As the general election kicks off, Senator John McCain will tout his reputation as a maverick, an independent, a moderate who will work with both parties to get things done. However, a look at Senator McCain's record paints a very different picture. What we have seen over the last seven years has been President Bush — despite his promise to be a "uniter, not a divider" —repeatedly siding with ultra-conservatives and the religious right at the expense of protections for GLBT Americans. A McCain presidency would be another four years of more of the same.

• HRC's McCain Report
• HRC's

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The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has announced a $100,000 contribution to the NO on Prop 8, Equality for All campaign.  The contribution, authorized by GLAAD's National Board of Directors, will be in addition to in-kind services donated to the campaign to defeat Prop. 8 in California. "GLAAD's board of directors and staff are proud to play our part in this vital effort to ensure that all loving and committed couples in California continue to have the protections and the security that marriage provides," said Dr. Yvette Burton, co-chair of GLAAD's Board of Directors. "GLAAD has been ...

The lobbying begins for gay Democratic convention delegates This weekend's pre-Democratic National Convention gathering of the Stonewall Democrats in Denver is focused on helping the party succeed at the local and state level. The group is also looking to influence out convention delegates to use their leverage to support LGBT issues and is organizing to oppose anti-gay ballot questions in California, Florida and Arizona. Log Cabin Republicans attending the GOP convention in Minneapolis will have a similar lobbying agenda, according to this article. The Denver Post ...

As he strolled with his girlfriend in downtown San Jose, David Palacios looked like the type of voter who will oppose the November ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage in California - young urbanite, well-educated, a resident of a Bay Area metropolis. Except that Palacios is Latino. "I'm for civil unions - not gay marriage," said Palacios, 20, who grew up on the East Side of San Jose and says he is likely to vote in favor of Proposition 8. In a way, Palacios feels marriage is above civil rights. Across California, a majority of whites appear poised to ...

LGBT officials, allies offer ideas on where leadership is needed most 365Gay.com asked more than two dozen LGBT leaders, celebrities and allies, including HRC chief Joe Solmonese, former GLAAD head Joan Garry and marketing executive Bob Witeck to offer their suggestions on how an elected or appointed LGBT official could best serve the government. 365Gay.com ...

Frank asks FDIC about expanding rules to include gay couples Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chairman of the powerful House Financial Services Committee, is asking the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to determine whether domestic partners can receive certain coverage limited to married couples via an administrative change or whether a legislative solution is required. FDIC rules prohibit domestic partners from being the beneficiaries of the $100,000 in deposit insurance protection per beneficiary, but allow for other family beneficiaries, including married spouses, children, siblings and stepchildren. Washington Blade ...

"I was forwarded an email from a Mormon group trying to organize people to campaign in favor of proposition 8. They wanted to know if it was legal for a church to get involved in politics. I told them it was legal for them to support or to campaign against an initiative but not a candidate for office. Anyways, do you see any local groups in Ventura County getting involved on either side of the battle over Proposition 8? If you get an email send it in." Click on continue reading to see the email @ Mormon Churches Getting ...

Sydney - Australians on Sunday rushed to embrace gold-winning diver Matthew Mitcham who emerged from the Beijing pool both giant-killer and a gay icon. The 20-year-old charmer shed tears after a near-perfect final dive edged him above the hot favourite to the top place on the podium. It was the eighth and last medal in the diving and everyone expected China's Zhou Luxin to triumph. 'Everything, absolutely everything I have done, has been for this,' he said. 'Now it's happened and I never thought it would.' Mitcham battled depression after missing selection for Athens and spent nine months in ...

Atlanta law firm Kitchens-New provides entertainment and special guests at a fundraiser for Equality For All, an organization that is fighting Proposition 8 in California, which would reverse same-sex marriage rights in that state. A donation of $100 per person is recommended. The event is at 7 p.m. at a private home. Call 678-244-2880 or email kevin.kirby@kitchensnew.com for more information.Fundraiser tonight to stop anti-gay Prop. 8 Sovo.com, GA ...