Welcome to a new column summing up what we at 365gay.com think is the week’s most important/interesting news of the past week.  Jon Mallow, my co-host on The Gay Agenda video blog, will be alternating in this space every other week.

We welcome your tips – email them to me at jennifer.vanasco@logostaff.com – and add your comments below.

Gay story of the week: Three people were charged in the gang rape of a lesbian near San Francisco.

The woman was attacked in December after getting out of her car, which sported a rainbow sticker.  She was raped multiple times and left naked inside of an abandoned building.

Humberto Hernandez Salvador, 31, and Josue Gonzalez, 21, were charged with kidnapping, carjacking and gang rape – Salvador was also accused of participating in a hate crime, which would increase his sentence if he is convicted.

This is a horrible hate crime – like the Matthew Shepard murder, we know this could happen to any one of us – and only one example of the trend of increasing violence against LGBT people. It is a strong reminder that when we are fighting for our civil rights, we are fighting for our lives, safety and dignity.

Most overhyped story of the week: Lisa Hazirijan, the lesbian and Western Case Reserve professor who was invited on Obama’s whistle stop train tour from Philadelphia to DC.

Lisa Hazirijan

Personally, I’d rather have a gay cabinet member, if the President-elect is going to throw us a bone.

Interesting fact of the week: NYU and Hunter College researchers say that knowing a gay person doesn’t mean someone will vote for gay rights.

The best predictors of how someone will vote on gay issues?

What party they belong to, whether they identify as liberal or conservative, whether or not they were born before World War II and whether they go to church at least once a week.

Hero of the week: Florida state senator Nan Rich.

Sen. Nan Rich

Sen. Rich submitted a bill which would overturn Florida’s ban on the adoption of children by gays and lesbians. It won’t pass, but it’s an issue worth fighting for.

Villain of the week: The economy.

Because political leaders are using it as the scapegoat for not pressing harder on passing gay rights bills this year.

Scare of the week: Eleven gay bars in Seattle were sent a threatening letter containing the poison ricin.

Though some suspect they may have been sent by a gay person.

Non-gay story gays should care about: Whether Roland Burris will get seated in the US Senate, in Obama’s seat.

Roland Burris

Why? Because Burris is a friend to the gay community. He’s against gay marriage (as is Obama), but supports ENDA, hate crimes legislation, and an end to the military ban.

This week’s rumor: We hear that after some heavy politicking, gay marriage will be on the agenda for the New York State legislature in 2010.

Jennifer Vanasco is editor in chief of 365gay.com. Email tips to jennifer.vanasco@logostaff.com. Follow 365gay on Twitter at twitter.com/365gay