At the annual National Prayer Breakfast on February 4, President Obama condemned Ugandan legislation that would penalize homosexual people for engaging in homosexuality. Speaking before a room filled with sponsors of the breakfast, the Fellowship Foundation–an organization linked to efforts to pass the anti-LGBT bill–Obama called the measures “unconscionable” and “odious.”

60 members of Congress have signed a letter addressed to President Obama urging him to pass the comprehensive immigration-reform Uniting American Families Act with language that allows LGBT U.S. nationals to sponsor their partners
in binational families.

The European Parliament reaffirmed today that securing LGBT rights were an important consideration for candidate countries applying to join the European Union.

A school program for LGBT students recently opened in Los Angeles. A collaboration with Opportunities for Learning, the anti-harassment school would offer around 40 7th through 12th graders an alternative program with an independent study angle. Students meet with an instructor twice a week and spend the other weekdays completing a full day of schoolwork at home.

If you are planning on spending your Valentine’s weekend eating pints of Chubby Hubby and watching Love, Actually fourteen times, fear not! Single Mingle will be hosting their Big Gay Valentine’s Day show at Spybar (646 N. Franklin) on Saturday, February 13. Single Mingle utilizes familiar dating game elements in a live environment that allows the crowd to size each other up and pair off while three predetermined contestants vie for the hand of one lucky lonesome. Doors open at 6 PM followed by two shows separated by an intermission.

If you’re looking for something to do with a special someone this weekend, head to Chicago’s Freedom to Marry Day events, which will include a demonstration by the LGBTQA Liberation Network on Valentine’s Day outside Holy Name Cathedral (735 N. State St.) picketing Cardinal Francis George and his efforts within the Catholic church to staunch equal marriage. Meet up at 10:30 AM, just in time for mass! London will be holding a similar demonstration that day to protest a visit by the Pope, organizing for a secular Europe as well as LGBT and women’s rights.

Note: We’re retooling our News section to cover news in a way more fitting to our voice and with slightly more editorial comment. Take this moment to ogle our new side image as well.

With all eyes on the national repeal of DOMA, we may have overlooked the inequity in our own state. But just last week, State Senator Heather Steans proposed the Equal Marriage Act to the state senate. This is the first bill to be introduced in the Illinois senate, but it meshes well with the current Same-Sex Marriage and Religion Freedoms Act by Representative Greg Harris in the state House.

Even though it has long been proven that gay men are not the only carriers of HIV, only making up about half the newly infected rate in the U.S., no one CC’ed blood donation centers. A Canadian man recently filed a countersuit against Canadian Blood Services who were suing him for not revealing his status as MSM when donating between 1998 and 2002. MSM are one of the few major groups, and the only one based on sexual practice, to be denied as blood donors based simply on the demerit of having homoerotic intercourse since the arbitrary date of 1977 (because no one could possibly have had AIDS before then). Kyle Freeman’s lawsuit asserts that all applicants should be reviewed based on their behavior and not their identity and is another example in a long list of people fighting to change this near-universal policy.

On Thursday, October 1, a Texas judge ruled that the state ban on same-sex marriage violated the equal protection clause in the state constitution when deciding in a case of same-sex divorce. The attorney general filed an accelerated appeal, but the court will go ahead and file the divorce papers in the meantime. Speculation is high as to whether or not this will mean a trend toward marriage equality in the state or if this is an isolated instance.

The murder of British consul John Terry in his current home country of Jamaica is now being claimed by some to have been motivated by homophobia. An alleged note was found along with Terry’s body that was a threat to gay men, and although Jamaican police believe that the motive was not a hate crime due to evidence, especially no sign of forced entry into Terry’s home, Jamaica still has a history of violence toward homosexuals and a standing law that convicts men who have sexual contact with each other to ten years in prison.

On Wednesday, September 9, Uruguay became the first Latin American country to allow adoption for lesbian and gay couples. This follows precedence set by Uruguay in allowing same-sex civil unions and for LGBT students to attend military academies.

New Jersey Stonewall Democrat president Barbra Casbar Siperstein became the newest member of the DNC’s governing body last Friday. Siperstein is the first transwoman to be elected to a position with the DNC and joins 5 other recent LGBT appointments.

Today, Rep. John Nadler of New York introduced a bill to Congress to be known as the “Respect for Marriage Act of 2009.” The bill looks to repeal the current federal DOMA that prevents same-sex couples from receiving federal benefits and recognition. In other news to bolster this repeal, The Huffington Post reports that the divorce rate in the first state to legalize gay marriage 5 years ago are the lowest in the country. In fact, they’re lower than the national divorce rate was in 1940, before the start of World War II. Does this signify the beginning of a gay baby boom?

Researchers with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative have identified two new antibodies that resist HIV, the first find in over a decade. The antibodies only exist in a handful of people with HIV, but researchers hope that the relative accessibility to the sites on the virus the antibodies work against will show progress for a vaccine.

