Bullying The Weak Defines the Victim Bullying the Strong is Satire

 A COUPLE of weeks ago Dan Savage, a columnist and activist perhaps best known for making Rick Santorum hate Google and for trying to comfort bullied gay teens, gave the right a gift. At a high-school journalism convention, heattacked Bible-backed anti-gay bigotry. He pointed out that the Bible does indeed condemn homosexuality, but it alsoendorses slavery. "We can learn to ignore the bullshit in the Bible about gay people," he said, "the same way we learned to ignore the bullshit in the Bible about shellfish, about slavery, aboutdinner, about farming, aboutmenstruation, about masturbation...We ignore bullshit in the Bible about all sorts of things." During this portion of his speech some students walked out. When he moved on to another topic, he said, "You can tell the Bible guys in the hall to come back now because I'm done beating up the Bible. It's funny to someone who is on the receiving end of beatings justified by the Bible how pansy-assed people react when you push back."

Mr Savage was making one valid point and one sloppy one. The former: people who justify anti-gay bigotry by brandishing a Bible but ignore other, less convenient biblical prohibitions (the list might also include mixed fabrics and divorce) are hypocrites. The latter: people quick to condemn ought not to be so quick to take offence. The problem with the latter point is that however true it is in the abstract, it was not necessarily true in the particular. No evidence exists that the students who walked out ever condemned or bullied anyone. However poorly Mr Savage may have been treated in high school, it was not by the students in the audience, and they deserved more from a famous and accomplished journalist than derision. Mr Savage acknowledged as much when heapologised, both for the regrettable and infantile slur "pansy-assed" and for using what the great J. Anthony Lukas called "a barnyard epithet" to refer to the Bible. (He could, of course, have opted to make a broader point: that nobody should be so quick to take offence; that journalists will hear a lot of things over the course of a career that they find offensive and even hurtful, and walking out anytime that happens will result in a short career and a narrow mind; that, however ugly his language Mr Savage was at least advancing arguments, and that surely at least one of those offended souls hoping to make a life out of words could have found a few to hurl back at him rather than just flouncing out in a huff.)

Mr Savage's apology did not stop the outrage machine. Some seem to have taken particular delight in hurling Mr Savage's epithets—bully and basher (of Christians and Christianity, rather than gays)—back at him. The American Thinker harrumphs, "Evidently, bullying is one of those things that is defined by the 'victim'." Well, yes: in fact it is. Bullying is the strong picking on the weak, not the other way around (the other way around is satire). One could make the argument that in the case of Mr Savage's speech, he was the strong one, and the high-school students were "victims", but that would be weak tea indeed. Mr Savage is one person, not a movement, and of course those students whom he gave the vapours were free to leave. Not everyone has such freedom. Gay teens, not Christian teens, kill themselves at higher rates than the general populace. Nobody calls Christianity an abomination. One blogger accused Mr Savage of "Christian-bashing" for pointing out the Bible's position on slavery. A writer for a Focus on the Family site said that "using profanity to deride the Bible...is obviously a form of bullying and name-calling." In fact it is neither: Mr Savage, however intemperate his language, was arguing, not name-calling. That is a crucial distinction, and one that too often eludes the showily devout. If the Bible is in fact the word of God it can survive a few arguments about context and application.  economist.com

Adam Yauch, Beastie Boys Dead at 47

Beastie Boys rapper, musician and video director Adam Yauch, known as MCA in the groundbreaking hip hop trio, has died after a lengthy illness, TMZ has confirmed. He was 47.

It was announced in 2009 that Yauch had a cancerous parotic gland and underwent surgery and radiation therapy.

He recently missed the induction ceremony of The Beastie Boys at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where the rap group was honored.

Yauch is survived by his wife Dechen Wangdu and their daughter Tenzin Losel.Billboard

Musician Adam Yauch attends the "Jackass 3D" premiere on Oct. 11, 2010 in New York City. FILMMAGIC/Mike Coppola

Beastie Boys rapper Adam Yauch, also known as MCA, has died at age 47, according toRolling Stone.


The magazine's website reports that in 2009, Yauch began treatment for a cancerous tumour in his salivary gland.

More to come


Adam Yauch announces he has cancer in the attached video.

