New Study} No Adverse Reaction In Offering Domestic Partner Benefits

An Evaluation of Local Laws Requiring Government Contractors to Offer Equal Benefits to Domestic Partners

By Christy Mallory, Brad Sears
 

Local ordinances that require city and county contractors to offer domestic partner benefits such as health insurance coverage have no adverse economic or other impact on the governments, the contractors or the economy as a whole. In fact, research shows that there are actually economic benefits associated with passing what is known as an equal benefits ordinance (EBO). This study evaluated data from 16 of the 17 localities with EBOs and found almost no resistance from contractors, almost no enforcement costs and no other adverse effects. The ordinances simply require that any benefits a local contractor provides to spouses of employees also be provided to domestic partners.

Several localities have explicitly passed EBOs because of the economic benefits associated with offering domestic partner benefits, which can be passed along from private businesses to local governments through the contracting process.   Research also shows that having LGBT-friendly laws, like EBOs, can give states and cities an edge in attracting businesses because they tend to draw highly-skilled and educated residents to the area. Survey responses also indicated that the laws are not burdensome or costly for the agencies to implement and enforce. The localities also estimated that the EBOs resulted in little increase in contracting costs compared to their overall budgets.

Click here for the press release.

Click here for the full study.

Ben Cohen Stands Against Homophobia & Bullying in Ireland

 Rugby star joins politicians and activists at launch of 2012 anti-bullying campaign

  BY CALUM ROSS

      Rugby champion and straight ally to the gay community Ben Cohen joined a host of international sporting stars, activists and politicians at the launch of Ireland's annual Stand Up! Awareness Week on Homophobic Bullying last night in Dublin City Hall.

Organised by BeLonG To Youth Services and supported by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, the launch also featured the premiere showing of the new interactive Stand Up! advert.

Speaking at the event, Cohen said: 'I am delighted to be in Ireland supporting BeLonG To's world-class work to combat homophobic bullying of young people. This bullying can have devastating effects on young people's health and we just can't tolerate it anymore.

'All young people should be able to be themselves, whether it's in school, on the sports pitch, or at home. I urge everyone in Ireland to Stand Up! against homophobic bullying and to support BeLonG To's work, which in global terms, is leading the way in innovation and impact, making sure that LGBT young people are safe and supported.'

Cohen was joined by Ruairí Quinn TD, Minister for Education and Skills and Donal Óg Cusack, Cork Hurling Captain at the event.

Quinn said of the campaign: ' I urge all post-primary school to participate in Stand Up! next week. Homophobic bullying can have very serious affects on young people's health and education.'

Now in its third year, the 2012 Stand Up! campaign will see nearly 2,000 secondary schools and youth organizations across Ireland receive educational packs containing information on anti-gay bullying for teachers, a DVD, posters and discussion guides which aim to help raise awareness of homophobia and promote tolerance.

Stand Up! Awareness Week on Homophobic Bullying runs from 5 -11 March.

Gaystarnews.com

How To Look Like You Are Not Hung Over

   

It's the morning after and the world won't stop spinning. You 

stumble to the bathroom, your head pounding and your mouth dry, and take a look in the mirror ... only to find the Crypt Keeper staring back at you.

Read: Is This A Hangover Cure In A Can?

We've all been there: Waking up from a crazy party or pulling an all-nighter for an exam, and looking like complete s**t before having to morph into some semblance of a responsible human being and head out into the world.

So how do you do it without looking like the living dead? Lucky for us LifeHacker has put together some tips. Here are a few to get you started:

Take A Shower: Sure it sounds obvious, but the power of a good shower should not be underestimated. Not only does it scrub you free of whatever filth you encountered or wallowed in the night before, but it will also give you a good kick in the pants to snap you out of your daze.

Read: 'Blowfish' Pill Cures Hangover in 15 Minutes

Puffy Eyes: Apply a cold compress to your eyes for 10 minutes to reduce the swelling. Don't have an ice pack? Get creative by using cucumber slices or the backs of the hands of that dude passed out on your floor.

Prevention: The night before, no matter what craziness you're getting into, make sure to drink plenty of water. That should help many of the symptoms of dryness and puffiness the following morning.

