June 2008 Archives

''[I was] frustrated by the way Latinas were depicted on 'The L-Word,' They didn’t speak Spanish right and didn’t even cast Latinas.''

Author Elisha Miranda, on her motivations to create the new theater show, ''Pandora's.'' (NY Daily News)

''Every once in a while an issue comes to a community and, despite a cost, it comes to the conclusion that it has to stand up for its principles.... It has to do with speaking truth to power, and it's one of those roles that those of us lucky enough to be trained as lawyers hopefully take from time to time.''

Jeff Shields, president and dean of the small, independent Vermont Law School which bans military recruiters from campus because of the ''Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' policy. (TimesArgus.com)

It was a pretty simple application of our nondiscrimination policy.... It really arises out of our desire to make sure that all of our students have equal access to all opportunities, including the opportunity to serve in the military.''

Eric S. Janus, president and dean of William Mitchell, another law school which has banned military recruiters due to their anti-gay, discriminatory practices. (TimesArgus.com)

''We'll say things like, 'You're special. God made you special.' Because there aren't very many little girls out there that have a penis.... All of the male to female younger transgender children are obsessed with mermaids. It's because of the ambiguous genitalia. There's nothing below the waist but a tail. And how appealing is that for somebody who doesn't like what's down there?''

Renee Jennings, the mother of a 6-year-old transgendered child named Jazz. (ABC News, 20/20)

''We are very upset and saddened by their conclusion,” the Durkins said. “We have borne an extraordinary amount of pain over the past nine months, compounded by a protracted and at times ambiguous investigation. We now need time and privacy to grieve, and let our Ciara finally rest in peace.''

Portion of a statement from the family of Ciara Durkin, a lesbian who was killed by gunshot while stationed in Afghanistan. An Army investigation into her death has ruled that it was a suicide by a shot through the mouth. However, suspicion remains about her death because of a number of "cryptic" e-mails that indicated some odd and threatening occurances had her worried. (Times Online)

She did say to us that she had concerns about things she was seeing when she was over there.... She told us if anything happened to her, that we were to investigate it.... Ciara was a lesbian, and that's bound to come out. It is possible that someone over there found that out, and, you know, maybe they were very homophobic.

Fiona Caravan, a sister of Ciara Durkin, a lesbian whose death in Afghanistan was intially reported to have occurred in combat, however, the Army then said it was a non-combat death, and finally ruled her death as a suicide by a shot through the mouth. Many questions have the family asking if her death is another Army cover up similar to case of Pat Tillman. (Editor and Publisher)

''I feel proud of my church today.... I think a generational shift is what we are witnessing. There is a whole generation coming of age for whom acceptance is a given. The church is beginning to experience that sea change.''

Lisa Larges, national coordinator for That All May Freely Serve, an organization that advocates for gay equality in the Presbyterian Church, in reaction to the Christian institution's General Assembly vote (54-46%) to allow gays become ordained ministers. (LA Times) The church also moved to strike the only anti-gay language of it's constitution, the Book of Confessions, based on a faulty 1964 interpretation that added "homosexual perversion" to an English translation of the German Heidelberg Catechism of 1563. (courier-journal.com)

''Bulgaria is in the EU now. People have to accept us like normal human beings. We are not criminals.... Hostility comes from misunderstanding.''

51-year-old German engineer Peter Moews who lives in Sofia, Bulgaria, a Eastern European country that lies on the Mediterranean between Romania, Greece and Turkey. (AFP) Only 100-150 GBLT and supportive marchers took place and it is reported that rocks, eggs and even a petrol bomb were hurled at the group by right-wing extremists. (Reuters)

''I thought by asking my family to do this, I was simply asking them to send a strong message to Salt Lake City that they disagree with the idea that any church has the right to entrench clearly religious dogma into the constitution of a state or country.... I was just asking them to defend my civil rights.... I wanted to remain a cultural Mormon.... I thought there was a way, an opening up, but then all of a sudden, the church decides this ... and I'm not going to wait around."

''My sexual orientation certainly didn’t make a difference when I treated injuries and saved lives in the streets of Baghdad. It shouldn’t be a factor in allowing me to continue to serve.''

