This is an important issue for the GLBT community that often gets overlooked. Unless, of course, like me you are IN a Long Term Relationship with someone who is not a citizen, but wishes to be. Please take the time to check this site out.LGIRTF, National Office ,350 West 31st Street, #505, NYC 10001 ph: 212.714.2904 email:info@lgirtf.org

We ARE living in a dictatorship!!! THROW HIM OUT!! THROW HIM OUT!!CNN.com - Officials discuss how to delay Election Day - Jul 11, 2004

THIS ARTICLE IS SOOOO WORTH READING! READ IT READ IT READ IT, OR I WILL EMAIL IT TO EVERY LAST ONE OF YA'LL!The Seattle Times: Living: 'Traditional' marriage? History shows people wed in many ways for many reasons

HOO-RAAAAAH!Kerry To Return To DC For Anti-Gay Vote: "John Kerry and running mate John Edwards have pledged to leave the campaign trail and return to Washington to vote against the Federal Marriage Amendment."

Excellent story on Kerry-Edwards on bbc. check it out.BBC NEWS | Americas | Kerry-Edwards: Odd couple as dream team

... And another...BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Democrat double-act hits Manhattan

... ZING!!!...BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Side by side: Cheney and Edwards

Their baskets are adorable. I want condom baskets like that.CNN.com - Faster�AIDS drugs approval urged - Jul 11, 2004

Evil incarnate--Phillip Morris--strikes again. This time in Europe. This is one naaasty company.BBC NEWS | Business | Cigarette giant settles $1bn row

Domestically, on the other hand...CNN.com - Ex-chief of Park Police denounces firing - Jul 10, 2004

For once a GOOD foreign policy report on the Bush administration. Let's see how long it is before they fuck it up.CNN.com - Saudi Arabia prepares for local elections - Jul 10, 2004

This is an interesting and poignent comic strip. Read it. Soak it in.Yahoo! News - Doonesbury

The New York Times > Washington > Senate Braces Itself for Fight on Gay Marriage
Danger! Danger Will Robinson!
Conservatives are out to fight? Well, so are we. We're not going to stop until they back down, so they better have LOTS of energy.

And one thing. If the constitutional amendment passes--either in the Federal Government or in Michigan--Stonewall is going to look like a Peta protest. And its going to be all over. Everywhere. Its not going to be a dozen drag queens and a bunch of NYC queers this time either. Thousands of mobilized, well-connected gays fighting back any way they can. That's a threat I know I can back up.

Guess what? If you take away our families and partnerships and our dreams of marriage, we're going to have a LOT of time on our hands. And if your business happened to have somehow supported this measure, you can expect to get protested boycotted and pressured until your doors close. If your church or group pushed this with their clergy, you will be infiltrated and have to face us every single sunday staring back at you from the congregation in MASS numbers, because we won't HAVE to be spending our sundays with our families--we won't be allowed any. Thats the big difference between us and the religious right wackos. They lose, they just go back to their lives. We lose, our lives will be torn apart, so we're going to have LOTS of new free-time on our hands to make you regret supporting homophobia in the law.

One way or another, the world moves TOWARD not AWAY from equality. Just like other groups, if we can't gain equality amicably, we will gain it by any means necessary.

Sure this post sounds a mite militant. That's because it is. And you can bet if lil old ME is sounding militant about this, there is something behind it. Please think twice before supporting homophobia.

BBC NEWS | Americas | CIA braced for 'damning' report
haha!!!

This is no surprise to those of us who knew right from the begining there was something fishy about how the US was concentrating on Osama Bin Laden SOOO HARD right after Sep 11, then--suddenly and without warning--a turn towards stalking Sadam Housein instead. Fishy Fishy Fishy. Seems like we realized we weren't going to find Bin Laden, but Sadam was a sitting duck, and he wouldn't get out of his country if we came in. The sad thing is the administartion's correct assumption that America won't give a shit as long as we get SOME high profile arab man, they'll call it cool even if it WASN'T the man behind Sep 11 at all. That's sad. America, I thought you knew better. Than to be distracted like that. Then to say "Oh, well, one sand-sucker's as good as the next. They're both muslim so they both must be evil." Shame on you for being so dumb and so gullible, America.

I was there!!!Thousands of Gay Couples Rally at Capitol

This one is kinda fun.Same-Sex Marriage, Glory Holes & Leathermen Make It To Dictionary
: "The importance of the GLBT community is also reflected in other new additions to the dictionary, the first edition of which was published in 1998. The term 'GLBT' itself is new, as is 'lesbigay'. 'Transgender(ed)', which was considered for the first edition, became much more commonly used in the last seven years, and thus made the cut for the second edition. A new meaning was added to the word 'pride' to cross-refer specifically to 'gay pride', which is also a new entry. The significance of the rainbow symbol is also recognized with an entry for 'rainbow flag'.
Other gay-related terms in the Second Edition of the Canadian Oxford Dictionary include bareback, bi-curious, civil union, co-parenting, cruisy, gaydar, glory hole, leatherman, lipstick lesbian, and pink triangle."

