Gay Denver Pages

Dot Gay May be on the Horizon

2011-02-08T11:07:00.000-08:00

Move over .com and make way for .gay!

...or .love, .eco, .car, .health, .radio, .ski, etc. In fact, there's a large list of all the possibilities various groups already want to see when the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) completes its tasks to implement the new Top level Domains over on the .NXT Conference site. The custom domain will also mean cities and states can have their own top level domain like .nyc or .florida. We may also see brand ones like .coke (.canon and .unicef are already listed).

What's the catch, you may ask? Having your own top level domain like this will be coming with a hefty price tag. $185,000 plus a $25,000 annual fee according to the Washington Post. Pretty big catch! Luckily, the dotGAYalliance and dotGAY will be pushing to have the .gay extension included so we may see eventually sites like hotel.gay, sports.gay, or health.gay popping up.

Unfortunately, as has happened in the past with the Bush Administration stopping the .xxx extension, the Obama administration is quietly pushing to allow countries, including the US, to veto top level domains. That then leads to the trouble that having a central domain such as .gay (or any number of potentially controversial extensions like .abortion, .aids, etc) would allow countries who aren't friendly towards a particular subject to block any domain with that extension if it was approved by the ICANN.

Confused About "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"? You're Not Alone...

2010-11-17T15:30:00.000-08:00

As one of my followers on Twitter mentioned recently, the news about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has been less than clear. He is, of course, absolutely right as it seems things are constantly going back and forth about whether it will be repealed or not (and even if it will be included in the Defense Authorization Act this year). I've been reading the stories as they appear on various news sites and have seen everything from the White House not approving any defense bill without the repeal of DADT to the lame duck congress won't be able to pass the defense bill with or without it due to the small time span.

While I won't be able to make anything clearer about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" myself as I'm not a member of congress, at least I can do some of the legwork by giving you a list of the most informative articles I've read lately to do with DADT.

While Wikipedia has its flaws in the communal editing and potential of false information being edited in by those who aren't up on their facts or are trolling, generally, it is always a good place to look for quickly updated information and source linkes. Don't Ask, Don't Tell article on Wikipedia

Advocate.com is also another source and is where most of the articles I've been reading has stemmed from. The latest one posted as of November 16, 2010 is A Midwestern DADT Repeal Effort.

Others Articles Posted Recently

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/11/yes_dadt_repeal_could_still_pa.html

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/11/mccain_is_still_on_the_wrong_s.html

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/11/the_morning_plum_131.html

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/11/on_dadt_its_imperial_presidenc.html

http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2010/11/gates-launches-investigation-of-dont-ask-dont-tell-review-leak.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=131223266

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-1114-court-gays-military-20101112,0,6155475.story

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/cindy-mccain-opposes-john-mccain-dont/story?id=12131423

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20022790-503544.html

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2010/11/17/obama-restates-commitment-on-keeping-dont-ask-in-defense-bill/

Overall, we're going to have to wait and see what comes out of the lame-duck congressional session. Taking a look through some of those links will help to piece together a semblance of where things are currently standing. If it's anything like a couple recent days though, tomorrow it may very well be a different story.

Don't Ask Don't Tell Goes to the Senate

2010-09-20T17:58:00.000-07:00

Lady Gaga, gave a message to Washington today asking for Don't Ask Don't Tell, to be repealed.

"Go home!" she screamed today in Portland, Maine at these anti-equality types.

"Equality is the prime rib of America … of what we stand for as a nation. And I don't get to enjoy the greatest cut of meat that my country has to offer. ARE YOU LISTENING?!"

Filmmaker says gays can push for equality by advocating divorce ban

2010-09-13T18:57:00.000-07:00

John Waters, the filmmaker and actor known for such movies as "Hairspray" and "Cry-Baby," has an idea for how gays and lesbians can push for marriage equality.

His suggestion at the North Louisiana Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in Shreveport? "I think we should just try to make heterosexual divorce illegal."

Waters was the celebrity guest at the festival, which honored him Sunday with a cocktail reception and two showings of his 1981 film "Polyester."

Glee in the Opening Skit of the Emmy's

2010-08-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

Jimmy Fallon and the Gleeks ran through a backstage area looking to recruit members for a regional glee club competition with a cash prize, they ran into '30 Rock''s Tina Fey, Jane Lynch (dressed as Sue Sylvester), 'Lost' star Jorge Garcia, 'The Vampire Diaries' star Nina Dobrev, 'Community' star Joel McHale and Hamm, who was practicing some sweet dance moves with his coach, Betty White.