Goldman Sachs Bitches About how Much Supporting LGTB Cost them

I saw this report coming out towards LGTB costing Goldman Sacs more than a dinner at the  Watzy Astoria. Chairman Lloyd now says what an expensive proposition this was.Fights Now this bitches of how is costing him and Goldman Sach’s. That anybody at Sac’s  will ever bitch for how much it cost them electing and re-electing Bush put and keep Bush in power…(Even if some of them work for the LIRR now)…. No! It will never happen. But for the Gays that’’ belong like GOGOProud, you know the Cabin Republicans with their Abraham President that only faced being  in love with one man, which makes him a  Metrosexual not homosexual..it was just one blow probably…doens’t count…But if the nation gets Dementia again and elects another Bush and Republican congress….I think is time to “beam me up scotty there is no

  intelligent life here/“ except is going to be them we send to space,

adamfoxie*  

• View Photo
  Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO Lloyd Blankfein is sworn in before testifing at Senate …

  (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs Group Chief Executive Lloyd Blankfein said on Wednesday his recent very public support for gay rights had cost the investment bank at least one client.

At an event discussing Wall Street's role in pushing for greater lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality across corporate America, Blankfein said his stance on the matter was "not without price."

Blankfein said there had been some "adverse reaction" on at least one occasion, where a money management client "did not want to continue a relationship" with Goldman in the wake of his advocacy.

"I won't say the name of the client, but if you heard the name, it wouldn't surprise you," he added.

Blankfein joined hedge fund billionaire Paul Singer at an LGBT Leadership Summit for the financial community called "Out on the Street," which was held at Bank of America's Manhattan offices.

Blankfein's series of rare public appearances comes weeks after the company installed a new global head of corporate communications to oversee its public relations effort. Richard "Jake" Siewert, a former aide to Timothy Geithner, officially succeeded Goldman's silver-tongued, veteran spokesman, Lucas van Praag in March.

In the past year, Blankfein has become a more visible and vocal supporter of same-sex marriage. Along with other prominent Wall Street executives, he signed an open letter to New York state legislators last year urging them to legalize gay marriage. Earlier this year, Blankfein accepted the role of corporate spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, a gay-rights advocacy group.

Wednesday's event brought together Blankfein and Singer, two of Wall Street's most high-profile supporters of same-sex marriage. Both men helped push legislators in Albany to legalize gay marriage in New York State last year.

Blankfein and Singer, who runs Elliott Capital Management, may seem an unlikely pair to tackle gay rights issues.

Singer, a prominent conservative, this year signed a $1 million check to a Super PAC supporting Mitt Romney's presidential campaign. An openly gay Romney aide resigned yesterday amid reports he had encountered backlash from anti-gay conservatives on the campaign trail.

Singer, whose son is gay, has donated millions to support same-sex equality and has been a driving force behind campaigns to legalize same-sex marriage in states across the country.

Asked by an audience member and Goldman Sachs partner how the push for gay equality may be affected under a Romney administration, Singer responded, "I don't think it's going to be a harsh environment."

Blankfein acknowledged that while Singer's support for gay equality stemmed from a personal call to action, his reason for taking a public stand is driven as much by the business practicalities of having a diverse and talented workforce, as his personal view that the cause is part of a wider fight for civil and human rights.

"As a business person, as a corporate leader, as a recruiter and as a human, it is not something I regard as heavy lifting," Blankfein said.

Blankfein's increasingly visible role on the gay rights issue coincides with a recent charm offensive by the historically tight-lipped investment bank, which has increased public appearances in recent weeks.

In back-to-back television interviews last week, Blankfein acknowledged the investment bank's lack of engagement with the media during and after the financial crisis did little to help its reputation as one of the bastions of Wall Street greed

"We probably should have been out there more," Blankfein told Reuters after the event Wednesday.

Most recently, Goldman Sachs found itself the subject of more negative media glare when an executive director quit the firm by penning a scathing op-ed in the New York Times, in which he described the bank's culture as "toxic and destructive." The former employee, Greg Smith, said the bank had sidelined client needs in favor of bigger profits and that its employees regularly referred to clients as "muppets."

(Reporting By Katya Wachtel; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)

These Rich Republicans/Dems Think money From The Closet is The Solution

Ken Mehlman (screen capture from CSREurope via You Tube)

Gay former Republican National Committee Chair Ken Mehlman was among the speakers at a secret LGBT donor conference that took place over the weekend in D.C. and was attended by advocates and high-ranking public officials.

