Gay Men, Straight Women Have Similar Brains

by James Owen
for National Geogrpahic News

Researchers found resemblances in the brain's physical structure and size as well as the strength of neural connections among gay people and straight people of the opposite sex.

In some ways the brains of straight men and lesbians are on similar wavelengths, the research suggests. Likewise, gay men and straight women appear to have similar brains, in some respects. The findings are new evidence that homosexuals may be born with a predisposition to be gay.

"[Our] data are more difficult to explain by a specific learned behavior related to … sexual orientation," study leader Ivanka Savic, a neuroscientist at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, said in an email.

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Judge raises constitutional issue in R.I. gay divorce case

The Associated Press

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Superior Court judge has refused to hear the divorce case of a lesbian couple, but questioned whether the law that barred the women from ending their marriage unconstitutionally denied them a right enjoyed by heterosexual Rhode Islanders.

The Rhode Island Supreme Court last year ruled that the state's family court could not grant a divorce to Margaret Chambers and Cassandra Ormiston, who wed in 2004 in Massachusetts soon after same-sex marriage became legal in that state.

The justices said the state statute that created the family court recognized marriage as between only a man and a woman and the court, therefore, could not divorce a same-sex couple.

Chambers then sought a divorce in Superior Court. Judge Patricia Hurst denied the request on Wednesday, saying her court does not have jurisdiction to handle divorce.

But she also questioned the constitutionality of the statute relied on last year by the Supreme Court.

"It seems to me that this is a matter needing immediate attention and one that very plainly belongs in the hands of the legislature and the executive branch," Hurst said.

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Update: Virginia upholds Vermonts' lesbian child custody ruling

Windy City Times

Lisa and Janet Miller-Jenkins entered into a civil union in Vermont in 2001, and daughter Isabella was born shortly thereafter. ( Lisa was artificially inseminated. ) After the couple broke up, Lisa—who changed her surname to Miller—moved to Virginia and renounced her lesbianism. A Vermont court gave Miller primary custody and awarded Janet Jenkins visitation rights. Then, a Virginia court granted Miller sole custody and denied Jenkins visits. However, on June 6th, the state's supreme court employed a federal statute to enforce the Vermont court's ruling.

backstory

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Lesbian Kiss Too Much for Seattle Fans

by Jon Wiener
ABC News

Same-Sex Couple Sues After Faced With Ultimatum at Mariners Baseball Game

Anyone who has attended a Major League Baseball game in the past decade has probably seen a "Kiss Cam" where couples throughout the ballpark are featured locking lips on the big-screen JumboTrons.

Sirbrina Guerrero, 23, says she and her partner, who requested anonymity, were just "exchanging pecks," not acting any differently than heterosexual couples at the game, when park officials told them to stop "making out" or leave the facility.

"They have a policy that says you can't be conducting in that behavior, but honestly, the Mariners stadium has a kissing camera," Guerrero said. "So I don't understand how they would say you're not allowed to show public affection when they're blasting it across the stadium."

Washington passed a law in 2006 that specifically bans discrimination of same-sex couples in any public setting.

Since the Monday night incident, Guerrero and her partner have filed a formal discrimination complaint against Safeco Field.

The discrimination claim by Guerrero is not the first time Safeco Field has been at the center of same-sex controversy. In 2004, the stadium was the site of a "MAYDAY for Marriage" rally, in which more than 20,000 people turned out to protest same-sex unions.

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Harassed lesbian couple ends life

The Times of India

CHENNAI: Two married women, who allegedly shared a lesbian relationship, committed suicide by setting themselves ablaze after their families tried to separate them. The police recovered the charred bodies of the women, who died hugging each other, from the residence of one of the women at Sathangadu, near Thiruvotriyur, on Saturday.

The incident came to light on Saturday morning when the family members noticed thick smoke emanating from the house, where the women stayed the previous night. They peeped through the window and were shocked to see the bodies lying as if they had died hugging each other.

