Alex Okrent, a 29-year-old staffer on President Obama’s reelection team, died suddenly on Friday after collapsing suddenly at campaign headquarters in Chicago. “I worked with Alex during the successful 2008 Obama campaign and he was an incredible voice for LGBT issues with the President.” said Stampp Corbin, 2008 National Co-Chair of the Obama LGBT Leadership Council. [LGBT Weekly]
If you’re a fan of football, get ready to root for whomever plays against the Arizona Cardinals this fall. The NFL team gave $5,000 to Jan Brewer’s JAN PAC, the first time an pro football team has ever contributed to a federal Super PAC. Brewer opposes marriage equality and is petitioning the Supreme Court to rule against 
giving benefits to domestic partners of state and university employees—a position that led one member of Brewer’s Tourism Advisory Council to quit last week. [Politico]
The University of Louisiana has added a LGBT studies minor to its roster, a move that’s unsettled alumni like Republican Rep. Jeff Landry (right) who is asking the school to remove it. “The University’s web page for the new LGBT minor clearly omits facts and statistics which demonstrate the medical, physical, emotional and dangers of a lifestyle which is counter to Louisiana values,” read a statement of the website of the Louisiana Family Forum, which is backing Landry’s request. [LGBTQ Nation]
Sullivan County in New York’s Hudson Valley region is becoming a haven for the LGBT Community: the head of the Legislature is gay, as are the director of a local radio station, the chief of the Democratic Party and Ginny Apuzzo, a former Deputy Secretary of Labor who founded the Hudson Valley LGTBTQ Community Center in Kingston. “It’s always been very easy to be here; it’s a crazy melting pot and crazily accepting of all people,” says Legislature Chairman Scott Samuelson, who married his partner last year and co-founded Out in the Catskills. “From day one, it’s never been an issue. [Record Online]
Professor Locs
I am sorry to hear about the death of Alex Okrent. He did a great job of sharing the
LGBT issues with Obama. Obama recognizes that all people of this great nation need
to be represented, including gays—and he follows his beliefs no matter what the
consequences are. Obama is a great president that I hope people re-elect.
Kayo
I’m thinking any “family values” group should referred to as a hate group.
luther
“Louisiana values” – now that’s rich! lol
Battles
I just became an avid Cardinals fan.
Derek Nola
Well Im from Louisiana and LGBT values represent me. BTW Jeff Landry is setting off my gaydar abit.
Robert Jackson
I went to the website for Louisiana Family Forum, they have a email link for President of ULL. I clicked it, they have message already in message, I deleted and reworded stating my delight in ULL and how I was proud of the President and the school to be teaching education rather than hate and bigotry. I suggest others follow suit. I am sure he will be glad to get some praise rather than hate mail.
Robert Jackson
This is email:’[email protected]’
Subject: Thank You!! LGBT Minor Degree Courses
Message:
Dr. Savoie,
I applaud your decision to implement the eighteen (18) credit-hour minor in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Studies, including the courses SOCI 254 – INTRODUCTION TO LGBT CULTURAL STUDIES and SOCI 454(G) – Gender Across Cultures to the ULL degree program. I am proud to have you and the University in Louisiana offering this type education rather than hate and bigotry. Thank You.
Respectfully,