Need more ways to help you make it through the next day? Head to LifeHacker.com

Another Infant Died Contracted Herpes via Circumcision

 

A two-week old infant died last fall in a Brooklyn hospital from herpes contracted from a religious circumcision. According to the Daily News, the unidentified infant died last September at Maimonides Hospital—the cause of death was listed as “disseminated herpes simplex virus Type 1, complicating ritual circumcision with oral suction.” The case sounds eerily similar to that of Rabbi Yitzchok Fischer, a Rockland County mohel who was found to have given three babies herpes through the ritual.

Fisher specialized in the ultra-Orthodox ritual known as metzizah b’ peh, in which a rabbi or mohel removes blood from the wound with his mouth. One of those three babies infected with herpes by Fisher died, and the city Health Department filed a restraining order stopping Fisher from performing the procedure. But the city ultimately caved and handed the matter over onto a Jewish religious court.

Last year, a Queens toddler who went into Beth Israel Hospital for a routine circumcision died after he was given a general anesthetic instead of a local one. There has also been an active intactivist movement working in San Francisco, who believe in the right of baby boys to keep their foreskins intact. The last we heard of them, their reach may have exceeded their grasp: the group was roundly criticized for a series of online comic books featuring "Foreskin Man" fighting the "Monster Mohel,"which many called anti-Semitic.
http://gothamist.com

Dahmer Walking Tour 'Evil'

  

MILWAUKEE (The sister of one of Jeffrey Dahmer's 17 victims joined others in protesting a Milwaukee walking tour of the serial killer's haunts Saturday, calling out to tour organizers that they were "just as evil" as Dahmer himself.

Janie Hagen's brother, 25-year-old Richard Guerrero, disappeared in 1988 and was one of the first young men Dahmer is known to have murdered. On Saturday, Hagen criticized the new walking tour as merely an attempt to make money by turning her brother's murder into macabre entertainment.

"This whole thing opens up a lot of old wounds, a lot of painful memories," Hagen said while holding a sign calling tour-organizer Bam Media and Marketing heartless. "It's that same hurt all over again."

The new walking tour of places where Dahmer trolled for victims drew attention this week after criticism prompted online deal-maker Groupon to take down a promotion for discounted tickets. But Bam Media said it would not cancel what it calls a legitimate exploration of criminal history.

Hagen was one of about 20 protesters who followed the first small tour group of four customers Saturday. The protesters chanted, "Stop the tour," but generally kept their distance.

Tour guide Nicholas Vollmann wasn't dissuaded. He led the group up and down the street for about an hour, stopping at buildings that used to house the gay bars where Dahmer cruised for his victims. Reading from notecards, he named the victims whom Dahmer met at each place, detailed their sexual activity and described how Dahmer killed and disposed of the victims.

Afterward he said sympathized with the protesters, but believed the tours would go on.

"The protests are not likely to continue," he said.

Dahmer, a chocolate factory worker, spent years frequenting Milwaukee-area gay bars. He was arrested in 1991 and admitted killing 17 young men, some of whom he mutilated and cannibalized. He was serving life prison sentences when a fellow inmate beat him to death in 1994.

The apartment building where Dahmer stored body parts eventually was razed. The area now sits in the middle of a revitalized section of Milwaukee, with new restaurants and bars in remodeled buildings that once housed the bars where Dahmer went.

A number of police cars drove past Saturday as the tour group and protesters crossed paths. The two sides generally avoided conversation, except for occasional protesters calling on the tour group to desist.

"You're just as evil as he was!" Hagen shouted. "You're putting Milwaukee to shame!"

One protester held a sign that said, "You may not care but we do."

Several tour participants said they found the experience interesting and educational. One sightseer who identified himself as Paul Smith, 26, of Waukesha, said there's a difference between hearing about a serial killer and seeing firsthand where he actually stalked his victims.

"You look at it now and it's all these nice buildings," he said. "You really wouldn't think all these horrific things happened here."

___

Dinesh Ramde can be reached at dramde(at)ap.org.

Soccer Players Doing Dirty laundry } Video

   

Andrew Christian is responsible for this video :) It needs no introduction just eyes, ears and a mouth..to laugh. adamfoxie*

Thank u YouTube

England } Clash Between Catholic Church and Gay Marriage

The new clash between the Coalition and the Catholic Church comes as the Church of England also appears increasingly split over the issue of gay rights Photo: David Cheskin/PA

By Patrick Hennessy and Edward Malnick 

Cardinal Keith O’Brien, the leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, says the proposals to allow same-sex unions are “madness” and a “grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right”.

