According to a post on Repeating Islands:

Immigration Equality, a national organization that helps obtain asylum for individuals persecuted in their home country based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV-status, announced today that its legal and pro bono teams won a record 101 cases in 2010.

More here!

Such as in the story of this amazing 7 year-old who is doing his part to make sure equality becomes reality.

According to a post on LGBT POV:

“What we found in our mailbox has everyone here at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center buzzing.

It was a small envelope that carried two letters and a check for $70. But this is what blew us away: it was from a 7-year-old boy! His name is Malcolm, but we call him our “Littlest Champion.”

More here!

But every once in a while we come across a true ally who is as firm their Christian faith as they are their principles that all people should be equal…and when that happens, especially in an unlikely demographic region, it’s a sure sign of hope for the future.

According to a post on Citizens-Times.com:

People of Faith for Just Relationships met at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, where supporters included four Asheville City Council members.

The organization wants “to stimulate Asheville and City Council to take a leadership role in a statewide effort to recognize the need for equal civil rights, employment rights, family rights and protection from bullying for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens,” spokesman the Rev. Joe Hoffman said.

Read more here!

But that doesn’t mean it was always an easy road to travel.

According to a post on CLICKCLICKEXPOSE:

On January 14th, 2001, the two couples were escorted by police to Riverdale’s Metropolitan Community Church in Toronto, Ontario for their joint ceremony. It was a day of mixed emotions for the two couples and their families, a day of celebration and happiness became also one of fear.

More here!

But Elton John is speaking out about just how tired he is of it.

According to a post on Statesmen.com, Elton said:

“In this country, we need more dialogue,” he said Friday. “We don’t need any more stone throwing. We don’t need any more vitriol. We need people to say, ‘OK. I’m straight. You’re gay. Let’s get along. … Let’s work together.’ I’m sick and tired of people being hateful to each other in this country.”

Read more here!

Just as the old saying goes;  “Happiness is found in good health and a bad memory.”

But for those who need to be reminded in order to be more compassionate and helpful to those who have yet to reach that stage in life, or for those who are still struggling with coming out, there’s a great blog that is well worth the read.

From one post on The DL Dude:

Anonymity protects me from having my secret identity  revealed to my friends, family, colleagues and adversaries; however, at the same time it also forces me into an emotional solitary confinement of sorts.  Indeed I embarked upon this journey understanding that secrets bring isolation, loneliness, and anxiety; however, I did not know just how difficult it would be to remain in the shadows.   I did not know that I would have so many unanswered questions.  I did not know that I would have so many hopeless moments.  I did not know that I would struggle so much through this journey.  Life has spoiled me rotten!  I have never struggled in the way that I struggle now; how sad is it that I feel as if I am struggling in solitude.

Read more at: The DL Dude!

Such as in the case of what’s happening to gay men in the country of Iran.

According to GBMNews.com:

From Iran comes a report that two young gay men, Ayub, 20, and Mosleh, 21, are to be put to death by stoning on Friday, for the alleged rape of a third man, filming the act, and adding images of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad superimposed into the video. Piranshar security agents charge they discovered the video in the men’s cell phones, and ordered their death as an “example” to other gay men living in the strictly Islamic country.

Read more here – it’s a reality harsh to bear but one we need to be aware of!

According to a recent post on a NY Times Blog:

Child rearing among same-sex couples is more common in the South than in any other region of the country, according to Gary Gates, a demographer at the University of California, Los Angeles. Gay couples in Southern states like Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas are more likely to be raising children than their counterparts on the West Coast, in New York and in New England.

More here!

According to a post on Gay Persons of Color:

[On] January 13, North America’s first GLBT History Museum opened in San Francisco, occupying 1,600 square feet of gallery and program space in The Castro District. Two debut exhibitions, Our Vast Queer Past: Celebrating GLBT History and Great Collections of the GLBT Historical Society Archives chronicle the multiplicity of experiences that has shaped perspectives of gay people both within and outside our community, a definite must-see if you’re in The City by the Bay.

More here!

According to a post on Focus on the Rainbow:

Remember that anti-gay dumbass bastard the Reverend Scott Lively who has been a hero to the dumbass anti-gay bastards in Uganda ? Well the idiot has opened a coffee shop of all things with God on the side in Springfield, MA.

More at: Focus on the Rainbow!