We need to do something about this!!!CNN.com - U.N.: World failing in AIDS fight - Jul 6, 2004: "Almost 5 million people became infected with HIV last year -- the largest number of new infections since the disease was discovered in 1981, the annual AIDS report from the United Nations said Tuesday."

MMM MMM MMM... Soy nuts.USATODAY.com - Even vending food gets better for you: "Hungry consumers are about to find more nutritional food and drink in the one place they'd least expect it: the vending machine."

Checkout this website. As seen on CNN, you can see all the planes in the air above the US here. It really has no uses, other than all those little plane-shaped dots are cool. The free version doesnt have them moving, like on CNN. Now THAT is what I REALLY want. I think if you have the professional version you can click on the plane and it tells you the flight info too. Now that's friggin awesome. The site is Flightexplorer.com Check it out, its not bad.

ATTNETION ALL!!! Phil Reese is ONCE AGAIN a PUBLISHED WRITER! Check out my Queer Magazine Articles: Our Fathers and LOGO comes Alive in Queer Magazine!Queer Magazine
For direct access to my articles, try LOGO - NEW GAY TELEVISION
and
DAMGI.COM:� CONTENTS - MARCH - COVER STORY
That's right--the COVER STORY is mine. Last time I started at a publication, I got the cover story as well. Let's see if I get reshuffled back to the last pages again this time? Either way, I'm excited to have some of my writing online again, with people getting a fair look at it.

This is bad news.Marriage gets a boost in Michigan - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics - July 06, 2004

THis is good news.No gay-union outcry, senators say=The Hill.com=

Goooooo Turkey!!!Irvine Firm Takes Mini-MBA Program to Turkey

This is cool!Yahoo! News - Campground in Vermont Goes Wireless

We're going to FIGHT THIS LIKE HELL!!!!Michigan Group Submits Half-Million Signatures To Force Gay Marriage Vote


The New York Times > Washington > Intelligence: C.I.A. Held Back Iraqi Arms Data, U.S. Officials Say: "The Central Intelligence Agency was told by relatives of Iraqi scientists before the war that Baghdad's programs to develop unconventional weapons had been abandoned, but the C.I.A. failed to give that information to President Bush, even as he publicly warned of the threat posed by Saddam Hussein's illicit weapons, according to government officials."
Does this really get Bush off the hook? I don't think so. If anything, we learn from this that his government is disorganized and messed up. the CIA dropped the ball on terrorism, then Uranium from Ethiopia, now this. We need to get rid of this president and his whole administration, and open the doors and windows of the government to air it out.

The New York Times > National > Pill Thefts Alter the Look of Rural Drugstores (Rush Limbaugh a suspect): "It was the popularity of OxyContin that forced Ms. Cinnamond to take extra measures. Burglars broke into her pharmacy twice in 2001, and tried unsuccessfully a third time after she had upgraded security."

CNN.com - Hatch: Support in Senate for stem cell research - Jul 5, 2004: "Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Republican supporter of embryonic stem cell research, said Sunday there is wide support in the Senate to ease the Bush administration's restrictive policy."
What a surprise from Orin, my Orin. Wow. First he says no on the FMA, now this... If I weren't mistaken, I'd think he was starting to turn a little donkey.

This is an interesting story. CNN.com - Only 636 years left in longest concert - Jul 5, 2004: "BERLIN, Germany (AP) -- In an abandoned church in the German town of Halberstadt, the world's longest concert was coming two notes closer to its end Monday: Three years down, 636 to go."

This is an interesting story. CNN.com - Only 636 years left in longest concert - Jul 5, 2004: "BERLIN, Germany (AP) -- In an abandoned church in the German town of Halberstadt, the world's longest concert was coming two notes closer to its end Monday: Three years down, 636 to go."

More News stories I've been missing.

I was WAY off on this guy... And I'm glad I was! One of only TWO republicans worth liking!Arnold: Let 'Em Eat Wedding Cake : "The governor until now has given no indication how he might receive the measure if it passes the legislature being put forward by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco).
'To me, it's a very positive sign that he's saying that,' Nunez told the Los Angeles Times. Senate President John Burton (D-San Francisco) said the governor's position made sense.
'Why would anybody care,' he said, 'except the two people getting married or the spurned lover of one of the two people getting married?'"
...And also...
California governor not opposed to same-sex marriage: "According to the Los Angeles Times, Schwarzenegger's exchange at the restaurant was with 31-year-old Peter Renfro, a Sacramento Democrat, who has a male domestic partner. When asked by Renfro if he had moral objection to gay marriage, the governor said, 'My opinion is that I don't care one way or the other,' the newspaper reported."