The cardinal’s intervention, in an article for The Sunday Telegraph, is the strongest criticism yet from any church figure of the plans, which are due to be unveiled this month by Lynne Featherstone, the equalities minister.

He accuses ministers of trying to “redefine reality” and change long-standing laws and traditions “at the behest of a small minority of activists”.

The cardinal has added his voice to those of leading figures in the Coalition for Marriage, a group of bishops, politicians and lawyers opposed to the changes. The group’s supporters include Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury.

The group is in outright opposition to Mr Cameron, who hopes to make legislation changing the legal definition of marriage to include same-sex couples, expected by 2015, one of the central achievements of his time in office. 

Mrs Featherstone is to launch a consultation on how the changes will come about this month. Despite opposition from some sections of his party, the Prime Minister has personally associated himself with the proposals.

Mr Cameron told last year’s Tory conference in Manchester: “I don’t support gay marriage in spite of being a Conservative. I support gay marriage because I am a Conservative.” Last week his spokesman said he was “passionate” about the issue.

Cardinal O’Brien, the only British Catholic to be part of the College of Cardinals, the body which elects popes, accuses ministers of showing “intolerance” and coming up with plans that would “shame the United Kingdom in the eyes of the world”.

The new clash between the Coalition and the Catholic Church comes as the Church of England also appears increasingly split over the issue of gay rights.

A new proposal for a deal that would effectively prevent openly gay clergy from becoming bishops is on the brink of failure despite the personal endorsement of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

The proposed agreement, known as the Anglican Covenant, has been rejected by 13 dioceses so far, with only eight backing it.

Defeat would, it was said, be a “devastating” blow to Dr Williams. The Covenant needs the approval of a majority of dioceses for a vote at the General Synod.

The Government, meanwhile, faces a Commons rebellion of scores of Conservative MPs over its gay marriage proposals. Some Tory ministers are among those opposed. Any vote is many months away, however, and Labour would be almost certain to back the move.

The legislation would apply only in England and Wales. However, Scottish MPs would be able to vote on the plans – a fact which has helped provoke Cardinal O’Brien’s intervention today.

He writes: “Since all the legal rights of marriage are already available to homosexual couples, it is clear that this proposal is not about rights, but rather is an attempt to redefine marriage for the whole of society at the behest of a small minority of activists.

“Same-sex marriage would eliminate entirely in law the basic idea of a mother and a father for every child. It would create a society which deliberately chooses to deprive a child of either a mother or a father.”

Ministers have assured church groups they will not be forced to accept same-sex marriages – a pledge which does not impress the cardinal. He writes: “Imagine for a moment that the Government had decided to legalise slavery but assured us that 'No one will be forced to keep a slave.’

“Would such worthless assurances calm our fury? Would they justify dismantling a fundamental human right?”

Campaigners say the state has no right to change the definition of marriage according to most Christian thinking – a definition which is enshrined in laws dating back almost 800 years.

Mrs Featherstone, however, has argued that marriage is “owned by the people” and that governments have a duty to change laws to bolster the “underlying principles of family, society and personal freedoms”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

Is Rush Limbaugh Gay?

Today, a very insincere apology from Rush Limbaugh to Sandra Flake. Limbaugh apologized for the insults saying he “did not intend a personal attack on her.” Really. How can calling someone a slut and a prostitute not be intended to be a personal attack? How else can you characterize actions? Limbaugh must thing we are stupid. Only his fans will believe his sincerity and it is likely that he will be playing the victim on his next show

                                                 

                                                                       

Opinion
by Gary Wamsley

berthoudrecorder.com

We all know that Rush Limbaugh, that strident voice of the right, is a hate monger. What we have to wonder is why is he expending so much energy on denigrating Georgetown University law student, Sandra Fluke. One wag suggested that his ratings were falling and he need to do something outlandish to bring attention to himself. That certainly is plausible, but why Ms. Fluke. Apparently, she has been perceived as a dire threat to the Republican Party. Who knew that they were so weak and vulnerable?

Let me say up front that I have daughters and that I would be proud of them being brave enough to take a stand for what they believe in. If I were Sandra Fluke’s father I would be proud of her and I would be knocking on Mr. Limbaugh’s door to tell him what I thought of him. Coward that he is, he probably would not answer the door.

