''A law that could provoke debates and reactions aims to put an end to discrimination and will allow civil unions between same-sex persons.''

Newly elected Albania Prime Minister Sali Berisha stating that he is in favor of allowing gay and lesbian marriages in the former Communist country that lies between Greece and Italy. (AFP)

''I fully respect the integrity of other same-sex relationships ... but in terms of the policy, it's a matter to which we have been committed for some time.''

Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, saying he intends to stick closely to his pre-election view that marriage is only for men-women couples, though he supports civil unions. For the record, U.S. President Obama holds a similar stance, but Rudd says his government has already moved to end discrimination against same-sex couples in a number of areas including taxes and pensions. (AFP)

''The two individuals believed -- albeit mistakenly -- that they had the right to be there. Fairness requires that either that property be not open to the public or you condition that [openness] in a way that the person who comes on understands that it is private property.''

Sim Bill, City Prosecutor for Salt Lake City, Utah, referring to the trespassing charge that had been thrown at Matt Aune and Derek Jones, a gay male couple who were being affectionate at the Main Street Plaza. The plaza is a controversial part of the city which was sold control of the area a few years ago to the Mormon Church of LDS. (Salt Lake Tribune)

''We know we've been disadvantaged. But, there are programs for women already. And the perception is this would only enhance gay white males. That's why there's not consensus within our community.''

Tom Tunney, Chicago's first openly gay alderman, discussing the complexity of his own request for the city's Corporation Counsel to look at whether or not gay men and lesbians would qualify for contracts for disadvantaged minorities. He is discussing who might benefit from such set-asides and how would one prove they are gay? (Chicago Sun Times)

''In conversations with a number of my fellow major No on 8 donors. I find that they share my sentiment: namely, that we will step up to the plate -- with resources and talent -- when the time is right.''

David Bohnett, a philanthropist and entrepreneur who donated over $1 million to the 2008 effort to defeat Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage bill that was passed by a small margin of California's voters. (New York Times)

''But if you look at the poll numbers since November, they really haven't moved at all.''

Marc Solomon marriage director of Equality California. (New York Times)

''A slapdash effort based on wishful thinking, rosy scenarios, and passion, is not enough to win on.''

Hans Johnson, a board member of NGLTF, discussing the possibility of overturning Proposition 8 by next fall. (New York Times)

''I wasn't making any statement against lesbians, I'll tell you that right now. I have nothing against them at all. I was just trying to run a catfish derby.''

Mike Raney, an Oregon Lions Club member who refused to grant a ''$1 couples discount'' to Tina Corriere-Gooch and her lesbian partner, Angela, at a ''Catfish Derby'' in May. He is reacting to a letter of complaint filed by Lambda Legal which alleges that Raney did purposefully discriminate against the female couple, saying that there was a couples discount ''but none of this boy-boy, girl-girl couples crap.'' (Bakers City Herald)

''It's insulting and degrading that the club treated us like strangers, instead of recognizing our committed relationship.''

Tina Corrierre-Gooch as quoted in a statement released by the New York-based Lambda Legal regarding a claim of discrimination against a lesbian couple at a Lions Club's ''Catfish Derby'' in Oregon. (Lambda Legal)

''The new law, which took effect on July 18, 2009, provides that when a woman bears a child conceived by artificial insemination, and her spouse or unmarried partner consents in writing to the insemination, the consenting spouse or partner is a legal parent. That person's name will appear as a parent on the child's birth certificate. With the enactment of this measure, the District has become the first jurisdiction in the country to enact a statute specifically providing children born through artificial insemination with two legal parents from the beginning even when those parents are a same-sex or different-sex unmarried couple.''

Portion of a statement released by the National Center for Lesbian Rights in regards to a new law in the District of Columbia that, in part, extends the legal parental rights of a non-birthing lesbian. (NCLR)

''He's fine. All the stories you've been told are not true.... Bryce] got caught up with friends who were pulling him that way. He just wants to take some time and figure out what he wants to do with his life.''

