Japan Court Refuses To Amend Transsexual's Birth Record (Kobe, Japan) A Japanese court has refused to amend the birth records of a transsexual because prior to sex reassignment surgery she had fathered a child.

Berlin's Gay Mayor Rescues Neighbors From Fire (Berlin) Berlin's openly gay mayor, Klaus Wowereit, is being hailed a hero for sounding the alert and helping evacuate his apartment building when fire broke out on New Year's Eve. Czech Civil Partnerships Gain In Popularity (Prague) In the six months since civil partnerships became legal in the Czech Republic more than 200 gay and lesbian couples have exchanged vows Prague Radio reported on Tuesday. Gay Gov. McGreevey Hung (Trenton, New Jersey) Former New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey returned for the first time in two years to his old Statehouse office. The occasion was the hanging of his official portrait. Mass. Lawmakers Uphold Vote On Gay Marriage Ban (Boston, Massachusetts) An attempt to overturn today's vote approving a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage ended in failure late Tuesday afternoon. Ford Funeral Told Former President Opposed Episcopal Division Over Gays (Washington) The nation honored Gerald R. Ford on Tuesday in a high-powered fanfare for the common man who was summoned to the presidency in the Watergate crisis. UK Lawyers Beg Queen To Block Gay Rights Bill (London) An organization representing thousands of conservative Christian lawyers is petitioning the Queen for support in defeating legislation to protect gays and lesbians in employment, housing, and other services. Former Top General Calls For Repeal Of Gay Military Ban (Washington) General John Shalikashvili, who served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1993 through 1997, has joined the call for repeal of "Don't Ask. Don't Tell", the prohibits gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military.