended throughout southeast Asia. Today, however, it is confined to the island of Sumatra where it faces extreme pressures from habitat loss. In the past 20 years, 80% of its habitat as been eliminated by gold mining, logging and agriculture (primarily oil palm plantations). In the forest fires of 1997 and 1998, up to one-third of the population was killed. Though conservation programs exist, at current rates of decline it is thought that wild populations of the Sumatran Orangutan (as well as the Bornean Orangutan) could become extinct in the wild by 2010. Yes, as in next year.

Largest Solar Array by an Electric Cooperative to be Installed in New Mexico

Colfax County to be exact, and the array will include over 500,000 photovoltaic panels when it is finally operational and produce 30MW of solar electricity, reports MSNBC. Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association signed a contract with First Solar Inc to begin installing the system in April 2010.

Scientists Film Spread of HIV Between Cells for First Time - WATCH

A team of American scientists has filmed HIV spreading between two cells for the first time:

"The study was made possible after experts created a molecular clone of infectious HIV and inserted a protein into its genetic code which glows green when exposed to blue light. This allowed scientists to see the cells on digital video, and capture the way HIV-infected T-cells interact with uninfected ones. They noted that when an infected cell came into contact with a healthy one, a bridge was created between them, called a virological synapse. Researchers were then able to observe the fluorescent green viral particles moving towards the synapse and into the healthy cell. The US study has broken new ground by revealing that it is the synapse through which the viral proteins are gathered and moved into uninfected cells. The team, comprising scientists from UC Davis university in California, and Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, believe that this knowledge could help create new treatments for HIV and AIDS."

Gay Rights Achieve Victories in Delaware

The Delaware legislature delivered two victories for gay rights on Thursday, rejecting a proposed same-sex marriage ban and approving a bill to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation -- though not gender identity.

The senate voted 11-9 to reject a constitutional amendment that would have banned gay marriage in the state. The ban was viewed as overreaching, with the potential to affect future efforts to create civil unions in the state.In addition, the house voted 26-14 in favor of a bill that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing, employment, public works contracting, public accommodations, and insurance. The bill does not, however, prohibit discrimination based on gender identity.Similar nondiscrimination legislation has passed the house previously and died without a vote each time in the senate. A change in senate rules makes it more likely that the bill will come to a vote this year.

"Pride 2009"

In celebration of GLBTQ pride and the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, the birth of gay pride.

McCain's Chief Strategist Comes Out In Support Of Gay Marriage

Steve Schmidt, Sen. John McCain's chief strategist during the presidential campaign, said in a recent interview with the Washington Blade that he supports gay marriage.

"I'm personally supportive of [marriage] equality for gay couples and I believe that it will happen over time," he told the newspaper. "I think that more and more Americans are insistent that, at a minimum, gay couples should be treated with respect and when they see a political party trying to stigmatize a group of people who are hardworking, who play by the rules, who raise decent families, they're troubled by it."

Schmidt revealed that he voted against California's Proposition 8, a measure banning gay marriage that his boss at the time supported.

"It wasn't my place in the campaign to debate issues with him that he had a firm opinion on," Schmidt said. "But ... as a voter, I'm not carrying my candidate's proxy into the ballot box, I'm voting my conscience." He predicted that gay marriage would pass in the state by initiative withing a few years.

Schmidt also encouraged the Republican Party to reach out more to gay voters and to avoid using divisive social issues like gay marriage to rile up their base.

"I think the Republican Party should not be seen by a broad majority of the electorate as focused with singularity on issues like gay marriage," he said. "The attitudes of voters about gay marriage and about domestic partnership benefits for gay couples are changing very rapidly and for voters under the age of 30, they are completely disconnected from what has been Republican orthodoxy on these issues."

"Any campaign that would go out and try to demonize people on the basis of their sexual orientation," he added, "is abhorrent and I suspect that that campaign would be rejected."
During the campaign, Schmidt addressed the Log Cabin Republicans, calling them "an important part" of the Republican Party.