According to a program schedule obtained by the Washington Blade, Mehlman, who came out as gay in 2010, spoke on at least two panels during the annual OutGiving conference hosted by the Gill Action Fund. The organization works at the state level to advance LGBT rights, and to oust lawmakers who oppose them.

A source who attended the conference, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Mehlman spoke on a panel about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal with Winnie Stachelberg, vice president of external affairs at the Center for American Progress, and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who was the lead Republican in the Senate pushing for legislation to repeal the military’s gay ban.

Another source familiar with the event, who also requested anonymity, said Mehlman was among 30 or more speakers at the event and presented a session on Republican evolution on LGBT rights with Margaret Hoover, a straight LGBT-friendly conservative activist who testified last year before the Maryland Senate in favor of the same-sex marriage bill.

Mehlman worked for the White House and was later RNC chair at the same time former President George W. Bush was advocating for a federal constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. However, the gay Republican later apologized for his involvement with campaigns exploiting marital politics and is credited with helping to lobby on behalf of the marriage equality bill in New York.

Mike Rogers, a D.C.-based gay activist known for his outing of closeted gay politicians who pursue anti-gay policies, praised Mehlman for taking part in the conference and said it helps him reverse the damage he caused as a GOP operative. Rogers didn’t attend the OutGiving conference.

“I am happy to see Ken Mehlman working to undo the years of damage that he inflicted on the American people and the LGBT community,” Rogers said. “Ken is taking the steps toward redemption and his participation in donor conferences is important in helping to secure new supporters of our movement in the corporate community. I commend him for his recent work.”

The anonymous attendee also said David Plouffe, a campaign manager for President Obama during his 2008 run and now a senior adviser at the White House, gave a speech to attendees about the work the administration has done over the course of Obama’s first term. Clo Ewing, an Obama campaign spokesperson, said his remarks weren’t available.

Also in attendance was lesbian Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), who’s pursuing a run for U.S. Senate; she delivered a speech, the source said.

The OutGiving conference is an annual gathering where leading donors and LGBT advocates converge to plan strategies and secure financial commitments for state and federal elections around the country. The conference this year took place at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, starting on the evening of April 26 through April 29. The event is secretive and individuals participate on the condition that they pledge not to speak publicly about it.

One donor who attended the event, who spoke on condition of anonymity, estimated that between 100 and 200 donors, activists and other individuals were in attendance. The donor wouldn’t reveal anything about the nature of the discussions or panels, but said programs and content haven’t “changed dramatically” from previous years and that it was “a very positive conversation.”

More information about what was said during the talks wasn’t known. Unless otherwise noted, the offices for the named individuals in this article didn’t respond to a request for comment or declined to say anything.

According to the schedule obtained by the Washington Blade, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) was another scheduled speaker at the event. She’s considered a leading LGBT advocate in the Senate and was a proponent of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal in 2010.

A number of governors were slated to participate in the event. Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, who recently pushed through same-sex marriage legislation in their states, were set to speak on one panel.

On another panel, Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin and Delaware Gov. Jack Markell were scheduled to speak. Sue Abbey, a Shumlin spokesperson, confirmed the governor participated in the conference, but didn’t respond to a request to comment further.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick was set to talk on the same panel. But Alex Goldstein, a Patrick campaign spokesperson, said a last minute conflict prevented the governor from attending, even though he backs the work of OutGiving in supporting “the cause of equality across the nation.”

High-profile LGBT advocates were also among the speakers scheduled to participate. Mary Bonauto, the civil rights project director at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders who recently argued before the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals against the Defense of Marriage Act, was scheduled to speak. Ted Olson, who’s litigating on behalf of the American Foundation for Equal Rights against California’s Proposition 8, was another scheduled speaker. Sean Eldridge, president of the small-business investment fund Hudson River Ventures and senior adviser at Freedom to Marry, was also set to talk.

Chris Cormier, Gill Action's director of donor relations (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Advocates affiliated with Gill Action were also slated to speak, including Tim Gill, the gay billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the organization in 2005, and Chris Cormier, the organization’s director of donor relations. One source familiar with the event said Kirk Fordham, the newly named executive director of the organization, had offered general remarks and the summit marked his first OutGiving. Former individuals affiliated with Gill Action — Patrick Guerriero and Bill Smith — were also on the schedule.

