OutFront Colorado Readers Vote Connexion.org “OUTstanding Online Dating Site”

Out Front Colorado set their readers to the task of choosing the most OUTstanding people, places and things in Colorado - and they came through. In naming Connexion the most “OUTstanding Online Dating Site” OutFront Colorado’s editors comment: “Where OFC readers meet Mr. Right, Mr. Right Now and Mr. Umm, Be Right Back.”

Tim Gill founded Connexion.org in 2003 to provide members of the LGBT community with a clean, socially focused outlet to meet people and create lasting relationships. As a member of Connexion.org, you can chat with fellow members, organize events, post videos and blog entries, and stay informed about issues affecting the gay and lesbian community – all at no cost.

The Denver, Colorado, based company reached its first 100,000 members after a series of Halloween parties in their home city, and buzz continues to grow as active membership exceeds 140,000. Unlike other networking sites, Connexion.org is focused on encouraging interaction between members and creating lifelong friendships and romances.

Connexion.org user Chris in Ohio writes that “just when I thought guys weren’t in my future here comes Scott on IM, pops up on my screen and we meet and things really kick off for us. Your site made that possible for me. Thank you so much!”

Connexion.org allows gay and lesbian people to go beyond staying in touch with high school friends or arranging hookups, instead delving into political debates and sharing ideas. One of the most popular features of the site is the “Queer and Questioning” section, in which members can post discussion questions that are open to the entire community. Topics range from dinner recipe suggestions to long conversations over current events.

Connexion.org is not simply an online portal to the dating world. They also organize cocktail parties, movie nights, and outdoor adventure trips, which all members are encouraged to attend with their friends. With Connexion.org, gays and lesbians can be assured of a free, safe, and fun place to meet people and create bonds that can last a lifetime.

KRISTIN DAVIS, MANHATTAN MADAM, WILL RUN FOR GOVERNOR ON A PRO-GAY MARRIAGE PLATFORM

Women's advocate, Kristin Davis, who as the Manhattan Madam supplied escorts for Eliot Spitzer when he was Attorney General and Governor will announce her candidacy as an advocate of gay marriage in New York State at a press conference at11am on March 1, 2010 at the historic Roosevelt Hotel located at 45 East 45th Street at Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017- 2nd floor, Sutton Suite.

"The Gay Marriage issue is about equality. All New Yorkers must have the right to marry the person of their choice. Anything less than this is unconstitutional." Davis has written on her blog: http://www.manhattanmadam.com/kristins_blog/view/759/ny_s_gay_marriage_disgrace

Davis will announce her intention to petition her way onto the ballot and will outline her platform, which includes Marriage Equality for Gays and Lesbians, as well as legalization, regulation and taxation of prostitution and marijuana.

Members of the Gay press are invited.

Inspiring year ahead, with Out and Equal Executive Forum and Workplace Summit plans underway

The New Year has started as one of our busiest, and most promising for Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, with plans underway for the 2010 Executive Forum and Leadership Celebration in New York City and the 2010 Workplace Summit in Los Angeles.

The Executive Forum, set for April 19-21, brings together high-ranking and emerging lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender leaders from the world's largest corporations for a series of discussions, innovative workshops and renowned keynote speakers. The last night concludes with the special Leadership Celebration, which is open to all and includes a special reception and our annual dinner!

Since we started the Executive Forum, I've been honored to sit side-by-side with some of the business world's most inspiring thought leaders, sharing ideas and learning practices that shaped their successes.

It's no wonder that so many previous Executive Forum participants are signing up for the limited seats available at this year's forum and encouraging their peers to apply.

The excitement is already building for the 2010 Workplace Summit, which comes at a pivotal point in the history of workplace equality. Following the President's State of the Union speech, we are seeing progress on the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The repeal of DADT will finally resolve an embarrassing workplace injustice and permit brave LGBT men and women to serve openly in the military without fear of losing their jobs based solely on their sexual orientation.

We still hold out hope that passage of a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act is possible in 2010, providing protection for civilian LGBT employees across the country to bring their full selves to work. The recent decision by Virginia's governor to reissue an executive order that dropped employment protection for our community underscores the importance of passing ENDA now. Please continue to contact your federal lawmakers to make sure they know the importance of moving forward on this critical piece of legislation.