Debra Faulkner of Arkansas, as quoted by Fox News which has picked up on the curious story of her son Bryce Faulkner, a 23-year-old medical student who was allegedly cut off by his parents after his mother discovered he was having a relationship with Travis Swanson of Wisconsin. Swanson says he fears Faulkner is being controlled against his will by Exodus, a so-called "ex-gay" group in Florida the performs ''reparative therapy'' designed to get homosexuals to magically turn into heterosexuals through ''the love of Jesus Christ.'' YouTube videos have been posted, but Facebook groups that were created to "Save Bryce" have reportedly been removed by the web site company. (Fox News)

''Someday at some point my dissent will be the majority view in California. I think that's where the law is headed. Equal protection is either equal or it's not. It's not the kind of thing you can chip away at.''

Carlos Moreno, a Supreme Court Justice for the state of California, expressing his continued belief in marriage equality for same-sex couples. He first voted to allowing same-sex marriage, and then later on voted against the legality of Proposition 8. Moreno was the only California Judge to rule that the voter-approved law, which effectively rolled-back marriage equality for gays and lesbians, was a violation of ''specific protections against discrimination'' covering minorities ruled as a suspect class. He also said he believed that Prop 8 may end up being a case that opens the door to more voter-approved discrimnation against other types of minorities. (Law.com)

''He was the kind of man who believed in human rights for everyone. I am amazed and humbled by his willingness to reach out to me. He was a bridge between the gay movement and major media. We remained friends, and it was a privilege knowing him.''

Mark Segal, publisher of Philadelphia Gay News, who is described by the Washington Post as having been "a walking terror" as a young gay activist. He is reported here in a historical recollection of how he once snuck onto the set of the "CBS News With Walter Cronkite" to hold up a sign that protesting CBS' skewed and lacking coverage of gay rights accomplishments in the early 1970s. At a trial that resulted from that incident, he challenged Cronkite to change the coverage, and after being moved by their discussion, the influential TV newscaster did cover the "new attitude toward homosexuality" and the struggle for rights in NYC. (Washington Post)

''We're all reading the tea leaves here. I'm not saying 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is going away. We can't say that. But this is a good sign.''

Tricia Heller, a lesbian who is also a former Air Force Academy graduate working to end the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy that excludes gays from serving openly in the Armed Forces. She is referring to the appointment of Jared Polis, a House Member from Colorado and openly gay, as the first . (Associated Press)

Publicist Laura Gilmore said Harris died Thursday night after being stricken at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, and a cause of death had not been determined. She said Harris, who lived in Atlanta, fell ill on a train to Los Angeles a few days ago and blacked out for a few minutes, but seemed fine after that.

Report from Associated Press about the passing of author E. Lynn Harris.

In 1999, Harris told Metro Weekly that he lived in Washington, DC and hung out at Bachelor's Mill and Nob Hill in the late `80s and early `90s, when he began his writing career that led to a string of bestsellers about the lives of black gay and bisexual men and their relationships. Works included ''Invisible Life,'' ''Just As I Am,'' and most recently, ''Basketball Jones.''

In a recent interview on NPR, Harris revealed that he was aware that black gay men had been abandoning his books because they felt he was writing for women instead. (Associated Press)

Basketball Jones

''I wrote letters--that was about it. I always say my writing career came about after getting so down and depressed. I was actually living here in Washington--this was the late '80s, early '90s-- losing a lot of friends to AIDS. I just wasn't happy with the state of my life and wanted to do something different. Writing seemed to help....''

''I never really came out officially to my family, I just became more at ease with myself. It wasn't something I announced, like "Mom, I think we need to talk." What I found out was that the more comfortable you are, the more comfortable the people around you are....''

''A lot of people ask me what I want to be identified as: a black male writer, a gay writer, a black gay writer. Eventually, it all boils down to writing. Abide With Me was number one in New York City and number two in Washington. It doesn't say 'The number one book by a black gay man.' The end result should just be the words....''

Outtakes from Metro Weekly's interview with E. Lynn Harris from 1999.. (Metro Weekly)

''I started thinking, kind of happily about the suspect nature of a middle-aged, white, gay man driving an ice cream truck and the fact that people would talk under their breath and say, "There goes the old Queen with his ice cream truck." so I thought, well let's completely head them off at the pass here. Make the truck so flaming that there's no way anyone can claim anything.... Most everyone just laughs and takes a picture. Teenage kids sometimes act like I should be embarrassed or something like that and they'll come up to me and go, "So what's big and gay about your truck?" and I'll say, "Me!" and they're so disarmed that I can just admit that right off the bat that they don't have a comeback. It's sort of over.''

