IT WAS A “DISORDER”.
NOW it’s not…but you still can’t serve!

Pentagon Says Homosexuality Not a Mental Disorder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Pentagon no longer deems homosexuality a mental disorder, officials said on Wednesday, although the reversal has no impact on U.S. policy prohibiting openly gay people from serving in the military.

“The 1996 Pentagon document, which had been recertified as ”current” three years ago, had listed homosexuality as a mental disorder alongside mental retardation, impulse control disorders and personality disorders.”

After a 1996 Pentagon document placing homosexuality among a list of “certain mental disorders” came to light this month…Read at The New York Times?

OUT GAY JUDGE APPOINTED IN MD. Ehrlich’s move follows firing of official for anti-gay slur

By JOSHUA LYNSEN, Washington Blade Online

Maryland Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich last week appointed a gay judge to the Baltimore District Court.

Christopher Panos, 47, a special master in the city’s Circuit Court family division, lives in Baltimore with his partner of 17 years, Dennis Cashen, and the couple’s 16-month-old daughter, Cate.

When reached by phone June 28, Panos said…Read the story at Washington Blade Online?

CONGRATULATIONS
Jason & David!

The reluctant “heroes” (Const. Tree and Const. Connors of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) don’t think it’s a big deal. To many GLBTI Americans it is. And we’re excited and happy for you! savvyplanners.com wishes to extend its best wishes, congratulations and admiration to the happy couple.

PRIDE in the 21st CENTURY!?
Photo: National Geographic

Could this be a “wink” from the universe? An omen of hope for GLBT rights and marriage equality? This rarely experienced “rainbow” happened on June 3rd, 2006. We thought that sharing this image again was a fitting way to close out Pride month activities and observations and an homage to how far we’ve come. Maybe it can provide some greater energy and inspiration to continue the struggle.

Read the story ‘Rainbow Fire’ via National Geographic/London Daily Mail

TASK FORCE BOARD MEMBER/ACTIVIST ERIC ROFES DIES

WASHINGTON, June 27 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force mourns the death of Eric Rofes, a leader, activist, visionary, former board member and dear friend to the Task Force. He died yesterday as the result of a heart attack.

“Words cannot express the loss we all feel. For more than 30 years, Eric was our movement’s visionary. He pushed us to be better, to never lose sight of what our movement for liberation is all about, and to love each other, fight for each other and celebrate our community. He was an organizer without par, a brilliant thinker and writer, and above all else, a wonderful person and friend. Our hearts go out to his partner Crispin Hollings and all the members of his extended family.” — Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force…read the entire NGLTF press release?

Um, OK…Congressman Lynn Westmoreland,
The Co-sponsor of the
Ten Commandments Bill is unable…
(Just Watch and be amazed)

Wow!

A lot of ‘pride’ in Garden State
Sunday, June 25, 2006

By STEVEN GOLDSTEIN*
SPECIAL TO THE HERALD NEWS

“…Yet we gay rights leaders in New Jersey still hear the occasional question, “Can’t you gay people seek all the rights of marriage without calling it marriage?

No we can’t, because separate is not equal. Imagine the uproar if a politician proposed giving rights to different-race couples not under the label of marriage, but under the label “registered interracial partnerships. The newfangled labels of “civil unions” and “domestic partnerships” are no different…
Read the entire feature?

*Steven Goldstein is the chairman of Garden State Equality

The Colbert Report Pokes fun at Fox News Story about Gay Marriage leading to Animal Marriage…

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Key West, Florida- savvyplanners.com is honored to announce the wedding of our next couple to get married on Key West next week! Misty and Margaret from Louisiana!!

These women will have a ceremony on the Gulf of Mexico, presided over by the new mayor of Key West, Mayor Morgan McPherson who has newly agreed to perform ceremonies for our clients. Their intimate ceremony, with ten special guests coming down to attend, will be captured by noted Key West Photographer, Peter Estenoz. A lovely, private reception and cake cutting is to follow at a fantastic restaurant that evening.

The team of coordinators for this event are Eric and Marcinho with special thanks to Eileen, Larry, Debra, Karen, Rich and Ann.