After a Florida hospital denied a lesbian access to see her partner, U.S. President Obama signed a memorandum directing the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to “ensure” that hospitals which participate in Medicare and Medicaid “respect the rights of patients to designate visitors” and allow those visitors the same privileges as immediate family members. The memorandum does not carry to weight of law. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, or the governor of any other state could have issued a similar memorandum or executive order for hospitals receiving state funds, or that participate in Medicare and Medicaid.

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Organization (“ILGA”), formerly known simply as “International Lesbian and Gay Organization” the world’s largest LGBTI organization, with nearly 700 member organizations in 110 counties across the world commented today about the cancellation of a worldwide conference due to threats, protests, and violence.

The movie Ticked-Off Trannies with Knives, is drawing the wrath of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). “When a group of transgender women are violently beaten and left for dead, the violated vixens turn deadly divas,” the description says, then adds, “this revenge fantasy proves that it takes more than balls to get even.”

In a shocking move, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to rule on whether constitutional free-speech rights protected anti-gay protests by members of a Kansas church at funerals for U.S. military members killed in Iraq. The group maintains that God hates homosexuals above all other kinds of “sinners” and that homosexuality should be a capital crime.

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts today denied a last-minute request by traditional marriage supporters to stop Washington, D.C.’s same-sex marriage law from taking effect. As a “matter of judicial policy,” Roberts said in an opinion that it has been the practice of the U.S. Supreme Court not to intervene in local matters.

Gordon Dennis Fox has the distention of being the first openly gay speaker of a state lower house, although Assemblyman John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) was elected to the speakership of the California Assembly several weeks before Fox (Pérez, however, will not be sworn in as speaker until March 1).
Members of the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations House of Representatives elected Fox to succeed William J. Murphy in a day of pomp and speechifying, capping months of behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

The New Jersey Senate voted 20 to 14 to defeat a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage. Gay rights activists had hoped to get the bill passed because current Governor Jon Corzine said he would sign the bill into law. Governor-elect Chris Christie has said he would veto the bill.

During U.S. President Ronald Regan’s administration, the United States Government established a ban that prohibited HIV positive visitors and immigrants from entering the United States. Today, the ban was lifted.

Election 2010 could bring additional changes to Kentucky’s political makeup. Democrats have taken additional seats in the Kentucky Senate, and the Commonwealth has two openly gay men running for the Kentucky House of Representatives. One key to victory for gay politicians has been building reputations in their communities as candidates well qualified for the job. Voters who may be uncomfortable with homosexuality in the abstract are often willing to vote for a gay individual they feel they know, political strategists claim.

This year the Kentucky Fairness Alliance decided not to hold their annual fundraiser in Lexington, Louisville, Covington or any of the “usual” prospects for large cities in Kentucky. Instead, they held the event in Elizabethtown, a central city that allowed more people to participate.