Schmidt isn't the only person in McCain's orbit to come out in support of marriage equality. The Senator's daughter Meghan told Larry King recently, "I believe in gay marriage."

Resolution Honoring Gay Men's Chorus Rejected in Missouri

A resolution honoring a men’s chorus in Missouri has been rejected by the state senate leadership because it mentions gay men and fighting homophobia, says its sponsor.

Democratic Senator Jolie Justus, of Kansas City, planned to present the courtesy resolution to the Heartland Men’s Chorus at a performance on Saturday.

Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields, a Republican, says he will not sign the resolution because some lawmakers might find the content too controversial.

Legislators approve hundreds of such courtesy resolutions each year, recognizing a variety of achievements.

Senator Justus refuses to rewrite the resolution and remove the gay references. She plans to provide the chorus with a certificate from her office.

Palin Snubs Legislative Critics In Stimulus Fight

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has angered lawmakers in her state -- Democratic and Republican -- for rejecting federal stimulus funds. This week, legislators announced that they would most likely go around the governor to get the money, while Palin aides backtracked and claimed she never refused the funds in the first place. Now the governor has backed out of a meeting with legislative critics that was meant to negotiate the conflict.

"We had a meeting scheduled with the governor today and her legislative liaison told us that she wasn't there and that we could meet with the staff," Gary Stevens, the state's Republican Senate President, said at a press conference Thursday. "We're here, we're available, and unfortunately she is not."

"We need better communications with her, that's all we're asking for ... It is really unfair for us not to know what might be off the table," Stevens added.

Palin claimed in a statement that she was scheduled to meet with the lawmakers by phone, but they "cancelled the meeting to host their own press conference." Legislative staff told the Anchorage Daily News that the governor only offered to speak by phone at the last minute.

Legislative staff said that Jerry Gallagher, the governor's legislative director, had told them Wednesday that Palin wouldn't even participate by phone. Gallagher contacted them again late Thursday morning and said Palin was available by phone but by that point the meeting had been canceled and it was too late, according to the speaker's office.

The lawmakers turned down the offer to meet with Palin aides instead, Stevens said, because the governor's staff "often has trouble answering questions."

"We need answers and we need to talk to the person who can tell us yes or no," said House Speaker Mike Chenault, a Nikiski Republican.

Catholic Churches Sign Up to Administer 'Gay Test'

The Vatican — arguably the most out of touch religious leadership in the world — strongly urges Catholic Churches to test wannabe preachers on their sexuality.

Well, testing for "being gay" is not as scientific as it sounds. Because we wouldn't want the Pope to do something rash and start believing in science. Which explains why the mere "appearance" of being gay is justification enough to keep creepy guys who commit to Jesus out of the church. And remember, even celibate gays aren't allowed! Score one for repression — from a church who knows a thing or two about how to violate its parishioners.

The Vatican's directive about banning gay priests, called the "Guidelines for the Use of Psychology in the Admission and Formation of Candidates for the Priesthood," was proposed last year in a pitiful attempt at dodging criticism for the sex abuse scandals. It's also a significant step toward cementing Catholicisim's homophobia; the church used to tolerate gay priests so long as they were "non-practicing" homosexuals. Now, any gay is banned.

And at least one diocese has signed on to the testing, in a weak ploy to weed out potential batty men.

The Melbourne Catholic Church has embraced a Vatican recommendation to test potential priests for sexual orientation.

Under the guidelines, potential priests who "appear" to be gay must be banned.
The head of the Vatican committee that made the recommendations has made it clear celibate gays should also be banned because homosexuality is ‘‘a type of deviation’’.

Archdiocese of Melbourne spokesman James O’Farrell confirmed Carlton’s Corpus Christi Catholic seminary had started adhering to the guidelines, but refused to comment further.

Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby spokeswoman Hayley Conway said the church was sending a ‘‘dangerous and offensive’’ message about sexuality.

‘‘They seem to be moving backwards in a lot of ways which is really unfortunate . . . especially for those who are Catholic and out, and there are a lot of them already struggling,’’ she said. [Herald Sun]

And in the biggest exercise of irony, the Vatican recommends "that the people who do the testing should have 'solid human and spiritual maturity' and a 'Christian concept of the human person, sexuality, the priestly vocation and celibacy,'" notes activist Peter Tatchell. "In other words, conformity to homophobic Catholic doctrine takes precedence over professional qualifications."

HRC: Only Trans-Inclusive ENDA Will Do

The Human Rights Campaign adopted a policy statement on Wednesday that says the group will not support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act if it excludes protections for transgender individuals. The statement was approved by the HRC board of directors in Washington, D.C.

“It’s the policy of HRC that the organization will only support an inclusive ENDA,” says the statement. It calls the organization’s previous decision to support an ENDA without transgender protections a “one-time exception.”

HRC received heavy criticism in 2007 when it opted to support a version of ENDA that only included protections for sexual orientation, and not gender identity. Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives at the time said they did not have the votes to pass a trans-inclusive ENDA.

“We will not support such a strategy again,” says the statement. “We look forward to Congress sending President Obama a fully inclusive ENDA for his signature.”

ENDA passed the House without transgender protections in 2007, but the Senate failed to vote on it. No vote or debate on the measure is scheduled yet this year.

Hawaii Falls Short on Votes

"The vote on the legislative maneuver fell three short of the nine required for a full Senate vote. About 18 of the 25 senators had indicated they support civil unions, but they lacked the political willpower to go against Senate President Colleen Hanabusa and most of her leadership team, which opposed the effort.

Hanabusa has supported civil unions but said she didn't want to override the normal lawmaking process by lifting the bill from its committee, where it had stalled on a tie vote.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Brian Taniguchi said there was still hope that the bill could be amended and revived, but that probably wouldn't happen until next year.

Dennis Arakaki, executive director of the Hawaii Family Forum, applauded the result.
"It affirms the will of the people," he said. "Senators realized the impact of this issue. They may have been looking for rationale of how they could either avoid the issue or put it to bed."

Delware Moves to Ban Gay Marriage

Thirty states have a constitutional amendment on the books defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. If some folks in Delaware have their way, it'll soon be 31.
While Delaware's constitution doesn't say it, state law defines marriage as an opposite-sex only coupling. And gay couples aren't even entitled to second-class civil union status there. Which makes efforts by some legislators to get the State Assembly and Senate to amend the constitution a frightening scenario.

And it's underway right now.

It's Senate Bill 27, being debated today, which would amend the Delaware constitution to declare only marriages between one woman and one man be legal — and the only marriages that would be recognized in Delaware, meaning a a gay coupled legally married in Connecticut would have no status if they drove a few hours south.

But there's also hope for good gay news. In the State Assembly today, the House Administration Committee is looking at House Bill 5, which seeks to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in housing, employment, public works contracting, public accommodations, and insurance.

But as Delaware's News-Journal explains, "Laurel Democrat Sen. Robert L. Venables Sr. faces a more difficult battle getting his SB 27 through both chambers. As a constitutional amendment, it requires a three-fifths vote in both chambers, not only this session but in the legislative session that begins in January 2011."

Bloomberg Pushes for N.Y. Marriage-Equality

New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg urged state legislators to pass a bill legalizing same-sex marriage on Wednesday night, citing increased support for marriage equality in his appeal for lawmakers to “do the right thing.”

“I think you see that the tide is turning, that support is mounting,” Bloomberg said to more than 300 people gathered at the annual dinner of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center in Manhattan. “It’s still not going to be easy. There are people who don’t agree, but it’s incumbent on all of us to explain to people that this really is a basic right that people should have, and I think that it’s time for Albany to set politics aside and do the right thing, and pass the gay marriage bill.”

