Da+Gangstas+Holla

Jordan's Notes: [] [|www.gayrights.change.org] [|www.speakout.com] []
 * 1) **Only 5 states allow gay marriage**
 * 2) **The first state to make gay marriage wasMassachusettsin 2004**
 * 3) **Conneticut, Iowa, Massachussets, New Hampshire, Vermont, plus Washington D.C. and the Coquille Indian Tribe in Oregan **
 * 4) **States that recognize same-sex marriage but do not grant same-sex marriage licenses include New York, Rhode Island, and Conneticut **
 * 5) Obama is against same sex marriage
 * 6) Same-sex couples are not eligible to file jointly or separately as a married couple and thus cannot take the advantages of lower tax rates when the individual income of the partners differs significantly
 * 7) **Gay marriage is legal everywhere in Canada **
 * 8) **Cannot talk about gay marriage from kindergarten to 8th grade inTennessee**
 * 9) The District of Columbia and 47 states have anti-hate crime laws, however only 24 states and the District of Columbia include sexual orientation in their legislation.
 * 10) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">The Bible contains 9 specific references to homosexuality
 * 11) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">“We are as normal as straight people”
 * 12) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">19 states allow gay and lesbian couples to adopt children, but it’s a very expensive and complex 2-step process **
 * 13) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">One parent first adopts and then the second parent can petition for join rights. **
 * 14) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">After this process, whether married or not, the two parents are now treated as spouses **
 * 15) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">55% of those aged from 18-29 support same sex marriages
 * 16) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">In 1970, 0 cities were not discriminative towards homosexuals in there work place
 * 17) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Nearly 14,000 soldiers have been booted out of the U.S. military for the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" movement
 * 18) <span style="background-color: white; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">You can’t have a non-U.S. spouse become a full citizen.
 * 19) <span style="background-color: white; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Wisconsin became the first state to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation
 * 20) <span style="background-color: white; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy states that homosexuals are allowed to serve in the military, but banning sexual activity.
 * 21) <span style="background-color: white; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">What we must understand is that if the word ‘marriage’ is to remain a legal term to afford certain rights and responsibilities, then ‘marriage’ is what the gay and lesbian community will continue to fight
 * 22) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Many churches don’t approve of gays.
 * 23) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Currently, 1 million American children are being raised by same-sex couples
 * 24) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Nationally, 10% of men and 10% of women 18-44 consider themselves to be something other than heterosexual.
 * 25) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">There are currently over 700 LGBT clubs and groups on college campuses nationwide <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">.
 * 26) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Up to 1% of the U.S. population has been confirmed as transsexual
 * 27) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Same-sex couples live in all states and 99.3% of counties within the U.S.
 * 28) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">1 million gays and lesbians are military veterans.
 * 29) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">According to the American Psychological Association, homosexuality is not a mental disorder. Most of the problems LGBT members have with coming out are due to a feeling of alienation in an unwelcoming environment
 * 30) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">People who are lesbian, gay and transgender can usually be identified by certain mannerisms or physical characteristics.
 * 31) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">In a GLBT relationship, one partner usually plays the "husband" or "butch" role and the other plays the "wife" or "femme" role.
 * 32) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Most people who are lesbian or gay could be cured by having really good sex with a member of the other sex.
 * 33) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">The majority of child molesters are gay or lesbian
 * 34) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Most people who are lesbian or gay regard themselves as members of the other sex.
 * 35) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">People who are GLBT have made a conscious decision to be that
 * 36) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">There are very few "bisexuals;" most people are either completely homosexual or heterosexual.
 * 37) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">It’s a crime in 75 countries worldwide
 * 38) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">The bisexual pride flag has three stripes: blue, pink, purple
 * 39) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">In Africa it is illegal and known as a crime, that is punishable by death.
 * 40) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">The truth is that many or happy with their gender.
