A team of Harvard scientists has taken an important first step toward the development of new treatments to help people with HIV battle Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection. In their report, appearing in the July 2009 print issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology they describe how HIV interferes with the cellular and molecular mechanisms used by the lungs to fight TB infection. This information is crucial for researchers developing treatments to help people with HIV prevent or recover from TB infection.

A unanimous Kalamazoo City Commission vote Monday to expand legal protections for gays, lesbians and transgender people did not settle the issue.

Opponents organized as the Kalamazoo Citizens Voting No to Special Rights Discrimination announced they would begin circulating petitions today seeking a November referendum on the City Commission’s second attempt to outlaw employment, housing and public-accommodation discrimination based on sexual orientation.

If the group is successful in collecting at least 1,274 signatures on petitions opposing the new ordinance, the 10-page measure would be law for less than a month.

With almost 5000 participants from more than 80 countries already registered and with late registration just started – World Outgames Copenhagen 2009 is on track to be as ambitious and festive as planned.

With the opening of Outgames 2009, Copenhagen will be completely transformed. In the very heart of Copenhagen some of the most beautiful squares will be taken over by the OutCities of Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Antwerp, Tel Aviv, Melbourne and Aarhus. Starting Saturday and going on for the whole Outgames week artists from these cities will be entertaining the Outgames participants and Copenhageners by showcasing their best of queer culture.

Nobody cared if Dan Choi was a homosexual while he was leading Fort Drum soldiers on patrol in Iraq.

But today in Syracuse, a board of four military officers may decide if the lieutentant should be the first New York National Guard member discharged for violating the military’s don’t ask-don’t tell policy against homosexual conduct.

Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the fire that damaged the Pink Triangle on San Francisco’s Twin Peaks.

The arson took place Sunday morning, just a few hours prior to the city’s annual Pride Parade. The ornament, a pink fabric triangle, is installed each year on a hill at San Francisco’s Twin Peaks.

The Times-Picayune: “Two New Orleans men want a federal judge to rule that they have a fundamental right to a marriage license under the U.S. Constitution and international law despite Louisiana’s prohibition of same-sex marriages.

Kristoffer Bonilla and John Thomas Wray argue in a lawsuit that the state has “permanently deprived them of the ability to sanctify their committed relationship and to exercise all of the rights and benefits attendant to marriage.”

The couple was turned away by officials at the Orleans Parish marriage license office on April 2 solely because both were men, the lawsuit says.”

Indeed, that’s the story of the movement for fairness and equality — not just for those who are gay, but for all those in our history who’ve been denied the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; who’ve been told that the full blessings and opportunities of this country were closed to them. It’s the story of progress sought by those who started off with little influence or power; by men and women who brought about change through quiet, personal acts of compassion and courage and sometimes defiance wherever and whenever they could.

FORT WORTH — A crowd of more than 100 protesters chanted “No more!” from the steps of the Tarrant County Courthouse on Sunday evening as they demanded an investigation of a police raid that happened hours earlier at a gay nightclub.

One patron was seriously injured during the raid at the Rainbow Lounge, which resulted in the arrests of seven people, protesters said.

“I am very optimistic — I probably should say I’m cautiously optimistic — but I’m very optimistic that same-sex marriage will be a reality in this state,” he said. “I believe it’s absolutely doable by the end of this session.”

Duane spoke with reporters on Fifth Avenue in New York City moments before the start of the annual gay pride parade, which this year marked the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.

He expressed confidence that the bill would come to the floor for a vote with bipartisan support after senators resolve the protracted leadership struggle that began on June 8 and has stalled official business.

Ché and Dan suggested strategies such as inviting educational theatre troops to schools and facilitating the creation of gay-straight alliances to begin combating discrimination.