transgender

On Tuesday, several the nation's top military officials, including Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, spoke out in favor of ending Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the Clinton-era policy that can get a lesbian or gay service person fired if their sexuality becomes known. Mullen tweeted later: ?Stand by what I said: Allowing homosexuals to serve openly is the right thing to do. Comes down to integrity.? Hoorah!

International Day of Human Rights was meant to highlight the situation of people around the world who face discrimination and abuse, and transgender men and women are attacked and killed at horrifying rates. Philippine transgender activist Sass Rogando Sasot addressed a panel discussion organized by the Permanent Missions to the United Nations of Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, France, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, calling for action to end discrimination and violence against people based on their gender identity. Hat tip to Questioning Transphobia for the video.

Esmeralda came to the U.S. seeking asylum from her native Mexico. She tried twice to enter the country legally, each time forced into detention. As a transgender woman, she was segregated and subjected to abuse from guards on her first attempt, and when she tried again, she was held with male detainees. Eventually, her claim was successful and today she works as an advocate for others who have survived sexual violence. In this video from Breakthrough, she tells her story of speaking out against abuse.

Demonstrations across the country protest the California Supreme Court decision upholding Prop 8. We'll explain more about the implications of the ruling and the debate over whether to put an initiative on the ballot to overturn it in 2010. The New York State marriage equality bill is in the home stretch. Sen. Tom Duane, the chief sponsor, says it will pass. "Gay USA," hosted by Ann Northrop and Andy Humm, offers comprehensive weekly news and analysis by and about the LGBTQ community.