Man, who does he think he's speaking for? Not me! I'm a Catholic who SUPPORTS gay marriage.High-ranking U.S. bishop backs marriage-ban amendment : "The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops on Friday endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage. He urged all Roman Catholics to lobby for its passage."

Wow, surprise.Nation's Mayors To Vote On Gay Marriage Resolution: "(Boston, Massachusetts) The U.S. Conference of Mayors will vote Monday on a resolution that opposes a federal constitutional amendment banning gay marriage."

This is ALSO a surprise. The Calvinist church HAS CERTAINLY come a long way, hasn't it. Not only are the Scotts cute, they're also becomming more gay friendly. Maybe some of the cuter Scotts will become more friendly with me!Gay Rights Advocate To Lead Presbyterian Church: "(Richmond, Virginia) A peace activist who supports the inclusion of gays in the ministry was elected to lead the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) for the next two years.
The selection of Rick Ufford-Chase as moderator comes as the church prepares for a fresh round of debate at its annual convention on whether to repeal a ban on gay pastors.
Ufford-Chase, 40, may be the youngest person to serve as moderator of the 2.4 million-member denomination, church officials said. He was installed as moderator of the group's 216th General Assembly on Saturday making him the first layperson to hold the unpaid position since 1999."

GOOOD NEWS!!!! And possibly a telltale sign for OUR OWN election!Liberals Squeak By As Canada Elects Minority Gov't
: "(Ottawa) A week ago Canada's governing Liberals were being written off as pollsters predicted a Conservative landslide in Monday's general election, but as the Conservative Party policies on same-sex marriage, health care, and defense became apparent, voters became nervous."

THIS is F'in sad. What an eye-opener. Whoever said we shouldn't force our "lifestyle" into schools needs to talk to a kid who's been attacked. About 75 percent of schools fail to protect GLBT kids: "LGBT students are completely unprotected in schools in 42 states while only truly 'safe' in two, announced the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in a report released Monday."
...This goes along too...
Young Gay Men Experience Higher Rates Of Anti Gay Violence

This is detestable. This guy comes in, the victim of an atrocious, sad crime, and he becomes a joke. WE NEED TO EDUCATE THE STRAIGHT COMMUNITY FURTHER! WE NEED TO COME OUT SO WE AREN'T TREATED AS JOKES ALL THE TIME...
Gay Bash Victim Claims Second Assault In Hospital: "After he was released from hospital and while going through the personal belongings he had with him the night he was attacked, Bradford says he came across his digital camera. As he began going through the pictures he discovered photos had been taken of him while he lay unconscious in the hospital. Photos of his genitals.
He immediately filed a police complaint alleging 'unlawful sexual contact'.
'I was mortified,' Bradford said in the police report. And, asked 'what else did they do?'"
...of course, I'm also the guy who's closeted at work. Sigh.

Protests As Virginia Gay Unions Ban Goes Into Effect
: "'(The law) clearly states that gay and lesbian people in this state should not feel welcome,' Dyana Mason, executive director of Equality Virginia, the state's largest gay rights organization, said at the Richmond rally. 'It seeks to strip the only tool that gay and lesbian couples have to protect their families.'"
Visit www.virginiaisforhaters.org

Poll: Canadians Overwhelmingly Support Gay Marriage: "The poll, for Research and Information on Canada and Environics showed that 57% of Canadians favor equal marriage rights for gays and lesbians, 38% are opposed. "
Then let's get going!!!

Presbyterians Reject Gay Ordination Plan
Well, shit. I guess we can't win them all. Go Presby's anyway.

Few Signs Pro Sports Ready To Open Up To Gay Athletes
: "While countless gay athletes have revealed their sexuality in sports like women's golf and figure skating, the greatest frontier lies ahead. When will someone come out in major league baseball? Or the NFL? Or the NBA? Or the NHL?"
Which is EXACTLY what the book i've been working on for a year will focus on!!! Coming out in the NFL, and having America get over it.

I didn't know he was bi!Bi Actor Marlon Brando Dies
: "In the 1967 film Reflections In A Golden Eye Brando played a married gay army officer who is driven to murder. In The Score (2001) Brando played another gay character but his performance was so outlandish most of his scenes ended up on the cutting room floor."
OK, the first surprise was that he was bi, but the BIGGER surprise was that he was in The Score. I SAW that movie, and I DON'T remember him!
Either way (he he), he WILL be missed.
Happy Trails, Marlon.

This is an absolutely terrible story. I hope they throw the book at the shits.Sorrow, Violence & Protest At Pride Events
: " In Toronto police are searching for two men who abducted and brutally raped a 17 year old girl in the city's gay village during weekend Pride events.
Police say the teen had gone with a friend to join the celebrations in the village. She had left Zipperz club and was heading north on Mutual Street when she was grabbed by a man who jumped out of a black SUV. The teen was dragged into the vehicle which was being driven by a second man."