Army Sgt. Darren Manzella as quoted in an SLDN press release. Manzella spoke to the TV program ''60 Minutes'' in December 2007 about being gay and serving a 2nd tour of Iraq eventhough his command knew he was gay. Manzella also spoke with Metro Weekly in March of 2008. (SLDN)

''The discharge of battle-tested, talented service members like Sergeant Manzella weakens our military in a time of war. National security requires that Congress lift the ban on gays in the military and allow commanders to judge troops on their qualifications, not their sexuality.''

Adam Ebbin, the newly appointed Communications Director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, regarding the discharge of Sgt Darren Manzella. (SLDN)

''These men represent a new generation that has not been personally affected by AIDS in the same way that their older peers were.''

Richard Wolitski, acting director of HIV-AIDS prevention at CDC, adding to the details of a study that found that men who have sex with men were the only risk group in which infections rose annually from 2001 through 2006. For 13- to 24-year-old males, there appears to have been a 12% annual increase -- 8% for Hispanic men, 9% for white men and 15% for black men. (Washington Post)

''When you see a 15 percent yearly increase, that is an epidemic that is out of control.. And yet we don't see a response that recognizes it is an epidemic out of control.''

Phill Wilson, head of the Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles. (Washington Post)

''I was referred to Mike Jones from the concierge at a Marriott hotel when I asked for a masseur. It was during the massage that it started to become sensual, and that led to him masturbating me. That was and is our only sexual contact, but it was immoral and it was this experience that caused me to confess immorality in my letter of resignation from New Life Church. During the conversation with Mike during and after the time he masturbated me, he told me about some drugs that he could get for me that would enhance my masturbation experience. I returned on five occasions and bought those drugs. I actually used them three times, throwing them away in shame before use two times. It is for these offenses that I confessed being immoral and deceitful.''

Major portion of an e-mail that is allegedly from the former New Life televangelist Ted Haggard, in which he appears to admit to having sexual activity with a gay male escort named Mike Jones, and also confirming Jones' other accusation that Haggard had used the drug crytal meth. The October 3, 2007 e-mail comes via a Haggard family friend, Kurt Serpe, who says he wanted the truth to be out about the matter. Jones, as you'll recall, came forward with his allegations of meeting with Haggard for the purposes of gay prostitution back in 2006, after he saw Haggard espousing hypocritical views about homesexuality. (KRDO)

"I thought it was important to know, so I could have clarity.... He craved sex, he was a sexaholic," says Serpe. He believes it had nothing to do with homosexuality, but more about masturbation and gratification. "This is something that he has been struggling with all of his life.''

Comments by Kurt Serpe, who is said to be a close family friend of Ted Haggard's for 20 years, regarding his impressions of the disgraced pastor's behavior. Serpe said he thinks that Haggard's experience was about masturbation but not gratification. (KRDO)

''By going ahead with the parade, we would have been as irresponsible as the religious extremists.... Jerusalem would have been set on fire.''

Jerusalem Gay Pride organizer Elena Canetti, explaining why a rally was held instead of a parade. It is said that far more police would have been required to protect a parade from ultra-Orthodox protesters and other anti-gay extremists in the "Holy City," which would have left other parts of the city open to threats being made by Palestinian bombers. (CBS News)

''Barack believes that we must fight for the world as it should be, a world where together we work to reverse discriminatory laws.... We are all only here because of those who marched and bled and died, from Selma to Stonewall, in the pursuit of a more perfect union.... The world as it is should be one that rejects discrimination of all kinds

Presidential candidate Barack Obama's wife, Michelle Obama, speaking at a Manhattan fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee's Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council. Although, Senator Obama (D-IL) does not support "marriage" for same-sex couples it is reported that he promises to work for benefits for civil unions on a federal level. (Forbes)

''This is an excellent decision for all Americans—gay and straight. We’re grateful the U.S. Supreme Court re-affirmed the constitutional right for all Americans to own a gun.... Unfortunately, too many LGBT Americans still face the threat of anti-gay violence. We're happy the Supreme Court has affirmed the right for us to protect ourselves and our families from harm. Self defense is not a privilege, it's a right. Gun ownership is a cherished and historic American right enshrined in our Constitution. Today, the right to bear arms lives on for all qualified, law-abiding citizens.''