Others listed as participants at the event — but not as speakers — were Patrick Murphy, the former U.S. House member who led the way for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal and until was running for Pennsylvania attorney general before he lost the Democratic primary, and Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster.

Also on the schedule was lesbian political satirist Kate Clinton, whose speech was likely intended to lighten the mood at the event amid serious discussion of LGBT advocacy.

John Aravosis, who’s gay and editor of AMERICAblog, said the secretive nature of the OutGiving summit doesn’t bother him. He wasn’t in attendance.

“If you hold strategy sessions in public, then they’re press conferences and not strategy sessions,” Aravosis said. “We don’t need the religious right taking notes about what our plans are for the next year.” chicagophoenix.com

If The Gay Juror is Out Then The Jury is Out } Judge

A San Diego judge dismissed an entire jury panel Tuesday, after prosecutors rejected a gay man as a potential juror in a same-sex marriage case.
Superior Court Judge Joan Weber ruled defendants in the case were denied a representative jury and called the actions of the city attorney's office "shocking," U-T San Diego reported ( http://bit.ly/IpSsxj).
Her ruling means the lawyers will have to pick a new panel if the case goes to trial.
The case stems from the Aug. 19, 2010, arrest of nine people who were protesting Proposition 8, California's same-sex marriage ban, at the county clerk's office. Defense attorneys say the peaceful protest did not disrupt business.
Prosecutors said in court that the potential juror indicated he had protested in support of gay rights issues in the past, so they deemed him an unsuitable juror for the case.
Outside the courtroom Tuesday, Assistant City Attorney Andrew Jones told the newspaper that the case is only about whether defendants unlawfully blocked the operation of the county clerk's office.
"It has nothing to do with same-sex marriage," Jones said.
Attorneys for the accused activists disagreed, saying prosecutors systematically excluded gay people from the jury.
"There has been a fundamental violation of a constitutional right to a jury trial by my client's peers," said Todd Moore, an attorney representing one of the defendants.
Six defendants still face charges in the case. The other three accepted a deal last year to plead no contest to an infraction, and had their cases dismissed in exchange for eight hours of volunteer work.
The judge urged the prosecutors to reduce the charges to infractions for the remaining defendants.
"I've never had so many jurors express concerns about why a prosecutor's office would move forward and spend time and money on a case of this nature," Weber told U-T San Diego.
The city attorney's office said if the defense proposes it, they would be willing to try the case without a jury on infractions rather than misdemeanors.
Proposition 8 was later ruled unconstitutional by U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker. The decision is under appeal. adamfoxie*

y

Judge Dismisses Jury Pool In 'Equality 9' Case

 

 SAN DIEGO -- A judge Tuesday dismissed an entire jury pool after lawyers for six same-sex marriage activists accused of trespassing complained that prosecutors had challenged a prospective juror based on his sexual orientation.

 

Superior Court Judge Joan Weber, ruling in the so-called "Equality 9" case, granted the defense's motion requesting that she halt jury selection and start over with a new pool.

Prosecutors objected to the judge's ruling, noting that the juror in question had indicated in his questionnaire that he had previously protested in support of gay rights in the past and was therefore not a suitable juror for the case.
The defendants are among five men and four women who were arrested on Aug. 19, 2010 as they demonstrated outside the county clerk's office, demanding that same-sex marriages be allowed in San Diego.
The nine were charged with misdemeanors related to unlawfully blocking the entrance to a public office. Three accepted plea agreements last September, leaving six to go to trial.
Attorney Dan Greene, who represents one of the defendants, said motions to dismiss a jury pool are filed occasionally but seldom granted.
A hearing is scheduled Wednesday to determine when the case will resume.
Weber has urged prosecutors to consider reducing the misdemeanor charges against the remaining defendants to infractions, saving taxpayers the cost of putting on a trial.
Prosecutors said they had discussed that possibility with City Attorney Jan Goldsmith and were prepared to proceed with the case as currently charged.
According to spokesman Jonathan Heller, the City Attorney's Office "is certainly willing to agree to try this case as an infraction if the defense proposes it."