Doug Quint, a bassoonist and entrepreneur in New York City who has launched the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck this summer. (Gothamist)

''We took down the mannequin for 5 seconds to move it, and move it back to this window. But we will not take down this display.''

An employee of the clothing store American Apparel in Silver Spring, which had it's window smashed for, allegedly, setting up a display of t-shirts emblazoned with the slogan ''Legalize Gay.'' The Georgetown store in Washington, DC reportedly said a death threat was phoned in to their location. The American Apparel chain is said to be running a campaign against Proposition 8, the law that recriminalized same-sex marriages in the state of California. (WJLA)

''Apparently, I must have voted for the wrong person.''

Sebastian Latta of Baltimore, MD, who had his jaw broken in three places after he was attacked by two men with a sharp instrument and the trophy from a gay beauty pageant he was judging in Chicago. (CBS2)

Screenshot of how our Twitter.com/metroweekly feed scored a super low 1% on the Stockholm Pride site that is measuring "How Hetero" people are through keywords found in their posts. (Stockholm Pride)

''It's fun, but clearly bogus.''

Bloggers at Entertainment Weekly complaining about their seemingly high or low scores on the ''How Hetero'' Twitter feed test. (Entertainment Weekly)

''If our guys would have followed the damn policy, we wouldn't have even been there. We have these conversations all the time, and we don't participate in those kinds of inspections when there's not probable cause or reasonable suspicion or some public safety measure to be inspected.''

Alan Steen, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commissioner, apologizing for the bar raid in June at the Rainbow Lounge in Fort Worth. (Dallas Morning News)

''I have a number of friends -- straight and gay -- who requested me to perform their weddings once I'm ordained. I would have felt limited and compromised blessing hetero couples but not gay couples. It's an issue of justice.''

Mike Angell, who is studying to be a priest, commenting on the vote by members of the Episcopal Church to allow bishops to bless same-sex unions. Earlier in this past week's convention, they voted to allow ordination of qualified bishops who happen to be gay. Consevative members of the parent organization of the Episcopal denomiation -- the Anglican Communion -- apparently find these developments problematic and as a move by Episcopalians to do whatever they feel is right regardless of what the rest of the Protestant organization may think. (Washington Post)

From TheNation.com:

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]."

''After Pickering's rejection of Governor Haley Barbour's offer to the vacant Lott position, and because Pickering did not want to lose the love and affection of his paramour, Creekmore-Byrd, Pikering made the decision to leave his wife and five children to be with Creekmore-Byrd.'' -- (Jackson Free Press)

''Unbeknown to plaintiff, Creekmore-Byrd for a number of years met and rekindled her relationship from college with Pickering. Said illicit relationship continued through her getting a divorce from her husband...in October, 2007, and causing Pickering to file for his divorce against Leisha Pickering in 2008. Said relationship continues through the filing of this complaint.'' -- (Madison County Herald)

Outtakes from the "alienation of affection" lawsuit being filed by Leisha Pickering, the former wife of Chip Pickering, who was until recently a leading Republican Member of Congress who was once offered the vacant seat of Trent Lott. According to On The Issues, while Pickering was in office, he voted for a Constitutional ban of same-sex marriages, and also to ban the ability of gay people to adopt here in the District of Columbia. Chip Pickering is reported to have been living at the mysterious "C Street" Christian ministry at the time of the alleged affair, which makes him the third such socially-conservative politician to be recently affiliated with that ministry and allegedly engaging in extra-marital activity. (OnTheIssues.com) (Associated Press)

''I attribute your latest actions to my 'no' vote on recognizing same sex marriages from other states. Prior to the vote, we worked together cordially and with respect to one another. As you may recall, soon after the vote you came down to my office. To say that you used choice words when speaking with me would be an understatement - you literally cursed me out. Since that time you have been rude, disrespectful, and will not even speak to me even when spoken to.''