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Father figures

By Eddie Barnes
Scotsman.com

A new law removing the need for a male parent in

families of test tube babies may be good for lesbian

couples but will it deny children the best start in life?

When she was five, Lorraine Moore's mother and father split up. Lorraine's mum had fallen in love with someone else – another woman. It was the late 1970s in working-class Wester Hailes in Edinburgh, not necessarily the kind of place where a lesbian couple would have the easiest time bringing up two small children. Yet Lorraine has different memories. "It was a very positive experience," she recalls. "I didn't care whether I was being brought up by a six-foot green monster – as long as you are cared for and loved and made to feel secure then that's all that counts. That was the key thing in my childhood, for both my brother and me."

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’Lesbian Phobia’ at Work to Feminize WNBA Players

by Kilian Melloy
EDGE Contributor
EDGE Boston

Looking to give its players a makeover, the Women’s National Basketball Association gave rookies lessons in how to handle the media, how to stay fit and healthy--and how to wear clothes and makeup.

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Red Duchess a rebel to the last as she snubs family and leaves all to wife

By Elizabeth Nash in Madrid
The Independent UK

But the Red Duchess – a "title" she never accepted – threw down her most defiant challenge in her final hours. As she lay dying in her palace in Sanlucar de Barrameda, aged 71, Luisa Isabel married in articulo mortis her secretary and companion, Liliana Maria Dahlmann, and left her everything. Her discreet sexual preferences were known to her family, but the secret lesbian marriage has shaken Spain's proud and ancient aristocracy and is likely to unleash a legal battle over a sumptuous inheritance.

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Pioneering Dallas activist earns yet another honor

By Tammye Nash - Senior Editor
Dallas Voice

Texas - Pioneering LGBT activist Louise Young is breaking new ground, yet again.

This month, the American Jewish Congress Southwest Region is recognizing Young’s long history of activism and involvement by presenting her with the Women of Spirit Award. It will be the first time the award has gone to a lesbian in recognition of work in the LGBT community.

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Federal Court Overturns Verdict In Lesbian Discrimination Case

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(Cheyenne, Wyoming) A federal appeals court has overturned a lower court verdict that found a school district had discriminated against two former school administrators because they are lesbians.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver also set aside $160,000 award the lower court had ordered the Sheridan County School District to pay Kathleen Milligan-Hitt and Kathryn Roberts.

The 10th Circuit panel that heard the case said that when the women's contracts were not extended in 2003 there were no explicit protections for LGBT workers in the state.

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Sperm donor loses bid for access to son

Ireland:
A man who donated his sperm to a lesbian couple, enabling one of them to have a baby boy, has lost his High Court bid for guardianship of the boy and access to him.

The judge hearing the case has called on the Oireachtas to give urgent consideration to legislation to take account of the existence of same sex couples and securing their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly where such a couple wishes one of them to bear a child.

He agreed in August 2005 to donate sperm to a lesbian couple.

He signed an agreement with them that he would not occupy the role of father but that he would have the role of a 'favourite uncle' and his access to the child would be at the discretion of the couple.

After the birth, the couple told the Court, the man seemed to change his view of his role and see himself as a father.

The Court heard the couple felt betrayed and violated by the man.

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Janet, Lisa and Isabella

Janet Jenkins and Lisa Miller got hitched and had a baby together. Vermont says that's a simple truth. Virginia said it was all null and void. The future of a little girl hangs in the balance.

BLOGGER NOTE: As I read the words above I noticed a similar story. I had to look at them both a couple of times because the tone of each were polar opposites.

JANET AND LISA MILLER-JENKINS MADE LOVE IN THE MORNING BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE. At least that's how Janet remembers it. "We had a connection in the morning before we left," Janet said. Afterward, eager to keep their tender connection alive amid the clinical setting of the infertility specialist's office, Janet laid her hands upon her partner -- one palm on Lisa's thigh, the other on Lisa's upper arm -- as a doctor inseminated Lisa with sperm from an anonymous man the two women knew only as donor No. 2309. It was, according to Janet, a ritual the Virginia couple repeated more than once before Lisa gave birth April 16, 2002, to a 5-pound, 15-ounce baby girl named Isabella Ruth Miller-Jenkins.