Wall St Execs Convene Again on LGTB Work Rights

Top Wall Street Executives Convene for First Time on LGBT Equality

Bank of America and CEO Brian Moynihan Host Second Annual Event

 

NEW YORK, Apr 30, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Top executives, including CEOs, from some of Wall Street's biggest banks, along with C-suite executives from other industries will meet to discuss LGBT equality at the second annual Out on the Street Leadership Summit on May 2, 2012. Bank of America Merrill Lynch will host the event at its New York headquarters. This represents the first time that so many senior executives will meet to discuss LGBT equality.

Building on the success of the inaugural summit in 2011, the 2012 summit will focus on the role that support for LGBT equality can play in the retention of talent and the conduct of business. In addition to Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, featured speakers include, Lloyd C. Blankfein, chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs; Paul Singer, CEO of Elliott Capital Management; Ken Mehlman, head of global public affairs, KKR; Lynn Utter, president & COO, Knoll Furniture; John Veihmeyer, Chairman, CEO KPMG LLP; and special guest moderator George Stephanopoulos from ABC.

The senior-level representation at the full-day summit reflects the groundbreaking role 

financial services, in particular Wall Street banks, have taken in advancing LGBT rights. Whether reimbursing LGBT employees' pay to address the tax inequalities of domestic 

partner benefits or taking highly visible stances on marriage equality, these leaders exemplify the willingness of financial services companies to go beyond the relative safety of employee engagement issues, such as support for LGBT employee groups, into larger issues affecting their LGBT employees.

"We are proud to support the cause of LGBT equality. People are the most valuable resource our company has, and our support for initiatives like this one matters deeply to them," said Lloyd C. Blankfein, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs.

The 2012 Out on the Street summit agenda also includes Sylvia Ann Hewlett of the Center for Talent Innovation, who will be unveiling the early findings of the Center's new global LGBT research, "The Power of Out II." Co-sponsored by Out on the Street, and coauthored by its founder Todd Sears, the study will include deep dives on gender and international challenges.

Breakout sessions will explore a number of topics including the intersection of gender and sexual orientation, how LGBT support translates outside U.S. borders and emerging LGBT opportunities and challenges.

"The movement towards full LGBT equality in the U.S. is driven by corporate leaders such as the members of Out on the Street who are taking increasingly public stances of support," said James P. Gorman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Stanley, a founding OOTS member.

Member companies of Out on the Street realize that despite the progress in corporate policies, significant challenges still remain for the LGBT community. In just one year, the number of member companies has grown from the founding six banks (Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley) to eleven organizations, 

with the addition of Credit Suisse, HSBC, KKR, KPMG LLP, and UBS.

"Instead of remaining in the safe zone of advocating for LGBT workplace equality which upwards of 70% of Americans support; these companies have taken courageous stances in more controversial areas, marriage equality, support for which only recently passed the 50% mark in polls," (1) Sears said.

1) Gallup Poll, May 20, 2011: http://www.gallup.com/poll/147662/first-time-majority-americans-favor-legal-gay-marriage.aspx

ABOUT OUT ON THE STREET: Out on the Street is the first LGBT leadership organization 

for Wall Street, by Wall Street. The summit focuses on bringing senior LGBT leaders together from major Wall Street firms to discuss vital issues, network and collectively set an forward looking agenda for the community on the Street.

2012 Out on the Street Members: Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Citi, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, KKR, KPMG LLP, Morgan Stanley and UBS.

Created and developed by Todd Sears, diversity leader and former banker, its mission is to engage both gay and straight senior leaders in discussions around making the Street a destination for top talent, as well as to enhance the careers of LGBT senior leaders by creating connections to increase opportunities for business. Out on the Street Leadership Summits bring together senior leaders--LGBT as well as straight allies--to discuss vital issues including cultural change, recruitment, client development and ways to maximize business impact.

