A former Memphis police officer pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to Federal civil rights charges in the jailhouse beating of a transgender person, which was captured on video.

An indictment unsealed Wednesday accuses Bridges McRae, 28, of using unreasonable force by repeatedly striking Duanna Johnson with his fist and handcuffs in the intake area of the Shelby County Jail in February.

Rosie O'Donnell, who hosts a live variety special, "Rosie Live," next week for NBC, feels the economic and political climate is perfect for the revival of the variety show.

"The economy has made it so that people are staying at home more, so we're going to give people an hour to forget about their troubles," O'Donnell told reporters in a conference call Wednesday. WATCH VIDEO

Though hard to read, this is a post that must be read in remembrance of the many transgendered men, women, and children who have lost their lives around the world because of hate and intolerance...

A lesbian mother in Fresno says she was forced to resign from her position as president of the parent-teacher association at her son's Catholic school after she spoke out against banning gay marriage.

Robin McGehee, who enrolled her son Sebastian at St. Helens Catholic School, says she went to a vigil for the "No on Proposition 8" campaign last Thursday. After that, a priest from the Diocese of Fresno told her to step down because she had gone against church teachings.

The PTA's vice president, Tiffany Rodriquez, confirmed that McGehee was removed. Rodriquez herself resigned in protest of her removal. READ MORE

We have the latest facts and figures on what will happen if gays and lesbians get the right to marry...

and these numbers don't lie...

Yesterday we reported that Vermont Senator John Campbell, (D-Windsor)will be introducing a bill making gay marriage legal in Vermont in January when the Legislature reconvenes.

Today The Rutland Vermont Herald is reporting that Wednesday an angry opponent of the idea called the Statehouse to threaten him over it.

The anonymous woman threatened to blow up his house, Campbell said.