::: Movie viewers in the deeply religious island country of Samoa weren’t able to see Milk. Like many movies, it was banned from cinemas and DVD stores. The country’s official censor routinely bans any film with a gay theme. Even Da Vinci Code was banned because the censor worried it could affect the religious beliefs of young people whose faith was wavering. That made it a bit surprising to many when principal censor Leiataua Niuapu Faaui gave the thumbs-up to a British flick with the provocative title Lesbian Vampire Killers. “It’s about a legend and all the vampires are female. That’s why it says lesbians (in the title),” Leiataua told the Samoa Observer newspaper. But then, it’s a movie about people who kill gay vampires, which makes the the decision to show it more disturbing.

   ::: After mounting a variation of a gay panic defense, an 18-year-old who was charged in a September Washington, DC assault that resulted in death of a gay man pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor Thursday. After his lawyer claimed the victim had touched his client inappropriately, Robert Hannah avoided significant jail time by pleading guilty to a lesser charge. Robert Hunter died after he and a friend, Trevor Carter, were attacked and robbed while they were on their way to a DC gay club formerly called BeBar.  Carter said they were approached by four men who punched both of them, knocking them to the ground. Carter managed to get away and run for help, but Hunter had been knocked unconscious, and died 10 days later from his injuries. Police claimed Hannah and Hunter exchanged words, which led to a fistfight and Hunter's severe head trauma. Community activist Keith Jarrell figures police are saying violence against the gay and lesbian community is accepted. “The city has turned [its] back on the gay community in many aspects,” he said.

   ::: The partners of gay and lesbian city employees in El Paso, Texas would qualify for health insurance and other benefits under a proposal presented to the City Council on Thursday. If approved by the council later this month, domestic partner benefits would begin on Jan. 1. Benefits would be available to all unmarried couples, gay or straight. “There is no doubt that eventually the practice of providing equal benefits to gay employees will be the norm,” said city Rep. Steve Ortega. “The question for us is whether we want to be ahead of the curve or behind it. I want to be ahead of it.”

[politics] Out gay Congressman appointed to Air Force Academy board [PR Newswire]
[India] Gay community to hold parleys with religious leaders in Bangalore [New Kerala]
[India] Gay-lesbian course at University of Pune sets an example for other universities [Express India]
[showbiz] 'Bruno' banned in Ukraine on grounds of morality [MSN India]
[law] Calif. removed from federal gay marriage DOMA case [AP]