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The U.S. Department of State has issued a worldwide security alert for Americans traveling abroad for Pride celebrations in June. The advisory warns of potential terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, with a particular emphasis on the risks faced by LGBTQI+ individuals. The FBI's annual crime report shows a significant increase in anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes in the U.S., and the Human Rights Campaign has declared a national state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people due to the record number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills being introduced across state legislatures. LGBTQ+ protections vary globally, with Latin America making progress in marriage equality but still facing high rates of violence against transgender individuals, while Russia has classified the LGBTQ+ community as an extremist organization. The State Department advises Americans to stay alert during pride celebrations and at LGBTQ+ venues and to enroll in its Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for emergency alerts and assistance. [Extracted from the article]

Reports on the increasing number of gay families throughout the United States. Impact of the decision in Massachusetts to become the first state to offer marriage licenses to same-sex couples; Controversy over the very nature of the American family; Introduction of a culture of family to the gay community by today's gay parents; Criticism from classmates, straight parents, and family members; Details from studies into the impact of gay parents on their children; Dramatic increase in the number of children with gay parents.

After a brief performance stint during college in Ireland in the late '80s, O'Neill moved to Japan and became a hallmark on the Tokyo club scene, where his alter ego and drag name Panti Bliss came to life. Following the television appearance, Panti rose to true acclaim during a famous "noble call' speech in Dublin's Abbey Theatre - a must-watch oration about queer oppression available on Panti's YouTube. Entertainment while it's true Ireland no longer has a monarchical system after declaring itself a republic and withdrawing from the British Commonwealth in 1949, today's reigning "Queen of Ireland" is none other than Panti Bliss, the country's most well-known drag performer. [Extracted from the article]

Photographs of Serbian President Boris Tadic handing his country's application to join the European Union, a skier on the slopes of Capitol Hill, Washington D.C. during a heavy snowfall and members of a gay community celebrating the approval of homosexual marriage in Mexico City are presented.

The article profiles 2008 Presidential candidate and United States Senator Hillary Clinton. Clinton, who considers herself a typical American because of her middle-class background, believes strongly in gay rights. Even though she has said nothing concrete about same-sex marriage, Clinton pleased the crowd at the Logo-Human Rights Campaign Democratic presidential forum on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. The author examines the reasons that Clinton has received support from the gay community.

This section presents an update on news related to the gay community in the U.S. as of July 5, 2005. According to a 2005 Gallup Organization poll, 51 percent believe that homosexuality is an acceptable alternative lifestyle. Last year New Paltz, New York Mayor Jason West remarked that he might welcome a trial on charges that he illegally issued marriage licenses to two dozen gay and lesbian couples so that his constitutional argument could be fully aired out. Now it looks like he is going to get his chance. New York State's highest court ruled on May 27, 2005 that West must stand trial on the charges. Whether individuals are gay or straight, getting married improves mental health. That is the conclusion of a majority of representatives in the American Psychiatric Association, who voted during their annual meeting, held in Atlanta on May 22, 2005 to urge legal recognition of civil marriage for gay couples. Unlike the founders of Rainbow Greetings, the owner of Lavenderpop greeting cards is not trying to get his product on the shelves of national retail chains. But he is breaking some new ground on a national level: His is the first company to focus its cards solely on black gays and lesbians.

This article looks into the future of the gay men and lesbians in the U.S. in 2054. The author discusses what could have been if during the past 50 years the gay community had not been shoved into secrecy about their sexuality. What if, since 1954, the gay community had the same wide-open, out-of-the-closet lives and the power to affect culture, law, politics and media that they have gained in 2004. Changes are expected with regards to adoption, how law makers would take the issue of AIDS epidemic and gay bashing. Presidential hopefuls Dennis Kucinich, Carol Moseley Braun, and Al Sharpton spoke out in support of marriage for gay men and lesbians. Walter L. Williams, professor of anthropology and gender studies at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, expects to see a progress in the gay movement in the next 10 years. Evan Wolfson, director of Freedom to Marry, a national group that advocates for marriage rights for same-sex couples, predicts a scenario in which a student in a rural classroom announces during recess that he's going to marry the boy who sits next to him. By that time openly gay soldiers could be part of a battalion led by an out lesbian commander. Openly gay priests and ministers in monogamous relationships could conduct services without fear of a schism ripping apart their denominations. The words gay and lesbian could fall into disuse in the United States. In 50 years it may seem as silly to define your friends by their sexuality as defining them by their hair color does in 2004.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in the September 2008 issue including "Has Manhunt Destroyed Gay Culture?," an article commenting on the desire of actor Neil Patrick Harris to represent the gay community in a more normal fashion and another on same-sex marriage.

This article explores the initiatives of Stonewall Democrats for the gay communities across the U.S. as of October 2005. In August Salt Lake City's Democratic Mayor Rocky Anderson vowed to grant health benefits to unmarried partners of gay city employees. Meanwhile, Bay State and National Stonewall Democrats worked with local Democratic officials and legislators to help ensure the approval of the marriage equality plank in the Massachusetts Democratic Party platform. Such examples are proof of the growing local influence of the National Stonewall Democrats, which represents the GLBT members of the party. Stonewall's mission is not solely focussed on marriage equality; its grassroots training sessions teach volunteers how to help influence campaigns, convince candidates to issue GLBT-friendly statements, and attend pride events. INSETS: STONEWALL DEMOCRATS' MISSION STATEMENT;SHOW US THE MONEY.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "Meghan McCain Will Be Heard" and "The Semi-Homemade World of Sandra Lee" both in the August 2009 issue, and one on the possible impact of the film "Bruno," starring Sacha Baron Cohen on the gay community.

A reprint of the article "From Melissa Etheridge," by Melissa Etheridge, which appeared in the periodical "Huffington Post" is presented. She discusses the efforts of the gay community to fight for gay rights and liberty in the U.S. She mentions her plan to perform her song "Ring the Bells?," which is a call for peace and unity, for the Muslim Public Affairs Council. She relates her conversation with pastor Rick Warren about his stance against same-sex marriage.

The article offers world news briefs on GLBT people. Two British university professors have abandoned their battle to make the government of Great Britain recognize their Canadian marriage. Sweden has an openly gay government minister for the first time. A special unit of plainclothes police in Dublin, Ireland called the Pink Patrol, is targeting the city's gay community to catch gay-bashers.

Several brief news items of interest to the gay community are presented. A wedding reception for two gay Saudi Arabian men was interrupted by authorities who arrested twenty of the four hundred revelers; the sheer size of the party indicates a strong gay network in a country where homosexuality is illegal. A biography of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove discusses his close relationship with the step-father who raised him, and who was a gay man who spent much of his later years frequenting gay clubs. It is also suggested that Karl Rove is sexually attracted to U.S. president George W. Bush. The popular Christian website Christianet.com conducted a study of its users and found that many are addicted to Internet pornography.

The article presents an update on issues of relevance to the gay community in the U.S. as of May 2006. Businesses in Kanab, Utah raised concerns regarding the impact of a resolution passed by the city council which defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman on local tourism. Confusion arose among gay couples after the supreme judicial court in Massachusetts ruled on March 30 that gay partners from states which prohibit same-sex marriage could not be married in the Bay State. Former World Wrestling Entertainment champion Chris Klucsarits officially came out on his myspace.com page in February.

The article reports on the apparent failure of the right wing in Arizona to oppose the rights of the gay community. It mentions the decision of Governor Jan Brewer to veto a bill that would have imposed discrimination against the gay community in the state and in the U.S., the influence of corporations such as the soft drink brand Coke, the National Football League and consumer electronics maker Apple Inc. in the push for social equality and the support of the young generation for gay marriage.

The author discusses the impact of Massachusetts' high court decision to recognize same-sex marriage in 2004 on the gay rights agenda. He highlights that while same-sex marriage remains controversial, it has gathered momentum into people's consciousness. He contrasts this with the Employment Nondiscrimination Act which enjoys broader public support but remains stalled in the U.S. Congress. He also looks at the rise of the gay-responsibility agenda which promotes a stronger gay community.

