Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Morning Sweep (PM Edition)

Barack Obama is the 44th President, and his new civil rights agenda on the White House website demonstrates his commitment to LGBT rights.

The JTA Jewish news service writes on Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, recipient of a Pride Agenda Star Award in recognition of the synagogue's leadership in working for marriage equality.

On Sunday, The NYC South Asian Lesbian & Gay Association partnered with other organizations to hold Rock for Rights, a benefit concert at the Lincoln Center. The concert was organized by Engendered, an annual human rights festival that “explore(s) the complex realities of gender and sexuality in modern South Asia, especially at the intersection of ritual and religion.”

Newsday profiles a gay family headed to the inauguration.

Good As You has the video of Bishop Gene Robinson’s moving inauguration prayer, which was mysteriously omitted from the HBO broadcast of the events.

The Obama transition team has posted a video of a meeting that took place in December between LGBT leaders and members of the transition team. The video shows only four minutes of the more than two-hour meeting, including parts where LGBT leaders highlighted policy concerns about federal legislation, the upcoming U.S. Census, and HIV/AIDS policy.

A new GLSEN study has found that sexual orientation and gender expression are the most common reasons LGBT students of color report feeling unsafe in school.

This lovely Forbes opinion piece deals a swift backhanded compliment to the Obama family by lauding its “model of proper parenting and spirituality for the next generation” – which according to the columnist, includes alienating “feminist, gay-rights and ultra-secularist activists.” Oh, and for good measure, he throws in a semi-racist comparison to “The Cosby Show”…

Queerty laments the homophobic Red Cross policy that still prohibits gays from donating blood.

Buffalo News previews "Prayers for Bobby," a Lifetime movie premiering this Saturday that takes a harrowing look at the need for acceptance for gay youth. The Trevor Project, a nationwide suicide prevention helpline for LGBT and questioning youth, has an excellent toolkit for the movie and suggests hosting a viewing party for your friends and family.

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