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Benjamin Franklin: Writer, inventor,

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www.GayPeoplesChronicle.com November 4, 2011 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

statesman, friend to gays

by Victoria A. Brownworth

NATIONAL GAY HISTORY PROJECT

There is no more fascinating character among the Founding Fathers than Benjamin Franklin. An intellectual powerhouse credited with an extraordinary number of inventions and writings, he also was one of the three most pivotal players in the solidifying of the new colonial government, along with George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Historian Walter Isaacson, author of the definitive biography of Franklin, described him as "the most accomplished American of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become."

It was Franklin who edited the Declaration of Independence as Jefferson wrote it, making significant changes, which altered the course of history. (For example, Jefferson had originally written "we hold these truths to be Sacred," but Franklin altered that to read "self-evident" because, he argued with Jefferson, the new democracy could not be predicated on the old divine right of kings, like the monarchy they had just won freedom from. Thus "self-evident"-coming from the people, not "sacred," coming via a kingly conduit to God.)

Franklin was also a states-

man, having been speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly and president of Pennsylvania-a position equivalent to governor, today.

continued on page 11

Benjamin Franklin in London, painted by David Martin in 1767.

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World AIDS Day

is December 1, 2011

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the discovery of the virus and the resulting pandemic.

The Gay People's Chronicle is publishing the annual World AIDS Day issue on November 18.

Advertise your business, service, community group, or events that revolve around World AIDS Day.

Contact David at 440-986-0051 or debbert@chronohio.com for more info, or to reserve your ad space in this very special issue.

We are also seeking editorial submissions from non-profit organizations that deal directly with those affected by HIV/AIDS. Editorial submissions or questions may be emailed to editor@chronohio.com.

Advertising Deadline: November 11, 2011 Editorial Deadline is November 9, 2011