MIAMI—Gay activists gathered Wednesday in front of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s Doral office to protest the Senate Judiciary Committee’s failure to include undocumented gay foreign nationals in a bipartisan immigration reform bill the panel approved late Tuesday.

MIAMI — Gay activists gathered Wednesday in front of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s Doral, Fla., office to protest the Senate Judiciary Committee’s failure to include undocumented gay foreign nationals in a bipartisan immigration reform bill the panel approved late Tuesday.

(BPT) - Over the last decade, many companies have paid increasing attention to the buying power and consumer habits of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) market. But until recently, little attention has been focused on the financial experience of LGBT individuals.

The question of whether gay and lesbian people ought to be able to marry in the same manner and institution as heterosexuals is about one thing and one thing only: civil rights. No other argument is before us other than whether U.S. citizens will be granted equal protection under the law, as guaranteed in the 14th Amendment.

As a member of a loosely knit group of emailers who track the ongoing political arena, I recently posed a question to my associates concerning the public's declining approval of the Obama administration.

Our society has become extremely politically correct, and the political correctness watchdogs are everywhere making sure no one says anything to offend anyone.

Thomas Heuer stated that, when asked by a 6-year-old what the LGBT float means, the response to them should be a lie. Absolutely not!

As the Lodi Rainbow Project met on Dec. 16, we addressed the supportive and unsupportive Letters to the Editor regarding the LRP participation in the Parade of Lights. We also read their comments. This discussion shows us in the LRP that we need to work on acceptance, tolerance, equality and personal growth in the beautiful city of Lodi.

This is in response to the letter of Ms. Daniels, "How can reader explain parade float to her young granddaughter?" published Dec. 18, 2012.

In defense of Christy White's letter in regards to the Rainbow Project float in the parade, I have a question: Could someone please tell me what the letters "LGBT" stand for? And could someone then define those words for me (without any mention of sexuality)?

I was disappointed to read the letter by Christy White complaining that the "Rainbow Pride" float, sponsored by a group promoting acceptance of LGBT people, doesn't belong in the Lodi Parade of Lights. For Christy White, this somehow conflicts with her "family values."

Dear Straight Talk: I am 14 and bisexual. I’ve told only my four closest friends. They love and support me, and one of them is bisexual also. I’m not sure if I should tell my parents, but I think they would be OK with it. My two best guy friends know I’ve been acting weird lately and I don’t know if I should tell them. I feel like they don’t know me anymore. Also, my bisexual friend and I are flirting and getting closer than ever. What should I do about all this? — Sally

David Nielsen was being interviewed on Sunday by a Sacramento TV reporter about Lodi’s new Rainbow Project organization when a man disrupted the interview and shoved the TV camera away.

“It’s life, and life is messy.” — Assemblywoman Alyson Huber, about her major financial and domestic issues

Visibility, education and understanding — these were the three words that carried such weight at the first first peer group meeting in San Joaquin County for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people Saturday.

Oscar Orozco Orejel said he was lucky he was never bullied growing up, but that he had an overwhelming sense of loneliness starting at a very young age.

Pattye Nelson was a rodeo queen, she said. She rode horses, hung out with the cowboys and always could be seen in a nice pair of boots.

Oscar Orozco Orejel is a 2010 Tokay High School graduate who says he is bisexual. Saying there are more gay people in Lodi than many would think, Orejel is organizing the first peer group in San Joaquin County for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.

It remains a mystery how area schools will address a new state law that requires teachers to acknowledge contributions by gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 48 on July 14, which requires classroom instruction about contributions by gays in American history all the way from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Hanan Rashid has family members and friends who are gay. She sees how much people pick on them, calling them "queers" or making other disparaging remarks.

State Sen. Mark Leno is a high-profile Democrat from San Francisco who is passionate about equality toward all people.

Here is a list of awards presented to Galt High School graduates for 2010: