The very real consequences of DADT repeal; seeking survivor benefits for same-sex partner of Alaska shooting victim; waiting on SCOTUS decision about whether it will hear Prop 8 case; and other recent LGBTQ news selected by Sara Boesser in Juneau, Alaska.

The post-DADT military

26 Very Real Consequences Of DADT Repeal
Advocate, Buzzfeed, September 11, 2012

The liberal media wants you to think that everything is fine in the military after DADT was repealed. But why have they been so silent about these VERY REAL consequences? Tell everyone you know about these issues. We will not be silenced!

The above is tongue-in-cheek. The story is actually a celebratory collection of 26 photos — some of them by now quite famous after going viral in social media — of LGB serviceemembers who can now serve openly. Sadly, transgender servicemembers must still hide.

Alaska

Lambda Legal Seeks Survivor Benefits for Lesbian Partner of Alaska Shooting Victim
Alaska, Bent Alaska and Lambda Legal Press Release, September 24, 2012

On October 29, 2011, Kerry Fadely was murdered at her workplace, the Millennium Alaskan Hotel in Anchorage. Today, Lambda Legal filed a legal challenge seeking survivor benefits for Kerry’s partner of 10 years, Debbie Harris.

Marriage equality

Supreme Court Still Mum on Prop. 8 Case
Washington, Advocate, September 25, 2012

If the Supreme Court does not hear Perry v. Brown, a February 2012 decision finding Proposition 8 unconstitutional will be upheld, permanently invalidating Proposition 8, allowing same-sex couples to marry in California.

Transgender

Transsexual twin sisters to register as men
Shanghai, China, Shanghai Daily, September 6, 2012

The country’s [China’s] first transsexual twin sisters are expected to complete their surgeries and have their registered gender changed at the police, said the younger of the two, who will be discharged from a local hospital this week.

Bisexual pride

Berkeley lawmakers recognize Bisexual Pride Day
Berkeley, CA, Associated Press, September 18, 2012

Berkeley on Tuesday became what is thought to be the nation’s first city to officially proclaim a day recognizing bisexuals, a sexual minority that often complains of being derided as sexually confused fence-sitters.

The City Council unanimously and without discussion declared Sept. 23 as Bisexual Pride and Bi Visibility Day. Since 1999, bisexual activists have claimed the date to celebrate their community, and bisexual pride events routinely are held in Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago and other cities across the nation.

Boy Scouts of America

Boy Scouts Grouped Gay Leaders With Child Molesters, Perverts
Think Progress, October 15, 2012

In June, the Oregon Supreme Court ordered the release of 20,000 pages of files kept by Boy Scouts of America on “ineligible volunteers.” Portions of those documents were released online last week. But included, among those leaders accused or convicted of molesting Scouts, were files on several suspected gay Scout leaders who were never accused of any inappropriate behavior.

Bullying

Christian groups finds gay agenda in an anti-bullying day
Hawaii, Star Advertiser, October 15, 2012

On Mix It Up at Lunch Day, schoolchildren around the country are encouraged to hang out with someone they normally might not speak to.

The program, started 11 years ago by the Southern Poverty Law Center and now in more than 2,500 schools, was intended as a way to break up cliques and prevent bullying.

But this year, the American Family Association, a conservative evangelical group, has called the project “a nationwide push to promote the homosexual lifestyle in public schools” and is urging parents to keep their children home from school Oct. 30, the day most of the schools plan to participate this year.

Entertainment

Check Out Brandi Carlile’s Wedding Picture!
Boston, SheWired, October 10, 2012

Over the weekend, out singer/songwriter and newly married lady Brandi Carlile shared a gorgeous photo from her September 15 wedding to Catherine Shepherd.

“It was truly one of our best days, completely awkward and human and beautiful,” Carlile wrote in a Facebook post accompanying the photo. “I’m married to my best friend and nothing has ever brought me more joy than that.”

Gay characters at record high on U.S. television
Los Angeles, Reuters, October 15, 2012

New shows “The New Normal,” “Girls” and comedy “Go On” have helped U.S. television rack up a record number of gay, bisexual and transgender characters, gay rights group GLAAD said on Friday.

Sports

Former MLB Owner Comes Out, Hopes Players Do The Same
Pittsburgh, Advocate, September 23, 2012

The former owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kevin McClatchy, is still amazed that not a single pro athlete has come out while playing. For his part, McClatchy came out for the first time in an interview with the New York Times this weekend.

Photo credit: Fire Controlman 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta, left, assigned to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) kisses her fiancé, Fire Controlman 3rd Class Citlalic Snell, following the ship’s return to homeport after a three-month deployment in the Caribbean. Navy News Service, 21 Dec 2011. Via Wikimedia Commons.