Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first American wounded in the war in Iraq, speaks to the media in front of over 3200 American flags on the National Mall, Friday, November 30, 2007. Volunteers for the event, called “12,000 Flags for 12,000 Patriots,” initially placed at least three times as many flags the prior night before the number was reduced in order to make the display more manageable in the wind. The tribute is hosted by the Human Rights Campaign, Servicemembers United, Log Cabin Republicans, Liberty Education Forum, and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

posted by Joe on Friday, November 30, 2007.

Transgender activists and supporters protest HRC for not encouraging members of Congress to vote against a non-transgender-inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) at the Human Rights Campaign Annual National Dinner, Saturday, October 6, 2007, held in the Washington D.C. Convention Center. At right, Transgender activist Angela Brightfeather, national vice-president and co-founder of the Transgendered American Veterans Association.

HRC President Joe Solmonese speaks at the Human Rights Campaign Annual National Dinner, Saturday, October 6, 2007, held in the Washington D.C. Convention Center.

Rebecca Romijn, Michael Urie, HRC President Joe Solmonese, WNBA Mystics owner Sheila Crump Johnson, style guru Tim Gunn, WNBA star Sheryl Swoops, and Matthew Broderick prior to the Human Rights Campaign Annual National Dinner, Saturday, October 6, 2007, held in the Washington D.C. Convention Center.

Matthew Broderick accepts the Ally for Equality Award during the Human Rights Campaign Annual National Dinner, Saturday, October 6, 2007, held in the Washington D.C. Convention Center.

(Left Photo) David Anderton (L) of San Francisco, CA, and Brandon Leonard of Washington, DC, dance during the Human Rights Campaign Annual National Dinner, Saturday, October 6, 2007, held in the Washington D.C. Convention Center. The two are engaged to be married Spring 2008.

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My recent photo of Mike Rogers is being published by Der Spiegel, a German news magazine in an article about his blogging about closeted anti-gay politicians. Rogers has recently said he will restrict his reporting to only people in elected positions and will no longer report on staffers.

(L) Former U.S. Army Sergeant Bleu Copas sitting on the lap of “The L Word” acress Marlee Matlin prior to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network 15th Annual Dinner, held Saturday, March 24, 2007, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

(R) U.S. Army Brigadier General Pat Foote (ret.) listens while the song “Someday” by The Celtic Woman is played during the dinner. Some lyrics from the song are: “Someday, when we are wiser / When the world’s older / When we have learned / I pray someday we may yet / Live to live and let live”

Creator Ilene Chaiken and cast members from the Showtime series “The L Word” accept the Randy Shilts Visibility Award on behalf of the show at the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network 15th Annual Dinner, held Saturday, March 24, 2007, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit Cook v Gates challenging the U.S. military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. From left: former U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Derek Sparks, former U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Stacy Vasquez, former U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin Peacock, former U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant David Hall, former U.S. Army Specialist Thomas Cook, former U.S. Army Private Megan Dresch, and former U.S. Air Force Cadet Jack Glover.

For detailed reportage on the event, visit Pam’s House Blend

Sunday, January 14, 2007 – Sgt. Brett Parson, who is leaving his position as commander of the Washington Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit, unveils to the crowd at the Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather Contest a pair of pink handcuffs, which he intends to use through his career as a symbol of his time with the unit.

Judy Shepard talking with HRC supporters, Joe Solmonese speaks at the Tenth Annual HRC National Dinner, a silhouette during the sponsor montage

Martha Wash performs, Billie Jean King was awarded the National Equality Award

HRC Board Member Bruce Bastian presents a check for $1,000,000 in matching donations, Silent auction items

Reichen Lehmkuhl and Lance Bass before the Tenth Annual HRC National Dinner, Nemesis performs

Sandra Patterson of Silver Spring, MD, and Julie Caccamise of Washington, DC, dance at the Tenth Annual HRC National Dinner

HRC Board Member and matching donor Bruce Bastian (left), Imagine her surprise when out of nowhere someone gave this HRC supporter his silent-auction win, a huge cholcolate bar!

Washington DC Convention Center art and architecture