DC Councilman Marion Barry issuing a public letter to fellow Councilman David Catania. Barry has had a series of scandals over the last couple of weeks -- allegations of stalking an ex-girlfriend who he says is mentally ill, giving a tax-payer funded job to that ex-girlfriend, and most recently facing questions about funding for several projects sponsored by Barry and his staff which allegedly involved forged signatures and at least one person who does not exist. In April, Barry did a flip-flop on his support for same-sex marriages, by uniting with the cause of several anti-gay preachers (including Harry Jackson of Maryland). He was the lone Councilperson to vote against allowing gay marriages recognition in the District. At first, it appeared Barry had supported the measure, but he later denied it. His socially-conservative associates have repeatedly called gays perverted and disgusting in public and claimed that Washington's African-American majority stands united against same-sex marriages. Barry has said he supports civil unions instead. (Washington Post)

''It was a slap in the face of the gay pride movement. It was an hourlong attack on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.''

R. Zeke Fread, the director of Pride Tampa Bay, commenting on the decision by WFLA / News Channel 8 to show the over-the-top propaganda piece being paid for and peddled by conservative Christians like the program's host, Jan Parshall, in an effort to pit the interests of the gay community against children, families and America in general. The video commercial called "Speechless: Silencing Christians" was aired on June 27, the same day as the St. Pete Pride Parade. It is reported that 100 people showed up at the station on Wednesday to picket against the station's decision to accept payment for the what they're calling free speech access to the airwaves. (Tampa Bay Online)

From Variety:

Producers of "Hair" have decided to cancel the Oct. 11 perf.... Oskar Eustis -- a.d. of the Public Theater, one of the producers of "Hair" -- said gay marriage had become "a 'Hair' company passion," with activist efforts spearheaded by "Hair" thesp Gavin Creel.

Sen. Grassley: Do you agree that marriage is a question reserved for the states to decide based on Baker vs. Nelson?

Judge Sotomayor: That also is a question that's pending and impending in many courts. As you know, the issue of marriage and what constitutes it, is a subject of much public discussion. And there's a number of cases in state courts addressing the issue of who regulates it under what terms.

Grassley: ... Are you saying that Baker vs. Nelson is not a precedent?

Sotomayor: No, sir. I just haven't reviewed Baker in a while. And so, I actually don't know what the status is. If it is the Court's precedent as I've indicated in all of my answers, I will apply that precedent to the facts of any new situation that implicates it. ...

Grassley: ... Do you agree with Federal Courts which have held that the Defense of Marriage Act does not violate the Full Faith and Credit Clause and is an appropriate exercise of Congress' powers to regulate conflicts between laws that differ in states?

Sotomayor: That's very similar to the Austin situation. But the ABA rules could not permit me to comment on the merits of a case that's pending or impending before the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has not addressed the Constitutionality of that Statute, and to the extent that lower courts have addressed it and made holdings, it is an impending case that could come before the Supreme Court. So, I can't make any comments on that case.

Judge Sonia Sotomayor, who is the first Supreme Court Justice nominee from President Barack Obama, responding to Republican Senator Chuck Grassley on issues related to gay and lesbian marriages and court cases that have challenged the constitutionality of the 1996 DOMA that President Bill Clinton signed into law. (C-SPAN)

''For people who know me, they know that I believe it's important for people to live openly and authentically, and I am sorry for my poorly chosen words at Outfest. At the end of the day, I hope my comments do not prevent us from having honest, thoughtful conversations about the significant barriers that make being an out actor in Hollywood an ongoing obstacle.''

Portion of a statement from director Todd Holland, who is openly gay, and was recently quoted on gay blogs for advising young, gay male actors to ''stay in the closet'' during an appearance at the Outfest film festival. (L.A. Weekly)

''Fueling anti-gay stereotypes is never in the public interest. GLAAD strongly condemns KBAK's airing of a story that uses tactics and language that feed on fears and create panic.''

Rashad Robinson of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation in a press release which complains about Bakersfield, CA's Fox 58 TV station decision to air a news report claiming gay solicitation and sex in public parks. The report briefly mentions heterosexual doing the same thing, but really only pursues the gay angle. (GLAAD)

I've had people come up to me and pull out their private parts and flash them right to you right there and say, 'Is this what you want?' ... I see families out there at the barbecue area, (and) any little kid can walk into the bathroom. It's dangerous, and no kid needs to see that.''

