Getting married twice has become a reality for some same-sex couples. They hold one public ceremony to celebrate their union and another in a state or province that legally allows their union.

Two Michigan State University law professors suggest that e-marriage is the solution. With e-marriage, Professors Adam Candeub and Mae Kuykendall, can apply for a marriage license online and then hold one ceremony for family and friends at home. Currently, only four states allow same-sex marriage (New Hampshire's law takes affect January 1). However, some states that don't allow gay marriage grant rights to couples legally married elsewhere. An online marriage license would expedite that process.

"What we're arguing for is that states should formalize in their laws what they've always been doing in smaller degrees in specific areas, which is, allow people outside their states to use their laws," Candeub told NPR.

More after the jump.

Kathy Belge, the guide over at Lesbian Life, About.com Gay Life's sister site, had an interesting conversation with a friend last week concerning Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill. Could it happen here, she asked?

"I was saying to the friend that I am often fearful that legislation like that could be passed in the United States," Kathy writes. "Especially if it were up to the public to vote. She said she didn't think Americans would pass such a law. Whereas, I don't think Americans would pass a law to put gays to death, I do think that some people would vote to criminalize homosexuality."

What do you think? Sure, gay marriage initiatives have failed recently in New York and Maine, but would Americans go as far as criminalizing homosexuality?

More on Lesbian Life

Good news from Texas over the weekend. On Saturday, Houston (pop. 2.2 million) became the largest city to elect a lesbian mayor. City controller Annise Parker, 56, beat fellow Democrat Gene Locke in a race that was more memorable for its historical outcome than a fiery race.

Could this be a turn for Texas?
Parker's race was more about her fiscal plans for the city than her sexuality, the success of which could focus conservative and moderate voters to the issues at hand and away from factors—like a politician's sexuality— that are immaterial to the job at hand.

Providence, R.I., Portland, Ore., and Cambridge, Mass. also have openly LGBT mayors.

This week Facebook began rolling out new privacy settings to its millions of users.

If you frequently Facebook like I do, then there are a few things you should know about how these changes affect your privacy. Jared Newman over at PC World has compiled a list of the good and bad things about Facebook's new settings.

One thing I'd like to add: Facebook's new privacy settings make it easier for other (and by others, I mean the whole world) to see your friends and any information you may not specifically block. Remember, Facebook can out you. So, before you update your status and start posting again, read through the new Facebook privacy settings and decide what level of privacy works best for you.

Union organizer John Pérez became California's first openly-gay assembly speaker by unanimous vote in the Democratic Caucus. Pérez, who represents the 46th district which includes Los Angeles, will be formally sworn in in January.

"It's obviously an incredibly moving experience to have the unanimous support of my colleagues," Pérez said, "I think it says more about California than it does about me - it means that California is a place where everybody has a seat at the table, that we're a state where everybody brings forward their contributions."

More at LGBT POV

The death penalty and life imprisonment will be dropped from Uganda's "anti-homosexuality" bill in as little as two weeks, according to Minister for Ethics and Integrity James Nsaba Buturo. Instead, offenders will be directed to ex-gay camps in what appears to be a political compromise on human rights.

International Pressure
The announcement comes after international outcry over the bill, including condemnation from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and threats from the Swedish government to drop aid to the country if it should pass.

All In The Family
The hostile strike against gays by President Yoweri kaguta Museveni is a curious national priority given that, despite growth, Uganda remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Ugandans earn half of the Sub-Saharan African average income at about $5 USD a day. Museveni, however, does have strong ties with The Family, a Christian fundamentalist group with it's own strong support inside of the US legislature. Eighty-four percent of Uganda's population (2002) are Christian.

No Compromise
Dropping the death penalty is a step in the human direction, but the issue itself shouldn't be up for compromise. An open assault against the gays of Uganda is a clear signal that the focus of the nation remains on divisive marginalization instead of national growth. The bill should stand in no form, not in bargain version.

More at PinkNews

Dear Mona Lisa:
A few months back I met a wonderful and good-looking man while out celebrating my birthday.

We went on our second date two weeks after the first. We had an even better time and ended up spending the entire weekend at his place.

The first two dates were in his town an hour away, but it has been three weekends.

He has been working weekends and his work is tiring. He said in one conversation that when things slow down when the weather gets bad I will see him so much that I will get tired of him. Before I fall too far, should I be worried? - J.M.

My gay:
In this economy, you can't be too careful about your coins (money, that is). He's self-employed with a seasonal business, which means he needs to hustle before he can flow into a relationship. Chances are, you shocked him. Would could have been a one time date turned into a potential relationship. Now he has to balance both, but right now he's got bills to pay... More after the jump

What should have been celebration of out talent at the 2009 Out Music Awards was outsung by a poorly executed show. From malfunctioning microphones to missing nomination lists, the OMA's fell short of their hopeful Grammy flavor. General murmurs described the production as unorganized, lacking structure... a mess.

Have I given up on Out Music yet?
Not quite. While I'd suggest the organizers DVR and study an award show or two, the performers themselves and the people behind the music represent an overlooked collection of out talent that is too often labeled before aired or distributed. That was the purpose of the OMA's and despite the show's execution (literally and figuratively), our out talent continues to break into industries that haven't exactly raised open hands.

I'll announce the winners as soon as an official list becomes available. Until then, I'd recommend checking out some of the great artists you've been missing.

Are us gays only friendly with other gays? A survey conducted by Rainbow Family Holidays found that more than half of the gays and lesbians questioned preferred the company of other gay families when on vacation.

The survey only asks about preferred company on gay family adventures, but what about the single ladies?

Whose company do you prefer: only other gays, a mixed crowd, straight people, or all?

There are advantages to every option: There's can be more comfort and openness in a gay crowd, but more variety in a mixed or straight setting. Tell us what you like about hanging out with your crews.

The number of homeless youths far surpass available beds, even for one night. And for homeless youth, seeking refuge in adult shelters is as unsettling as living on the streets. Service organizations like the Ali Forney Center (AFC) in New York City were established to provide shelter, health assistance and transitional housing for LGBT youth.

With a $200,000 gift from the Episcopal Community Services of Long Island, under the umbrella of Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, AFC was able to create an additional 16-bed shelter at the Church of St. Andrew's in Astoria, Queens.

In October, the late Bea Arthur also gifted $300,000 to AFC. Both contributions came just as the organization experienced a $450,000 budget shortfall due to the economic dip.

A 2007 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and National Coalition for the Homeless study estimated that nearly 40 percent of the 1.6 million homeless American youth identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. More at NYTimes.com