White didn't make the cut -- and neither did Kate Gosselin, who made fun at her stiff 'Dancing With the Stars' performance.

Fallon and his makeshift crew broke out into a cover of Bruce Springsteen's 'Born to Run' wearing matching outfits (and Bruce's iconic blue jeans and t-shirt for Fallon), eventually made it to the Nokia Theater stage to finish their song live, with former Journey guitarist-turned-'American Idol' host Randy Jackson joining them onstage.

Katy Perry Shows Up at Lesbian Party

2010-08-23T19:36:00.000-07:00

Katy Perry partied the night away with lesbians as she gatecrashed an all-girl party in Australia.

Perry danced with over 400 lesbians at the bash in Melbourne after also turning up uninvited to a High School prom earlier in the night.

Party-goer Muffy Reagon told The Sun: "Katy didn't mind being recognized. She was so sweet. Girls were pretty much lining up to meet or kiss her." She continued: "I went to tongue kiss her and she said 'I won't be doing this in a few weeks after I'm married, unless of course Russell is watching!' She was just a lot of fun."

Lia Tilson, who organized the girly get-together added: "Katy proved herself to be very down to earth and gay-friendly, dancing on stage and getting up close and personal with lots of local lesbians."

Judge blocks Ariz. law that would end domestic partner GLBT state workers

2010-07-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

A federal judge has blocked Arizona from a state law that would remove domestic partner benefits for gay and lesbian state employees.

Gay and Lesbian state workers who have established relationships that meet standards set under state administration rules are to have health insurance.

On Friday U.S. District Judge John Sedwick issued a preliminary injunction that requires the state to make family health insurance available to gay and lesbian state employees,

udge John Sedwick dismissed part of a lawsuit challenging the prohibition but left another part intact, allowing the lawsuit to continue.

Appeals court judge who wrote historic gay rights opinion earns seat on Oregon Supreme Court

2010-05-24T16:08:00.001-07:00

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An appeals court judge who wrote a historic opinion extending gay and lesbian rights, has won a seat on the Oregon State Supreme Court.

Jack Landau, an Oregon Court of Appeals judge, on Tuesday defeated Allan J. Arlow, an administrative law judge with the Oregon Public Utilities Commission.

Landau had 71 percent of the votes, with 56 percent of the expected vote counted.

As an appeals court judge, Landau wrote the opinion in Tanner v. OHSU, which ruled that employers cannot discriminate against gay and lesbian couples when providing health care benefits.

The Supreme Court seat opened with the retirement of Justice W. Michael Gillette.

No anti-gay rally held at Warhill, say Williamsburg-James City County School officials

2010-04-19T15:39:00.001-07:00

JAMES CITY

— A rumored anti-gay demonstration planned for Monday at Warhill High School never occurred, Williamsburg-James City County School officials said Monday afternoon.

Warhill Principal Sharmaine Grove was notified by students and parents at the end of the day Friday of the possibility that some students might be planning a protest in response to last week's "Day of Silence" at the James City high school, Greg Davy, district spokesman. The "Day of Silence," which took place last Friday, is a national event where students, through a day-long vow of silence, bring attention to the bullying and harassment of gays and lesbians in schools.

Davy said Grove notified staff members through a memo that a silent protest might occur and stated that participating students would have the same rights as those that took part in the "Day of Silence."

Warhill staffers closely monitored students' arrival and travel to classes Monday, but "nothing out of the ordinary occurred," Davy said.

District policy requires organized rallies to be approved by W-JCC administration before anything takes place, Davy said.

"Student opinion is always welcome on W-JCC school campuses, as long as it does not infringe upon the rights of other students, is not inflammatory or illegal in any way, and does not disrupt normal class time," Davy said in a prepared statement. "Any language on clothing that would legally be considered hate speech, or advocates the use of substances illegal to minors, such as drugs and alcohol, are not allowed on school campuses."

Davy said the same guidelines are used when determining whether to approve an organized rally, in addition to what participants plan to do or say.

According to a district news release, Grove never received any formal request for a student rally. Davy said Grove "never supported the notion of an organized rally either orally or in writing."

News of the rumored protest prompted parents and community members to contact district and Warhill officials, Davy said.