Limbaugh is obviously a bully, always choosing to pick on those who are least able to defend themselves and he often makes fun of people with disabilities or incurable diseases. Limbaugh apparently has two incurable conditions himself. The first is a pilonidal cyst that conveniently got him a draft deferment; though he now claims he never had a cyst.

That brings up the other incurable condition, the inability to tell the truth.

In Ms. Fluke’s case, he has completely fabricated statements. I watched the interview. While Ms. Fluke’s did say that she was qualified to speak to the forum because she was a woman who used contraceptives, there is no mention in her testimony about why she uses the medicine. She went on to talk about how women she knew need the prescription as a treatment for a medical condition, Limbaugh’s statements about sex are pure fabrication.

Limbaugh called Ms. Fluke a prostitute. A prostitute is also defined as someone who is devoted to corrupt or unworthy purposes, especially for money. I understand that Limbaugh gets paid $45 million per year to tell his lies. By that definition, Rush Limbaugh is a prostitute.

In addition to lying about what Ms. Fluke actually said, Limbaugh has shown his own ignorance about birth control by saying that coeds are having so much sex that they can’t afford enough birth control. In reality, no method of hormonal  birth control has costs based on how often one engages in sex. Mr. Limbaugh apparently flunked biology class and does not have a basic understanding of female anatomy. Perhaps he is not interested in women’s anatomy.

Limbaugh’s past actions have also earned him the label of being a racist. He even lost his position at ESPN for remarks about an African-American quarterback. Other racist remarks over the years have served to reinforce that image

We have a cowardly, hate-mongering, bigoted, misogynist liar as the spokesperson for the evangelical right of American Politics. One has to wonder if they are proud of this. The answer is apparently, yes.

The current crop of Republican presidential candidates, by not condemning Limbaugh for his comments,  have shown themselves to be cowards. They want us to think that they are decent and honest men, yet they won’t take a stand. Apparently they are afraid of Limbaugh. Is that what we want in the White House, a coward who takes his marching orders from Rush Limbaugh and Grover Norquist. An example of the cowardice, when asked about Limbaugh’s tirades, Mitt Romney said.” it’s not the language I would have used.” Perhaps he should tell us what words he would have used in speaking to this issue.

This brings us to the question of why is Limbaugh the way he is. He grew up in a privileged family in the boot heel of Missouri. This is likely where he was ingrained with his racism and of course, there is the money. I suspect many people would be willing to prostitute their talents for $45 million per year. Yet, there must be more to this complex individual.

Note that he has been married four times and has no children. He and his third wife apparently never lived together during their 10-year marriage. His extreme views and lack of knowledge about sex could lead one to surmise that he has had little or no experience in heterosexual activities.

Limbaugh’s conservative upbringing and his position as a voice of the right requires him to be “straight” but his actions and demeanor are more indicative with someone who is fighting inner demons and is unhappy with themselves.

This note from his biography at NNDB.com may give a clue. “In June 2006, Limbaugh had further drug problems when a bottle of Viagra was found in his luggage at the Palm Beach Airport. The prescription was not in Limbaugh’s name, but no charges were filed against Limbaugh, who was returning from a vacation in the Dominican Republic with four male companions.”

Why did Limbaugh need illicit Viagra when on a vacation with four male companions? Why was Limbaugh so quick to support Republican Congressman Mark Foley when Foley was exposed for sending sexually explicit emails to an underage male Congressional page? Why does he have a succession of wives when he obviously has been unable to relate to them? Is it possible that Limbaugh is a closet homosexual and having a wife is just a cover? Outwardly he is known to be homophobic, but that too could be cover to preserve a secret. It would not be the first time that has happened. That certainly is one way to look at the evidence.

There certainly are plenty of examples of prominent right-wing conservatives being gay, the latest revelation being Arizona Sheriff Paul Babeu.

Ken Mehlman, Chair of the Bush 2004 campaign came out last year. Ken Mehlman apologizing for role in Bush campaign

I don’t know the answer to the question. It would take a qualified behavioral scientist to look into the question of Limbaugh’s sexuality. If true it might explain his personal anger and misogynism.

Editors note: I am not homophobic and I support the LGBT community. This conjecture is not ment as an insult to the LGBT community nor to Mr. Limbaugh although I understand that he might not be a welcome addition.

Pakistan and Islamics Boycott UN Debate on Gay Rights

LONDON: Pakistan and other Islamic countries have declined to attend a discussion in the United Nations on gay human rights, which has drawn condemnation from an internationally renowned gay and human rights activist.