An anonymous man, hidden in shadow, who claims to be gay and is complaining for Fox 58 TV station in California about the image created by closeted gay men using public parks to solicit for and engage in sex. (Fox 58 Bakersfield)

''We're having trouble getting people into the military. And I think that we shouldn't turn down anybody that's willing to fight for our country, certainly based on sexual orientation.''

Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid of Utah, responding to a question about a proposed 18-month halt of the anti-gay military policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." (NY Times)

''I grew up around gay people my entire life, basically, that's possibly why I'm quite camp, and some people think I'm gay when I meet them, which I think is awesome.... [Apparently] someone said 'Daniel Radcliffe is gay. He's got a gay face!' [Laughs] I really don't know what a gay face is. But I think it's wonderful that Dumbledore was outed as gay ... Half of me thinks Jo Rowling just did that to see if she could piss off the right wing, but I'm not sure how true that is.''

Actor Daniel Radcliffe responding to a question about what he thought of the gay icon status of Dumbledore, the head wizard of Hogwarts School in the ''Harry Potter'' series of children's books written by J.K. Rowling. Videos on YouTube have him engaged in a prolonged stage kiss with another man and saying he'd turn gay for Albert Einstein. (Moviefone)

''It's not an attempt to fly in the face of the Anglican Communion. It's an attempt to deepen relationships with the rest of the communion, because real relationships are built on authenticity.''

Bonnie Anderson, president of the House of Deputies of the Episcopal Church. Voting members of the Church decided overwhelmingly this week to open the door to allowing the ordination of more bishops who are gay. This action moves the Episcopal Church beyond the objections of conservatives in the Anglican Communion, many of whom, like Henry Orombi, are located in Africa and have complained loudly about the acceptance of Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. In fact, it has been said many times over the last few years that the Church may split over the issue. (New York Times)

''They targeted us. We weren't doing anything inappropriate or illegal, or anything most people would consider inappropriate for any other couple.''

Matt Aune of Salt Lake City, UT, who ways he and his partner were handcuffed and then cited by police who responded after a trespassing complaint was called in on Aune and his male partner for kissing in an LDS chuch-owned plaza. (Salt Lake Tribune)

From the Associated Press:

Matt Aune said he and his partner, Derek Jones, were walking home from a concert nearby on Thursday night [July 9], cutting through the plaza near the Salt Lake City Mormon temple. [Aune gave Jones] a hug and kiss and that the two were then approached by a security guard, who asked them to leave, telling them they were being inappropriate and that public displays of affection aren't allowed on the property... other guards arrived and the men were handcuffed.

''Her letter was just disappointing. The words she was using were disappointing coming from an elected official in the year 2009.''

Ron deHarte, organizer of the San Diego Gay Pride Parade, remarking on La Mesa Councilwoman Ruth Sterling and her written request to rescind her Letter of Recognition for the parade. Her action caused some controversy and several speakers spoke at a the Council's public meeting week. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

''Never having seen one of your parades/celebrations, I was shocked and shaken to my core to learn of the lewd and lascivious behaviour and unconscionable activities portrayed.''

Portion of a June letter from Ruth Sterling, a Councilwoman from La Mesa California, who retracted her Letter of Recognition which she had earlier sent to the San Diego Gay Pride Parade this year. (Christian Examiner)

''I think that it's very difficult to deny equal rights to people when it comes to rights that are disbursed by a government rather than a faith or a church.... I believe that if we were to have civil unions, there would be no question about whether or not we would recognize unions in other states. And that's the way to move forward.''

Martin O'Malley, Democratic Governor of Maryland, sounding cautiously open to the possibility of Maryland following the District of Columbia's lead of recognizing gay and lesbian marriages performed in other states, but as civil unions? (WTOP)

''That kind of stuff, it really matters -- wills and inheritance rights, making sure that the laws reflect what our relationship is. It feels good to have the place you live do that, and makes the life you live easier.''

Jeff Krehely, a District of Columbia resident who legally married his partner, Trevor Blake, in Massachusetts 3 years ago. Their union and many others that took place legally in jurisdictions outside of the District will now recognized in Washington, DC as of today, July 7, 2009 at 12:01am. (Washington Times)

Check out the FAQ on gay marriages from the Washington Post:

At 12:01 a.m. today, under a law approved in May, the District began recognizing the marriages of same-sex couples performed in other jurisdictions.