Bloomberg congratulated U.S. senator Chuck Schumer, who did not attend the dinner, for becoming the latest example of the changing climate. Senator Schumer announced his support for same-sex marriage on Sunday, taking the position already held by all other statewide officials in New York. In doing so, he became the 10th U.S. senator to support marriage equality.

The mayor promised to testify for marriage equality in the state capital with lesbian New York City Council speaker Christine Quinn -- who joined him at the dinner -- and to do “whatever it takes to put the pressure on.”

Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith has acknowledged that he does not have the votes to pass the marriage-equality bill in his chamber at this time. The assembly passed the same-sex marriage bill in 2007, but it stalled in the senate, which was then controlled by Republicans. Democrats now control both houses of the legislature.

Bloomberg remained confident, if uncommitted to a timeline. “Make no mistake, the time will come, I think in the nearer term and in the further out, and we will pass this bill,” he said.

Vermont' GOP governor says he'll veto gay marriage

Gov. Jim Douglas said Wednesday he will veto a gay-marriage proposal if it passes the Legislature, the first time he has signaled such an intent before final legislative action on a bill.

Speaking at an afternoon news conference, the Republican governor said that he thought Vermont's first-in-the-nation civil unions law, passed in 2000, provided sufficient rights to same-sex couples and that he believed "marriage should remain between a man and woman."

"For those reasons and because I believe that by removing any uncertainty about my position we can move more quickly beyond this debate, I am announcing that I intend to veto this legislation when it reaches my desk," he proclaimed.

N.H. House Narrowly Passes Marriage

The New Hampshire House passed a bill on Thursday to legalize same-sex marriage. The 186-179 vote sends the vote to the senate.

According to the Union Leader, the first attempt to pass the bill fell one vote short, but opponents were unable to kill it. After reconsideration, the house passed the measure.

Child Abuse?

Schumer announces support for same-sex marriage

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) has become the highest-ranking US Senator to support full marriage rights for same-sex couples.

Schumer, who previously said he supported civil unions but not marriage, changed his position following a meeting Sunday night in Manhattan with a group of New York state elected officials and Empire State Pride Agenda, the largest LGBT rights group in the state.

The meeting was held at Schumer’s request.

The Senator also said he supports repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars the federal government from offering any recognition of same-sex relationships.

“It’s time. Equality is something that has always been a hallmark of America and no group should be deprived of it. New York, which has always been at the forefront on issues of equality, is appropriately poised to take a lead on this issue,” Schumer said in a statement following the meeting.

“I want to thank Sen. Schumer for his support of marriage equality and the repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act,” said Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle.

“Like a majority of New Yorkers, Sen. Schumer recognizes that only marriage equality provides same sex couples the status, protections and rights afforded to all other Americans. We look forward to working with him to win marriage equality in New York State and around the country.”

Schumer is Vice Chair of the U.S. Senate’s Democratic Conference. To date, he is the highest ranking member of the Senate to endorse marriage equality.

Among other topics discussed at the meeting were continued HIV and Ryan White Care Act funding, appointment of openly LGBT people to the federal bench, special issues facing LGBT youth and seniors, the U.S. Census, and passage of a transgender-inclusive Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) and hate crimes legislation.

New York’s other senator, Kirsten Gillibrand (D) announced her support for same-sex marriage when her appointment to the Senate, replacing Hillary Clinton, was made by Gov. Paterson.
Legislation to legalize same-sex marriage is expected to be taken up by the New York State Assembly again this year. A bill passed in the last session, but was stonewalled in the state Senate.

A bill to repeal DOMA will be introduced in Congress. Should it pass, President Obama has said he would sign it.

Vermont Senate passes same-sex marriage bill

The Vermont Senate passed legislation Monday that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state. The bill passed 26-4.

It now moves to the House where supporters believe it is likely to be approved. But whether Vermont Gov. James Douglas (R) will sign it is unknown.

