George Clooney Is Gay Ally

In an article at the website The New Civil Rights Movement reports via other media, actor George Clooney who has signed up for Dustin Lance's upcoming play about Prop 8 Clooney speaks out for Equality for gays and lesbians when he says, “It is astonishing that gay and lesbian Americans are still treated as second-​class citizens,” Clooney said. “I am confident that, very soon, the laws of this nation will reflect the basic truth that gay and lesbian people — like all human beings — are born equal in dignity and rights.”

Ousted Twice Under DADT Sailor Rejoins Navy Again

In what will no doubt be one of many stories to follow since the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, The Washington Blade reports that Petty Officer 2nd Class Jase Daniels who was discharged not once but twice from the US Navy has signed up and been brought onboard to serve as a linguist.

Daniels was quoted in the article as saying, “Today, I took an oath and affirmed to defend the Constitution of the United States of America,” Daniels said in statement. “I am humbled as I am reinstated to the job I love and by the enormous support I have received on this momentous day. I look forward to returning to the Defense Language Institute and ultimately, my career in the military.”

Transgender Wins Gender Discrimination Lawsuit

Vandy Beth Glenn who was a legislative editor for the Georgia General Assembly and was dismissed because of her transition from male to female and subsequent gender reassignment surgery has won her case against the state and a federal appeals court has sided with Glenn in her reinstatement to work for the State of Georgia.

Among the judges who supported Glenn in their decision was Conservative judge William Pryor who was appointed by George W. Bush in 2005 and was among one of the most Conservative federal appeals judges.

In part the ruling read, "An individual cannot be punished because of his or her perceived gender non-conformity". "Because these protections are afforded to everyone, they cannot be denied to a transgender individual."

You can read the full story as reported by CNN here and a background report from TIME here.

While transgender groups are heralding the ruling, all in the LGBT community should also and speaking out and fighting injustice with regards to discrimination against workers both in the private and public sector when it comes to sexual preference and identity.

Boycotts as have and will continue to be suggested by the LGBT elite and bloggers against businesses who perpetrate such discrimination as a "feel good" solution is by no means enough.

Your voice needs to be heard in governmental reprimands to change discrimination laws and if required with your vote on election day.

We as a community have come so far in recent years but still have far to go when it comes to total Equality.

Focus On The Rainbow Returns

Dear Friends,

Much has happened this year since March and not all for the better I'm afraid.

In March as some may know and remember I was in a car accident in which I severely injured my right hip and leg which took two surgeries the second of which involved a hip replacement. Then in August I suffered a heart attack due to a blood clot.

In regards to the heart attack as many have pointed out including my doctors, what made the difference between my being here and going to the great beyond was dialing 911, having EMTs coming to the house and getting to the hospital as quickly as I did.

But to be very honest all of this had taken a great toll on me, both physically, medically and psychologically. To the point that while on yet another medical leave during September because of the heart attack and while suffering from brief bouts of depression (from all the anesthesia during the surgeries, angioplasty and then my unknowing future post-heart attack) I did something I have come to regret when I deleted the popular blog Focus On The Rainbow at Wordpress.com .

Adding to the above has been, and as a writer and former journalist something almost intolerable, my losing some of my ability to concentrate when writing including but not limited to using and putting words into sense making writing, misspellings and having my writing and thoughts interrupted when my mind goes completely blank thus losing my train of thought. Frustrating is too simplistic a word to describe how I have felt these past months when at one time I was posting once a day, sometimes more, every day for the better part of two years when publishing Focus On The Rainbow, first at Hearst Newspapers, then a website called OutLoudBlogs and then as a stand alone. And with frustration came the lack of desire to continue writing and publishing a blog.

But as with all things, time helps to heal and even though I'm still having some of the aforementioned problems I am finding the desire to write again and circumvent my "handicap".

So it is I have decided to give it another go. While posting may not occur daily as I was once capable to crank out and even though some issues have been settled in regards to the LGBT community, there is still more news and people to focus on in our community and the rainbow world at large.

I hope you will again join me as a reader on this new version of Focus On The Rainbow as I put a spotlight and focus oft with commentary on all things LGBT.

Sincerely,

Lyndon Evans
Publisher