 * 41) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">On May 17, 2004, same sex marriages became legal Massachusetts
 * 42) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">In December 2006, civil unions became legal in New Jersey
 * 43) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">24. 55% of those aged from 18-29 support same sex marriages
 * 44) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">21% of those aged over 65 support same sex marriages
 * 45) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">93% of Southerners oppose of gay marriage
 * 46) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">46 % of Easterners supports gay marriage
 * 47) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">There have been several countries in the world that have accepted homosexuality

Brittany's Notes: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #810081; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; vertical-align: auto;">__[]__ __[]__
 * 1) The U.S. has some states that allow gay marriages.
 * 2) Those are New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Conneticuit, Iowa, Vermont, Washington D.C and California.
 * 3) The other countries that allow gay marriages are Europe, Sweedon, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain.
 * 4) Also Portugal, Iceland, Africa, South Africa, Central/South America, Mexico City, Argentina, Canada.
 * 5) New Jersey legalized gay marriage on December 14, 2006.
 * 6) Hawaii beginning January 1, 2012 same sex couples can get civil unions.
 * 7) The first Gay Pride Parade was in 1969.
 * 8) In 2001, The Netherlands were the first country to have same sex marriage legal.
 * 9) Belgium became the second in 2003.
 * 10) In 2002 through 2004, courts in six Canadian provinces held that the opposite-sex definition of marriage was contrary to Canada's Charter of Rights.
 * 11) In 2005 federal legislation extended same-sex marriage to all of Canada.
 * 12) Same-sex marriage was also legalized in Spain in 2005.
 * 13) In South Africa in 2006.
 * 14) In Norway and Sweden effective in 2009.
 * 15) In Portugal, Iceland, and Argentina effective in 2010.
 * 16) Homosexual men are twenty one times more likely to contract AIDS then heterosexuals.
 * 17) LGBT Rights stands for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders Rights.
 * 18) **The first known organization working for gay rights in the United States was founded in Chicago to bring homosexuals together as well as educate legal authorities and legislators.**
 * 19) **Thousands of same sex couples have come to the San Francisco courthouse to get their marriage certificates.**
 * 20) **The right to marry is a fundemental right protected by the United States Constitution.**
 * 21) **Without the legal right to marriage, same sex couples lose their right to health care coverage, family leave, child custody protections, tax protections, inheritance protections, and pension plan options.**
 * 22) **The gay community is somewhat split on the issue of same sex marriage.**
 * 23) **Many feel that a legal, same sex union instead of a religiously based marriage is needed to protect couples and afford them the rights of traditional couples.**
 * 24) **And for some, the issue simply boils down to their own definition of marriage and the legality of civil unions.**
 * 25) Henry Gerber applied on December 10, 1924, with six other men for a charter incorporating the Society for Human Rights, an enterprise modeled on German organizations.
 * 26) Since 2001, ten countries and various other jurisdictions have begun legally formalizing same-sex marriages.
 * 27) And the recognition of such marriages is a civil rights, political, social, moral, and religious issue in many nations.
 * 28) The conflicts arise over whether same-sex couples should be allowed to enter into marriage, be required to use a different status or not have any such rights.
 * 29) A related issue is whether the term marriage should be applied.
 * 30) <span class="not-so-big-blue" style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">According to FBI hate crime statistics, there were 6,604 reported hate crimes in 2009.
 * 31) <span class="not-so-big-blue" style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">18.5% of which were based on sexual orientation.
 * 32) <span class="not-so-big-blue" style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">In July 2009, the senate approved The Matthew Shepard Act.
 * 33) <span class="not-so-big-blue" style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">In the U.S. 75% of schools don't have rules against harrassment.
 * 34) Estimated in about the 1.6 million homeless people, 20-40% of them are identified as LGBT.
 * 35) Even though gay couples have been seen on TV shows more in the past, their affection has been restricted to holding hands, playing with each others male scarfs, and giving eachother meaningful looks.
 * 36) Even though there is shortage at blood banks gay people are being turned down for being gay.
 * 37) Even men who had sex once with a guy are being disqualified.
 * 38) 19 states allow gay and lesbian couples to adopt children.
 * 39) Same sex marriages may be officated by church officials.
 * 40) Domestic partnership is what some cities do so that gay and straight couples go on public record as non-married.
 * 41) This is for just in case the relationship ends.