"We received numerous calls today regarding a rumor that spread quickly throughout the community about an 'anti-gay rally' purported to have been planned to today at Warhill High School," Davy said. "This has definitely received a lot of attention."

James City resident Debra Hill sent a letter to Grove, the School Board and acting Superintendent Scott Burckbuchler expressing her disapproval of the alleged demonstration after hearing about it on Internet bulletin boards.

Hill said she impressed with how quickly the community reacted to news that such an event might occur.

"It's refreshing the level of response this has received," Hill said.

Filmmaker: Malaysia's 1st gay-themed movie in the works, could hit cinemas before year-end

2010-04-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia's first gay-themed movie could hit cinemas within months, its producer said, after government censors eased restrictions that have stifled the film industry here for decades.

Although the Malay-language movie won't have explicit sex or even kissing, its screening would be a huge step forward for freedom of popular media in this Muslim-majority country that many fear is coming under the influence of Islamic conservatism.

"Dalam Botol," or "In A Bottle," centers on a man whose relationship with his male partner crumbles after he undergoes sex change surgery, said Raja Azmi Raja Sulaiman, who produced the film and wrote the screenplay based on the experiences of her friend.

"We are taking a risk," Raja Azmi, a longtime movie producer, said in an interview this week. "I'm very nervous. We still don't know if the censors will allow our movie to be shown in the end."

Raja Azmi submitted a preliminary script last year to the Home Ministry's Film Censorship Board, which verbally approved it after advising her not to shoot scenes of men kissing or being in bed together.

Censors also told her to change the original title: "Anu Dalam Botol," or "Penis in a Bottle."

The film's two leads had trouble "getting loose and comfortable in the first few days," but they adjusted to their roles before filming ended earlier this year, Raja Azmi said.

"We still shot scenes of skin-to-skin intimacy, with them hugging passionately," she said. "Without that, we wouldn't be able to show how much the characters really love each other."

Censors are unlikely to permit such scenes for Malaysian audiences, who are accustomed to bland, generic comedies and romances. Censorship board officials declined to comment until Raja Azmi submits the film to them.

But Raja Azmi — who spent about 700,000 ringgit ($200,000) to make the film — said she hopes to show an uncut version at film festivals abroad.

Malaysian censors have faced criticism for trimming or banning racy movies. Banned Hollywood films include Sacha Baron Cohen's "Bruno," which the board said promoted homosexuality because it focused on a flamboyant gay fashion journalist.

The board recently revamped its rules, saying themes such as homosexuality would no longer be forbidden. However, the guidelines suggest filmmakers should rebuke behavior that is considered immoral, including gambling, consuming alcohol and being sexually promiscuous.

Raja Azmi — who counts the Oscar-winning gay-themed "Brokeback Mountain" as a favorite movie — declined to speculate on whether censors approved her script only because it depicts bad consequences for its characters.

She stressed the movie was "a nonfiction tragedy about my friend."

It is possible that even a sanitized version of "Dalam Botol" may not placate some of Malaysia's conservative Islamic religious figures, who have pushed in recent years for yoga to be banned and people to be caned for drinking alcohol.

Sodomy — even consensual — is punishable by 20 years in prison; prosecutions are rare, though the country's top opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, is currently on trial for allegedly sodomizing a male former aide in what he calls a fabricated, politically motivated charge.

WWE Chris Kanyon dies: Who was he?

2010-04-05T17:56:00.000-07:00

The professional wrestling world has been rocked by news of Chris Kanyon’s death, believed to be a suicide.

Chris Kanyon, who made headlines in 2004 when he admitted to being a gay man, was discovered in his New York apartment over the weekend and believed to have overdosed. He was 40-years-old.

Chris Kanyon fought for the World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation (renamed the WWE in 2002) from 1997-2004 under the ring name “Kanyon.” He retired in 2004.

Fox News and prowrestling.net reports Chris Kanyon suffered from bipolar disorder and told a friend Monday he was “having problems and was contemplating suicide.” His body was discovered Saturday, one day before the Easter holiday.

Multiple reports said Chris Kanyon wanted to use his homosexuality in a wrestling angle, but Vince McMahon’s company did not hire him for that role.

He competed for the WWE tag team “Alliance Invasion team.”

Orlando Sentinel

Ricky Martin - " I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man."

2010-03-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

Ricky Martin comes out on his blog...