Log Cabin Republicans President Patrick Sammon, in a statement relating the Supreme Court ruling that struck down the District of Columbia's to anti-gay violence. (LogCabin.org)

''Let me see if I can get your question right. You want to know why the Republicans are willing to say, 'Screw you,' to 30 percent or more of their voters and yet Democrats will bend over, grab the ankles, and say, 'Have your way with me,' for 10 percent and 2 percent of the population?.... A lot of money is coming from these kooks, and I'm not talking about just the blacks.... There is an answer to your -- basic question is, 'Why don't the Democrats say, ''To hell with you, you wacko nuts in the base,'' like Republicans do?'.... [T]he politically active gay community on the left is worth a lot of money. These people send the Democrats more money than you can possibly imagine. A lot of it from Hollywood, and the arts and entertainment.''

Talk show host Rush Limbaugh on his radio broadcast on June 23, responding to a caller who appared to be asking how the Christian/conservative portion of the population (at 30%) was politically expendable compared to black people (at 12%) and homosexuals (at a claimed 10%). (Media Matters)

''Despite a so-called opening in the area of gay rights ... homosexuals are still being arrested and fined in Villa Clara and ... beaten in Granma, Pinar del Rio and Santiago.... We know change is coming, but it's coming too slowly.''

Cuban activist Mario Jose Delgado, who said the unofficial gay pride event had been cancelled, and two organizers had been arrested. The event was not sanctioned by the government and was not associated with the organizations of President Castro's daughter, Mariela Castro, who has been a beacon of GLBT rights in recent months. (Sun-Sentinal.com)

''Destinations will need to further refine what they're offering the gay traveler. No longer will it be enough to say, 'Hey, we're gay-friendly. You should come here.''

Jeff Guaracino of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp. remarking on efforts to hone the City of Philadelphia's efforts to market to the gay and lesbian community. (AP via Yahoo)

''Every community wants to be addressed specifically....I think the whole concept of the gay and lesbian market is so '90s. Because, just like the mainstream, gays and lesbians are looking for more personalization.''

Thomas Roth, president of San Francisco-based Community Marketing Inc., which specializes in marketing to gays and lesbians. (AP via Yahoo)

''Money is not not a problem for me. I am ready to give Ajit everything, a beautiful life.... (I'll) fulfill all his dreams. But he has no right to insult my love.''

Dipu Ghosh, an M2F transsexual who had a sex change at the request of her gay male lover, Ajit Mondal, so the couple could marry. However, Ghosh alleges that Mondal lost interest in her after the process became irreversible. He has disappeared an Ghosh has lodged a complaint to police in West Bengal, India. (Express India)

''We just went through the ceremony and at the end of the ceremony I pronounced them man and wife.... [The clerk of Circuit Court in Newport News called] and he says 'Do you realize that that was two men? And I said, I won't tell you what I said but I said 'No, I certainly did not know that they were two men. If I had known that I wouldn't have done it.'"

Marriage commissioner Al Coward who presided over the ceremony of Antonio Blount, 31, and Justin McCain, 18. McCain allegedly used the name "Justine" and wore female gendered clothing. A deisgn flaw of the Virginia Driver's license near the gender field may have contributed to the marriage granting incident. The couple is said to have triggered suspicion when McCain returned to the court to file for a name change, "Penelope Skye Ariana Goldberry." [video](WSET-TV)

''I feel like a failure for not holding her hand... For Lisa, who was the love of my life, my soulmate, who I miss ever day -- but I'm finding the strength to speak out so this does not have to happen to any other family. What happened to us was very wrong.... You know, we knew sign language: We could have at least signed in her hand while she could have felt it. And we didn't get to do that.''

Janice Langbehn speaking at an emotional press briefing about a lawsuit that she and her three adopted children are bringing against Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Lanbehn's partner, Lisa Pond, suffered a brain aneurysm aboard a gay-friendly cruise ship this past February. After being taken to JMH, Lanbehn and the children were denied visitation by the hospital even after having documents faxed from their home in Washington state. [video] (Local 10 News)

''[The Hospital social worker, Garnett Frederick,] provided a warning: 'You're in an anti-gay city and in an anti-gay state and you can expect to get no information about your partner and no access to your partner unless you get before a judge.... In this case, of course, we have a durable power of attorney that not only allowed Janice to get information, but required the hospital to give her information''

Beth Litrell, an attorney with Lambda Legal, remarking on the hospital visitation denial of Janice Langbehn to see her dying partner, Lisa Pond. [video] (Local 10 News)

''The church's teachings and position on this moral issue are unequivocal. Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and the formation of families is central to the Creator's plan for His children. We ask that you do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to ensure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman. Our best efforts are required to preserve the sacred institution of marriage.''