The article explores the threat brought by Andy Cohen to the gay community. According to the author, the reason gay men and women usually associate themselves with messed up divas like Marilyn Monroe is that they are also underdogs, outsiders and misunderstood like them. He adds that with the advent of Lady Gaga, Fergie and Katy Perry, gays became more empowered to fight for their causes. He cites that same-sex marriage in some American states also gave gays more power to stand up against someone like Cohen.

The article comments on the issue of whether changes in same-sex and heterosexual marriage law could help eliminate open relationship. According to the author, about 50 percent of the gay community allows their partner to have sexual relation with other people. The author believes that marriage is about the emotional union of adults and legal changes could not change any form of open marriage but chastity and sexual fidelity could benefit both partners.

This article discusses the global persistence of homophobia despite various efforts and developments in liberalizing the gay community. The author notes that same-sex couples can legally be married in Mexico City, Mexico, China and India have thrown out their anti-gay law but Uganda contemplates creating a bill to authorize death penalty for homosexual act. The author thinks that homophobia stems from the religious prime directive to be fruitful and multiply.

The article focuses on statements made by actress, screenwriter and novelist Carrie Fisher on issues of interest to the gay community. It cites her desire to legalize gay marriage. Her wish to have someone gay on the U.S. Supreme Court is mentioned. She comments on the issue that actor John Travolta is gay.

The article recalls the significant events of interest to the gay community that occurred in May 2009. It cites that the first state to legalize same-sex marriage during the year was Massachusetts. New rules from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibited men who acknowledge having had homosexual sex in the previous five years to make anonymous sperm donations. A ruling issued by U.S. District Judge Nancy Gertner of Massachusetts held that calling someone a homosexual is not slander.

The article focuses on gay activist Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore in the U.S. According to the author, Sycamore argues that the GLBT movement's focus on gay marriage distracts from more pressing issues. He suggests that gays should work together to fight for universal access to the basic needs of gay marriage, rather than fight for marriage.

The article presents news briefs on celebrities in the gay community of the U.S. The Academy Award winning cinematographer David Watkin died on February 19, 2008 from cancer. The mayor of State College, Pennsylvania, Bill Welch, will preside over a same sex marriage ceremony for six couples on March 29, 2008. Cynthia Wade and Vanessa Roth won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject for "Freeheld."

The article profiles Deborah Dillon, who started Muses Legal Products, a company that creates financial and legal documents for unmarried couples. Dillon has found difficulty in her attempts to market the product to the gay community, as many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender advocacy groups are so focused on a campaign for the legalization of gay marriage that they oppose anything that suggests it's not necessary. Dillon's development of the company began as she underwent treatment for a brain tumor in 2004.

This section offers news briefs on the gay community in the U.S. The ten key LGBT candidates who were supported by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and who won the November 7, 2006 election are presented. According to the National Organization for Women, women made the difference in the 2006 elections with aggressive get-out-the-vote campaigns, a record number of female candidates and a new agenda for change. Governor Mitt Romney plans to ask the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to order that an anti-gay marriage amendment be placed on the ballot.

The author reflects on issues concerning the gay communities in the U.S. He praises the North Dakota Board of Higher Education for ordering its colleges to include sexual orientation in their antiharassment policies. He criticizes Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee's remarks regarding same-sex marriage. He applauds singer Pink for being involved in a Human Rights Campaign project that encourages coming out.

The article asserts that homosexual marriage threatens free expression of religion. The American gay community has largely succeeded in defining the issue of gay freedom as one of human rights, analogous to the civil rights struggle to achieve full legal equality for African Americans. The difficulty is that while the civil rights struggle challenged only some aspects of religious freedom, the gay struggle runs headlong into historic norms of freedom of religion.

The article presents quotes from several celebrities about issues of significance to the gay community in the U.S. Actress Charlize Theron was given the Vanguard Award for her film work and her stance on same-sex marriage. TV personality Portia de Rossi relates her grandmother's surprise upon learning about her relationship with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. Hip-hop musician Busta Rhymes expressed dislike of being approached by gay fans to his bodyguards after one spoke to him at a restaurant.

