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[Note: Damien is the older brother of Ryan Skipper, a young gay man who was brutally killed during a hate crime on March 14, 2007 in Polk County. This note was written just days before Ryan’s second killer was convicted of First Degree Murder. Both will serve life sentences.]

United States Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) wrote the following piece in the Huffington Post supporting equality for LGBT Americans. Specter made news earlier this year when he switched parties from Republican to Democrat.

From ABC News:  On Wednesday, President Obama will sign the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes bill into law. The signing ceremony comes 11 years after the death of Matthew Shepard.  The new law will protection victims of hate crimes based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender or disability. The President will sign the bill and make remarks at 4:45pm on Wednesday.

Moments ago, after a decade of work, the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act has passed the United States Senate by a vote of 68 to 29. It is the first federal law protecting LGBT people. This truly is a moment to celebrate. 

The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act will be on the Senate floor for a vote this morning. The Act is an amendment on H.R. 2647, the Department of Defense Authorization bill. 

HUD PRESS RELEASE U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Shaun Donovan, SecretaryOffice of Public Affairs, Washington, DC 20410HUD No. 09-206 FOR RELEASEBrian Sullivan Wednesday(202) 708-0685 October 21, 2009http://www.hud.gov/news/index.cfm

This was a story too good to pass up posting. 

Equality Florida Action

Gay rights are human rights - Other Views - MiamiHerald.com BY JOANNA GROVER [email protected]

A lesbian student’s battle to appear in a tuxedo in her yearbook photo could be headed to court, unless her Mississippi high school responds to a demand from the American Civil Liberties Union before October 23. The civil rights organization sent a letter to Ronald Greer, principal of Wesson Attendance Center, on behalf of Ceara Sturgis, 17, an out lesbian honor student and athlete whose yearbook photo was rejected by Greer on the grounds that she wore a tuxedo.

That's right, the Florida Democrats best hope for taking over the Governor's Mansion in 2010, has bi-partisan appeal. 

http://outgaylife.com/community-life/gay-rights/ex-gays-want-protection-at-disneyEx-gays want protection at Disney October 14, 2009 in: Gay Rights Here's an excerpt:

'No end to the war between me and the gays,' Buju tells Muta - JamaicaObserver.com Buju Banton's latest statement

Buju Banton's violations of the Reggae Compassionate Act

Fascinating article on what discrimination actually costs a same sex couple over a lifetime. Worst case: $467,562Best case: $41,196 The High Price of Being a Gay CoupleBy TARA SIEGEL BERNARD and RON LIEBERRe-Published: October 15, 2009 Much of the debate over legalizing gay marriage has focused on God and Scripture, the Constitution and equal protection.

Florida's very own "fire-breathing liberal" is resigning from Congress. 

As venues across the country cancel anti-gay reggae dancehall singer Buju Banton, the performer has ADDED a new date and location:Oct 30th - JANNUS LANDING COURTYARDBox Office Numbers:(727) 896-2276(727) 896-1244 (727) 821-7466 Box Office Hours:7:00pm - 1:30am Banton's Boom Bye Bye instructs listeners to shoot gay people in the head and burn gays with acid.

Equality Florida recent became aware of a possible anti-gay murder that occurred in Pensacola on Oct. 4th around 11PM. The victim, Eli Siler was found lying in the street, with multiple gun shot wounds, just outside Emerald City - a popular gay bar in Pensacola. If anyone has information, please contact Detective Tarlanda Gooden at 435-1972 or the Pensacola Police Department at 435-1900. Equality Florida will continue to closely monitor this situation as it develops.__________ The following article ran in the Pansacola New Journal on Thursday, Oct 8th:

RSVP to [email protected] EQUALITY FLORIDA presents: WILL YOUR LOVED ONES BE LEFT OUT?Unique Financial Concerns for the LGBT Community Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 6:00-8:00pm* Light refreshments will be served