PFLAG sees rise in membership
365gay. com reports the passage of antigay measures and that the films “Milk” and “Prayers for Bobby” have resulted in increased interest in Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
The national advocacy organization reported receiving 75 inquiries about starting new chapters since Election Day.
PFLAG said it is working with allies who have expressed interest in bringing the organization to their communities.
“If there is a silver lining to the setback our families experienced on Election Day, it is that our allies in communities across the country have started to mobilize at the local level and work for change,” said Jody M. Huckaby, PFLAG national executive director.
D.A. to investigate gay sting arrests
Advocate.com reports New York district attorney Robert Morgenthau told gay activists March 9 he would investigate the 2008 prostitution arrests of at least 30 gay and bisexual men targeted at Manhattan porn shops. He also said he may dismiss the cases against five of the men who are contesting the charges.
“The first thing Morgenthau said was, ‘We are going to investigate all these cases,’” said Joey Nelson, coordinator for the Queer Justice League and a member of the Coalition to Stop the Arrests.
Last month, gay activists protested the arrests, alleging police targeted gay men.
The Coalition to Stop the Arrests, an activist group, formed last month to address the issue.
Gay unions won’t be in census
The Press Telegram of Long Beach, Calif., reports the 2010 Census will not count same-sex marriages.
The federal Defense of Marriage Act does not recognize gay unions sanctioned by states.
Census takers will ask same-sex couples who live together to define themselves as “unmarried partners.”
The omission of gay marriage on the census bothers some gays and lesbians, who argue that a proper accounting would give them the same visibility as racial minorities, who gain political power when their numbers increase.
— Larry Nichols