A new study by Equality Forum finds gays and lesbians voted as a block in recent mayoral elections, and their favored candidate won an unexpected victory.

The Young Democrats of America, the party’s official youth group, have elected two gay men to leadership posts. Read more at EDGE Boston.

Kanako Otsuji lost her bid for a seat in Japan’s upper house, but vowed to continue fighting for LGBT rights in the socially conservative country. “I feel we were finally able to express our feelings and turn them into votes,” she said. Otsuji was the first-ever openly LGBT candidate backed by a major party in Japan.

A former ultraconservative activist who calls himself “libertarian” has been picked to run the field operation of an out mayoral candidate in Flint, Michigan. Pridesource has the story.

Plans to study the issue of marriage rights for same-sex couples in Vermont have the state’s social conservatives ready to declare victory before the first word of testimony has been uttered. This isn’t civilized.