From a letter from Latter Day Saints leaders that was to be read in Mormon churches across California on Sunday. The organization is said to have run a similar fundraising campaign in 2000 supporting Proposition 22 that eventually led to the initial ban on gay marriages in the state. (Federal News Radio)

''And while it may initially seem strange to see two white boys performing gay rap, any misgivings soon give way thanks largely to the duo's high-energy performance, which is oftentimes simply explosive.'' -- Theatre Mania reviewer Dan Balcazo.

''As one of the lyrics proclaims, 'it's Romeo meets Romeo,' complete with an ample supply of scatological language, swaggering attitude and a keen, often hilarious sense of observation about gay life.'' -- Associated Press reviewer Michael Kuchwara.

Reviews of the musical production, ''Bash'd,'' a rap opera featuring T-Bag (Chris Craddock) and Feminem (Nathan Cuckow), telling the story of two gay lovers whose relationship is marred by violence. Music samples are on the web at myspace.com/bashd, and more info at homohiphop.blogspot.com. (cbd.ca)

-- Dennis McGrath, spokesperson for the Twin Cities Archbishop John Nienstedt, who disallowed a parish in south Minneapolis from holding its annual gay pride prayer service at St. Joan of Arc Church. The service, set for Wednesday, June 25, will now be characterized as a "peace service." (Star Tribune)

-- From a statement by Boy George's management. The denial of a U.S. visa may put the singer's U.S. summer tour in jeopardy. (Reuters UK)

''It is our policy to listen to consumers. We recognise that some consumers raised concerns over the content of the ad and this prompted our decision to withdraw it.''

Nigel Dickie, director of corporate affairs for Heinz UK, explaining why the condiment company pulled an ad for Deli Mayo after just one week. The ad features a man in a kitchen wearing a delicatessen chef's outfit. Two children call him ''mum'' and head off to school, then another hurried man enters saying, ''See you tonight, Love.'' They kiss and the delicatessen chef says, ''Love you! Straight home from work, Sweet Cheeks.'' It is reported that about 200 people complained that the ad was offensive or inappropriate. (Guardian UK) (YouTube)

''The mum transforms into a New York deli chef because this sandwich taste is so good.... It's like having your own deli chef in the kitchen. It wasn't intended to be a gay couple, it was intended to be a humorous metaphor for these great-tasting sandwiches.''

Nigel Dickie of Heinz saying the ad had been pulled because it failed in its message. (BBC News)

''This is an episode of 30 Days that GLAAD would have liked to support for its commendable effort to share the authentic story of everyday lesbian and gay parents and their families and the opposition they face in trying to provide a stable and nurturing home for their children. However, FX Networks’ insistence on airing - and refusal to correct the record on - this defamatory misrepresentation makes that impossible. It is unacceptable that FX Networks and its parent company 20th Century Fox would provide a platform for the inaccurate and dangerous claims of anti-gay activists - misinformation that can put gay and lesbian parents and their families in harm’s way.''

GLAAD Senior Director of Media Programs Rashad Robinson remarking on a refusal by the FX Network to remove or at least counter a comment by Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council where he states that, ''Homosexuality is associated with higher rates of sexual promiscuity, sexually transmitted diseases, mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, and child sexual abuse, and those are all reasons for us to be concerned about placing children into that kind of setting." The inaccurate statement is said to occur without rebuttal in an upcoming episode of Morgan Spurlock's ''30 Days'' where an anti-gay mother lives with a gay couple that has four children. (GLAAD)

''Actually he was trying to get me to come over to where he was, and I responded by telling him that wasn't my name - that my mother didn't name me a 'faggot' or a 'he-she,' so he got upset and approached me. And that's when it started.... I was afraid. I had had enough. Like I said, I thought the other officers that were witnessing this would at least try to stop him.... I mean, he hit me so hard. Like the third time he hit me, it split my skull and I had blood coming out. So I jumped up.... I couldn't breathe, and they just made me lay there," Johnson said. "Nobody checked to see if I was okay. My eyes were burning. My skin was burning. I was scared to death. Even the nurse came in and she just ignored me, and I begged her to help me.''