The measure would replace Vermont’s first-in-the-nation civil unions law with one that allows marriage of same-sex partners beginning Sept. 1. Civil unions, which confer some rights similar to marriage, would still be recognized but no longer granted after Sept. 1.

House Speaker Shap Smith (D) said he expects the bill to be approved, but by a narrow margin.
Gov. Douglas chastised the legislature for spending time on the bill when it should be focused on the economy and has said that he believes the civil union law is sufficient for same-sex couples. He has not said, however, if he intends to veto it.

If Douglas were to nix the bill, it is unclear if there are enough votes to override a veto.

7 Terrifying Global Warming Pictures

7 of the most terrifying photographic depictions of global warming around—because it could do us all a little good to get just a little nervous from time to time. Just to inspire us to work that much harder to avoid a potentially disastrous fate. After all, climate change really is some scary stuff.

Let's kick things off with one of the foremost symbols of global warming's frightening advance—the polar bear and its shrinking habitat. It's terrifying because the polar bear and its imperiled ecosystem give us a visible model by which to gauge the tangible impact of climate change. No charts or graphs here; just an ominous reminder that the polar bear's habitat is literally floating away. And that ours will follow suit.


Thanks to growing marine dead zones that are caused by global warming, there's been a huge spike in dead sea life in recent years--and it often washes up on shore, providing us with an unsubtle reminder.

Hurricane Season. This horrifying scene is growing all too common: we can expect more and more hurricanes as climate change advances, especially in the Atlantic. This single grainy photo (which makes it even more difficult to look at) embodies some of the most palpable terrors of global warming--it could literally be responsible for destroying our homes.


Glacier in Patagonia, Argentina 1928. Glacier in Patagonia, Argentina 2004. 76 years of climate change. Then, and now. Scary.

Hurricanes aren't the only severe weather conditions that global warming stirs up—massive dust clouds like this one are becoming more frequent, and more violent, in regions like Southern Africa.



Here's a huge waterfall spouting from the ice edge of Brasvell Glacier. No, glaciers in the Arctic aren't supposed to do that. Glacial waterfalls like this one have been erupting with alarming frequency in Arctic regions--and is as good an image as any to wrap this slide show with. After all, when centuries-old chunks of ice start melting in the Arctic, it's hard to deny we've got ourselves one hell of a problem.

eHarmony Suddenly a Proud Sponsor of World's Most Famous Lesbian Couple

Remember when people-matching website eHarmony.com refused to accept gay applicants? And they blamed it on not having a proper psychological algorithm for it (and not because they were homophobic)? And competitor Chemistry.com had a whole ad campaign to point that out? And the policy even got them sued? No longer! Because not only does eHarmony now want you to find your same-sex life partner, it's a sponsor of Ellen DeGeneres' daytime talk show. And what, pray tell, are they sponsoring? None other than "The Newlywed Game," where a straight couple faced off against none other than Ellen and wife Portia de Rossi on today's program.

EU Approves Extension of LGBT Rights

"A report recommending the extension of protection against LGBT discrimination has been approved by the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee. Currently, provisions only apply to discrimination on sexual orientation, age, disability or religion in the workplace. The extension on legal protection will apply to areas such as healthcare and commercial services…The European Parliament plenary session vote is due on April 2nd."

Judge Judy Up in Arms on Prop. 8

Judge Judy Sheindlin appeared on Larry King Live Wednesday night to talk about a variety of topics – including Prop. 8.

Sheindlin told King that with all of the many problems America is currently facing, marriage between two people “who love each other” shouldn’t be of concern. She says poverty, the AIG bonuses and the war in Iraq are issues that should be of concern to Americans.

She added that President Obama should be particularly sensitive to issues facing gay couples because "there was a time that members of his race couldn't marry members of another race. You wouldn't tolerate that today."

[okay, okay... it is just Judge Judy... but it still counts!]

