Word of the Gay: "Bear Dyke"

A "bear dyke" is a butch lesbian with a bigger build and stronger physique.

Blog Spotlight: Straight, Not Narrow

Straight, Not Narrow is a wonderful blog written by a husband and wife who are dedicated to GLBT equality and spirituality. The blog hopes to help straight people accept and affirm their GLBT brothers and sisters, and also seeks to promote healing among the GLBT community. The site offers great news articles, commentary, prayers, and inspirational worship videos.

Senate Poised to Act on Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill

Time is of the essence and senators can vote as early as today on whether to add an amendment to Defense Authorization Bill that would also pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act (S. 909). The house has previously passed the bill in April and President Obama promises to sign the bill into law should it reach his desk.

This bill expands the coverage of existing hate crime laws to include hate crimes based on the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. It also provides the federal government jurisdiction to prosecute hate crimes in states where current law or local law enforcement action are inadequate.

Click here to find contact info for your two state senators and urge them to vote in the affirmative or call (202) 224-3121 and ask the operator to connect you to your senators.

Word of the Gay: "Gender Blind"

"Gender Blind" is a term used when activities or services are provided to people regardless of their gender identity.

Blog Spotlight: Gay Persons of Color

Gay Persons of Color documents and explores the diverse vantage points of being gay and of color, and believes that they are intricate, constant, and necessary threads in the fabric of society.

Bill Clinton Comes Out in Favor of Gay Marriage

Former President Bill Clinton who signed the Defense of Marriage Act into law which bars federal recognition of same-sex couples has come out in favor of marriage equality. He has been considering and "evolving" on the issue for some time.

"After speaking at the Campus Progress National Conference in Washington, DC, on July 8, the former president was asked if he supported same-sex marriage. Clinton, in a departure from past statements, replied in the affirmative.

Asked if he personally supported same-sex marriage, Clinton replied, "Yeah." "I personally support people doing what they want to do," Clinton said. "I think it's wrong for someone to stop someone else from doing that [same-sex marriage]" (The Nation).

This statement is a major kick to the already unstable legislation. Growing numbers of democrats and even republicans are coming out in support of repealing DOMA.

FedEx Now Offers Transgender Workplace Protections

FedEx a mega logistics and delivery company has made a positive step forward by offering protections to transgender employees. The official policy of the company will be altered to be inclusive of gender identity.

This gesture by the company is applauded, especially after the company invoked the Defense of Marriage Act to deny benefits to its LGBT employees back in February.

Use the FedEx customer service form to applaud their decision to allow transgender protections, and urge them to continue on this progressive path by lifting the ban on providing benefits to same-sex couples.