Here are a few highlights from the surfeit of political news and analysis this week:
- David Cicilline (D-RI) became the fourth openly gay member of Congress, joining Barney Frank (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Jared Polis (D-CO), who each also won reelection.
- Lisa Keen writes about the more than 100 other openly gay candidates who won races across the country.
- Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), sponsor of a measure to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” lost his campaign. Chris Geidner looks at what this means for the future of DADT.
- The three Iowa judges up for reelection who had ruled in favor of marriage equality all lost their races. Sterling Wong at 365gay.com looks at what the new composition of the Iowa legislature might mean for the chances of keeping marriage equality in the state.
- Chris Johnson takes a broad look at what the election results mean for LGBT rights.
- Jessica and Rachel K. at Autostraddle get right to the point and ask “So, How F*cked Are We, Exactly?“
Around the world:
- LGBT activist Clare Dimyon was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by the U.K.’s Prince Charles for “services to promoting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Central and Eastern Europe.”
- Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi said it’s “better to like pretty women than be gay.” No comment.
The Italian people are probably beginning to have enough of him soon. He’s in danger of starting to become ridiculous.