The annual Workplace Summit, set for Oct. 5-8 in Los Angeles, will continue to further LGBT workplace equality through energizing discussions, top-notch speakers and informative workshops. Take part in tomorrow's Town Call to learn how to best submit workshop proposals or nominate "Outie" award candidates. Workshop proposals and Outie nominations are being accepted now through April 30.

There's plenty to be proud of this year, and through our achievements together, there will be even more to celebrate as we help shape the future of LGBT workplace equality.

Sincerely,

Selisse Berry
Executive Director
Out and Equal Workplace Advocates

OutHistory.org’s Since Stonewall Local Histories Contest – Deadline Approaching!

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, OutHistory.org, will award five substantial prizes for the best online exhibits about the local LGBTQ histories of particular villages, towns, cities, counties and states in the U.S. since June 1969. The top five exhibits will receive awards from $5,000 to $1,000. The contest is supported by a grant from the Arcus Foundation to The Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies (CLAGS), an institute of the City University of New York Graduate Center.

CONTACT : Lauren Gutterman, Project Coordinator outhistory@gc.cuny.edu (847) 345-9775

Gay, Lesbian Workers Increasingly At Home In the City

By JAVIER ESPINOZA

LONDON—Two years ago, Ashley Steel would have told you the City needs to do more to make gay people feel more able to be themselves.
But the openly lesbian board member from accountancy company KPMG Europe LLP thinks a lot has improved in recent years. "If there is anyone in the City who is still gay and not out, my strong advice is they should come out and get on with and be themselves," says Ms. Steel, 50 years old.

Read on in Wall Street Journal

Gay Media and Press Network Reaches 100 Members

Connecting Gay Press Professionals Worldwide

Pittsburgh, February 1, 2010 (GWS) - The month of January turned out to be a great month for the GayWebSource.com "Gay Media and Press Network". The network has reach 100 professional members who are from the gay media and press. The members have been very active on the site. Members are coming from gay newspapers, magazines, web portals, radio stations and TV stations. Many of the members taking part are publishers, editors and writers of the publications. Some of the first members to join where the Erie Gay News, UK Gay News, Echelon Magazine, Philadelphia Gay News, Boston Spirit, TV Gay Guide, Whosoever Magazine, WestHollywood.com, TV Polari, Rainbow Pages, Pink Banana Media, and Rainbow Webradio. Gay media and press members are welcome worldwide. They already have members from the USA, UK, Netherlands, Mexico, Canada and France.

Members of the gay media are able to use the network to interact, share news stories and find material for their publications. They can post press releases, stories and or headlines for syndication to other gay publications. It is a great way for gay media professionals to get content for their publication and market their gay publication to the world.

Only members of the gay press and media are approved for membership to the network, however anyone can submit news. It is free for anyone to submit news for publication to the network, however GayWebSource.com will also distribute your news to its members for a small fee.

GayWebSource.com has also formed a local media partnership with some of the publications from the network. Several publications such as the Erie Gay News, MTM Chicago and Gay Calgary have joined forces as local media partners of GayWebSource.com. The publications will be featured in the local news area at: http://gaywebsource.net/newscenter/localnews.html

All local, national and international gay publications are invite to join the "Gay Media and Press Network" at: www.gaywebsource.com/gaymediacenter . You are welcome to pass the word to your local gay newspaper or magazine.

© All Rights Reserved, Media Enquiries can contact:
GayWebSource.com via e-mail at: support @ gaywebsource.com

Media provided by: GayWebSource.com - Gay Media and Press Network

Where We Are On ENDA - Weekly ENDA Update

By Dr. Jillian Weiss

ENDA is still being held hostage by the House Committee on Education and Labor. Originally, it was being held up allegedly because language needed to be changed about the procedures for bringing a lawsuit.  It has now come out that there are more changes, specifically regarding transgender people, but the changes have not been made public. 

A "markup" procedure is expected to be held sometime in the next two months, and the bill will then be released to the House for a vote, where it is expected to pass.  However, while a majority of Senators support ENDA (55, to be exact), the Republicans are throwing a monkey wrench into progress in the Senate.  They are filibustering every single Democratic bill.  That means 60 votes are needed, instead of 50. 