• Can I now get married in the District?
• Will any other jurisdictions be recognized?
• If my spouse and I were legally married in another jurisdiction and now live in Maryland or Virginia, can we move to the District and be recognized?
• Where can my partner and I get legally married?
• What rights do same-sex couples have?

From the Washington City Paper:

[A] 30-day congressional review period has expired, and you're now free to enjoy all the rights and responsibilities of civil marriage in the District. (That includes divorce, incidentally.) If you're looking to celebrate, the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club tonight is hosting a "Road to Equality Happy Hour" at Halo in Dupont Circle, 6 to 9 p.m.

''I am reasonably sure that, given the personalities in this courtroom, this case is only touching down in this court and it will have a life after this court. What happens here is in many ways a prelude to what happens later.''

''Sixteen years have now gone by, and I think a lot has changed with respect to attitudes within our country, and therefore I think this is a policy and a law that should be reviewed.''

Colin Powell, retired Army General and former Secretary of State, talking to CNN about ''Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'' the U.S. military policy that resulted during President Bill Clinton's failed effort to allow gays in the military in the early-1990s. At the time, Powell was strongly in-favor of DADT. The current Secretary of State, Admiral Mike Mullen, also appeard on the show and said that he will continue to carry out the law as it applies to DADT, but says that it is clear that President Barack Obama feels that, at least for now, the policy needs to be carried out in ''the most humane way possible.'' (CNN) (Reuters)

''People who he was friends with, I knew that they knew. He didn't care that they knew. He trusted them.''

Kaether Cordero commenting on the death of his partner, August Provost, a soldier at Camp Pendleton. It is suspected that Provost may have been murdered during an argument over his sexual orientaion. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

''They were assuming their pictures were being taken and a verbal argument started.... The [victim's] partner said they were taking pictures of their dog. It was frolicking in the yard.''

Det. Sgt. Reecks of the Suffolk County police in New York who reports that 3 people were arrested for beating a woman while shouting anti-gay epithets at her including, "Fucking tear that fucking queer's face off!" The victim was reportedly treated for minor injuries which police have said do not rise to the level of a hate crime. (27 East)

''They were calling me faggot and started to beat me. They beat me very hard, and unconscious.''

Joseph Holladay who was found by his partner in a pool of blood after he was robbed and attacked on Manhattan's Upper East Side by a group of youths. Holladay now suffers from a large gash on his forehead where he was hit with a gun. (WCBS 2)

"He had me in a head lock and I was kind of flailing. I'm a pacifist through and through, but this dude just attacked me.''

Kendra Konrady, an HRC volunteer who was assaulted at the Omaha Pride Parade by a 66-year-old man, William Crilly, who was quoting bible scripture as he hauled around a rainbow-colored wagon at the event. A sign atop the wagon read in part, ''For the wages of sin is death.'' (The Pitch, Kansas City)

''The inclusiveness that Indian society traditionally displayed, literally in every aspect of life, is manifest in recognizing a role in society for everyone.... Those perceived by the majority as 'deviants' or 'different' are not on that score excluded or ostracized.''

Portion of a ruling from the Dehli High Court which has effectively ruled that homosexuality should be decriminalized in India because parts of Section 377 was unconstitutional as it pertained to equality, discrimination, and protection of life and personal liberty. (New York Times)

''We've finally entered the 21st century.''

Anjali Gopalan of the Naz Foundation, the GLBT group that petitioned the Court 8 years ago to overturn Section 377. (Associated Press)

''HX Magazine and the web site hx.com have been sold.... HX Magazine issue 931 dated July 10th, which will be released on July 3rd, will be the last one produced by HX Media and its staff.''

A press release sent from HX magazine founder, Matthew Bank, to the New York Press. (NY Press)

''Everyone was let go, but the people on The Blade know that they may come back if The Blade is coming back.... The economy and the future of print media being more difficult was definitely weighing on us.''

Matthew Bank, founder of HX magazine, explaining what has happened to The New York Blade. Just prior to suspending operations at the dwindling gay newspaper, its sister publication, HX magazine, was sold to an unnamed buyer.