"This baby was made in love," said Janet, now 42 and living in Vermont.

Lisa, 38, offers a dramatically different account of the begetting of Isabella. According to her, Janet didn't even go with her to the fertility doctor's office on the day Isabella was conceived.

That's just one of many issues Lisa and Janet are arguing in court, where the final chapters of their modern love story are being written. As with other couples who have split, their truths have diverged; through the lens of loss, each views their time together differently. Unlike most warring couples, however, the once hopeful and happy Miller-Jenkinses are at the center of a high-stakes, ideologically charged legal dispute waged across several courtrooms in two states. On one side are lawyers who are leading gay-rights activists; on the other are legal combatants for a conservative Christian foundation associated with Jerry Falwell.

Full article here

Christian Right article here

Nation's first Black Openly Lesbian Mayor Simmons speaks at MIT

New Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons, at the MIT Museum last Saturday, understands the historical impact of her tenure. (Wendy Maeda/Globe Staff)

Denise Simmons received a burst of national attention when she became mayor of Cambridge in January, but says her 25 years of political involvement have taught her that change comes slowly.

"I was looking at a document that goes back to 1945, where the city was grappling with issues of employment, housing, police-community relations, education," said Simmons, who is believed to be the nation's first black and openly lesbian mayor. "We're in 2008. What are the issues? Employment, housing, police-community relations, education."

In an interview last week, Simmons said the purpose of her swearing-in ceremony last month was partly to provide historical perspective on her tenure as mayor. In Cambridge, "women and politics go back to 1880," she said. "Unfortunately, it was 100 years later before a woman of color would be elected to be in public service, but even to say that, for people to know it and understand it is important."

For Simmons, a lifelong Cambridge resident and mother of four children, many of the concerns expressed by parents about the city's education system mirror concerns that led to her political awakening and decision to run for election.

A genealogy buff who has traced her family's history to her great-grandfather's emancipation as a slave, Simmons's experiences provide her with a sense of purpose.

"When you're a woman, a person of color, openly gay, business owner, you bring all that with you to the table," she said. "I've been that woman with the kids going to look for an apartment and watch the person walk by me once they saw who I was. . . . I had those very real experiences, and so it does influence what I do. No one has to come and tell me about it. I know."

"This is a window of opportunity for me to shed light on important issues to women, to families, to same-gender families, to the community of color," she said.

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Sen. Martinez Gets Help from Latina Lesbians

With the 2008 Illinois primaries a thing of the past, local activist Marilyn Morales is proud of the unprecedented mobilization of Latina lesbians in the 31st Ward that was sparked by the fear that State Sen. Iris Martinez would lose her legislative seat.

Martinez kept her seat, no doubt in part because of a passionate group of Latina lesbians who organized and oversaw between eight and nine precincts ( nearly half of the precincts in the 31st Ward ) in the 20th District. The group won all but one precinct.

Not only did the women help Martinez keep her seat, but also felt they received “renewed respect,” Morales said. It provided much-needed visibility and recognition of gays and lesbians within the Latino community, where homophobia is still very prevalent.

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Syracuse students hear LGBT speakers share stories, experiences

More than 300 students crowded into Grant Auditorium Wednesday night and another 350 late Thursday afternoon to join a panel of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender guest speakers discussing sexuality diversity.

The event was hosted by the Human Sexuality courses, CFS 388. Joseph Fanelli, professor of the classes, introduced the six guest speakers, all of whom were welcomed with roaring applause.

The audience was a mix of straight and LGBT individuals, and that was part of the message given to nearly 700 Syracuse students this week; it's not "what" someone is that defines them, but who they are and what experiences make them those people.

The first speaker, Marc Mario, told the students about his journey as a transgender in a homophobic and intolerant society.

Denise Rhone continued the discussion with a story of her rejection from her family and fighting her inner demons while maintaining her faith. Denise was asked to leave her church when her desire to transform from a man into a woman was discovered.