The article presents quotes from various individuals about gay issues in the U.S. as of March 2006. U.S. President George W. Bush associated same-sex marriage to the decline of the American culture in his State of the Nation address on January 31. Gay activist Keith Boykin commented on the activities of the right-wing on his Web site. Author Daniel Mendelsohn presented views on the achievement of the film Brokeback Mountain and its significance to the gay community.

The author reflects on his decision to be politically active in opposing a petition to constitutionally ban same-sex marriage in Massachusetts. The author describes the reaction of some gay rights leaders to the launching of the web site KnowThyNeighbor.org. He outlines the benefits of the site to the community. The author argues that the site has been criticized by some in the gay community because of a prevailing fear to relate their stories.

Presents updates concerning gay communities in the U.S. as of October 25, 2005. Status of the New Jersey case Lewis v. Harris seeking marriage rights for same-sex couples; Appointment of attorney and immigration rights advocate Rachel B. Tiven at the national gay rights group Immigration Equality; Award received by gay actor and author D. B. Wong from the Family Pride Coalition.

Presents news briefs on the gay communities as of October 2005. Decision of Latvia's Parliament to amend the country's constitution to ban same-sex marriage; Information on the marriage of German European Parliament member Lissy Gröner and her girlfriend in Brussels, Belgium; Selection of the gay film "Brokeback Mountain" as the best film at the Venice Film Festival in Italy.

Presents an update on issues and events related to gay communities across the U.S. as of June 2005. Decision of committees in the California legislature regarding two proposed constitutional amendments on same-sex marriage; Update on the proposal to ban discrimination against gays and lesbians in state employment in Nebraska; Demonstration held by the students at Howell High School in Michigan.

This article presents the stance of several prominent people in the U.S. on issues concerning the gay community. In an interview on whether he would ban civil unions, President George W. Bush said that he strongly believes that marriage ought to be defined as between a union between a man and a woman. But he also believes that states ought to be able to have the right to pass laws that enable people to be able to have rights like others. Talking about ex-New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey, U.S. comcic Bill Maher asked why does someone feel they have to hid their sexual orientation their whole life. He explained that the root of that is from the Bible, from religion. If we did not have religion, there would not be this massive problem with gay people. In an open letter to Richard and Lynne Cheney, Regina Riggs, executive director of the ex-gay support group PFOX, said that to label anyone solely on their sexuality is demeaning and inappropriate.

This article presents news briefs related to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders in the U.S. as of November 2004. A civil trial in the case of Jeremy Burke, a transgendered man who is suing the California's San Francisco police department for $25 million, began on October 18, 2004. Burke claims that officers beat him severely when he tried to enter his partner's city housing authority-operated apartment in August 2001. Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed against a gay couple by a dozen conservative state legislators was thrown out by a local judge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 19, 2004. After Robert Seneca and Steven Stahi were denied a marriage license, the lawmakers sued to seek a ruling that Pennsylvania's ban on same-sex marriage is constitutional. Similarly, the 11th circuit court of appeals rejected a claim that U.S. President George W. Bush's recess appointment of former Alabama attorney general William Pryor to the same court was illegal. Pryor's nomination was blocked by Democrats because of his extreme anti-abortion and anti-gay views. Finally, the Marriage Equality Caravan held a rally for same-sex marriage rights on the National Mall for National Coming Out Day on November 11, 2004.

This article presents an update related to the gay community in the U.S. as of September 28, 2004. Saint David's Episcopal Church on August 24, 2004 became the third Southern California parish in one week to end its affiliation with the national church over, among other things, the ordination of gays and the blessing of same-sex unions. Rudy Serra, 49-years-old, reportedly became the first openly gay judge in Michigan when he was sworn in on August 9, 2004 as one of 31 judges on the 36th district court bench. Serra was appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm in June. Superior Court Judge Paschal English denied bail on August 19, 2004 to Sandy Ketchum, 16-years-old and her 15-year-old girlfriend Holly Harvey, who have been charged in the murder of Harvey's grandparents after they allegedly instructed Harvey to stop seeing Ketchum. -The state's highest court ruled August 25 that a woman who agreed to have a child with her lesbian partner but separated before the child was born could not be forced to pay child support, stating that their informal agreement was not an enforceable contract..