LGBT senior citizens face unique social and financial problems, and lawmakers could help them by modifying Social Security and Medicaid rules, according to a national report released Wednesday in Chicago at a national conference on aging. Tom Nelson, chief operating officer of AARP, wrote the report’s foreword and said Tuesday that his organization wanted to see the needs of LGBT seniors discussed and met. “Whether it’s in an institution where someone’s receiving care or whether it’s some of the fundamental building blocks of retirement security like Social Security, we want to have that discussion about how you make ...

Georgia Equality is in a full-court press to raise $10,000 by Jan. 15 to help fund its lobbying efforts at the Gold Dome, which sees the return of state lawmakers on Monday. While Georgia Equality already has a lobbyist in place for the upcoming legislative session, funds from Equal-A-Thon will help support the statewide non-profit’s push for legislation addressing bullying in schools and hate crimes. The costs for the legislative session actually top more than $50,000 for staff and other resources, says Jeff Graham, Georgia Equality’s executive director. “The $10,000 will help ensure that during the sessions itself that we don’t have ...

In a final kick in the ass to those who enjoy what’s left of Atlanta’s nightlife, a lame-duck City Council supported a lame-duck mayor’s wish to tax beer, wine and liquor even more. Yes, that’s right. Mayor Shirley Franklin and many of the same council members who supported the 2003 rolling back of bar hours now want boozers to pay even more, whether you buy your liquor, beer and wine by the crate, bottle or glass. A lot more, actually. The proposal, which the City Council unanimously approved Nov. 16, calls for a 66 percent spike in the excise tax ...

Gay News Headlines for Thursday: A marriage update in Australia; Rhode Island’s Gov Deals a Blow; A Curious ‘Terrorism’ case; A Marine’s Gay-Panic Defense; DADT updates; Britain’s ‘gay hate’ law; And more… Crime Files: - Michigan State lawmakers question terrorism charges for HIV-positive man - Pin-Up Marine Reservist Who Attacked Priest He ‘Mistook’ for a Terrorist Now Using [...] ...