Lawmakers Stand on Right Side of History in Vote to End Ban on Open Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the House of Representatives voted to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” paving the road to the end of the 17 year old law. This historic action follows a vote for repeal in the Senate Armed Services Committee and is a tremendous step toward finally ending the ban on openly lesbian and gay service members. It was the first vote ever in the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal the ban on open service.

Critical House Floor Vote Expected Within Hours

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), a national, legal services and policy organization dedicated to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), released a statement today after the Senate Armed Services Committee voted in favor of the repeal amendment.  The final vote was 16 to 12.  The full House is expected to vote on the same amendment shortly.

Statement by Army veteran and SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis:

Gay social networking tool offers robust capabilities including access to users of Hardline’s phone chat system.

TORONTO, ON – First Media Group Inc. today announces the launch of Hardline Mobile, the first gay social networking application for the iPhone to include voice greetings, voice messaging and video messaging. 

Hardline Mobile is a social networking tool that connects men locally and nationally for chat, friendship, sex, dating, and relationships.

BY: MATT JAMIESON

    The LGBT Community Center of Metropolitan St. Louis is teaming up with three local arts organizations to help benefit the St. Louis LGBT community.

    A concert featuring the combined talents of the Gateway Men’s Chorus, CHARIS and Band Together is being held on October 9, 2010 to help benefit the LGBT Center. The event is the first of its kind to feature all three organizations in the same venue.

WASHINGTON – The ban on open military service by lesbian and gay Americans is on a path to repeal this week with the White House, Pentagon leaders and Congress outlining a process that includes votes in the House and Senate as early as Thursday.  Legislation to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will be considered as amendments to the National Defense Authorization bill – the same vehicle by which the law was enacted 17 years ago.  The Obama administration endorsed the approach today in a letter to Congressional leaders from Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, Congressman Patrick Murphy (D - PA) touted a strongly worded open letter in which a dozen retired military leaders told Congress and the White House that the time has come to overturn the “discriminatory and misguided” policy known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The signers of the letter stated that “it makes little sense” as our nation is in the midst of two wars to discharge thousands of highly trained soldiers willing to take a bullet for their country simply because of their sexual origination.

INSIDE THE JUNE ISSUE

Publisher's Page

The State of Gay

Professional by Day/Diva by Night

Dear Friends,

    We at Vital VOICE Omni-media are so honored to be the official presenting media sponsor for PrideFest St. Louis 2010. We are proud to bring you the 2010 PrideFest St. Louis Guide inside our June issue. It’s been several years since the PrideFest St. Louis Guide was produced in St. Louis.

BY: COLIN MURPHY - SENIOR WRITER / WEB EDITOR

    Drag is expensive—and tips alone don’t pay the bills. Accordingly, there is a private side to our city’s marquee of female impersonators. While we enjoy their illusionary artistry and on-stage antics late into the night—for many of them, it is a second job. Come morning, with faces scrubbed and feet sore from an evening in heels, these multi-faceted individuals report to their day jobs. Indeed they are: Professional by Day and Diva by Night!

_

BY: COLIN MURPHY - SENIOR WRITER / WEB EDITOR

    Happy Pride everyone! As this year’s parade rolls by, the contingent from Growing American Youth will invariably receive one of the loudest receptions.  The support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and questioning youth 21-and-under celebrates 30-years in The Lou this month. So as a former alumnus of the organization, let me lead the cheer—you all are doing us proud!

BY: LEE BOND - ASSOCIATE EDITOR

    The Internet and other social technologies are exponentially expanding and integrating the world as we know it.  Yet people and groups seem to be increasingly more divided and disbanded.  While not exclusively an LGBT conundrum (have you seen, for instance, the state of the Republican Party?), it certainly isn’t immune from it either.  If there’s no glue to bind a gestalt, it could end up diluting the impact of its messages — it’s akin to playing checkers in a world where chess is the game.

BY: AMANDA WICHERN

    In a country over 7,700 miles away from the Gateway city, an LGBT community faces many obstacles of acceptance that the American culture has conquered throughout the years.  In India there is much ignorance outside of the metropolitan areas that are not even fully aware of the LGBT community.

BY: COLIN MURPHY – SENIOR WRITER

    ST. LOUIS — Alderman Shane Cohn introduced Board Bill 67 at City Hall, May 21 to add Gender Identity and Expression to St. Louis' existing Nondiscrimination Ordinance. The legislation was announced  at the previous evening's Town Hall for Gender Identity and Expression at Central Reform Congregation.

ST. LOUIS - Scores of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied community members marched from The Grove to City Hall, May 22 to mark the 80th birthday of LGBT icon, Harvey Milk. The three mile march was followed by a  rally  at City Hall featuring local, regional and national advocates for equality.

2010 Pride Guide

Welcome - President's Letter

Mayor's Letter - Pride Royalty

Parade Grand Marshals