ORGANIZATION                  CONTACT NAME           EMAIL                                  PHONE
        ----------------------------  ---------------------  —————————————— -------   
        Out on the Street             Jonathan Saw           jonathan@outonthestreet.org            917-273-6498
        ----------------------------  ---------------------  ————————————— 
        Bank of America               John Yiannacopoulos    john.yiannacopoulos@bankofamerica   646-855-2314
        ----------------------------  ---------------------  —————————————— 
        Barclays                      Mark Lane              Mark.Lane@barclayscapital.com          212 412 1413
        ----------------------------  ---------------------  ——————————————— -  ------------
        Citi                          Anu Ahluwalia          Anu.ahluwalia@citi.com                 212-559-4114
        ----------------------------  ---------------------  ——————————————— -  ------------
        Center for Talent Innovation  Karen Sumberg          ksumberg@talentinnovation.org          212-315-2333
        ----------------------------  ---------------------  ———————————————— -  ------------
        Credit Suisse                 Perrin Wheeler         perrin.wheeler@credit-suisse.com       212 325 8978
        ----------------------------  ---------------------  ——————————————— -  ------------
        Deutsche Bank                 Sigalit Grego          sigalit.grego@db.com                   212-250-6952
        ----------------------------  ---------------------  ——————————————— -  ------------
        Goldman Sachs                 Leslie Shribman        leslie.shribman@gs.com                 212-902-5400
        ----------------------------  ---------------------  ———————————————— 
        HSBC                          Rob Sherman            robert.a.sherman@us.hsbc.com           212-525-6901
        ----------------------------  ---------------------  ——————————————— -  ------------
        KKR                           Kristi Huller          Kristi.Huller@kkr.com                  212-230-9722
        ----------------------------  ---------------------  —————————————— -  ------------
        KPMG                          Laura Sheridan Powers  lsheridan@kpmg.com                     212-872-7665
        ----------------------------  ---------------------  ——————————————— -  ------------
        Morgan Stanley                Sandra Hernandez       sandra.hernandez@morganstanley.com     212-761-2446
        ----------------------------  ---------------------  ————————————— 
        UBS                           Karina Byrne           karina.byrne@ubs.com                   212-882-5692
        ----------------------------  ---------------------  ————————————— 
        

SOURCE: Out on the Street and Bank of America

        
        Out on the Street 
        Jonathan Saw, 917-273-6498 

jonathan@outonthestreet.org

Gay Friendly Companies:
These companies were on the list for both 2007 AND 2008:

Company	Headquarters	Website
American Express Co.	New York, NY	http://www.americanexpress.com
Ameriprise Financial Inc.	Minneapolis, MN	http://www.ameriprise.com
Bank of America Corp.	Charlotte, NC	http://www.bankofamerica.com
Capital One Financial Corp.	McLean, VA	http://www.capitalone.com
Charles Schwab Corp.	Francisco, CA	http://www.schwab.com
Citigroup Inc.	New York, NY	http://www.citi.com
Credit Suisse	New York, NY	http://www.credit-suisse.com
Deutsche Bank	New York, NY	http://www.db.com/
Fannie Mae	Washington, DC	http://www.fanniemae.com
Goldman Sachs Group Inc.	New York, NY	http://www.gs.com
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.	New York, NY	http://www.jpmorganchase.com
Lehman Brothers Holdings	New York, NY	http://www.lehman.com
Mellon Financial Corp.	Pittsburgh, PA	http://www.mellon.com
Merrill Lynch & Co.	New York, NY	http://www.ml.com
Morgan Stanley	New York, NY	http://www.morganstanley.com
State Street Corp.	Boston, MA	http://www.statestreet.com
SunTrust Banks Inc.	Atlanta, GA	http://www.suntrust.com
Visa	Foster City, CA	http://www.visa.com
Wachovia Corp.	Charlotte, NC	http://www.wachovia.com
Wells Fargo & Co.	San Francisco, CA	http://www.wellsfargo.com

 These companiesare new additions to the 2008 list:

Company	Headquarters	Website
Bear Stearns Companies Inc., The	New York, NY	http://www.bearstearns.com
Countrywide Financial Corp.	Calabasas, CA	http://www.countrywide.com
HSBC North America Holdings Inc.	Prospect Heights, IL	http://www.hsbcusa.com
IndyMac Bancorp Inc.	Pasadena, CA	http://www.indymacbank.com
KeyCorp	Cleveland, OH	http://www.key.com
KPMG LLP	New York, NY	http://www.us.kpmg.com
MasterCard Inc.	Purchase, NY	http://www.mastercard.com
Northern Trust Corp.	Chicago, IL	http://www.northerntrust.com
Principal Financial Group	Des Moines, IA	http://www.principal.com
U.S. Bancorp	Minneapolis, MN	http://www.usbank.com
UBS AG	Stamford, CT	http://www.ubs.com
Washington Mutual Inc.	Seattle, WA	http://www.wamu.com

Feel free to post comments about your experiences with Gay Friendly Companies. If you'd like to recommend a company for this section, let us know!