Black Muslim Congressman is Pro Gay, Pulse, AZ Rejects Marriage Ban

· The Washington Post profiles Minnesota's newest congressman. Keith Ellison is black, Muslim and the first non-white ever to represent that state in Congress. "On the campaign trail, Ellison, 43, talked little about his religious background, focusing instead on his call for an immediate U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and his support for single-payer health care. He broke from more conservative Muslims by favoring gay rights and abortion rights."

· J. Brotherlove reviews the debut issue of Pulse, the new magazine published by Gay Men of African Descent: "Well-designed with a good variety of content within its 80-pages."

· On the small island nation of Dominica, churches meet with the prime minister to register their opposition to gay cruise ships.

· Voters in historically conservative Arizona become the first in the nation to reject a ballot initiative banning same-sex marriage. By 51 percent to 49 percent, Arizonans voted down Proposition 107. Detailed tallies here.

Civic, political and gay activists fought the measure, which would have prevented governments from recognizing any relationship similar to marriage—such as civil unions or domestic partnerships—in providing benefits to employees.

· Unfortunately 27 other states have approved anti-gay marriage ballot measures, including seven on Tuesday—Colorado, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin. Colorado also failed to pass a domestic partnership referendum.

Comments

[A. Ronald]

Didn't even know that GMAD had a magazine. Have to check it out.

[Greg]

I've seen that issue. It does look very slick, it's quite readable.

[Henry TW]

That's interesting. Minnesota sent a black man to congress, Massachuseets elects a governor, Seattle had black mayor, LA in the 80s ... these places had very small black populations.

[Kai in NYC]

Have you seen a copy of Pulse yet, Rod? It certainly had some interesting articles, but I was baffled by the ubiquity of heavy make-up (lipstick and blush included) on all the (male) models in the magazine. It was kind of alternate-universe-ish. Am I behind the times? Have the trends passed me by? Do all gay men (personal trainers and executive directors included) now wear as much make-up as women going to the embassy ball? Break it down for me, y'all.

[jared]

for once, i can say i live in arizona and not under my breath,with the loss of the gay marriage thing, makes me wonder if our asexual govenor who won by a landslide agaisnt the guy behind the ban thing helped with her popularity. but its tempered glee since though the better man lost for the senate :(

[pamela]

Rod the link to the article doesn't work for the Muslim Man - could you please either fix or send me the article - I need to send it to my mom - thanks!

[Jim]

Thanks, Rod, for the link to the Post article on Ellison. This certainly hasn't gotten much other press.

And he's cute, too. But is he single?