Israeli parliament to get first gay member

The Israeli Knesset will swear in its first gay member when it reconvenes next month, the Ha'aretz Daily reports. Uzi Even, a chemistry professor and member of the Meretz Party, will succeed current Knesset member Amnon Rubinstein, 70, who is retiring after 25 years in the parliament. "My joining the Knesset would be a very important step for every gay," Even said. "The message is you no longer have to be ashamed. You can even be elected to the Knesset."