It appears likely that the best chance to pass ENDA is to amend this "monkey wrench" rule that allows Republicans to sink every Democratic initiative.  Unfortunately, "Majority" Leader Harry Reid is saying that the monkey wrench rule can't be changed unless it receives 67 votes.  This is incorrect, and it appears that he is trying to avoid having to bring any controversial bills to a vote.

More on this here: 

Senate "Monkey Wrench" Rule Repeal Only Needs 51 Votes

http://www.facebook.com/l/2f099;bit.ly/dCLnas

Gay and Lesbian Marketing Conference

Don’t miss this comprehensive research, advertising, marketing, and communications forum, helping you better understand and serve gay and lesbian consumers.

Audience:Perfect for marketing, advertising and PR executives of all industries who want to successfully reach gay and lesbian communities, and initiate or update effective strategies.

Dedicated: Conference attendance is limited, in order to facilitate the best learning and networking environment.

Community Marketing, Inc.has been successfully connecting our clients with diverse gay and lesbian communities worldwide since 1992 through consumer
market intelligence and strategic planning.

Pink Banana Media specializes in unique aspects of LGBTonline marketing, matching a
product or service to targeted online communities through geographic and demographic targeting.

Conference is 9:00am to 5:30pm, including lunch and coffee

Registration options:
__ Pre-registration by March 31: $245    __ Half-day with pre-registration is $195.
__ 2+ from the same company: $225 each; 5+ from the same company $195 each.
__ On-Site registration: $295 per person

•Review of Community Marketing’s research on over 30,000 out consumers

•Internet and email marketing, social networking, and other emerging communications technologies

•Exploring diversity markets within “LGBT” and how to reach them

•Focus group insights and trends

•Maximizing print and PR results

•Direct response marketing outreach

•Proven techniques for measuring, monitoring and maximizing ROI

•Sponsorship marketing and events, and more.

Learn, review, update and strategize!














Register online: www.CommunityMarketingInc.com/nyc2010

Record January Results in NGLCC Topping 100 Corporate Partners

As January 2010 came to a close, a new record was set for the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce® (NGLCC). In January alone, 11 new corporations joined the NGLCC and confirmed their commitment to LGBT-owned businesses across the country. Some of the NGLCC's newest corporate partners include Capital One, Darden Restaurants, Hewlett-Packard, Limited Brands, Mattel, MMC, New York Life Insurance, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Pfizer, US Bank and Waste Management. For detailed information on partnering with the NGLCC, please contact the NGLCC corporate relations department at corporaterelations@nglcc.org or call 202-234-9181.

Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in Ecuador

Quito, February, 2010--Starting today until August 15, 2010 filmmakers can submit applications to participate in the 8th  edition of El Lugar Sin Limites Film Festival. Submissions can be documentaries (except  for institutional material), short films, feature films, as well as experimental fiction, animation or home video. Material must be gay, lesbian, transgender and / or bisexual issues related. The festival will be held simultaneously in five Ecuadorian cities: Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca, Manta and Riobamba on November 20-28, 2010.

The gay-lesbian-transgender film festival El Lugar sin Limites is organized by Quitogay.net in collaboration with Ochoymedio Movie Theatres.  It takes place in five cities and is usually covered by local and international media. It aims at creating space for cultural and social integration, through an event that combines knowledge, entertainment and reflection about sexual diversity issues relevant to any society.

The festival will include three categories: Feature films, documentaries, and short films. All entries  must have a 2006 copyright date or earlier. The official language of the Festival is Spanish. Therefore, entries must be in Spanish or be properly subtitled.

Entires must be received on or before August 15, 2010 (postmark date). There will be no cost for registration or participating in the festival.

For each category (long feature, documentary and short film), there will be an award for best work. Entries that have been previously shown at commercial venues or have participated in other festivals in Ecuador are not eligible.

An application form and more information including terms of participation can be found at www.elugarsinlimites.net

2010 Out and Equal Summit: Workshops

Register now for the Feb. 25 Town Call, where you will learn how you can take part in the 2010 Out & Equal Workplace Summit, the world's premier conference on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workplace equality, set for Oct. 5-8 in Los Angeles.

