Excerpted from Gay Week Suprises Croatian Tourists, published Aug 22, 2006, by UPI:

Tourists in Croatia’s central Adriatic Hvar Island were startled by naked men in a main square and striptease in the streets during “Gay Week,” reports said.

Excerpted from Transgender Prisoners Fight For Surgery, published Aug 19, 2006, by Associated Press:

…Michelle Kosilek was Robert Kosilek when convicted in the killing of his wife. In 1993, while in prison, Kosilek legally changed his name to Michelle. Since then, Kosilek has been fighting with prison officials to complete her transformation into a woman.

Kosilek, 57, wants the state Department of Correction to pay for a sex-change operation. After two lawsuits and two trials, the decision now rests with a federal court judge…

The case is also being closely watched by attorneys and advocates across the country who say Kosilek is an example of the poor treatment transgendered inmates receive in prison.

Continue reading at 365Gay…

Excerpted from Major southern utility to provide domestic partner benefits, published Aug 19, 2006, by the pro-homosexuality 365Gay.com:

Progress Energy, one of the largest electric companies in the country, has agreed to extend full medical and life insurance benefits to the unmarried partners of its employees next year.

In a statement the company said the plan had been under review for three years – ever since a lesbian worker requested benefits for her same-sex partner.

Excerpted from Gays Plan to Challenge ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’, by Angela Cara Pancrazio, published Aug 20, 2006, in The Arizona Republic:

During the next couple of months, in more than 30 cities across the country, including Phoenix, younger gays will be challenging the 13-year-old policy in a nationwide campaign they have named Right to Serve. As they try to sign up at recruiting offices, they will also disclose their sexual orientation.

Continue reading at The Arizona Republic…

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, the nation’s largest gay and lesbian political action committee, announced today its endorsement of 13 more candidates, bringing the total number of endorsed candidates in 2006 to 77, the group’s largest-ever slate.

Excerpted from Five-State Campaign Promotes Parental OK for Club Participation, by Allie Martin, published Aug 23, 2006, by Agape Press:

For years, Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs have been formed in public schools nationwide, often without parental notification or input. That has prompted the Family Policy Network (FPN) to start a campaign that would require parental permission before children can participate in non-academic clubs.

Continue reading at Agape Press…

Excerpted from Beyond Marriage? Yes, Way Beyond, by Dr. Albert Mohler, published Aug 23, 2006 :

How far “beyond marriage” do they want society to go?

All the way to including “Queer couples who decide to jointly create and raise a child with another queer person or couple, in two households.” When this group says “beyond marriage” they mean it.

Excerpted from OSU Rated Among 100 Best Campuses for Gay Students, by Mary Ann Albright, published Aug 22, 2006, in Corvallis Gazette-Times:

Thanks to active clubs, supportive faculty and annual programs ranging from a “Guess the Hetero” game show to drag competitions to “Coming Out Week,” Oregon State University has been recognized as one of the nation’s top 100 campuses for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.

Continue reading in Corvallis Gazette-Times…