"We are the first gay couple in Latin America to marry."

And, it took place in Argentina:

Gay rights activists Jose Maria Di Bello and Alex Freyre were married in Ushauaia, the capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego state, in a ceremony witnessed by sate and federal officials.

"My knees didn't stop shaking," Di Bello said. "We are the first gay couple in Latin America to marry."

The couple had previously tried to marry in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires but were thwarted by city officials citing conflicting judicial rulings. Argentina's Constitution is silent on whether marriage must be between a man and a woman, effectively leaving the matter to state and city officials.

Tierra del Fuego Gov. Fabiana Rios said in a statement that gay marriage "is an important advance in human rights and social inclusion and we are very happy that this has happened in our state."

Read More...

GOP Senate candidate on the radio claiming primary opponent, Mark Kirk, "is a homosexual"

Sam Stein has the report on a right-wing Republican Senate candidate charging that one of his opponents is a "homosexual":

Andy Martin, a conservative public interest lawyer, put out a spot on local radio in which he pushes a "solid rumor" that fellow Senatorial aspirant, Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), "is a homosexual."

"I helped expose many of Barack Obama's lies in 2008," the ad goes. "Today, I am fighting for the facts about Mark Kirk. Illinois Republican leader Jack Roeser says there is a 'solid rumor that Kirk is a homosexual.' Roeser suggests that Kirk is part of a Republican Party homosexual club. Lake County Illinois Republican leader Ray True says Kirk has surrounded himself with homosexuals."

"Mark Kirk should tell Republican voters the truth."

The seedy spot seems to take a page out the Karl Rove playbook -- in which allegations of homosexuality are pushed by innuendo and 'simple demands for the truth.' In a statement to a local Illinois station, the Kirk camp vehemently condemned and denied its content.

"The ad is not true and is demeaning to the political process. The people of Illinois deserve better," said Kirk campaign manager Eric Elk in a written statement.

For years, Republicans have made gay-bashing an element of their campaigns. Usually, the target is the gay community at large. In Illinois, the target is a fellow GOPer. Be interesting to see how this plays out in GOP world. If there's one place where a person's sexual orientation could have a negative impact, it's in a Republican primary. Read More...

Gay marriage vote celebrated in Mexico City

What a WONDERFUL Christmas present to Mexico and for our greater LGBT community's fight for equality.

As the final vote count of the city assembly was announced — 39 in favor to 20 against — the crowd of gay and lesbian activists in Mexico City exploded into cheers, hugs and kisses. With a resounding majority, the Mexican capital had become the first city in Latin America to allow same-sex couples to marry and to have the same rights as heterosexual unions. A separate motion confirmed that the couples would be able to adopt children. "This is a huge triumph that has followed so many years of struggle," said campaigner Kin Castañeda, who stood next to her partner in the assembly gallery, the two women wearing identical white Mexican folk dresses. "It is a recognition of our basic rights. And that is a cause for celebration today."

When the very conservative (and Catholic) Latin American countries start recognizing it's wrong to discriminate against us based on our sexual orientation, you can bet it's a matter of time before we defeat the dark forces of discrimination. Those opposing us need to realize they've lost the fight and how they want to be remembered by generations who will look back at them with disdain like we know do for those who fought against racial equality and civil rights. I sometimes wonder if those opposing LGBT civil rights truly want to leave that kind of miserable legacy? Of course, they must think they are going to win or they would apologize for their behavior and join us in the struggle. Read More...

Wash. Post says it's time to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell

An editorial in today's Washington Post continues the drumbeat for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell:

SLOWLY BUT SURELY, the groundwork continues to be laid for the overdue demise of "don't ask, don't tell." The latest move came on Dec. 22 when Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and 95 House colleagues sent a letter to the Pentagon requesting statistics on troops discharged for violating the wrong-headed ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military. They want everyone to see the effects of the policy on the military and the national defense. This has the added benefit of reminding Americans of the law's absurdity.

The law is absurd. And, the fact that military personnel are still being discharged as we enter 2010 is beyond absurd.

The ball is in the President's court. As the Post notes, Obama talks a good game on the repeal of DADT:

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) last month told the Advocate, a gay and lesbian newsmagazine, that a measure to overturn the ban is likely to be attached to the must-pass Defense Department budget authorization bill next year. "Military issues are always done as part of the overall authorization bill," he said.

President Obama has been consistent in public speeches and in Oval Office meetings with Mr. Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that he wants to end the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military. So do we and a majority of the American people. Gays and lesbians in the armed services should be able to help protect the country without fear or shame.

It's time for action from the administration. The President needs to make it explicitly clear to Congress that he wants DADT repealed in the Defense authorization bill. That's not a heavy lift for the White House. The President can lay it out in his budget message. On this one, Obama needs to lead. Read More...

Gays left out of House immigration reform bill

Why? The Democrats are in power. Why aren't we included in the bill? It's time for our national organizations to lead. We're no longer the minority party. Our groups have to grow beyond simply stopping 'bad' legislation. We need them to push good legislation forward. So why isn't this happening? Read More...