sorry that this links-post is just a list without much commentary/analysis

[mao4269]

This is basically a links post. To start, have a couple of articles about changes in the roles played by a couple of U.S. government officials:
Arlen Spector switched from Republican to Democrat.
Justice Souter to retire from the U.S. Supreme Court.

The bulk of the post covers the abundance of Happy Queer News Stories we've seen recently:

• For the first time, a sexual orientation and gender identity inclusive hate crimes bill passed the U.S. House (in other words, be sure to contact your senator early and often :)).
• I had posted that the D.C. Council voted to acknowledge same-sex marriages from other states. That was the preliminary vote, now they've done the real one :).
• There's now another state to add to the list of those whose same-sex marriages D.C. will acknowledge: Maine's legislature approved gay marriage.
• On this side of the world, gay and lesbian couples are set to wed at the Tel Aviv Pride festivities next month.
• A few months ago I'd mentioned that the first out queer head-of-state, and Iceland's first female head-of-state, took on Iceland's prime ministership. She's still the prime minister, but as of this past weekend she's elected rather than having the position due to emergency appointment :).
• And, for sheer cuteness, have The Big Fat Gay Collab. Because clearly I can't ever be 100% uncritical/positive, I do have to say that the fabulousness of this video is somewhat marred by the lack of body/size or racial diversity among the male-presenting participants (though they do a pretty good job with the female-presenting participants).

Staying in YouTubeville but switching gears, here's a video out there for people of any orientation who have been disturbed by The Male Gaze. And last but not least, I kind of want to distribute a Jewish version of this t-shirt in B'nei Brak (an ultra-orthodox town)...