Gay Author Chris Barzak Mugged

Award winning gay author Chris Barzak was mugged in New York’s Greenwich Village Sunday night. Two African American unarmed assailants tried to steal his cellphone. One of them knocked Chris to the sidewalk. The other one backed away when Chris jumped up & began bashing his assailant in the face with the cellphone. The accomplice refused to join the attacker when Chris started hitting, saying, "You picked the wrong dude". Both fled leaving Chris with a fractured shoulder according to Beth Israel Hospital Emergency. When the incident occurred the nearest other pedestrians were a couple of blocks away & the Charles Street police station also happens to be a couple of blocks away as well but Chris, a visitor from Ohio housesitting for a friend didn't know that & the crime wasn't reported. Gay Author & Village Resident Richard Bowes stated, “In a city as crowded & brightly lighted as New York it's surprising how dark & empty a stretch as familiar as Bleecker between Seventh Ave & Abingdon Square can get at night with no tourists. And to say that NYC is much safer now than thirty years ago, does not mean that it is always safe.” Chris Barzak is a prize winning gay author whose novel “One for Sorrow” was adapted in the forthcoming film JAMEY MARKS IS DEAD. He’s published many short stories beginning with "A Mad Tea Party" in Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet in 1999. His debut novel “One for Sorrow” won the 2008 Crawford Award & was a nominee for the 2008 Great Lakes Book Award as well as the Logo Channel's NewNowNext Award.
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Obama Warns Anti Gay Russia

Finally President Obama expressed his discontent about Russia inflicting its anti gay homophobic policies on its LGBT community during an interview with Jay Leno on NBC's "Tonight Show."
(Watch Video Segment Below) Obama stated, “I’ve been very clear that when you are discriminating on the basis of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation, you are violating the basic morality that I think should transcend every country & I have no patience for countries that try to treat gays or lesbians or transgender persons in ways that intimidate them or are harmful to them.” In addressing the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics Obama added, “I think Putin & Russia have a big stake in making sure the Olympics work & I think they understand that for most of the countries that participate in the Olympics, we wouldn't tolerate gays & lesbians being treated differently.” As we have been reporting under the anti gay new law it’s illegal to even talk about homosexuality around minors or display any gay pride symbols including the rainbow flag. Violators face steep fines & jail time & LGBT foreigners face similar penalties plus deportation. Protests against Putin's anti LGBT policies have been happening across America & globally including the boycotting of Russian products including vodka & calling for a global boycott on the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
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Gay Marriage Begins In Uruguay

While Russia & Uganda continue their homophobic anti gay hate campaigns against their LGBT citizens, Uruguay moves forward becoming the 12th nation globally where marriage equality is the law of the land. TV producer Sergio Miranda & his partner of 14 years artist Rodrigo Borda, were the first to register. Borda stated, "This is an historic day for us & for the country. No longer will there be first & second-class citizens. This will be seen in many countries where this option still isn't possible & hopefully help people in those places live more freely. There are people who constantly live a double-life. That's why we've made this so visible, to show that it can be done. We're in a country that has a very open mind right now, you can see it in the people & in the street.” Uruguay becomes the third country in the Americas after Canada & Argentina to legalize gay marriage. President Jose Mujica's government also has decriminalized abortion & expects senate approval soon for a government-managed marijuana industry. In Argentina the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires on Monday announced the "LGBT Go" campaign, inviting people to apply for up to 60,000 pesos, about $11,000 in grants for projects that protect & strengthen gay rights in Argentina. Updates to Come…:)
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Marriage Equality USA LA Event

Marriage Equality USA announced that Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti will be one of the special guests attending the inaugural Marriage Equality USA Los Angeles Awards Reception this Saturday August 10th. Mayor Garcetti has a solid record of working for human rights & a strong relationship with L.A.'s LGBT community. He will be joining West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land, GLAAD National Spokesperson Wilson Cruz, The Real L Word actor Raquel Castaneda & others to honor City Controller Ron Galperin, the Latino Equality Alliance & the Robert John Russo Gallery. This event will bring together LGBT community members & leaders, straight allies, entertainment industry, corporate leaders & celebrities to raise funds for and highlight contributions to the marriage equality movement. Brian Silva, Marriage Equality USA Executive Director stated, "We are coming together in Los Angeles at a historic moment in our journey, to celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court’s marriage rulings & also to rededicate ourselves to our ongoing work to make marriage equality a reality in all 50 states." Jane Wishon, Marriage Equality USA Board President added, "We are gathering to acknowledge the leaders who are going the distance to make sure the Constitution's fundamental guarantees of freedom and fairness apply to all Americans. It feels wonderful to celebrate knowing that loving, committed gay & lesbian couples are once again getting legally married every day in all 58 counties of our Golden State.” The event will be held on Saturday, August 10th, from 4-7P at Traxx @ Union Station, 800 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles. For Info & Tix: marriageequality.org 
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Protest Russia’s Anti Gay Policies

