Morning Sweep

The New York Times profiles Queens an area with an increasing acceptance of LGBT people, as evidenced by the success of newly elected out New York City Councilman Daniel Dromm.

The U.S. Justice Department has intervened in the case of a Mohawk Central School District student who says that the district failed to stop other students and a teacher from bullying him because of his sexual orientation.

The two men who attacked openly gay Jack Price in Queens in October have been indicted on hate crime charges.

The U.S. Rep. who helped create "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and is considered the top House Democrat for military issues has come out against overturning the policy because of the potential for "disruption" of campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The U.S. Supreme Court has announced that it will hear a case on whether or not the names of those who signed a petition to put Referendum 71 on the ballot in Washington state will be revealed.

Maureen Dowd interviews Ted Olson and David Boies, lawyers in the Prop 8 trial.

Although many same-sex couples spend thousands of dollars legal paperwork intended to afford them the same rights and benefits as their married counterparts, here's more evidence that these efforts still fall short of the protections of marriage.

GLSEN, the Trevor Project, and the Matthew Shepard Foundation are among 100 charities competing to win $1 million in a competition sponsored by Chase on Facebook.

Morning Sweep

The Supreme Court has ruled that none of the Prop 8 trial can be televised.

The New York Times editorializes that this "could have been a moment for the entire nation to witness a calm, deliberative debate on a vitally important issue in the era of instant communications. Instead, the United States Supreme Court made it a sad example of the quashing of public discourse."

Lawyers for the chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, are recommending a delay of at least a year in beginning the process to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

The Washington, D.C. City Council has projected that the District's marriage equality law would likely take effect on March 2, 2010.

Lady Gaga hosting a benefit to support the Pride Agenda in Atlantic City this Saturday!

This Saturday, January 16, immediately following her Atlantic City concert, Lady Gaga will host “Hands Up for Marriage Equality,” an evening in support of the LGBT civil rights movement to support the Pride Agenda and other LGBT advocacy organizations. The benefit, held by Lady Gaga in conjunction with Out in AC, the LGBT signature event brand of Harrah’s Entertainment in Atlantic City, will be at Club Worship in the House of Blues at Harrah’s Showboat Casino. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Empire State Pride Agenda, Garden State Equality, Equality Pennsylvania and The Power.

Lady Gaga's shows in NYC sold out in a matter of minutes, so hundreds of members of the LGBT community and its supporters are already headed to Atlantic City this weekend to see Gaga in action. If you're already taking the trip, make sure to check out this amazing benefit after the show! And if you're still looking for something to do on your long weekend, why not plan a great night in Atlantic City and support the work of the Pride Agenda at the same time?

Lady Gaga has been an outspoken supporter of LGBT equality, joining the call for full civil rights protections for LGBT people at the National Equality March in Washington, D.C. last October and declaring her opposition to all homophobia and sexism in the music industry. “I am honored to be able to continue to raise awareness and money for this cause and these outstanding organizations,” she said. “Organizations like these are in the trenches every day working on behalf of all of us, whether you are LGBT or straight. Equal and full civil rights are supposed to be for all of us.”

Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan van Capelle encourages everyone who can make it to attend the benefit. “We are thrilled to be a part of this event,” he said. “Lady Gaga has been a passionate, outspoken ally to LGBT people, and she’s a great example of how celebrities can use their popularity to help secure equal rights for millions of Americans. We also thank Harrah’s Entertainment, which is clearly setting the bar high in its industry by being a model employer for LGBT people and by taking a public stand in support of legislation that improves the lives of LGBT Americans.”

WHAT: Hands Up for Marriage Equality, a benefit to support the LGBT civil rights movement hosted by Lady Gaga

WHEN: Saturday, January 16, 10 PM – 4 AM

WHERE: Club Worship, House of Blues at Harrah’s Showboat Casino
Atlantic City

COST: Admission is a minimum donation of $20 at the door. No advance tickets will be sold.

Morning Sweep

Despite Harold Ford's declaration that he supports marriage for same-sex couples, Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan van Capelle reiterated his support for Kirsten Gillibrand. Ford may challenge Gillibrand for her seat as junior U.S. Senator from NY.

The first day of the Prop. 8 trial brought personal testimony from Kristin Perry, the 45-year-old child services professional who brought the case with her partner and a male couple.

CNN lightens the mood with our favorite quote from the trial so far: ""[It's] like putting a Twinkie at the end of a treadmill and saying, 'You can only have a bite.' And you want the whole thing. ... All I want is to be married."

Newsweek profiles Perry and her partner, calling them "accidental activists."

Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court, acting on an appeal from the backers of Prop. 8, temporarily stayed U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker's decision to post video of the trial on YouTube.

Morning Sweep

A transgender woman who was subjected to harassment and later fired by the New York State Thruway Authority has been awarded more than $55,000 in damages by the state Division of Human Rights. She is still seeking reinstatement to her job.

State Senator George Onorato, one of the eight Democrats who voted against the marriage bill, has announced he will not run for re-election this November.

The Buffalo News writes extensively on anti-gay hate crimes in light of two recent attacks.

Buffalo Spree magazine, a regional Western New York publication, has a great story on the unique challenges faced by same-sex couples in their Weddings issue.

The federal Prop. 8 case begins today.

The New York Times highlights the ideological differences between the two lawyers arguing against the proposition. One of them, Theodore B. Olson, outlines the conservative arguments for same-sex marriage in Newsweek.

An op-ed in the Times argues that the pre-trial rulings in the Prop. 8 case show that the judge is biased toward LGBT advocates' side. Judge Walker has ruled that things like TV advertisements, press releases and Prop. 8 sponsors' personal beliefs can be considered relevant evidence. He has also ruled that the trial can be televised, though not live.

The L.A. Times praises Judge Walker for allowing the trial to be televised.

Morning Sweep

The Buffalo News calls for tolerance and justice after two recent anti-gay hate crimes.

The New Jersey Senate defeated the state's marriage bill yesterday, 20-14. Same-sex marriage advocates have vowed to take the fight back to the state’s highest court, which in 2006 ordered lawmakers to give same-sex couples the same rights as others whether or not they called such unions marriages.

Here's a preview of the arguments on both sides of next week's Prop 8 trial.

Morning Sweep

The New York Times editorial board urges New Jersey legislators to vote in favor of marriage equality today and "show real leadership and stand up for the fundamental rights of New Jersey’s gay and lesbian citizens."

Christine Quinn has been re-elected as NYC Council Speaker.

The judge in the Prop. 8 case has ruled that footage of the trial can be updated daily on YouTube, but it will not be shown live.

Thirty-nine members of Congress have signed an amicus brief filed in D.C. superior court calling for a voter referendum on same-sex marriage in the District.