 * 42) The "don't ask, don't tell" policy was made in 1993.
 * 43) Gays can still be removed from the army if they do anything that makes anybody else fell akward.
 * 44) This is a very good policy because then gays are allowed to be in the army if they want.
 * 45) This gives gay people the right Rights, even if they are gay it dosen't matter.

Nicci's Notes: >
 * 1) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**Gay marriage is illegal in state ofMaryland**
 * 2) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">2004, supports filed same-sex marriage lawsuit (Deane & Polyak v. Conoway)
 * 3) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**Legal in: Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden**
 * 4) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**General Assembly attempted to legalize same-sex marriage in MD, but failed in 2011 after weeks of debate**
 * 5) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**First became legal inMassachusettsin 2004**
 * 6) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Same-sex marriage licenses in states:Connecticut,Iowa,Massachusetts,New Hampshire,VermontandWashingtonD.C.
 * 7) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Legally performed inCaliforniain 2008 but when voters passes Preposition 8, it became prohibited
 * 8) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**States recognize same-sex marriages, but don’t grant them licenses:New York,Rhode Island,Maryland**
 * 9) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**As of March 2011, 41 states prohibit same-sex marriages**
 * 10) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**Fight for gay couples and marriages started in early 1970’s**
 * 11) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**Became even more important in1990’s after Congress passed Defense of Marriage Act in 1996**
 * 12) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**Gay marriage is a civil rights, political, social, moral, and religious issue in many nation**
 * 1) It is a universal human rights issue, mental and physical health concerns, equality before the law, and goal of normalizing relationships
 * 2) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**A problem with direct and indirect social consequences of gay marriages**
 * 3) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**Parenting concerns**
 * 4) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**Religious grounds and tradition**
 * 5) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">InMexico, gay marriages are only performed inMexico Citybut have to be recognized by Mexican states
 * 6) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Israeldoesn’t recognize gay marriage performed on its territory, but recognizes gay marriages performed in foreign jurisdictions
 * 7) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**Some states having major consequences for being gay such as a minimal penalty, large penalty, life in prison and even death penalty**
 * 8) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">December 21, 2009,Mexico City’s Legislative Assembly legalized same-sex marriages and adoptions by gay couples
 * 9) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Australiabans recognition of gay marriage, reported by the Catholic Church and the 2 largest political parties
 * 10) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Australian Capital Territoryis first jurisdiction inAustraliato legalize civil partnerships ceremonies for gay couples
 * 11) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">In Africa, gay marriage became legal inSouth Africaon November 20, 2006
 * 12) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**In certain circumstances when a marriage between 2 women is allowed such as when a woman has no child and the husband dies**
 * 13) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**President Barack Obama is officially opposed to gay marriage**
 * 14) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**In some countries, many people consider civil unions**
 * 15) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**Civil Union- registered/ civil partnership**
 * 16) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Scientific research has been showing that lesbian and gay parents are as fit and capable as heterosexual parents
 * 17) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Their children are psychologically healthy and well-adjusted as children reared by heterosexual parents
 * 18) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">States that allow civil unions:Hawaii,Illinois,New Jersey
 * 19) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Domestic partnerships allowing all rights :California,Oregon,Nevada,Washington
 * 20) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Domestic partnerships allowing some rights:Hawaii,Maine,District of Columbia,Wisconsin
 * 21) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**LGBT- “gay community”**
 * 22) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**Stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender**
 * 23) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**19 states allow gay couples to adopt**
 * 24) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**“don’t ask, don’t tell” policy by theClintonadministration in 1993**
 * 25) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**Rules: gays can be discharged from military for homosexual contact and for stating their sexual orientation, but military isn’t allowed to ask for orientation**
 * 26) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**In June 2000, the supreme court ruled that the Boy Scouts of America can ban homosexuals from serving as troop leaders**
 * 27) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**Immigration Rights: Cannot have a non-U.S. spouse become a full citizen**
 * 28) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**Social Security: Cannot collect benefits upon death of spouse**
 * 29) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**Federal Taxes: Cannot file jointly as a married couple**