Protest rallies are planned across America Saturday August 3rd to demonstrate against Putin's anti LGBT policies. However as Russia continues to implement anti gay homophobic policies on its LGBT community they're beginning to realize that this may not be a good business strategy with the upcoming Winter Olympics next year in Sochi. In a weak turn of events Russia has decided to deal with this situation by stating that athletes & guests attending next year’s Winter Olympics will not be subject to the country’s obscene new anti-gay law. Igor Ananskikh, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma’s Physical Culture, Sport & Youth Policy Committee stated, “The Olympic Games is a major international event. We need to be as polite & tolerant as possible. That is why a decision has been made not to raise this issue during the Olympics. Russia plans to host large international competitions in the future. The atmosphere at them must be as safe and polite as possible.” His statement came just a day after Russia’s sports minister warned that athletes & spectators would be accountable under the law. Under the anti gay new law it’s illegal to even talk about homosexuality around minors or display any gay pride symbols including the rainbow flag. Violators face steep fines & jail time & LGBT foreigners face similar penalties plus deportation. This new policy hardly puts a Band-Aid on the situation but it does show that our boycotting of Russian products including vodka & calling for a global boycott on the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics has been effective. Updates to Come…:)
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Runaway & Homeless Youth Act

Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-4) joined Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-2) to introduce legislation supporting LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender) runaway & homeless youth. The Runaway & Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) last reauthorized in 2008 is up for reauthorization this year. Currently the legislation omits language relating to LGBT youth. The Runaway & Homeless Youth Inclusion Act (RHYIA) would help ensure that LGBT youth are not discriminated against & that grant recipients have the cultural competency to effectively serve these youth. Congressman Pocan stated, “Homelessness is one of the most pressing matters affecting LGBT youth. Young people in the LGBT community are disproportionately at-risk for homelessness, often as a result of the rejection, discrimination, or violence they face simply for being themselves. We have a moral responsibility to ensure that all of our youth, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, have access to life-saving services & safe, welcoming places to stay. By passing the reauthorization of an inclusive Runaway & Homeless Youth Act, we can begin to address this tragic problem & provide needed support to all of our young people in times of need.” Cyndi Lauper, Co-Founder of the True Colors Fund which works to raise awareness about & help bring an end to LGBT youth homelessness added, “No young person should ever be homeless, let alone because they are gay or transgender, but when they are, we need to ensure that they are treated with dignity & respect when they seek help, I applaud Representatives Moore & Pocan for championing the Runaway & Homeless Youth Inclusion Act. Every young person, no matter who they are, deserves an even break & should never be turned away. If we want a strong future, we need to invest in all of our youth.” Current supporters of the Runaway & Homeless Youth Inclusion Act, include: Pathfinders, the True Colors Fund & the National Network 4 Youth.
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Gay Marriage Adds 2 More States

In the states of Rhode Island & Minnesota marriage equality becomes legal today August 1st for gay & lesbian couples. With the implementation of Rhode Island’s new law New England becomes a gay marriage zone in all six states with special thanks to GLAD, (Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders) the architects of gay marriage in the USA. Lee Swislow, Executive Director of GLAD stated, “Congratulations to all of the loving, committed Rhode Island couples who can now marry & enjoy the dignity & security of having their marriage recognized at home & by the federal government. We are joyful & proud that each of the six New England states recognizes the freedom to marry for gay & lesbian couples.” On November 18, 2008, the fifth anniversary of the historic decision in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, the GLAD lawsuit that made Massachusetts the first state where gay couples could legally marry, GLAD launched their 6x12 Campaign to achieve marriage equality for all the 6 New England states by 2012. Swislow added, “We missed our goal of 6x12 by only four & a half months. I’d call that a major victory. And the spotlight that marriage equality has shone on our community will enable us to keep the ball rolling & address a myriad of other issues we face. We’ll keep moving forward.” Congrats to all the gay & lesbian couples who will marry today in Rhode Island & Minnesota!! Updates to Come…:)
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