Now it’s official, statistically speaking anyway. Washington state’s Referendum 71, a domestic partnership bill which provides “Everything but Marriage” was passed by the voters 52 percent to 48 percent. Sen. Ed Murray, a Seattle Democrat who spearheaded the law, called it “a great step forward for equality in Washington state.” “I’m relieved,” he said. “I was very concerned that if the voters had said no, it would have been a major ... Read Full Story

With nearly 90% of the precincts reporting in, Question 1, which sought to overturn Maine’s same-sex marriage law, passed easily with 53% of the vote. “The institution of marriage has been preserved in Maine and across the nation,” declared Frank Schubert, chief organizer for the winning side. Gay-marriage supporters refused to concede, holding out hope that that the tide might turn as the final returns came in. “We’re here for the long haul and whether it’... Read Full Story

Posting will be a little light this month as I’ll be participating in this year’s National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. Every November tens of thousands of would-be novelists from across the world hunker down in front of their computers, their typewriters, their notebooks and napkins, and write a 50 thousand word opus. And the prize? The novel you’ve always dreamed of writing. Sure it sounds a little crazy, maybe a lot crazy. To reach that 50 thousand word goal by the ... Read Full Story

Gavin Newsom, mayor of San Francisco who made national headlines in 2004 when he challenged California state law by allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry, has quit the governor’s race in California. Newsom is withdrawing from the Democratic primary amid lackluster poll numbers and meager fund-raising receipts. His withdrawal leaves state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, who is expected to run even though he has not officially entered the race, with little opposition in the Democratic primar... Read Full Story

No… not that kind of eye candy. Sorry to be a bit off topic here but I’m a long time James Cameron fan and have missed his brand of movie-making, Titanic not withstanding. The first full trailer of his new film Avatar debuted today… and it doesn’t disappoint. Much better than the teaser. Enjoy. Now back to you’re regularly scheduled programming… Read Full Story

Only two days after signing the Matthew Shepard hate crimes bill into law, President Obama today signed an extension to the Ryan White Act which provides assistance and support to nearly half a million people suffering from HIV/AIDS. “If we want to be a global leader in combatting HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it,” Obama said at the White House before signing a bill to extend the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program. Begun in 1990, the program provides medical care, medication and support ... Read Full Story

At a separate ceremony late today President Obama gave additional remarks about the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crime Prevention Act which he signed into law earlier today as a part of the 2010 Defense Authorization bill. Read Full Story

President Obama today signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crime Prevention Act which was apart of the 2010 Defense Authorization bill. The new legislation adds sexual orientation, gender, disability, or gender identity to existing hate crimes laws. Joe Solomnese of HRC and Judy Shepard respond to the signing… “This law honors our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters whose lives were cut short because of hate,” said Human Rights Campaign President... Read Full Story

Secretary of the Army John McHugh said in an interview with the Army Times that the Army could handle a repeal of the controversial Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy without major disruption, but refused to offer his personal views on the issue. From the Army Times: McHugh finds himself at the center of debate over Obama’s pledge to repeal the law banning open service by homosexuals. In the interview, McHugh carefully avoided offering his personal views on the issue, saying his job now... Read Full Story

Paul Haggis, who directed 2006’s Oscar winner “Crash” has quit Scientology after 35 years over the church’s position on gays and lesbians and Proposition 8. In a letter to Tom Davis, who is spokesman for Scientology’s head David Miscavige, Haggis gives his reasons for leaving the often maligned and ridiculed church. As you know, for ten months now I have been writing to ask you to make a public statement denouncing the actions of the Church of Scientology of San ... Read Full Story