Before “Born This Way”

The Advocate counts down 13 other great LGBT empowerment anthems that preceded Lady Gaga’s latest.

By Advocate.com Editors

The unprecedented pre-release anticipation for Lady Gaga’s latest single “Born This Way” owed as much to its being touted as "the next great gay anthem" as it did to Gaga-mania. When the song, which the superstar claims to have composed in 10 minutes, finally arrived last Friday, some fans rejoiced while others were underwhelmed. But whether you love it or don't quite hate it, let’s give the lady her due. “Born This Way” is one of the few mainstream anthems that unapologetically embraces queerness. Just try to name another chart topper with “transgender” in its lyrics.

For decades we’ve appropriated countless songs as our own, reading gay subtext into vague lyrics, empathizing with the longing in Judy’s “Over the Rainbow,”  the exuberant joy of The Weather Girls' "It's Raining Men" or relating to the painful isolation in Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own,” but few actually wave a flag to flaunt our individualism. Here are a few favorites that do.  Read more here....

Trump thinks gays are “great,” against marriage equality

By Jon Fairbanks

On Fox News Monday night, real estate mogul and potential presidential candidate Donald Trump expressed opposition to marriage equality.

“New York is a place with lots of gays and I think it’s great, but I’m not in favor of gay marriage,” Trump said.

Trump told host Greta Van Susteren if he pursues a White House bid, he’ll run as a conservative Republican.

“The Donald” says he’s pro-life and supports strengthening the military.

“I’m a great guy for defense,” Trump said.  “I am probably as conservative as anybody on your show and that’s going a pretty strong step.”

Republican gay group GOProud invited Trump to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference last week and promoted him as a write-in candidate for the yearly straw poll.

If Trump wins the election, he says his first move will be to implement a 25 percent tax on products imported from China.

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Hawaii Senate Postpones Civil Unions Vote

By Advocate.com Editors

The Hawaii senate is scheduled to vote on a bill that would give same-sex couples long-awaited rights to civil unions, more than 12 years after voters approved an amendment giving the legislature power to ban marriage equality in the state.

Update: According to the state senate communications office, the civil unions bill vote has been postponed to Wednesday "to give senators more time to consider the bill."  Read more here.....

Lesbian Minister Faces Trial

Lesbian United Methodist minister Amy DeLong will be tried by a church court in April on charges of “being a self-avowed practicing homosexual” and “conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions.”

By Advocate.com Editors

A lesbian United Methodist minister in Wisconsin will be tried by a church court April 11 on charges relating to her sexual orientation and her performance of a same-sex commitment ceremony.

The Reverend Amy DeLong is charged with “being a self-avowed practicing homosexual” and “conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions,” both of which violate the church’s Book of Discipline, according to the United Methodist News Service. A guilty verdict could result in DeLong’s removal from the ministry.  Read more here....