News news news. And poetry.

Poetry Book Manuscripts Sought From Lesbian Authors

Arktoi Books, an imprint of Red Hen Press, is seeking poetry manuscripts from lesbian authors between August 1, 2009 and November 30, 2009.  Manuscripts should be mailed electronically to eloisekleinhealy@mac.com, as should inquires about the press.

For complete submission guidelines and for more information about Arktoi authors, please visit the website at www.arktoi.com.

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Finally, Action on Gay Soldiers
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-07-27/finally-action-on-gay-soldiers?cid=hp:mainpromo1

The Daily Beast has learned that the Senate, prompted by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, will hold hearings on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”—a first since 1993, despite Obama’s campaign promises.

After determining she didn’t have enough votes in support of a temporary suspension of the ban on gays in the military, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand tells The Daily Beast she has secured the commitment of Senate Armed Services Committee to hold hearings on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” this fall. It would be the first formal re-assessment of the policy since Congress passed it into law in 1993.

A statement from the Gillibrand’s office, shared exclusively with The Daily Beast, notes that “265 men and women have been unfairly dismissed from the Armed Forces since President Barack Obama took office.”

(FOR THE REST OF THE ARTICLE PLEASE CLICK LINK ABOVE WHICH ALSO HAS A GILLIBRAND YOUTUBE INTERVIEW)

ANOTHER INSIGHTFUL ARTICLE/INTERVIEW IS IN SOLDIER MAGAZINE
http://www.soldiermagazine.co.uk/mag/feature1.htm

MEANWHILE, ON GAY MARRAIGE
Olson: Gay Marriage Is A Conservative Value
http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4267&MediaType=1&Category=26

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Houston Mayor Proclaims First Transgender Day

In a celebration of the first anniversary of Houston’s Transgender Center, Mayor Bill White proclaimed July 25 “Transgender Day” in the city.

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2010 Olympics planning house for LGBT athletes

The 2010 Olympics in Vancouver will have a house for LGBT athletes: “an inclusive hangout and social space for gay and nongay athletes.”

Greg Larocque, president of the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association, which is enthusiastically supporting Pride House, is hoping that it will open a dialogue:

“The value, internationally, is that young athlete leaders and coaches see a different paradigm. And that it can work, and it does work.”