Author Archives: Lisa Keen

Speed Read: Surprises in Sochi

It wasn't a Dutch band but Sochi Olympics organizers themselves that included the iconic gay anthem "YMCA" on an approved playlist and pumped it into the speed skate arena Saturday. Holder's announcement on same-sex couples gets mixed reviews. And an

Olympic visibilty: Some big surprises happening off-screen in Sochi

LGBT visibility during the first few days of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, included some high profile political “messages,” two gay inclusive television commercials, and several surprise choices by both Russian games organizers and openly gay athletes. It was Olympic

Holder announcement scrutinized

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder told a Human Rights Campaign audience in New York Saturday that, beginning Monday, he “will – for the first time in history – formally instruct all Justice Department employees to give lawful same-sex marriages full

Speed Read: Blunt messages

President Obama delivers powerful messages on discrimination. UN Secretary-General speaks out about Russia's anti-gay laws. Williams Institute study finds 29 percent LGBT people need food stamps.

Speed Read: U.N. dings Vatican

A United Nations report openly criticizes the Vatican for contributing to the stigmatizing of gays and their children. Clay Aiken tosses his hat into the ring. Obama tries another nominee for Florida.

LGBT viewers guide to the Winter Olympics: What to watch for

Tensions are high as the 2014 Winter Olympics prepares to get underway today with figure skating and skiing events and then with the globally televised opening ceremony Friday. While there is a tremendous amount of anxiety over the possibility of

Speed Read: 40 arrested in Idaho

Police in Boise arrested more than 40 protesters for trespassing Monday as they stood silently for more than three hours, blocking three entrances to the Idaho senate chamber. Scotland becomes the 18th country to approve marriage equality. Virginia lawsuit heard

Olson: Judge in Virginia marriage ban case says she’ll rule ‘soon’

A federal judge in Norfolk, Virginia, told attorneys in a lawsuit challenging Virginia’s ban on same-sex couples marrying that she will render her decision “soon.” According to David Boies, one of the lead attorneys arguing against the ban, U.S. District Court

Speed Read: Endorsing extremists?

The Texas Equity political action committee of the statewide LGBT political group Equality Texas raised some eyebrows last month when, for the first time ever, it endorsed for a state House seat a Republican that some characterize as a Tea

Speed Read: Mixed messages

Counselor to the President John Podesta said Friday that an executive order barring sexual orientation discrimination is "under consideration," but press secretary Jay Carner said it was "the wrong approach" and that the president sees ENDA as "the right way