I've been away for an AWFULLY long time. Here are some of the stories I would have commented on. You probably can't read them all!


'We' (Cheneyburton) just lost $1B dollars in insurgent attacks in Iraq against oil pipelines. Now Cheney can make ALL of his money BACK, just by saying "nevermind" on the Federal Marriage Amendment.$1B in income for Fed Gov is Gay Marriage is made legal
C'mon Cheney, we all know how much you need the cash.

Who'da thunk. Politics makes strange bedfellows. Ben was right. He also was gay. Well, maybe not, but Hamilton was!!!Bob Barr likes us.

Not bad I say. Record 5 Gay Bills Simultaneously Move Forward In Cal Leg While Anti-Gay Bill Dies

More good news.PFLAG Becomes First Gay Advocacy Group To Address National Parent Teacher Group: "'Both PFLAG and the NPTA are organizations of parents dedicated to improving the lives and education of our country's children,' said Ron Schlittler, PFALG's executive director. 'Together we can reach out to schools on a local, state and national level and send an unequivocal message: we will not permit our children to suffer abuse for simply being who they are.'"

British Gay Partners Win Landmark Ruling: "'Homosexual relationships can have exactly the same qualities of intimacy, stability and inter-dependence that heterosexual relationships do,' said Baroness Hale writing for the majority."

Giiiii-ROSSSSS!
investigation underway into Oklahoma judge caught using penis pump while was presiding over a trial: "Thompson has a reputation for being a tough law and order judge, strong on family morals. He once tried to send a man to prison for life for spitting on a police officer. "

I'm so glad Cagdas chose not to go here afterall. Even though it would have been great for him to attend school in a large city, what a crap hand they're dealing their GLBT employees.Gay Discrimination Law Illegal University Says
: "(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) In an attempt to avoid paying benefits to the partners of its gay and lesbian employees the University of Pittsburgh is calling for a court to strike down the city's non discrimination ordinance that protects gays."

Is anyone surprised? Let's fire the bastard.Bush AIDS Speech Draws Fire: "The President's 5,000 word speech repeatedly drove home the message that abstinence is the best way to prevent HIV/AIDS. Bush spoke at length about programs to teach children to abstain from sex. 'It works every time,' he said."

God I love Special Edition DVDs.
Colin Farrell's "distracting" penis dropped from gay film: "Luckily for Colin, the 'distraction' was apparently due to the size of his manhood rather than its unsightliness.
'All you could hear were gasps when Colin appeared in his full-frontal pose,' a source told The Sun. 'The women were overexcited and the men looked really uncomfortable.'
'It was such a sight it made it difficult to concentrate on the plot, so the decision was made to get rid of it.'"

I really used to love this man's work. High Fidelity was one of my favorite movies ever. Hey, Rufus Wainright is even in it!!! So why choke off the 'gay' origonally written into these plots?Deep Inside Hollywood: John Cusack is ex-gay: "When Romeo first reported on this story, it looked like the plot would follow that of the original book, in which a gay man adopts a 6-year-old boy, only to discover that the child believes himself to be from Mars. In the film, however, Cusack's character will be straight. So far, no one is saying why the gay character was declared an unfit parent and why that change was so vital to the movie's development"

Gay spy film gets green light: "'I think in a trophy business, you can maybe be black but you can't, definitely not yet, be gay,' he said."
Amen, brother.

LOOK OUT ALL OF YOU CANADIANS!!!! YOUR FIGHT ISN'T OVER YET!!!Tory Secret Agenda To Roll Back Gay Rights Uncovered
: "Tory leader Stephen Harper has consistently denied the nothwithstanding clause would be used to override gay laws or court decisions, but now a tape has emerged showing the man Harper is expected to appoint Attorney General if his party wins Monday saying the Conservatives would use the clause to block gay marriage."

Its about time someone shut this shit up. I hate this man, and now I know why. This is what I'm talking about when I talk about living yoru life openly and honestly. He wants to put forward this squeaky clean front when underneath he's just as dirty as anyone else. My life will be left in the open. The only thing I will leave private for the rest of my life is the private matters of my family. Other than that, I won't fake a public persona that I can't back up in private. That is wrong, totally disgusting, and always backfires. Gay News From 365Gay.com
Good luck getting elected now, Jack Ryan you big bigot!

CNN Programs - Lou Dobbs Tonight

As far as I can tell, Nextel is the only website that Lou Dobb's report says is not exporting jobs. http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/popups/lou.dobbs.tonight/exporting.america/content1.html/frameset.exclude.html
It's too difficult to sift thru ALL of this content to really decide who is worth buying and who isn't. This list also doesn't say to what extent this outsourcing is happening. This is an eye-opener though.