Gay Congressman Barney Frank in Washington will no doubt garner some gay ire in coming weeks.

Frank, Human Rights Campaign and others have been busy hashing out the ever-contentious Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and the latest controversy has nothing to do with trans inclusion, which has derailed discussions in the past. No, this latest brouhaha revolves around another hot-button topic: marriage.

A little-discussed provision of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would allow employers to give health insurance coverage and other benefits to married opposite-sex couples and deny those same benefits to the partners of their gay and lesbian employees who are legally married in Massachusetts and California.
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A similar provision has been in the bill since 1994, when ENDA was first introduced on Capitol Hill, but the earlier language said employers did not have to provide benefits to the domestic partners of their employees.

ENDA, which bans job discrimination based on sexual orientation, now says an employer cannot be required "to treat a couple who are not married in the same manner as the covered entity treats a married couple for purposes of employee benefits."

Before people start burning effigies, however, Frank's quick to point out that he personally did not add the language. It is, however, necessary, he says: "It was the decision of the committee and of everybody else, myself, Tammy, was that we couldn't pass anything without this…We had to make it clear that non-discrimination in employment had no effect on marriage one way or another."

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal will let a piece of gay inclusive legislation die this week:

An anti-discrimination order put in place by former Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco four years ago won't be renewed by Gov. Bobby Jindal when it expires Friday.

The order - enacted by Blanco on Dec. 6, 2004 - bars state agencies and contractors from various sorts of harassment and discrimination by race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation or disabilities.

Jindal said Wednesday that discrimination is prohibited under state and federal laws and he doesn't want to create more special categories by executive order. He also said he worried it could cause problems with faith-based organizations' ability to contract with the state…

Good thing Jindal swore last weekend that he would not run as John McCain's vice-president, as many have suggested.

Some Massachusetts children will get trans education this fall when custodian Brian Bonin makes his debut as Brianna Bonin.

After fifty-four years living as a man, the father of two has started transitioning into his new life as a woman. And, understandably, he's pretty psyched, and, surprisingly, so are school officials.

Principal Norman P. Yvon and superintendent Ernest L. Boss will soon send out a supportive note, which reads:

Our night custodian has informed us of his decision to change his gender and, as we begin the school year, he will begin living and working as a woman. He has been a valued employee of the Oxford Public Schools for many years, and we expect his exemplary performance to continue as he changes gender roles.

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The network garnered some queer criticism earlier this year after trash talking trans man Thomas Beatie.

Now anchor Gregg Jarrett and US Magazine editor-at-large Ian Drew take a few shots at Isis, America's Next Top Model's new trans model. Our favorite part comes when Drew calls Isis' inclusion as a ratings grab and a television trend. Jarrett, of course, is flabbergasted by "him or her."

The gay media watchdogs over at GLAAD are fuming, naturally, and have asked supporters to contact Fox and gripe to their hearts content. We've included contact information after the jump…

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Ed note: We hate having to report stories like this…

The murder trial of eighteen-year old Jamaican Shanniel Hyatt began in England this week. Hyatt stands accused of strangling 39-year old trans woman Kellie Telesford after discovering her nuts and bolts. Then, after he had covered her dead body with a sheet, Hyatt proceeded to loot Telesford's apartment, according to prosecutors.

Hyatt, meanwhile, insists he didn't kill Telesford, but his story's anything but straight…

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Justice could be served in the gruesome slaying of trans teen Angie Zapata. Colorado police have arrested a man who admitted to beating the 18-year old woman to death. The story's not for the faint of heart:

Allen Ray Andrade, 31, faces several charges, including second-degree murder in the death of Justin Zapata, 20, who was known as Angie Zapata. The victim's bloodied, battered body was discovered in her apartment by her sister on July 17.
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Andrade told investigators that he met Zapata through MocoSpace, a social network designed primarily for cell phone users, according to an arrest affidavit released by Greeley police. The two met July 15 and spent the day together.

Andrade told investigators that Zapata performed oral sex on him but wouldn't let him touch her, according to the affidavit.

He said he also spent the night at Zapata's apartment, but in separate beds. The next day, Zapata left Andrade alone in her apartment, and Andrade noticed several photographs that led him to question Zapata's gender.

Andrade confronted Zapata when she got back. He grabbed Zapata's crotch area, felt male genitalia and became angry, the affidavit says. He told investigators that he took a fire extinguisher off a shelf, struck Zapata twice in the head and thought he "killed it."

Police Chief Jerry Garner definitely does not approve of Andrade's summation of Zapata, "It's disgusting. It's a horrible thing to say." As, too, is the murder…

The media circus has begun! Good Morning America today featured some People magazine pictures of trans man Thomas Beatie and his baby girl, Susan Juliette.

Watch the Towleroad-provided video about the baby's birth and other precious details, after the jump. Be sure to note that Beatie didn't have a c-section, as previously reported. This man did it the old fashioned vaginal way, which takes serious balls.

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Continuing their grand tradition of inciting sexual panic, Focus on the Family released this ad in the Colorado Tribune. They're evidently still pissed off about the state's trans-inclusive non-discrimination bill.

We can't quite make out the small print, but can see that it begins "Human decency dictates…" As if these people know anything about human decency - remember that vile radio ad claiming trans folk would prey on small children? Well, they're at it again with yet another radio ad decrying "sexual predators."

Looking to start your day with some disgusting news? Well, you're in luck, because four New York teens have been arrested after attacking a gay youth shelter.

Carmen's Place, located in Queens, caters specifically to marginalized and alienated and often homeless young queers who have no where else to go. Apparently some of the neighborhood doesn't approve, because the kids and staff are repeatedly subject to taunts, pushing and the such.

This week's incident definitely went a bit further, with a gang of four approaching the shelter, which is housed in a church, and attempting to cause some unholy trouble. Director Reverend Louis Braxton Jr. attempted to stop the madness, but got caught in the crossfire…

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The headline says it all, folks! Thirty-four year old trans man Thomas Beatie gave birth to a healthy baby girl this morning. Just in time for Independence Day!

Update: ABCNews.com has now included Beatie in its photo slideshow of “Medical Marvels,” which warns “viewer discretion advised,” right next to “the Elephant Man,” a girl with an enormous tumor on her face, a 15-year-old girl with clubbed feet, and the “Tree Man” whose body is covered in gnarled growths. Classy!