The NY Times reports that the NY Blade's Pride edition was down to 28 pages, and an auditing firm appears to show that their most recent distribution data had dwindled to 16,000 copies. (The New York Blade remains on the list of "Publications" at Window-Media's website with a claim of 52 pages and 100,000 readers.) Two other gay publications related to the Window-Media/HX/Avalon partnership also ceased publication within the last several months: The New England Blade and Genre Magazine. (NY Times)

The New York Blade was originally founded in the 1990s as a joint venture by the Washington Blade's long-time publisher, Don Michaels and a NYC-based publishing and distribution company. The DC & NY Blades were then sold to Window-Media when Michaels retired in 2002. But not long after, Window merged interests with Avalon Equity, an investment fund. It appears that the New York Blade ended up being split between the interests of HX, Avalon and Window-Media. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the federal Small Business Administration had an involvement with the millions of dollars handled by Avalon, and the fund was forced into receivership in late 2008. Bank reportedly said that the Avalon receivership had little to do with his decision to sell HX.

''Now, on top of the news that New York's HX magazine, partially owned by Avalon, has been sold, we're also told by an insider that Unger just announced his "resignation" to his staff.''

From the gay blog Queerty regarding the head of Avalon Equity, David Unger, and the investment fund that he ran to buy a major interest into the gay newspaper chain, Window Media, that publishes the Washington Blade and a number of other regional gay publications. It was reported that the Small Business Administration put Avalon into receivership late last year because it did not have enough capital on hand to comply with the terms of a multi-million dollar loan it was given. (Queerty)

''Kristy said the most recent CAT scans have shown that the blood clot on Chad's brain has stopped growing, which is good news, but he is not out of the woods yet. She said doctors told the family that as long as the clot remains -- whether it is growing or not -- there is the chance that all or some of it could break loose and cause severe damage or death, or that the bleeding could start up again.''

Blog posting on The Dallas Voice, a Texas GLBT new website, regarding the condition of a gay man, Chad Gibson, who is said to have been violently arrested by police as part of a raid on The Rainbow Lounge, a new gay bar in Fort Worth. Police have stated officially that the bar was scheduled for inspection on that date, and it is just coincidence that as many as 9 arrests took place on the 40th anniversary of the raid of the Stonewall Inn. Police claim that Gibson injured himself because he was so intoxicated that he fell down and hit his head outside and vomited. The officers have also made claims that they were ''touched and advanced'' upon inappropriately by the gay patrons. Many eyewitnesses say the police came in with plastic wrist ties in hand, harassed and arrested non-intoxicated individuals, and in the case of Gibson, threw him to the floor and hit his head in the process. Two Council members have called for an investigation. Apparenlty the law states that you can drink at a bar but not be ''publicly intoxicated.'' (Dallas Voice) (WFAA)

''One of the things we're looking at is, is there flexibility in how we apply this law?... That's the kind of thing we're looking at to see if there's at least a more humane way to apply the law until the law gets changed.''

Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, who discussing the silly assertion that the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy might have some wiggle room in cases where a servicemember was outed for vindictive reasons rather than voluntarily coming out as gay. (Associated Press)

"The military has no choice but to follow it. We don't pick and choose what regulations to enforce."

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Fanning, spokesman for the New York Army National Guard, on the recommendation of a military administrative board to discharge Lieutenant Dan Choi who came out publicly as gay on the Rachel Maddow show earlier this year. (Associated Press)

''All I did was tell the truth. I refused to lie about my boyfriend. His name is Matthew, not Martha.''

Lieutenant Dan Choi of the Army National Guard and an organization of gay West Point graduates called Knights Out. He faces a discharge for coming out publicly as a proud, gay soldier taking a stand against the Armed Forces' anti-gay military policy known as ''Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'' (Times Herald-Record)

''Google is a company that supports its LGBT employees, taking a public stand stand on issues that are important to our community. This is not the first year that Google has supported Pride, and it will certainly not be the last.''

From a posting by Cynthia Yeung on the official Google Blog which features a series of photos of LGBT employees marching with Google/YouTube banners in several major US cities including San Francisco, New York and Chicago as well as some European cities. (Google Blog)