Zamir Akram, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN and coordinator of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) group on Human Rights and Humanitarian Issues, has circulated a letter on behalf of the 56 Islamic countries that the OIC members states will not attend a panel on “Discrimination and Violence based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” on 7th March.

London based international human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell, who has devoted his entire life to the cause of gay and human rights of the disadvantaged, told The News that Pakistan has signed up to the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees equal treatment and non-discrimination to all people.

“Yet Pakistan now opposes a UN panel discussing discrimination and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Even most governments that disagree with homosexuality agree that violence against anyone, including sexual minorities, is wrong. “The bigoted stance of the Pakistani Ambassador to the UN, Zamir Akram, is ill-informed about human sexuality and human rights law. He is living in the Dark Ages, ignoring scientific understanding and humanitarian ethics.”

Peter Tatchell urged the Pakistani president and prime minister to repudiate the “intolerant, ignorant letter” because it “casts the government of Pakistan in a bad light”.

The letter, a copy of which is available with The News, states that OIC member states “have been consistent in their opposition to the consideration of these controversial notions in the context of human right” and “will not accept its considerations and recommendations.”

The letter says: “We are even more disturbed at the attempt to focus on certain persons on the grounds of their abnormal sexual behaviour, while not focusing on the glaring instances of intolerance and discrimination in various parts of the world, be it on the basis of colour, race, gender or religion, to mention only a few.

“The OIC Member States are concerned that the Panel will discuss issues that relate to personal behavior and preferences, and have nothing to do with fundamental human rights. This debate will shift the focus from the real issues that deserve the attention of the Council.


http://www.thenews.com.pk

This Year Gay Staten Islanders Did Not Attempt To March at St.Patrick's

From silive.com
                                   
  STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Staten Island St. Patrick's Parade will step off tomorrow without the controversy over gay marchers that led to a heated confrontation at last year's event.

But that doesn't mean there aren't hard feelings, with a leader of the gay rights group at the center of the controversy saying the group didn't even make an attempt to march in this year's parade.

"I don't go where I'm not wanted," said Gerard Mawn, co-founder of Staten Island Pride Events (SIPE).

Last year, parade organizers told SIPE members they couldn't carry a banner or otherwise identify themselves as a gay rights group while marching because it would run counter to Catholic teachings on homosexuality.

Some Staten Island Young Democrats got into a confrontation with a parade marshal when they attempted to march wearing rainbow lapel pins, symbolic of gay rights.

Mawn yesterday said SIPE didn't seek to march in this year's Island parade and will march in the Queens St. Patrick's Parade on Sunday instead.

Gay groups are allowed to march openly in that event.

"I'm not confrontational," Mawn said. "I don't want to cause controversy."

Mawn said he has marched in the Manhattan St. Patrick's Day Parade with his family members in the past. He said the Island event should be a celebration of Irish heritage only.

"It's sad that they're not doing that," he said of parade organizers. "They've made it into something different than it should be."

SIPE has marched openly in the borough Columbus Day Parade.

James Haynes III, president of the parade committee, did not return phone calls seeking comment yesterday.

In making the restriction last year, Island organizers pointed to the 1995 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed the private sponsor of the Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade to exclude a group of gays and lesbians.

The 9-0 decision said that parades are a "form of expression" protected by the First Amendment and that organizers could not be compelled to include groups whose messages they did not favor.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who is gay, boycotted the parade last year because of SIPE's exclusion.

Her office did not respond yesterday to questions from the Advance about whether Ms. Quinn, who is eyeing a 2013 run for mayor, would march on the Island tomorrow.

Assemblyman Matthew Titone (D-North Shore), the first openly gay elected official in Island history, told the Advance that members of SIPE could come to the annual St. Patrick's party he hosts at his district office.

"If they can't march, they should have a presence at my district office and enjoy themselves," he said. "Having a visible voice in the community is important. That's how you knock down barriers."

Last year's controversy also sparked a debate about whether public funding should go to help pay for the Island parade if it excludes gay or other groups from openly identifying themselves.

"Elected officials should not be funding the parade," Mawn said.

But public officials continued to contribute funding to the parade this year, including City Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore), whose office gave $3,500, and Borough President James P. Molinaro, who gave $3,000.

 By Tom Wrobleski