Mayor Al Krieger is (surprise) a strong opponent of repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and in an interview with a local NBC affiliate, continued his comments on efforts to repeal the ban by comparing himself to Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, and claimed they’d agree with his opinions.
Yuma, birthplace of Cesar Chavez, is the tenth-largest city in Arizona.
Elsewhere…
New York – New York City’s newly-opened shelter for homeless LGBT youth was defaced yesterday with anti-gay graffiti saying things like “We don’t want gay people here.” (Joe.My.God)
New York – An Albany, New York VA hospital’s decision to fly a Pride flag this month has sparked a debate about whose non-official flags are allowed to be flown outside federal buildings. (The Advocate)
Rhode Island – Police are investigating a YouTube video showing four high-school-aged boys beating a fifth with what look like nerf baseball bats, allegedly shouting homophobic slurs. (WQAD)
Oklahoma – According to the coroner’s report, Oklahoma gay activist Keith Kimmel died from an oxycodone overdose and not the after-effects of a police beating received during a police raid on a Tulsa, Oklahoma gay bar. (The Advocate)
Maryland – Meet Maryland’s first bisexual porn star rapper. (The Washington City Paper)
D.C. – The Justice Department has decided federal prosecutors should enforce the provisions of the Violence Against Women Act, which covers domestic violence, in cases involving same-gender relationships. The Human Rights Campaign is claiming credit for pushing the DOJ to adopt this new position. (The New York Times)
Oregon – Portland police unveil a new hate crimes reporting website after an alleged gay bashing outside a Portland gay bar last week. (Willamette Weekly)
California – The federal judge in the Prop 8 lawsuit, Vaughn Walker, has asked lawyers for each side to address 39 widely different questions in their closing arguments, suggesting his decision will be a “blockbuster.” (Keen News Service)