Chicago Public Schools have a devised a new advisory council on LGBT issues after grassroots organizing by a group of young students. The reforms that have developed are a student justice handbook that trains students and teachers on how to respectfully treat LGBT peers as well as include gender identity and expression in the list of protections. Renaissance 2010 schools, including military academies, may choose not to follow CPS policy on these issues.

A Navy sailor was abused by fellow sailors and commanding officers for over two years for being homosexual. Joseph Rocha, who was discharged under DADT, developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from the abuse he suffered, and 93 other incidents of abuse are alleged against the same officers who abused Rocha.

Melissa Sue Robinson, a transwoman and former Republican, is running for mayor of a small Idaho town. Robinson is hoping that the people of Nampa will become more acquainted with her and more understanding of the issues facing transgender people.

A novel about a cross-dressing 12-year-old boy is nominated for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. David Walliams’ The Boy in the Dress is about Dennis and how he deals with his desire to wear girls’ clothes to school. The Dahl Funny Prize was started in the UK in 2008 to reward the funniest books for children, one for ages 6 and under and one for children 7 to fourteen.

LGBT rights organization Human Rights Watch claims that reports from doctors show hundreds of gay men have been tortured and killed in Iraq over the past year. The murders have been by militia and zealot groups, but the Iraqi government has no protections in place for LGBT citizens.

The Lutheran Church, following precedents by the Episcopal and other churches, is now deciding whether or not to allow openly gay and lesbian people in relationships serve as clergy. The national church is split on emphasizing acceptance and diversity over remaining true to traditional scripture, leaving many congregations to speculate as to the final decision.

A 61-year-old trans woman from the UK performed her own gender reassignment surgery in her home bathroom. Roland Mery asked her wife to call an ambulance immediately after using a scalpel to remove her own genitals, stating later that she was not able to afford reassignment surgery in hospital and would have to wait two years for professional help.

On Monday, President Obama stated his displeasure with the national Defense of Marriage Act while the Justice Department simultaneously put forth a motion to dismiss a case by a gay couple looking to overturn the federal law. The current administration claims to oppose the moral foundation of DOMA while defending its legality and desire to have the decision to overturn it be through the legislature rather than the judiciary.

Anchorage, Alaska mayor Dan Sullivan vetoed an LGBT rights bill the city assembly had put through this past week. Sullivan stated he saw no reason for the ordinance. The assembly can overrule the veto within three weeks if they decide.

On August 5, APA psychologists refuted that ex-gay therapy is effective and declared it detrimental to mental health. The APA has long criticized the practice of reparative therapy, but after overwhelming evidence against this form of therapy, have suggested therapists recommend patients lead celibate lives or consider switching churches or out of situations that are compelling them to be straight.

The U.S. military is currently investigating reports made by two Iraqi citizens at the Human Rights Campaign headquarters in Lebanon that U.S. soldiers were responsible for the execution deaths of gay Iraqis. The men showed photographs of the executed men’s bodies, but there is no proof yet that their deaths were caused by American soldiers nor that they were even homosexual.

On Sunday, Argentina’s Attorney General Esteban Righi filed Supreme Court briefs to allow same-sex marriage for couples in the country. Critics complain that civil union rights would be easier to obtain and that Righi is hoping to defer to the legislature, but many are hopeful that this will lead to progress for the LGBT community.

A Wisconsin library that came under fire stocking a Francesca Lia Block novel about a homosexual teen is now being criticized by Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays for not containing any literature by “ex-gay” authors. PFOX claims that the the library is ignoring “material written by ex-gays or with a heterosexual slant.” We guess they don’t carry The Great Gatsby, Atlas Shrugged or most of modern literature with a “heterosexual slant”?

The new Newlywed Game is looking for same-sex couples to participate in a relaunch of the series. Couples have to have been married in a state that has legal equal marriage.

Albania has introduced legislation to bring same-sex marriage to the country. Led by Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Albania would be the first predominantly Muslim country to allow same-sex marriage.

A deadly shooting at Tel Aviv’s Gay and Lesbian Association club on the night of Saturday, August 2 has led to increased worries by the Israeli LGBT community. Although no suspects have been arrested for the crime, the possibility of a homophobic motivation has kept LGBT people on edge. Police are keeping an extra close eye on LGBT meeting places as well as night clubs and places where large groups gather.

The Human Rights Watch recently harshly criticized Burundi’s April 2009 law to criminalize same-gender sexual activity. A multimedia project utilizing video and testimony of Burundian gays and lesbians was created to give a voice to silenced sexual minorities.

Jonathan Campos, the accused murderer of fellow Navy sailor August Provost, committed suicide in jail on Friday, August 1. Campos swallowed toilet paper until he suffocated.

