Sherman Helmsley, George Jefferson to a generations of TV viewers, has died at 74, according to various news sources.
The Jeffersons an All in the Family spinoff co-starring Isabel Sanford as wife Louise, ran on CBS from 1975 to 1985.
Chick-fil-A has 'voluntarily recalled all of the Jim Henson's Creature Shop Puppet Kids Meal toys'
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Muppets' Jim Henson Company drops partnership with Chick-fil-A after anti-gay marriage 'guilty' plea
Now Chick-fil-A says it has 'voluntarily recalled all of the Jim Henson's Creature Shop Puppet Kids Meal toys due to a possible safety issue."
Chick-fil-A continues that 'there have not been any cases in which a child has actually been injured, however there have been some reports of children getting their fingers stuck in the holes of the puppets."
Now, some Chick-fil-A supporters are questioning whether the photo is a hoax. Clearly, this story is evolving!
Equality Florida issues South Florida endorsements
Equality Florida today released its endorsements in the Aug. 14, 2012, South Florida primary:
Gwen Margolis (DEM)
Florida Senate District 35
(Miami Dade County)
Equality Florida Action PAC is proud to endorse Gwen Margolis for her re-election to the Florida Senate. Gwen has been a vocal supporter of LGBT equality for decades and co-sponsored multiple pro-LGBT bills during her time in the legislature. Gwen is also endorsed by the Florida Education Association, SEIU Florida and Florida Medical Association. If re-elected, Gwen will continue to fight for LGBT Floridians in the Senate.
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Joe Gibbons (DEM)
Florida House District 100
(Broward County, Miami Dade County)
Joe Gibbons has been a consistent supporter of the LGBT community while in Tallahassee. Joe has co-sponsored bills to end Florida’s discriminatory ban on gay and lesbian adoption; ensure workplace protections for LGBT Floridians and to enact a statewide domestic partnership registry. Joe received a 100% rating on our candidate questionnaire and has also been endorsed by the Police Benevolent Association, AFL-CIO and the United Teachers of Dade.
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Sharon Pritchett (DEM)
Florida House District 102
(Broward County, Miami Dade County)
Sharon Pritchett is running a strong campaign in the Democratic Primary for this open State House seat. From 2003-2011 Sharon served as the first citywide council member for the City of Miami Gardens. She was born and raised in Miami and served 28 years as an investigator in the Public Defender’s office. She received 100% on our candidate questionnaire and is also endorsed by the South Florida AFL-CIO, United Teachers of Dade and AFSCME.
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Jose Javier Rodriguez (DEM)
Florida House District 112
(Broward County, Miami Dade County)
Jose Javier Rodriquez is running an exciting grassroots campaign to be the next Representative from District 112. Jose was a volunteer in the US Peace Corps and graduated from Harvard Law School. After graduation, he returned to Miami to give back to his community by working at Florida Legal Services, helping people who could not afford a lawyer. Jose received 100% rating on the Equality Florida candidate questionnaire and has been endorsed by AFL-CIO, SEIU and United Teachers of Dade.
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David Richardson (DEM)
Florida House District 113
David Richardson is running to be the next state representative from Miami Beach and has an opportunity to become the first gay man elected to the Florida legislature. He has been a certified public accountant in Florida for the last 27 years and wants to go to Tallahassee to help eliminate wasteful spending. David has served as the President of the Miami Beach Condo Association, and on the Victory Campaign Board of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. David is running in a winner takes all Democratic primary on August 14
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Ken Keechl
Broward County Commission District 7
Ken Keechl made history in 2006 when he was elected as the first out gay county commissioner in Florida. While on the Broward County Commission Ken sponsored an amendment to Broward County’s Human Rights Act that added 'gender identity' as a protected class. Since then he has worked to enact numerous pro-LGBT policies in cities across Broward. Ken is also endorsed by the Police Benevolent Association and the Broward Firefighters and Paramedics.
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Katherine Leach
Broward County School Board District 3
Katherine Leach has strongly supported the implementation of a comprehensive anti-bully policy in Broward County. Appointed to the School Board in 2011, Katherine is running for re-election. She received a 100% rating on our candidate questionnaire and is also by the Police Benevolent Association, Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick and Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler.
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Shelly Solomon
Broward County School Board District 4
Since 2007, Shelly Solomon has been a strong advocate for comprehensive anti-bully policies that include LGBT youth. In 2007 she was instrumental in the passage of Broward’s policy, which has served as a model for the state. Shelly has served as the co-chair of Broward County’s Anti-Bullying Task Force and on the Anti-Bias, Anti-Hate Task Force. If elected to the Broward County School Board, Shelly will continue to work to provide a safe learning environment for all students.
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Franklin Sands
Broward County School Board District 8
During his service in the Florida legislature, Franklin Sands has been a proven ally to the LGBT community. He co-sponsored legislation to provide workplace protections to LGBT Floridians and legislation to create a statewide domestic partnership registry. Franklin received a 100% rating on our candidate questionnaire and has been endorsed by the Broward Teachers Union, AFL-CIO and the Police Benevolent Association.
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Robin Bartleman
Broward County School Board District 9
Robin Bartleman is a true champion for LGBT youth as a school board member. During her time on the Broward School Board she fought hard to pass the state’s first fully inclusive anti-bully policy that includes protections for LGBT students. Robin has supported the creation of gay-straight alliances in school and supported the Day of Silence. She has received a 100% rating on the Equality Florida candidate questionnaire and we are proud to support her in her re-election efforts.
U.S. religious right presses anti-gay laws in Africa
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- A new report says conservative U.S. Christian groups are setting up fronts in Africa to fight for anti-gay and anti-abortion legislation.
It accuses evangelical stars Pat Robertson and Ricky Warren as well as Catholic and Mormon groups of setting up institutions and campaigns in Africa that are "reshaping national political dynamics and even laws based on an American template."
Tuesday's report from Boston-based Political Research Associates identifies a network of right-wing Christians that it accuses of "fanning the flames of the culture wars over homosexuality and abortion by backing prominent African campaigners and political leaders."
But some of the Africans cited in the report as promoting the conservatives' agenda say they are just using funds from foreign friends who share similar beliefs.
Elton John at International AIDS Conference: 'I shouldn't be here today' (with video)
BY STACY A. ANDERSON, ASSOCIATED PRESS
"By all rights, I shouldn't be here today," he told the International AIDS conference on Monday.
But, he said, people including strangers showed him compassion as he battled drug addiction and came to terms with his sexuality. He said he's been sober for 22 years and has a loving partner and son.
John said he believes people with AIDS deserve the same love, compassion, respect and understanding he received when he "hit rock bottom."
"We have to replace the shame with love," he told the audience. "We have to replace the stigma with compassion. No one should be left behind."
