CNN examines LGBT issues in the latest "Uncovering America"

CNN.com is currently offering a look at LGBT America, with reports on gay issues and struggles from a number of perspectives. Some of the highlights include a page summarizing the current Presidential candidates' stance on same-sex marriage, a gallery looking at highlights in gay representation in entertainment as well as a map that gives a state-by-state view of each state's hate crime and legal view of same-sex marriage.

The site is also asking for viewers to send in videos, e-mails and photos on a variety of queer topics such as coming out, acceptance and community. Viewer submissions will be posted to the website and also air during CNN Newsroom segments.

The news network is also giving some very detailed coverage to gay issues tomorrow. American Morning will look at the battle between Janet Jenkins and Lisa Miller, a former couple who entered into a Civil Union in Vermont and conceived a child using artificial insemination. After the two broke up, Miller retreated to Virginia, became involved with a conservative church, declared herself heterosexual and tried to deny her ex-wife access to their child. (I remember learning about this case in an essay claiming this as an example of how gay marriage was weakening "traditional" marriage... because, uhm, well the writer just said it was.)

The Situation Room looks at how anti-gay marriage initiatives have been used to manipulate elections. Can we get one of those wonderfully curmudgeonly rants from Jack Cafferty with that?

Paula Zahn Now, meanwhile, will take a look at Trinidad, Colorado, which has been dubbed "the sex change capitol of the world," profiling a transsexual doctor who performs five operations each week. Later, the program will take some time to talk with representatives of the ex-gay movement. Having cringed at Zahn's panel moderation abilities in the past, I think I'll take a pass here.

Afterwards, Anderson Cooper 360 also looks at ex-gays. From the sounds of it, this report takes a broader look at the topic with a variety of guests representing different perspectives. In addition to an ex-gay representative, the program will talk with a former ex-gay who does not believe in the program as well as the family of a gay teen who is reluctantly participating in an ex-gay program.

Just last night the site ran a balanced article on gay adoption under the "Uncovering America: Fighting for Acceptance" banner that also hit the site's main page. If it's an indication of the quality of the coverage to come, we're in for some thoughtful and visibility-boosting discussions.