Same-sex nuptials backers press cause
By Anthony Farmer
Poughkeepsie Journal


BOSTON -- San Francisco may have been first.

New Paltz may have been the most provocative.

But in Boston, and other communities around Massachusetts, gay and lesbian couples getting married has become a part of everyday life.

Against that backdrop, Democrats have come to Boston this week to nominate John Kerry as their candidate to take on President Bush in November. Kerry has not embraced the position of his home state.


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Wales is sitting on an HIV time-bomb
By Hywel Trewyn, Daily Post
 

WALES is facing an HIV time-bomb which could explode into a fully-blown crisis if not tackled.

The words of warning came from North Wales HIV consultants who last night urged Assembly health minister Jane Hutt to address the problem before it reaches epidemic proportions.

The specialist clinic at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, has seen a massive 300% rise in cases over the past three years.

And 100 new cases of HIV were diagnosed last year bringing the total number of people infected up to 790.


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Hate crime unpunished
By EVE HIGHTOWER, Democrat staff writer


The Davis City Council wants the District Attorney's Office to take action on alleged hate crimes that occurred last October. Tonight, the council is scheduled to vote on approving a letter calling for supervisors, judges and the DA to speed up the case.

The letter, which includes requested conditions of a plea bargain, will be sent to District Attorney Dave Henderson, Superior Court judges Donna Petre and Timothy Fall, and supervisors.

According to Robert Russell, the most vocal of the victims, Henderson is not taking the crime seriously. In Russell's opinion, failing to do so sends the message that hate crimes are no big deal in Yolo County.

Over the past year, Davis has been hit by a series of acts targeted against specific classes of individuals. The acts prompted a series of community meetings in an effort to raise awareness


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Council cites existing W.Va. law
By BRYAN CHAMBERS - The Herald-Dispatch


HUNTINGTON -- After two consecutive meetings of intense debate between conservative Christians and members of Huntington’s gay and lesbian community, City Council voted 7-4 Monday against a proposed ordinance prohibiting the recognition of same-sex marriages in the city.

The ordinance, sponsored by McCallister, also defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman and included criminal penalties for violating it.

Council members voting against the ordinance were Trey Hanshaw, Cal Kent, Jim Ritter, Larry Patterson, Robert Rufus, Mary Neely and Chuck Polan. Councilmen Tom McCallister, B.W. Ellis, John Daniels and Jim Insco voted for the ordinance.

Just like its meeting two weeks ago, dozens of people packed City Council chambers to debate the ordinance. More than 30 members of the public and council members spoke on the ordinance during a two-hour discussion.


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Denied marriage, local gay couple to file suit
By KRISTEN ZAMBO


Fred Blumberg doesn't really want to get married.

Neither does Pete Costello.

But the Fort Myers couple said that their inability to legally marry in Florida prompted them to try. And when shot down for a marriage license Monday, they decided to file a lawsuit against Lee County Circuit Clerk Charlie Green — the state official who dispenses marriage licenses. They say if heterosexuals can marry, then so should they.

"It's time to send a message to the nation that we need a change," Blumberg said before walking to the Lee County Administration Building in downtown Fort Myers to apply for the license. "It's time to bring people out of the closet."