''Now if there is misconduct, there are regulations to deal with that misconduct. But we're talking about orientation -- not misconduct, here. And that is the premise of my question to you, Ms. Donnelly, is that you're saying that our military -- the greatest military in the world, one I was honored to serve with when I first put the uniform on back in 1993 -- is not as professional as 24 other countries, because they can understand what is right and what is wrong.''

Congressman Patrick J Murphy (D-PA), an Iraq war veteran, debating vigorously with Elaine Donnelly, the President for the Center for Military Readiness, a conservative organization that want's to keep the ban on gay and lesbians serving in the miitary but also to do away with the ''Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' policy because they believe it is inconsistent with the ban and affects unit cohesion. (C-SPAN 3 video via Nancy Pelosi's YouTube channel)

''Thomas rode out the first 24 hours [of labor] at home. His wife, Nancy, was his coach and then they wen to the hospital where a midwife delivered the baby. It was not a C-section: It was a vaginal birth. Susan comes from Thomas' mother's name. Juliette is his wife's middle name. She weighed 9 lbs 5 ounces. Perfectly healthy.... [Thomas wife, Nancy,] is actually breastfeeding the child through a process called a processed called 'induced lactation....'''

Patrick Rogers of People Magazine speaking with Good Morning America about the baby girl, Susan Juliette Beatie, born to F2M transgender father Thomas Beatie.. (Towleroad)

''She's so precious, I just can't stop staring at her. Just holding her is the best feeling in the world.... Susan is a miracle! And we're finally the family we've been dreaming of.''

Thomas Beatie, speaking to People Magazine after giving birth to his daughter at Bend, Oregon's St. Charles Medical Center. (People)

Christopher Ciccone, 47, speaking out about his estranged sister, Madonna, who he has written a book about, ''Life With My Sister Madonna.'' In his interview with Metro UK, he speaks about gay jokes from Guy Ritchie's friend, her lack of gay dancers, the couple's possible divorce, and more. (Metro.co.uk)

Swedish public prosecutor Fredrik Ingblad who has successfully convicted a man only described as being 35-years-old, of robbing a number of men whom he had met via internet chat rooms allegedly for sexual dates, and finally stabbing to death a 43-year-old man in Stockholm. (TheLocal.se)

Mariah Lopez a pre-op M2F transsexual who persisted in exposing New York prison guards' preferential treatment of a suspect, Lee Woods, who was allegedly involved in the murder of Police Officer Russel Timoshenko. Not only did they ignore the Wood's bad behavior, the fired guards may have supplied him with marijuana and alcohol, a handcuff key, a cellphone sim card, even had sex with the suspect. (NY Daily News)

Kevin Loader, producer of then new film adaptation of ''Brideshead Revisited'' that was published by a male author named Evelyn Waugh in 1945. The book's character Lord Sebastian Flyte has been revised to make him more overtly gay, but it has also be said that his teddy bear, Aloysius, will not be prominently featured in the new movie. A widely-seen TV series was aired in 1981 and made a star of Jeremy Irons. (Telegraph.co.uk)

Vassilis Chirdaris, lawyer for the Gay and Lesbian Union of Greece, which was being sued by three residents of Lesbos, the Aegean island that was the home of Sappho, a woman who wrote poetry that professed her love for other women (Reuters)

''Thursday, July 24, 11:00-12:00 -- LGBT Portrayals in Comics -- With the increased number of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) characters in both mainstream and indie comics today, it's time to examine how they're faring. Has this increased presence meant better and more complex portrayals, or is there more to be explored? Has the call for "positive" portrayals been beneficial, or has it left LGBT characters one-dimensional? And what can we expect in the future? Join moderator Patricia Jeres (Prism board member and talent and industry relations chair) and panelists Perry Moore (author of Hero, winner of the Lambda Literary Award; executive producer of Disney's The Chronicles of Narnia series), Gail Simone (Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman), Judd Winick (Green Arrow and Black Canary), and Bob Schreck (group editor, DC Comics) for this insightful discussion. Room 10.''

From the Calendar of Events associated with Comic-Con 2008, a huge comic book convention being held in San Diego, California this week. (comic-con.org)

Lieutenant Ken Franke, of the San Diego Harbor Police, speaking about the death of Steven Paul Hirschfield, 37, of West Hollywood, who allegedly fell or jumped off a gay party boat and then attacked the police who tried to rescue him. [video] (KABC) Some 800 people were aboard the Inspiration Hornblower for a chartered event put together by promoter Bill Hart. [video] (KGTV)

Portion of ''Eligibility Requirments'' document for the TV game show, ''The Newlywed Game,'' that appears to be excluding of married same-sex couples since their legal unions would not be recognized in all 50 states. (GoodAsYou.org)

''I think the gay-rights people want it to be a gay-rights issue, because it makes a poster child out of my son.... That bothered me. I'm not anti-gay. I have a lot of co-workers and friends who are gay.''

Greg King, the adoptive father of murdered 15-year-old, Larry King, who his father reportedly says was likely not gay but wanted attention, even though he'd worn make-up and heels, told school friends he was gay, and told other boys in the lockerroom that they ''look hot.'' King was shot dead in class by Brandon McInerney, 14, who King had allegedly asked to be his Valentine just days before. (Newsweek)

''We have a student on campus who has chosen to express his sexuality by wearing make-up. It is his right to do so. Some kids are finding it amusing, others are bothered by it. As long as it does not cause classroom disruptions he is within his rights. We are asking that you talk to your students about being civil and non-judgmental. They don't have to like it but they need to give him his space. We are also asking you to watch for possible problems. If you wish to talk further about it please see me or Ms. Epstein.''

Portion of an e-mail sent to teachers by Lawrence King's school office on January 29. (Newsweek)

Actress Selma Blair, of 'Cruel Intentions' and 'Hellboy' speaking to Playboy magazine. She says she also rehearsed her sex scenes with actress Stana Katic. (Stuff.co.nz)

Al Milian, attorney for Hollywood, Florida police officer Michael Verdugo, from a statement released regarding the officer's forced paid administrative leave. After appearing as a contestant on the HGTV realtity show, ''Design Star,'' several gay blogs posted photos and allegations that Verdugo was the star of a gay bondage video in 1996, noting his tatoos in both appearances. The alleged video is posted on the explicit video site XTube. In a separate development, Verdugo was also recently booted from the reality show. [video] (Local10.com)

Denise Sposato, a spokesperson for the tax return filing company H&R Block, responding to an issue raised by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a gay Connecticut couple. The tax company's software did not support tax returns for civil unions in their state and recommended that they take their returns to a company branch office which would cost same-sex couples more. H&R Block has offered several choices of compensation. (Boston Globe)

Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai Police Chief, following up on the arrest of 40 tourists, and a threat issued back in May to arrest any transvestites caught in public. Apparently, he perceives an increasing number of cross-dressers in the Arab country, and plans to deport them for being against Dubai's "social values." The fast-developing, rich, sea-side nation is probably best known in America for last year's controversial announcement by Halliburton to move it's corporate headquarters to Dubai. (PinkNews.co.uk)