Beginning yesterday, Wisconsin will now allow same-sex couples to register for domestic partnerships. This comes three years after a voter-approved state amendment to ban gay marriages and civil unions.

Two of Friday’s Presidential Medal of Freedom awards went to openly gay individuals: Harvey Milk and Billie Jean King. The Medal of Freedom is the highest award a U.S. citizen can receive.

Prominent gay fiction writer E. Lynn Harris died from unknown causes this past weekend. Harris novels and autobiographical work depicted gay life from an African-American perspective; his previous book was released in January while his final novel was slated for release in October.

Although it has an increase in gay tourism and full marriage rights, a third of transgender residents in Massachusetts report that they have contemplated suicide. This is a large margin compared to 2 percent for heterosexuals and 4-7 percent for homosexuals and bisexuals.

On Wednesday, August 5, LGBT veterans will be honored at Daley Plaza for the country’s only city-sponsored salute to LGBT military personnel. “With Liberty and Justice For All” will take place between noon and 1 PM with former Naval officer and diversity leader Luke Visconti and Rep. Mike Quigley as keynote speakers.

The British army magazine, Soldier, features an openly gay servicemember on its July cover for the first time since the ban was lifted for homosexual service in the military. Trooper James Wharton will appear next to the word “pride,” and the response from former military members who did not come out during service has been outstanding.

Congress has officially passed the Matthew Shepard Act, allowing stronger sentencing for hate crimes and protection for people based on gender expression and sexual orientation. However, Sen. Jeff Sessions added a provision to the bill that would require a death sentence penalty in some instances. LGBT activists hope this provision is removed before the Defense Department amendment goes to the President.

A study conducted by Transgender Europe and German-language journal Liminalis found that the murder rate for transgender people is on a troubling rise. Of the 200 murders counted worldwide between January 2008 and June 2009, most took place in North and Latin America. The United States was found to be the second most dangerous nation, after Brazil, for transgender people.

This troubling statistic has also played out in a number of specific situations. On Friday, July 17, Dwight DeLee was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter as a hate crime in the death of transwoman Lateisha Green last November. He faces 10-25 years in prison at his sentencing hearing on August 18. Following a military coup in Honduras to oust current President Manuel Zelaya, a transgender activist was murdered and five other LGBT activists were arrested and abused.

For the second week in a row, a kiss-in occurred on Sunday near Salt Lake City’s LDS temple on Main Street Plaza following the detention of two gay men for public displays of affection on the property. National civil rights group Empowering Spirits Foundation is holding a kiss-in on Wednesday, July 22 outside the LDS church in San Diego, where supporters are asked to wear hearts on their body.

The recent decision by California Episcopal churches to allow gay and lesbian ministers to be ordained was preceded by work from a Chicago group of Episcopalian leaders. The Chicago Consultation put together demonstrations, films and discussions to help the U.S. Episcopal church realize the importance of LGBT members. A group of more conservative churches have decided to split with the Episcopalian church and become the Anglican Church in North America; the world-wide Anglican Church is where the Episcopal Church branches off.

On Friday, June 26th, the Obama Administration granted the Department of Health and Human Services the opportunity to change regulations on traveling into the country for individuals who are HIV-positive. A long-standing travel ban for those afflicted with HIV has been in effect since the 1990s, but the new regulations are expected to be a clean repeal of the old, discounting HIV status as a reason for denying entrance into the USA.

The government of the Republic of Ireland has decided to recognize the rights of same-sex couples by adopting a civil partnership bill. The bill does not grant equal marriage rights, but it does protect property and next-of-kin rights.

An allegedly routine police raid of a gay bar in Fort Worth, TX left one man hospitalized and six others arrested for public intoxication, disturbingly on June 28th, the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City. Columnist Dan Savage provides his commentary here; Chad Gibson, the man who went to the hospital for injuries sustained during his arrest, is at home but in fear of the effects of a developing blood clot. An internal investigation is ongoing.

On July 2, the Delhi High Court of India struck down a portion of section 377, a penal code that outlawed homosexual sex acts. Nonconsensual sex is still illegal, but sex between two consenting adults is now legal in the Indian capital state.

On Tuesday, June 30, the same day as the formal discharge of Lt. Dan Choi under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” a Navy sailor was found murdered. August Provost had been complaining to his family about harrassment before his death but was worried he would be discharged if he told a commanding officer. His perceived sexual orientation is alleged to be the motivation for his murder.

Yesterday, Kalamazoo, MI passed an anti-discrimination bill aimed at gender identity and sexual orientation by unanimous vote. Citizens have 20 days from July 9 to collect signatures if they would like to propose a referendum for the November election repealing the bill.

As of today, Washinton, D.C. will officially recognize same-sex marriages that have occurred in other states and countries. The District of Columbia is still not issuing marriage licenses.