Ashley Kessler, a senior from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, spoke on behalf of the bisexual community and the troubles she faced while coming out.

Nikki Lynk spoke about being a lesbian mother in America, followed by William Knodel, who spoke about being a member of the gay community and being a father.

"It's not OK to say the N-word in class, but teachers are light on you if you say 'fag' or 'queer'," Lynk said.

Roslyn Rasberry, a panel speaker, walked onto stage singing gospel song, encouraging students to find their own "corner in the sky." She described her personal and spiritual journey as a lesbian, describing it as both confusing and rewarding.

The speakers offered resources to LGBT and questioning students, assuring them they were not alone in their journey.

Alex Adelson, a sophomore communication and rhetorical studies major, said the lecture was enlightening and inspiring. "I feel like there's no better way to understand different people's lives and lifestyles except by hearing from people who have those stories," Adelson said. "I think there's a general consensus on campus that this class is not only the most useful, but most rewarding class SU offers - for reasons like tonight's lecture".

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Seattle: 12th Gay/Lesbian film festival is largest ever

Two more theaters (Central Cinema, SIFF Cinema) and plenty more films have been added to the ever-expanding Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. The 12th-annual edition kicks off Friday night at the Cinerama with the Seattle premiere of Paul Schrader's sassy whodunit, "The Walker."

For complete schedule and info, go to 2007.seattlequeerfilm.org or call 206-323-4274.

Chicago police abuse

Three women claimed Thursday in a federal lawsuit that an off-duty Chicago police officer roughed them up and called them names because of their sexual orientation after this year's gay pride parade.

The lawsuit could become the latest black eye for the Chicago Police Department, which has faced tough questions lately about the actions of off-duty officers, among other problems.

Named as defendants in the lawsuit filed on behalf of Kelly Fuery, 36, Debra Sciortino, 32, and Nicole Tomaskovic, 25, were the police department, officer William Szura and two state troopers.

According to the lawsuit, a vehicle driven by Fuery came upon a car moving at 30 mph on Interstate 55 after the June 24 parade. Fuery beeped her horn, and Szura responded by slamming on his brakes, speeding up and switching lanes, making it impossible for Fuery to pass, the lawsuit said.

Fuery was forced to the shoulder, where Szura screamed words such as "dyke" and spit at her, according to the lawsuit. The women claim he stuck a gun in Fuery's abdomen, "causing her to fear for her life."

When Sciortino tried to step in, Szura shoved her, and she fell, the lawsuit said. When Tomaskovic drove up in another car and tried to help, Szura placed her in a chokehold, according to the suit.

In other Chicago police troubles, six members of an elite unit are accused of using their badges to shake down residents and intimidate people. One of those six was accused Wednesday of considering hiring gang members to kill a former colleague and potential witness against him.

In July, three off-duty officers pleaded not guilty to beating four businessmen in a bar in one of two videotaped confrontations that helped ramp up criticism of the department.

In the other case, an off-duty officer was caught on tape apparently beating a female bartender. The officer has pleaded not guilty.

Yolanda Retter, Scholar And LGBT Activist, Dies

Yolanda Retter, an activist, archivist and scholar who devoted the last four decades to raising the visibility of lesbians and minorities and preserving their history, has died. She was 59.

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Retter died Aug. 18 at her home in Van Nuys after a brief illness, the Los Angeles Times reported.

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She was a pivotal advocate for lesbians during the early years of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, the country's first social service agency to exclusively serve gays. She helped organize lesbian history repositories at USC, UCLA and in West Hollywood, it was reported.

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Retter is survived by her partner of 13 years, Leslie Golden Stampler; her father, Henry, and stepmother, Dottie, of Florida; Stampler's two children, Belinda and Martin; and six brothers and sisters, according to reports.

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A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 29 at Metropolitan Community Church, 8714 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, according to The Times. Memorial donations may be sent to the Yolanda Retter Foundation, c/o Law Office of Karen L. Mateer, 618 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106.