Speaker Michael Busch (D-Anne Arundel) spoke on Tuesday morning in Annapolis, at a prayer breakfast that included members of the clergy, about his own transformation into a supporter of same-sex marriage.

“I think I reflect a lot of people who have come a long way on the issue,” said Busch, who became a supporter of marriage equality during last year’s legislative session.

The question to legalize same-sex marriage in the Old Line State began in earnest this week at a Tuesday hearing in the state Senate. That chamber passed marriage equality legislation last year, but it failed to pass in the House of Delegates. Gov. Martin O’Malley, a Democrat, has sponsored a reworking of the bill this year.

If legalized, Washington would become the seventh state to recognize marriage equality.

A study by the University of California-Los Angeles law school’s Williams Institute reports that “the total spending on wedding arrangements and tourism by resident same-sex couples and their guests will add an $88-million boost to the Washington economy over the first three years.

This spending is likely to generate $8 million in tax revenue for state and local governments.”

According to a press release from the report’s sponsors, estimates show that “same-sex couples will spend $39 million on weddings in Washington in the first year alone.” Study co-author Angeliki Kastanis, a Public Policy Research Fellow at the Williams Institute, noted: “That translates to approximately $3.4 million in tax revenue, given Washington sales tax rates.”

State Rep. Matt Shea (R-Spokane Valley) offered two amendments to the House bill, one which would require six months’ residency in Washington State before applying for any type of marriage. During the committee vote, Shea warned that passage of the law could lead to discrimination suits against wedding-industry professionals, such as photographers or florists
who refuse to provide their services to gay couples.

Ricky Strauss, the Trevor Project’s interim chair, said that Land “is a recognized and respected health care professional who brings an impressive history of ensuring care to under-represented populations.”

Since 2003, Land has served as co-CEO of the Saban Free Clinic in Los Angeles. Between 1986 and 1997, she served as councilmember and twice as mayor of the City of West Hollywood. Land was re-elected to the city council in 2003, and again last March, for which she is currently serving a four-year term.

The Trevor Project, founded in 1998, is the nation’s leading crisis and suicide prevention organization specializing in the needs of LGBTQ youth.

During his annual State of the State address, Lynch, a Democrat, promised to fight efforts to repeal marriage equality in the Granite State. While Republicans hold veto-proof majorities in both chambers of the state legislature, GOP members are divided on the issue, and the Republican leadership is hinting that they do not possess the necessary votes to override the governor’s veto.

In his address, Lynch said, “New Hampshire has a long and proud tradition of fighting for the rights of all of our people and a tradition of leaving people alone to pursue their own happiness. As Governor, I intended to uphold that century’s old tradition and I will stand firm against any legislation that will strip any of our citizens of their civil rights.”

Martha Boggs, the owner of the restaurant—located, coincidentally, on Gay Street—had heard a radio interview with Campfield in which the lawmaker made what she considered to be disparaging remarks about homosexuality.

Campfield, who recently sponsored legislation requiring elementary and middle schools to teach only heterosexually-based sex education, told ABC News that he was taken completely by surprise by Boggs’ actions. “We were just standing there waiting for a table, and this woman came up to me saying ‘I’m not serving you, I’m not serving you, you hate gay people,’” Campfield said. “‘I said ma’am I’m not a homophobe,’ and I offered to send her links from the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] Web site to back up what I said about homosexuality being a dangerous lifestyle, and being a risky behavior.”

The CDC links that Campfield referred to include statistics from 2008 data which indicate that 54 percent of HIV cases diagnosed that year were from same sex contact among males, while 32 percent was contracted from heterosexual sexual contact. The data did not address female homosexual sex.

Campfield, however, was not as thorough during the radio interview, claiming that it is “virtually impossible” to contract HIV or AIDS through heterosexual behavior.

“My understanding is that it is virtually — not completely, but virtually — impossible to contract AIDS through heterosexual sex,” Campfield said.

Boggs said she has no regrets, despite some local backlash. “It was one of those spur of the moment things. I didn’t think about what I was doing, but all I did was look at his smug face, and told myself I do not want to serve him. His comments have gone from stupid to dangerous and I think someone needs to stand up to him,” Boggs told ABC News. “I think Mr. Campfield is a bully, so I just stood up to a bully.”

Over 100 vendors, suppliers, companies, and organizations will showcase products and services catered to the LGBT community in partnership with the GMCVB, LGBT Visitor Center, the Miami Herald, Miami.com, and with the participation of the GLBT Travel Expo.  Food, refreshments, entertainment, giveaways, and drawings will include prizes for trips to Latin America, hotel stays, and restaurant gift certificates. Admission is free.

Grateful Paws is a local, not-for-profit, no-kill rescue organization providing much-needed services for cats and dogs in South Florida.

