Gallery | 2013 Aqua Girl reception in South BeachSat, 18 May 2013 16:15:10 -0400 
Aqua Girl is underway in South Beach and hundreds of supporters gathered Friday night for a VIP reception at the Lincoln Road Garage to celebrate this year's event, which runs through Sunday. Honorees at the VIP party: Community Leader Alison Burgos (pictured top row center with her family), who co-founded Aqua Girl; and Volunteer of the year Mary Joe. Click here to view more pictures from the party. Photos by STEVE ROTHAUS / Miami Herald Staff. | Will Boy Scouts accept gay youth? Vote is ThursdaySat, 18 May 2013 12:10:55 -0400 BY DAVID CRARY, AP NATIONAL WRITER With its ranks deeply divided, the Boy Scouts of America is asking its local leaders from across the country to decide whether its contentious membership policy should be overhauled so that openly gay boys can participate in Scout units. The proposal to be put before the roughly 1,400 voting members of the BSA's National Council on Thursday, at a meeting in Grapevine, Texas, would retain the Scouts' long-standing ban on gays serving in adult leadership positions. Nonetheless, some conservatives within and outside the BSA community have denounced the proposal, saying the Scouts' traditions would be undermined by the presence of openly gay youth. There have been warnings of mass defections if the ban is even partially lifted. From the other flank, gay-rights supporters and some Scout leaders from politically liberal areas have welcomed the proposed change as a positive first step, but are calling on the BSA to go further and lift the ban on gay adults as well. Click here to read more. | French president signs gay marriage into law (updated with euronews video)Sat, 18 May 2013 11:28:03 -0400 ASSOCIATED PRESS PARIS -- French President Francois Hollande has signed a law authorizing gay marriage and adoption by same-sex couples, after months of nationwide protests and wrenching debate. His signature means the first gay marriages may be celebrated in France within about 10 days. Hollande's office said he signed the bill Saturday morning, a day after the Constitutional Council struck down a challenge to the law. Hollande, a Socialist, had made legalizing gay marriage one of his campaign pledges last year. While polls for years have shown majority support for gay marriage in France, adoption by same-sex couples is more controversial. The bill prompted months of widespread protests, largely by conservative and religious groups. Some were marred by clashes with police. It became a flashpoint for frustrations at the increasingly unpopular Hollande. | All welcome: South Florida Mustangs gay square dance club to resume classes June 6 in Wilton ManorsFri, 17 May 2013 17:33:06 -0400 
The South Florida Mustangs became popular in the 1980s and 1990s with gay square dancing. The group is back, with classes to be held in June in Wilton Manors. Here's the news release: EVER WANT TO TRY SQUARE DANCING? The South Florida Mustangs, the first GLBT International square dance club organized in 1980, opening its doors, its arms and its hearts to Everyone, regardless of gender, culture, race, ethnicity, sex or identity will be offering its open spring beginner's classes on Thursdays, June 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 7pm to 9:30pm. Positively no previous experience required. We'll teach you the ropes beginning with an allemande left and a do-si-do. All you need is a desire to have fun. Come check us out any Thursday to join in the fun, meet our members and see if you'd like to add this activity to your social calendar. Dances are held at Island City Park Preserve, 823 NE 28 Street, Wilton Manors, FL 33334. Questions? Feel free to call Ken 305-343-1710; Randy 305-458-1649: Tom or Chris 954-525-8365. Dance fee only $5.00, No charge to observe. Through the year we host house parties, restaurant outings, international fly-ins, and an annual convention. Already a square dancer ? Our caller, in addition to calling beginner's classes, also calls mainstream and plus levels to our newest graduates, and advanced and challenge levels to us old timers. We hope to see you there. | Video message | Ambassador Susan E. Rice speaks out on International Day Against HomophobiaFri, 17 May 2013 17:05:22 -0400 News release from the White House: Video Message by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on International Day Against Homophobia, May 17, 2013 Today, as we commemorate International Day Against Homophobia, we rededicate ourselves to a basic but essential truth – that human rights are universal and must be protected for all. Homophobia, sadly, is present in every corner of our world. And, it is a problem we continue to face here in the United States.
At the United Nations, the United States is standing up for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and fighting to ensure that their voices are heard and protected. The United States was proud to co-sponsor and adopt an historic resolution at the UN Human Rights Council condemning human rights abuses and violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
We will continue to work in every possible arena to protect communities and promote societies in which everyone – especially LGBT youth – can live safely and without fear regardless of who they are or whom they love. We call on all nations and all peoples to join us in ensuring that human rights are universally protected everywhere every day. |
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Steve Rothaus, FIU alum
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