Queer news update, Dec 12, 2009

Tis' the season, here's another news update from the LGBTQ parts of the internets:

• I apologize for being so late in posting this: dozens turned out to protest in Vallejo in early December after their Mayor (Osby Davis) proclaimed our neighbor a "city of God" and that gay people don't go to heaven.
  
  
• If this doesn't make the straights holly-jolly, what will? In a retail survey, LGBTs are expecting to increase their holiday spending than other groups.
  
  
• The White House finally has released a public statement condemning a draft anti-gay bill in Uganda that at one point included life sentences and the death penalty for homosexuality. Strangely, (anti-gay) Pastor Rick Warren has released a statement condemning the same.
  
  
• The Family Equality Council (among other pro-LGBT family groups, including PFLAG) are encouraging your queer family to send the Obama's holiday greetings from your family...and by sending them all together in a really big Christmas package to make a point.
  
  
• The Economist has put together an updated chart/map of where same-sex couples are living in the United States. "The District of Columbia is home to most gay households with over 14 for every 1,000."
  
  
• The University of Montreal had to abandon their study on men who don't ever watch porn: they couldn't find any.
  
  
• When New York State legislators voted on same-sex marriage in early December it failed to pass. However, some left us with these very moving speeches on marriage equality.
  
  
• If Congress begins hearing testimony on Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Rep. Alcee Hastings thinks gay soldiers should have immunity to come out and testify.