When: Thursday, Feb. 25
Time:  Noon Pacific | 1 p.m. Mountain | 2 p.m. Central | 3 p.m. Eastern
Where: Live teleconference
Cost: Free

The Town Call, which is free, will explore how you can submit Summit workshop proposals and how to nominate candidates for the prestigious Out & Equal Workplace Award, known as "the Outies," that will be awarded during the Summit.

Workshop proposals

The Out & Equal Workplace Summit offers the chance to unite and share the information needed to advance lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workplace equality. Now more than ever, Out & Equal workshops are invaluable tools to keep up with the changes happening around us and in the workplace.

Associate Director of Summit & Events Anthony Bannon will discuss Summit workshop submittal process, as well as introduce the core concepts that will be addressed during this year's conference, which attracts thousands of participants from across the country and around the world.

Why Present a Workshop?

•Teach and interact with hundreds of workplace leaders from around the nation and the world, representing dozens of top companies and organizations

 •Showcase your organization's best practices

•Be recognized as a leader in advancing workplace equality

•Receive a discounted three-day Summit registration


Request for Proposals for the 2010 Workplace Summit workshops will be posted to www.OutandEqual.org at least one week before the Town Call. 

The deadline for 2010 Workplace Summit Workshop Proposals is April 30.


This webinar will provide you with some great and timely guidance, and is open to all. It is recommended for people and organizations with a record of support for LGBT workplace equality.

LOG CABIN MEETING TO PUSH GLBT VISIBILITY IN JUNE ELECTION

(LOS ANGELES) – Log Cabin Republicans-Los Angeles is working to recruit gay and lesbian candidates for the June primary ballot at the organization’s February 22 meeting, open to all Republicans.

The 6:30 p.m. reception at Mirabelle Restaurant, 8768 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood will feature a signature-gathering party for Republican GLBT candidates for Assembly, Senate, and Republican Party of Los Angeles County Central Committee. The deadline for qualifying for the June ballot is March 12.

 “It is tremendously important that qualified gay and lesbian Republicans are on the ballot and able to carry our message of limited government, personal responsibility and fundamental freedoms to voters in Los Angeles County, “ said Scott Schmidt, president of Log Cabin-Los Angeles, the oldest and most successful gay Republican organization in the country. "If you want to change the Republican Party to focus on the values that unite us, then it begins with changing the face of the Party, running for office and taking our rightful seat at the table."

“People may be surprised to learn that there have been as many as a dozen gay men and women on the Los Angeles County Republican Central Committee.  What should surprise no one is that America understands that we can do better as a nation, as exemplified by Republican victories across the country.

 “Our community is best represented when our community's members represent a variety of viewpoints to the voting public. If there is a 'gay gene,' I am certain that it does not include a proclivity towards higher taxes, higher deficits and bigger government. Our February meeting is designed to help gay and lesbian Republicans make it to the ballot and into the minds of Republican voters throughout the county,” said Schmidt.

Schmidt said voters from every part of the county are welcome and needed to help potential candidates qualify for the ballot.

More information: http://www.logcabin.org/logcabinca/losangeles_chapter.html.

Victory on Behalf of Transgender Tax Payers

The Transgender Law Center (TLC) congratulates Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) for their landmark victory in U.S. Tax Court. In Rhiannon O'Donnabhain v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, the Court found that transgender tax payers may deduct the cost of some transition-related surgeries because such procedures are not "cosmetic surgery" as defined by the Internal Revenue Code.

Ms. O'Donnabhain, a Boston native, Coast Guard veteran, and parent began transitioning in the mid 1990s and underwent sex reassignment surgeries in 2001. In April 2002, Ms. O'Donnabhain deducted approximately $25,000 in surgical expenses from her 2001 tax return. She was audited by the I.R.S. six months later. After an initial indication by an Appeals Officer to allow the deduction, the I.R.S. Chief Counsel denied the deduction in 2005. A trial was held in U.S. Tax Court in August 2007. The case had been pending before the court for more than two years before the favorable decision was announced. The decision has broad implications for transgender tax payers in California and throughout the U.S.

