English Military Recuits Gays & Legalized Texas Hold 'Em

Britain WANTS Gays in their Military, and are actively recruiting them

Five years after Britain lifted its ban on gays in the military, the Royal Navy has begun actively encouraging them to enlist and has pledged to make life easier when they do. The navy announced Monday that it had asked Stonewall, a group that lobbies for gay rights, to help it develop better strategies for recruiting and retaining gay men and lesbians. It said, too, that one strategy may be to advertise for recruits in gay magazines and newspapers. Last year, Parliament passed the Civil Partnership Act, which gives marriage-style rights to British gays who have registered as couples. The entire military is subject to the legislation, and starting in the fall, gay couples in the military who have registered under the act will be allowed to apply for housing in quarters previously reserved for married couples.


States looking to make Poker legal

A handful of states are looking at having money-less poker games in bars and other public places. Some talk of bills that would explicitly legalize Texas Hold'em (but not other forms of poker) so long as prizes do not top $200. Two bars in Louisiana face administrative hearings where they could lose their liquor licenses for betting that poker would bring them a full house. In Texas (those jackasses), a lawyer for the state prosecutors' association contends that playing for any prize - even points to be redeemed later for T-shirts or trips - is illegal, and the attorney general is expected to issue an opinion on the matter in May.