“Grateful Paws is the animal rescue that I prefer most,” said Uwe Schroeder, founder of WolfCuff. “They step in when other rescues – for financial or other reasons – cannot help. When they take on an animal, they take it their vet, the Hollywood Animal Hospital, and if after medical treatment it is determined the animal will have a quality life, they’ll do whatever is necessary and possible to get the animal healthy and find it a forever, loving home. Grateful Paws is my favorite because it’s the last hope for the most hopeless cases.”

“Over Christmas, they took in a nine-month old pedigree husky that was hit by a car and the owner couldn’t afford the medical bills. Grateful Paws took him on and the surgery to save his leg was $1,800,” Schroeder said. “Grateful Paws found the husky a home, but the adoption fee is $300, which left a balance of $1,500.”

An animal lover, Schroeder founded Wolf Cuff two years ago, producing custom leather wrist bands which were well-received by friends and customers. All of his cuffs are handmade using basic tools, and are made of quality materials utilizing hand-applied color, along with a unique interlocking design, metal work and polish. Each WolfCuff is one-of-a-kind.

Schroeder said the he adopted his own “boys” from Grateful Paws. “That’s why I’m trying to get as much money together as possible,” he said. “There is nothing better than rescuing a dog.”

The Feb. 15 fundraiser at Alibi will begin with a “Gold Sponsor Cocktail Reception” being held in the Manchester Room from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets for the special reception will be $20 and will include food, drinks and a preview of the silent auction items.

The public main event will be run from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. with hostess Nikki Adams a 9 p.m. show featuring Florida’s Own Dame Edna, lavish silent auction, 50/50 raffle and special pricing on WolfCuff leather crafts.

Alibi is providing the space, Alibi Catering is providing the food and Schroeder is covering all additional expenses. 100% of the proceeds collected at the benefit will go to Grateful Paws including money raised from all WolfCuff sales. For more information on WolfCuff, visit www.WolfCuff.com.

Now in its tenth year, the annual TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards honor the world’s best hotels, earning their distinction from those who know them best – real travelers.  Unlike any other hotel honors, TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Winners are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.

“We are so excited about this award.  We always strive to provide the best service for our visitors and are honored to have our efforts recognized,” said Ed Lugo, the owner of Ed Lugo Resort.

“We want to exceed expectations, so this award is also a challenge to do even better.”

Location is one of the biggest assets of Ed Lugo Resort. The property is centrally located in the city of Wilton Manors, part of the Greater Fort Lauderdale metro area. Across the street is the famous Shoppes of Wilton Manors, which includes great shopping and nightlife entertainment like Georgie’s Alibi & BOOM.

Fort Lauderdale’s beaches and the trendy Las Olas Boulevard are conveniently located less than three miles away. Families and travelers will find everything they need just around the corner. Within walking distance you can find a supermarket (Publix), CVS pharmacy, Starbucks and more than ten restaurants offering food from around the world.

“Ed has taken the small guesthouse to new levels,” said Krishan Manners, President and CEO of Wilton Manors Main Street.

“Through cross-promotion, he provides his clients with gym and salon amenities by working with Island City Health & Fitness and Tracy Carroll salon.  The resort has really become the premier place to stay while visiting Wilton Manors.

“Menchie’s is all about being part of a community and we found that here in Wilton Manors,” said Melissa Kushner, owner of Menchie’s Five Points Plaza.  “It’s a close-knit, friendly environment for everyone, which is why we chose this location”

With 14 rotating flavors, including at least one with no sugar and one sorbet, 26 dry toppings, a cold topping bar and four types of sauces, Menchie’s customers build their own dessert or healthy treat individually.

“I was able to sample their red velvet yogurt recently, “said Wilton Manors Main Street’s ubiquitous president, Krishan Manners. “[I] really could not believe how delicious it was even without adding any toppings.  I look forward to visiting them,” he said, then added, “often.”

“Our mission statement is, ‘We make you smile,’” said Kushner, “and we anticipate bringing a lot of smiles to Wilton Manors.”

Grindr has over three-million worldwide users. The hacking allows naked pictures of users to be broadcast over the internet, or spread through Twitter if a linked account is also available via the phone. The hacking has caused a security crisis for the developer, and has left its users vulnerable because of the vast amounts of private information that is traded through the app.

The hacker discovered a way to log in under another user name, and impersonate that user, including chatting and sending photos.

The founder of the apps, Joel Simkhai, conceded both Grindr and Blendr are vulnerable and that he was rushing to release a patch to address the issues. Simkhai said he had originally been waiting until new architecture was built “within weeks,” but was now releasing an update to both apps “over the next few days.”

It is believed the hacker changed the profile pictures of numerous Sydney Grindr users to ones containing
explicit images.