“You Owe The American People Every Penny Of Your Fortune And Your Family's Fortune"

Suze Orman sounds off on George Bush and blames the ex-president for the financial crisis:

Sitting in a green room after her TV interviews, she lambasts everyone from Alan Greenspan to Larry Summers to the former president of the United States, who holds an especially dark place in her heart. "Commander in Chief?" she says of George W. Bush, with a mix of disbelief and scorn. "You blew up every single financial vessel we had and if you think you aren't personally responsible, well, the blame starts at the top. There is no higher top than you, SIR! If I were you, I would feel so absolutely horrific that I would take every penny I had and distribute it to anybody and everybody to help them in whatever way I could. You owe the American people every penny of your fortune and your family's fortune."

By The Numbers: Marriage Laws

1,138 — The number of laws identified by the federal government where marriage status is relevant.

GMCLA 'Proud Mary'

The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles has captured the spirit of a Tina Turner stage show in this impressive performance of "Proud Mary," which features costumes, choreography, and fierce trannies.

Their next concert is Saturday March 28 and Sunday March 29 in Los Angeles. http://www.gmcla.org/ for information and tickets.

New Charges Filed Against Mormon Church

The California group that in November charged the Mormon Church with failing to report the full extent of its financial involvement in Proposition 8 added to its complaint on Thursday. Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate filed charges with the California Fair Political Practices Commission accusing the church of creating the National Organization for Marriage as a front group for its efforts in the state, and failing to report the costs as required by law.

The National Organization for Marriage was one of the leading political actions committees in the successful campaign to ban gay marriage. Supporters of the ban raised more than $40 million.
Karger based his new charges on memos leaked by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that show similarities between the battle in California and a campaign fought against gay marriage in Hawaii in the 1990s.

The amended complaint also charges that LDS underreported non-monetary contributions to the Prop 8 campaign such as compensated staff time for church officials and TV and Web commercial production.

A spokesman for LDS denied the charges to the Salt Lake Tribune.

The California Fair Political Practices Commission Continues its investigation.

Presbyterians Vote on Gay Clergy

Two million Presbyterian followers are grappling for a third time in as many decades with whether to allow openly gay clergy in relationships to serve.

The Presbyterian Church has 10,000 congregations broken down into 173 presbyteries (regional groups of churches) across the country. According to the Contra Costa Times, of the 114 presbyteries that have voted so far, 73 have rejected the proposal.

However, 19 of the presbyteries that voted against the change in the previous vote now support including gay clergy. Several presbyteries in more liberal parts of the country have yet to cast their votes.

Currently, only Presbyterian clergy in heterosexual marriages may opt not to stay celibate.

Vermont Votes: Gay Marriage En Route

Following Wednesday's townhall meeting, Vermont's five-member Senate Judiciary Committee is today expected to vote on whether the gay marriage bill before it should go to a full Senate vote.

Update: The bill passes, 5-0.

The bill was expected to pass; three members helped enact Vermont's civil unions law, one junior member co-sponsored the gay marriage bill, and one member voted against the civil unions measure. And even better news comes from Gov. Jim Douglas, who's said he opposed full gay marriage rights, but now laments, "Since they seem intent on doing this, I think the better approach is to get it over with quickly."


Constitutional Ban on Gay Marriage Introduced in Minnesota

"Rep. Dan Severson (R-Sauk Rapids) introduced a bill this week to amend the Minnesota constitution so that marriage between a man and a woman is the only legally recognized domestic union in the state… Earlier this year, Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville), introduced a bill providing for gender-neutral marriage laws."


NH Committee Splits Marriage Vote

"The New Hampshire House Judiciary Committee has split a vote on gay marriage. The vote means no recommendation will be made to the full House when the bill goes to the floor.

Gay marriage gets recognition - in the dictionary

Same-sex marriage might not be recognized in most states, but it is in the dictionary.