Duanna Johnson, an M2F transgender who was arrested on February 12 on allegations of prostitution, recounting the abuse she received at the police booking center. In a tape of the incident that has come forward, an Ofc. Bridges McRae can clearly be seen punching Johnson in the face several times. He is apparently wearing gloves and has handcuffs wrapped around his fist. Another officer, James Swain is seen holding her down briefly while she is being hit. Johnson can be seen defending herself, then sitting back down, at which point she is maced and put on the floor in handcuffs. Other officers in the room appear to do nothing and a nurse who enters the room also appears to do nothing to assist Johnson. [video] (WMC-TV)

''Women make up 15 percent of the armed forces, so to find they represent nearly 50 percent of Army and Air Force discharges under 'don't ask, don't tell' is shocking.... Women in particular have been caught in the crosshairs of this counterproductive law.''

Aubrey Sarvis, Executive Director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, remarking on the organization's statistical study of servicemembers who were discharged in 2007 -- a total of 627 gay men and lesbians (up slightly from 612 for 2006). (New York Times)

''I can't talk to you. I am forbidden from talking to the media.''

Former head of New Life Church, Ted Haggard, apparently evading questions from a reporter. Haggard is said to have left a ''restoration program'' and returned with his wife to Colorado Springs, a city that is know to be a center of activity for the Evangelical movement. Haggard, who reportedly had a history of expressing anti-homosexual sentiments, was the center of media attention in late 2006 after a male prostitute came forward to say that he'd had sexual relations with Haggard and seen him use methamphetaime; though Haggard only confessed to ''sexual immorality'' and purchasing but not using the drug. (Colorado Springs Gazette) (Associate Press)

''Doesn't it matter, even when someone is dead, that his most fervently held private life, and the unnecessary explicit details of his marriage, are exposed against his wishes? We believe that it does matter, and that both our parents' good legacies have been damaged.''

Portion of a letter from three children of the late Episcopal Bishop Paul Moore. Another of Bishop Moore's daughters, Honour Moore, has written a book, ''The Bishop's Daughter,'' that discusses her famous father's life, his civil rights work, their family, and his previously undiscussed sex life with men, including one ''close friend,'' Andrew, who she met after her father passed away. An portion of Honour Moore's work was published in The New Yorker in March. (Courant.com)

''As a man of his time and place and class and education, he made a choice that a lot of people made, which was to keep that part of his life secret and to do the work in the world and the church that he wanted to do.... My mother never told anyone else what she knew about my father," Honor Moore said. "That was an incredible gift to him.''

Honour Moore discussing the secret bisexuality of her father, Episcopal Bishop Paul Moore, and her new book, ''The Bishop's Daughter.'' (Courant.com)

''Yes, we have set a wedding date.... How do I feel about it? I obviously feel like it's long overdue. I think someday people will look back on this like women not having the right to vote and segregation and anything else that seems ridiculous that we don't all have the same rights.... Planning a wedding is very stressful. It's crazy. My gardener is now invited.''

Ellen Degeneres speaking about her marriage plans with her girlfriend Portia de Rosi at the Kodak Theatre after winning her 4th Daytime Emmy. (Associated Press)

Interpreted results from Pew Forum and LA Times study of official views of various religious institutions toward same-sex marriage. (Pew Forum) (LA Times)

''If enacted, (the November initiative) would eviscerate the principle of equal citizenship for gay and lesbian people and strip the courts of their authority to enforce basic constitutional guarantees.... [The measure will] destabilize our Constitution and our basic government plan ... by establishing that any group may be deprived of equal protection and fundamental rights through a simple majority vote. ''

Stephen Bomse, lawyer for Equality California and other groups that are entering into a lawsuit that hopes to derail the November voter initiative to make gay marriage illegal in the the state again. (San Francisco Chronicle)

''This is something that I struggle with all the time. Because, you know, I have a friend who is gay and he told me of the pain that he went through, and from the moment he was young, he had those feelings. And who am I to say you didn't have those feelings? I struggle with it everyday. Because, you know, of my faith, and what my faith says about, you know, being gay. And my friends, who I love dearly, who are. So, its something that, everyday, that I ask God about.... He also says that 'There are some things that I don't want you to do.' ... The Bible does address gay people.... I'm not trying to judge anyone, it's just something that I struggle with.''

