The second annual Out & Equal LGBT Executive Forum drew about 30 high-ranking corporate leaders from across the country and Europe to discuss a wide range of topics, including expanding their executive leadership capacities and corporate equality.

Longtime equality advocate Damon Romine will be exiting his post as Director of Entertainment Media at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) following this weekend's GLAAD Media Awards in New York City. Romine will join Screen Actors Guild (SAG) as its Director of Communications.

Today the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs reviews the nomination of John Berry to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management, or OPM. Berry, if confirmed, would face an urgent human capital crisis, with almost half of the federal workforce reaching retirement age in the next 10 years. He could use a number of much-needed reforms at OPM to attract and retain skilled employees, but the Center for American Progress hopes that Congress will give him an essential tool in this effort by passing the Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act. Berry would become the highest-ranking openly gay official in any administration, and his support for the act could significantly improve the federal workplace for lesbian, gay, and bisexual employees.

While responding to questions from journalists about my characterization of Justice Antonin Scalia as a homophobe, I realized that the fact that I made that comment in conjunction with a potential lawsuit about the Defense of Marriage Act created some confusion as to my basis for that characterization.

No one likes to think about times of personal crisis such as illness, accidents, or even death. But such planning is essential for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals and couples, whose basic civil rights, depending on state legislation, can be severely restricted.

Congress recently enacted legislation providing a tax credit worth up to $8,000 for first-time homebuyers. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in taxes, so if a buyer gets the $8,000 perk and the amount they owe in taxes to the IRS happens to equal $8,000 they do not have to pay the IRS a penny.

CarePatrol assists families in locating Assisted Living and In-Home Care Options in their area. We help you create your network of healthcare providers and every time one of your clients uses one of their services, you get a handsome commission.

The Douglas Blasdell Outreach Program (DBOP), a community program which formed two years ago after the untimely passing of Bravo Television's "Workout" Celebrity, has helped bring a GLBT focus to an already diverse program under the Los Angeles City College Foundation (LACCF). Los Angeles City College (LACC) serves a vital role in Los Angeles, offering an open door to twenty thousand students each year; serving to help those that then wish to transfer, pursue a vocational education, or just come back for a new skill.

April 27-May 3, 2009 Equality Forum

April 29-30, 2009 The Gay & Lesbian Market Symposium

May 28-30, 2009 2009 NGLCC National Business & Leadership Conference: Out For Business, Seattle

Send your GLBT Business Event listing to: info@echelonmagazine.com

Fabugo, the premier source for gay and lesbian vacation travel, is pleased to announce the full line of worldwide Fabugo products is now available to travel professionals. Gay and lesbian travelers can now save time by visiting their local travel agent leaving the research and booking of their Fabugo vacation to qualified experts.