Merriam-Webster has changed the definition of the word "marriage" to include same-sex marriage. The passage reads: "the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage." This is just one small step in the lexicon contributing to a giant leap towards equality.

Merriam-Webster included a secondary definition of marriage to recognize same-sex relationships several years before gay couples were allowed to tie the knot anywhere in the United States, but the change had gone largely unnoticed until the conservative World Net Daily news site reported it Tuesday.

“One of the nation’s most prominent dictionary companies has resolved the argument over whether the term ‘marriage’ should apply to same-sex duos or be reserved for the institution that has held families together for millennia: by simply writing a new definition,” World Net wrote in an online story published Tuesday.

In its Web and print editions, Merriam-Webster defines marriage as “the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law.”

But in a nod to evolving ideas of love and English usage, the Springfield, Mass.-based company in 2003 added a secondary meaning for “marriage” as “the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage.”

Merriam-Webster said in a statement Wednesday that the edited entry merely reflected the frequency with which the term “same-sex marriage” had popped up in print and become part of the general lexicon.

“Its inclusion was a simple matter of providing dictionary users with accurate information about all of the word’s current uses,” the company said, adding that it was surprised by the recent attention because it was “neither news nor unusual.”

“We were one of the last ones among the major dictionary publishers to do this,” said Merriam-Webster spokesman Arthur Bicknell.

Boston-based Houghton-Mifflin, publisher of the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, modified its definition of marriage in 2000, adding a fourth example to the entry: “A union between two persons having the customary but usually not the legal force of marriage: a same-sex marriage.”

The Oxford English Dictionary this month added in a draft version that the term sometimes refers to “long-term relationships between partners of the same sex.” Its editors also have proposed updating the primary sense of the word to mean “the condition of being a husband or wife; the relation between persons married to each other; matrimony.”

The dictionary’s main entry for marriage, last updated in 1989, reads, “The condition of being a husband or wife; the relation between married persons; spousehood, wedlock.”

LGBT youth to march Sunday in LA

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered youth and their supporters will march for marriage equality and to raise awareness of “homophobia, discrimination, abuse and forced homelessness of queer youth,” organizers said in a news release.

“Queer youth still are being thrown out of their house and forced on the streets to a life of substance abuse and survival sex, coupled with high rates of suicide,” Dahlia Ferlito, an event advisor, said in a news release.

“We want the state to know that this still exists.”

Among the event’s speakers are local gay activist Cleve Jones and Robin Tyler with the Equality Campaign.

The march starts at noon on Sunday at College and Spring Street in LA’s Chinatown and ends in front of City Hall.

“I really want to show the community that young people not only care and are affected by issues such as racism, homophobia/transphobia and healthcare, but they want their voices to be heard,” Ariel Bustamente-Lupton, 16, one of the organizers of Youth Toda, said in a news release.

“This is about our nation’s future being proactive in the present.”

For more information on the walk, billed as “For Youth by Youth” see their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=53764190884.

The Days of Oil are Far From Over, Says Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporting country, has just issued a warning against a "premature shift" to renewable energy.

Seriously, Saudi Arabia's Oil Minister gave a speech at the Energy Pact Conference saying that oil, natural gas, and coal must remain the energy "workhorses" for many decades to come—and that investing in alternative energy too early could lower levels of investment in fossil fuels and ruin the global energy economy.

HIV in D.C. Reaches Crisis Rates

The HIV transmission rate in the nation's capital is as high as that of Uganda and parts of Kenya, where the virus is at epidemic levels.

About 3,000 people in every 100,000 Washington, D.C., residents are HIV-positive, according to a report released Monday by Mayor Adrian Fenty. The D.C. department of health's HIV/AIDS administration director Shannon Hader told The Washington Post that these levels are the highest in the nation, and higher than parts of West Africa, "where the disease is considered to be a crisis."

The count shows a 22% increase since 2006, bringing the total number of Washington, D.C., residents with the virus to 15,120 people.