· Pending a February review, a federal judge places a hold on the Oregon domestic partnership law that was set to take effect January 1. "After the Legislature approved the domestic partnership law this year, gay rights opponents launched an effort to collect enough signatures to suspend the law and place it on the November 2008 ballot...But state elections officials said this fall that the effort fell 116 valid signatures short of the 55,179 needed to suspend the law."
· The Star-Ledger profiles the "surprising" and thriving black gay "ballroom" subculture of Newark, New Jersey, "a city with no openly gay nightlife, where the 4-year-old murder of 15-year-old lesbian Sakia Gunn, killed for rejecting a man's advances, is still invoked as a symbol of intolerance. The houses, which have a combined membership of more than 100, are now touted by politicians as a significant force in the fight against AIDS and discrimination."
· As the Pakistani government repeatedly changes the circumstances surrounding the Benazir Bhutto ssassination, a potential heir emerges: Bilawal Zardari, the 19-year-old son of the slain former prime minister. The Oxford student is expected to be a figurehead and his father, controversial Asif Ali Zardari, would "take immediate charge of the party on the understanding that he will step aside [when] his son is ready to take up his mother's political mantle."
· After twice vetoing attempts to expand the program, President George W. Bush finally ends his war against low-income children and signs "legislation that extends a popular children’s health insurance program."
· British authorities investigate the Christmas party organized by Manchester United star footballer Rio Ferdinand, described as "an unmitigated disaster, not least for the 26-year-old woman who claims that she was raped. Ferdinand reportedly collected £4,000 from each of his United team-mates to fund an afternoon and evening of wine, women, wagering and song...The man from south-east London is not, by all accounts, the brightest bulb in the chandelier. But even he must now realise that."
· Blackberry will develop an "angular keyboard where the keys are set at a 45-degree angle."
· Barack Obama ramps up efforts to court LGBT voters in California.
· Beginning January 1st, Democratic hopeful John Edwards "will campaign for 36 hours straight leading up to the Iowa caucuses on January 3rd. Meanwhile, North Carolina's largest LGBT newspaper, Q-Notes, will publish a hearty endorsement for the state's favorite son next week, citing "his concrete, progressive policy positions, including steadfast support for pro-LGBT issues, his commitment to returning power to the people from moneyed special interests, his outstanding polling strength against the Republicans and his positive impact for down-ticket candidates nationwide."
· Wyatt O’Brien Evans at KuttinEdge profiles Atlanta-based J. Brotherlove, described as "one of the pioneers" of the black gay virtual community. "Does he consider himself a leader in the Black gay community? 'I’m not confident calling myself that. Others can decide for themselves,' he answered. 'However, I take my role ... very seriously, and, know that I positively affect others. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished.' "
As a result of the tragic and senseless death of 