Allison Notes: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: auto;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">10.in public high schools 97% of students hear homophobic remarks daily ** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: auto;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">11.78% of school administrators say they know of no lesbian, gay or bisexual students in their school, yet 94% say they think their school is a safe environment ** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">12.19% of gay men and 25% of lesbians report suffering physical violence from members as result of sexual orientation <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">13.26% of adolescent gay males report having to leave home as a result of their sexual orientation <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">14.42% of homeless youth, identify themselves as gay or lesbian <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">15.45% of gay males and 20% of lesbians report having experienced verbal harassment and/or physical violence as a result of their sexual orientation during high school <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">16.19% of gay/lesbian youth report suffering physical attacks based on their sexual orientation <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">17.15% of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth have been injured so badly in a physical attack at school that they have had to go to the doctor or nurse <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">18.20% of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth report skipping school at least once a month because of feeling unsafe <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">19.42% of adolescent lesbians and 34% of adolescent gay males who have suffered physical attack, attempt suicide <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">20.83% of adolescent lesbians use alcohol and 56% use other drugs <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">21.9% of high school students identify themselves as "gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">__[]__  <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">22. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">In the 2000 census it was found that there were 601,209 committed gay couples in America <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">23. **<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">In 2004, the city of San Francisco approved almost 4000 gay marriages ** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">24. **In the same month, 103 opposite sex marriage licenses were issued** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">25. **The 3,995 gay weddings held in one month showed how much the citizens of San Francisco supported gay marriage rights** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #810081; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">__[]__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">26. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">The fight for equal marriage rights is gaining momentum around the world <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">27. **Same-sex marriage is a continuous issue for many people** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">28. California Supreme Court ruled on May 15, 2008, that same-sex couples have the right to marry in California ** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">29. May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples should have the right to marry ** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">30. **October 2008, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that a ban against same-sex marriage was in violation of the equal protection clause in the state constitution** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">31. April 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the state's ban against same-sex marriage was unconstitutional ** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">32. May 2009, Vermont became the first state where the legislature, without judicial mandate, passed legislation to allow same-sex marriage <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">33.In a survey of marriage in Sweden between 1995 and 2002, there were 1,526 gay partnerships registered compared to 280,000 heterosexual couples <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">34. 5 out of every 1,000 new couples in Sweden are same-sex, and 62% of those are gay male unions <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">35. **Gay male sex was criminal in nine states of America until 2003** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">__[]__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">36. **Same sex marriage is legally recognized in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain and Norway** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">37. **It is a crime in 75 countries worldwide** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">38. About 1,500 animal species are known to practice same-sex coupling, including bears, gorillas, flamingos, owls, salmon and many others <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">39. **It is punishable by death in certain countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Yemen, Mauritania and Sudan** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">40. Thousands of same sex couples have come to the San Francisco courthouse to get their marriage certificates <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">41. in 2004 the U.S. House of Representatives were only able to generate 227 votes <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">42. In the Senate, a majority voted (50-48) not to even bring the amendment up for a vote <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">43. So in order for the amendment to even pass Congress, a bare minimum of 63 incumbent representatives and 19 incumbent senators would need to be defeated very soon <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">44. up to 9 million American children have same-sex parents <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">45. Public support for gay marriage has increased about 1% annually over the last two decades
 * 1) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">US state of Maryland does not perform gay marriage
 * 2) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">General Assembly considered a bill to legalize same sex marriage in 2011 **
 * 3) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">On March 11<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">th 2011, the House voted to send the bill back to the committee, ruining its chances of passing in 2011
 * 4) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Grove Insight found that 49% of Marylanders supported gay marriage, 41% were against it, and 10% were undecided
 * 5) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">On December 18<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">th 2010, US Senate voted 65-31 in favor of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010
 * 6) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">80% of gay and lesbian youth report severe social isolation **
 * 7) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">55% of students report hearing homophobic comments being made by schools staff **
 * 8) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">52% of teachers report they would feel uncomfortable working with an openly lesbian or gay colleague **
 * 9) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">less than 20% of guidance counselors have received any training on serving gay and lesbian students **