Sherri Shepherd, actress and talk show panelist, on the her daytime TV show ''The View'' replying to Barbara Walters whether she believes gay people are born gay or not. She's also known for previously saying on the show that she did not believe in Evolution, that she did not know if the world was flat, that she would not allow her son to wear a dress while he lives in her house, and that nothing predates the Christians because Jesus came before the Greeks and the Romans. (RadarOnline)

''My gay family & friends, as well as myself, KNOW I am not a homophobe. For years now I've known gay is not a choice; one's skin color doesn't determine one's intelligence level; & red hair doesn't mean you're someone's stepchild. You see, it's not the words, it's their intent. I never said, nor suggested, that being gay is wrong, but apparently, based on your outrage to my flu-infused rant, you do! .... Homophobic? I'm in Queens Of The Stone Age for crissake!''

Josh Homme, in a written statement responding to suggestions that he was a homophobe because of an angry rant that was taped at a Norwegian Wood concert. A teen apparently thew a shoe at the band, Queens of the Stoneage, and Homme responded by saying he would ''buttfuck him in front of his friends,'' and then called him a "pussy," "chickenshit fucking faggot" and ''fucking little faggot,'' among other things in front of thousands of cheering teen fans. (ChartAttack.com) (YouTube)

''These students want to be able to go in peace without fear of being watched, laughed at or groped.... They don't have problems with transvestites but going to the same private area, like a toilet, makes them uneasy. The transvestite kids may behave even more effeminately than the girls do, but their anatomy is still like that of a boy.''

Sitisak Sumontha, Director of the Kampang School, a 1,500-student technical college in Thailand that has created a bathroom for use by transgender students including a door icon that is half-male, half-female. (Telegraph.co.uk)

''[The Office of Children and Family Services] has wisely said these students need an environment that is safe and that helps them reach their full potential. It's absolutely needed. Transgender youth talk about how they were at wits' end just trying to survive in these facilities.''

Ross Levi, public policy director at Empire State Pride Agenda, remarking on a new policy for transgender youth that went into effect on March 17. Transgender youth in NY juvenile detention centers will now be allowed to wear their choice of uniform and underwear, go by whatever name they choose, and request special housing. It is reported that the policy is the result of a $25,000 settlement that was paid to a 15-year-old, transitioning M2F transgender who had her hormones taken away and was only called by her male name in 2005. ()

''All adolescents experience developmental and social challenges. However, LGBTQ youth frequently face additional pressures based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.... Clinicians should help LGBTQ youth explore their feelings about their gender identity or sexual orientation, along with related issues and questions, in a safe, affirming manner. Clinicians should help youth reduce co-occurring problems or distress related to their gender identity or sexual orientation, and develop their strengths, coping skills, and resiliency.''

Excerpts from a sweeping new policy statement instituted by New York's Office of Children and Family Services that is directed primarily at transgender youth held in juvenile detention centers. (Gotham Gazette)

''We're pulling the plug.... [Volunteers] don't want to be aligned with bigotry and homophobia and hatred.''

Michael Heath, executive director of the evangelical group, Christian Civic League of Maine. Heath's initiative was designed to repeal all rights, protections, and benefits afforded to gays and lesbians. Reportedly, Heath's group had only collected 5,000 of the 55,000 valid signatures needed to send their proposal to the state Legislature. Two other similar separate efforts are still underway. (Boston Globe)

''Past experience shows that the parade greatly offends, deliberately and unnecessarily, the feelings of Jews, Muslims and Christians, who view its sheer existence, and the blatant manner in which it takes place, as a desecration of the holy city and of the values with which they were raised.''

Portion of a letter from Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski and city manager Yair Ma'ayan to the High Court of Justice in support of a petition by conservatives to block the city's Gay Pride Parade. (Haaretz)

''The case raises a whole series of questions about the basis for which people can be denied medical treatment, particularly the extent to which gays or lesbians could be denied access to reproductive technology.''

Joan Hollinger, a professor of family law at UC Berkely regarding the case of Guadalupe "Lupita" Benitez which is headed to the Supreme Court of California. Benitez told Dr Christine Brody that she is a lesbian and that she was seeking fertility treatments. The doctore responded to Benitez that she would not perform intrauterine insemination on her for religious reasons. The court case apparently boils down to whether the religious doctors may choose turn away from providing services to specific groups of people. Benitez says she was not treated by Brody because of her sexual orientation; Brody's lawyers insist that the doctor will not provide said fertility services to any unmarried women. (Boston Globe)