In March 2009 the Transgender Law Center represented Diane Garcia, a transgender woman from West Covina, at an I.R.S. audit in Los Angeles. Like Ms. O'Donnabhain, Ms. Garcia had deducted the cost of transition-related surgeries from her taxes. TLC successfully advocated for Ms. Garcia, and the I.R.S. did not appeal. The Transgender Law Center has since provided information and resources to other transgender tax payers in California. When told of the victory in Ms. O'Donnabhain's case, Garcia said:

"I am thrilled that the court did the right thing in this case and recognized that SRS is necessary medical care, not cosmetic surgery. I am happy for Rhiannon, and thankful to GLAD for arguing this case before the U.S. Tax Court. I am also immensely grateful to the Transgender Law Center for their successful advocacy on my behalf."

The court's decision in Rhiannon O'Donnabhain v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue is available here on the GLAD website, www.GLAD.org.

Gen. Colin Powell Adds his Powerful Voice in Support of Repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Powell, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Supported Law in 1993 but now “Fully Support(s)” Secy Gates and Adm. Mullens’ Strategy for Repeal

WASHINGTON – Today, the effort to repeal the discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law received a monumental boost of support from General Colin Powell.  The former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the 1990’s, who supported the laws passage back in 1993, changed his position in a statement sent out today saying, “attitudes and circumstances have changed”.  In voicing his support for the law’s repeal, Gen. Powell threw his full support behind the, “the new approach" presented to the Senate Armed Services Committee this week by Secretary of Defense Gates and Admiral Mullen.”

 “General Powell has made clear that his position is about effectiveness in the military,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “His powerful voice for ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is a tipping point in favor of the brave men and women who are serving our nation in silence.  The support of respected present and former military leaders brings us closer to repeal, signaling that we’re moving forward and will get there soon.  Opposing repeal now means second-guessing some of our nation’s top military leaders, including the Joint Chiefs chairman who opposed open service in the 1990’s when Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell became law.”

Gen. Powell’s announcement today of his support for repealing the law joins that of current Joint Chiefs chairman, Admiral Mike Mullen, who yesterday became the first Joint Chiefs chairman to ever speak out in support of repeal since Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell became law back in 1993.  Gen. Powell’s statement today cited that, ““the principal issue has always been the effectiveness of the Armed Forces and order and discipline in the ranks.”

Solmonese continued,  “I want to ask the senators and members who are speaking out against this repeal—what do you know about military effectiveness that General Powell, Secretary Gates, Admiral Mullen and the Commander in Chief don’t know?  The truth is that there are no more excuses, the death knell for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has been rung and now is the moment to send this law into the history books where it belongs.”

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Statement from Human Rights Campaign on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” U.S. Senate Hearing

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, released the following statement today from HRC President Joe Solmonese:

            “Today is a historic step forward in repealing a shameful law that has harmed the military, discharged thousands of talented and patriotic Americans and prevented thousands more from serving their country.

            Don't Ask, Don't Tell has been unworkable from the start.  When the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense, who also served under President Bush, direct the military to mitigate the pace of discharges while moving toward implementation, we know that Don't Ask Don't Tell is on its way out.

            Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen made clear today that this military review is about how, not if this policy will be repealed despite the protest from vocal opponents on the Armed Services Committee.  As the Secretary said in his opening statement, "The question before us is not whether the military prepares to make this change, but how best we prepare for it."

            We applaud Chairman Levin's suggestion that the discharges be halted while this review is underway, and we urge the President and Congress to move quickly on this important first step.

            We acknowledge and appreciate President Obama's leadership in bringing the military into line with his ideal.  Make no mistake -- this would not have happened without his insistence.  And we'll need more of that commitment in the months ahead.

            Today's announcement blunts the day-to-day damage of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, but we call on Congress to rescind this law and give the Pentagon the full authority to close the books on this stain of discrimination.  Finally, while we respect the view of our military leaders to limit this review to the military itself, we encourage the Secretary to include outside repeal advocates as well.

            We will -- as we always have -- work in partnership with the Obama Administration and our allies on the Hill as we continue to work toward full and final repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.”