"A few months ago I decided to write my memoirs, a project I knew was going to bring me closer to an amazing turning point in my life. From the moment I wrote the first phrase I was sure the book was the tool that was going to help me free myself from things I was carrying within me for a long time. Things that were too heavy for me to keep inside. Writing this account of my life, I got very close to my truth. And thisis something worth celebrating.

For many years, there has been only one place where I am in touch with my emotions fearlessly and that's the stage. Being on stage fills my soul in many ways, almost completely. It's my vice. The music, the lights and the roar of the audience are elements that make me feel capable of anything. This rush of adrenaline is incredibly addictive. I don't ever want to stop feeling these emotions. But it is serenity that brings me to where I'm at right now. An amazing emotional place of comprehension, reflection and enlightenment. At this moment I'm feeling the same freedom I usually feel only on stage, without a doubt, I need to share.

Many people told me: "Ricky it's not important", "it's not worth it", "all the years you've worked and everything you've built will collapse", "many people in the world are not ready to accept your truth, your reality, your nature". Because all this advice came from people who I love dearly, I decided to move on with my life not sharing with the world my entire truth. Allowing myself to be seduced by fear and insecurity became a self-fulfilling prophecy of sabotage. Today I take full responsibility for my decisions and my actions.

If someone asked me today, "Ricky, what are you afraid of?" I would answer "the blood that runs through the streets of countries at war...child slavery, terrorism...the cynicism of some people in positions of power, the misinterpretation of faith." But fear of my truth? Not at all! On the contrary, It fills me with strength and courage. This is just what I need especially now that I am the father of two beautiful boys that are so full of light and who with their outlook teach me new things every day. To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids where born with. Enough is enough. This has to change. This was not supposed to happen 5 or 10 years ago, it is supposed to happen now. Today is my day, this is my time, and this is my moment.

These years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn't even know existed.

What will happen from now on? It doesn't matter. I can only focus on what's happening to me in this moment. The word "happiness" takes on a new meaning for me as of today. It has been a very intense process. Every word that I write in this letter is born out of love, acceptance, detachment and real contentment. Writing this is a solid step towards my inner peace and vital part of my evolution.

I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am."

Va. gov counters state attorney general's advice that colleges can't bar gay discrimination

2010-03-15T18:15:00.000-07:00

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Gov. Bob McDonnell directed state agencies not to discriminate against gay people in employment practices Wednesday, essentially overriding the Virginia attorney general's advice to public colleges.

The governor issued the written directive as about 200 gay-rights activists swarmed the Capitol to protest Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli's letter last week telling public colleges they cannot prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation without specific authorization from the General Assembly.

The Virginia Human Rights Act bars discrimination based on race, gender, disability and other factors, but the legislature has repeatedly refused to add sexual orientation to the law.

Nevertheless, McDonnell's directive says state agencies cannot discriminate against gay people.

"Discrimination based on factors such as one's sexual orientation or parental status violates the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution," he wrote. For that reason, "discrimination against any class of persons without a rational basis is prohibited."

Cuccinelli had advised public colleges to rescind or change any anti-discrimination policies protecting gays. McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin said colleges now can keep their policies as long as they are "consistent with the principles of the directive."

After the governor issued his directive, Cuccinelli said in a brief written statement that he applauds McDonnell "for the tone he is setting" and that he expects state employees "to follow all state and federal anti-discrimination laws." Cuccinelli was not available for further comment, a spokesman said.

Jon Blair, chief executive officer of the gay-rights group Equality Virginia, called McDonnell's directive "a major positive step forward" but lamented that it applies only to employment and does not offer any protection to students.

McDonnell told reporters he felt compelled to issue the policy statement because of the widespread concern that followed Cuccinelli's letter.

"I felt it was necessary to make sure that every Virginian, every state employee know that we will not tolerate discrimination," he said. He said the directive "makes it absolutely clear for every manager, every Cabinet member, every employee in the executive branch that I will not tolerate discrimination on any basis in the state of Virginia."

However, the policy outlined by McDonnell leaves unchanged an executive order he issued earlier in his term pertaining to equal opportunity in all facets of state government, including employment and purchasing. That order limits protection to the classes of people included in the Virginia Human Rights act and leaves out gays, who had been included in the executive orders issued by the last two governors, both Democrats.

According to the governor's office, a directive formally states the governor's standard of conduct for the executive branch of state government. An executive order has the force of law.

"While the separation of powers doctrine precludes the Governor from changing the Virginia Human Rights Act via Executive Order, he wants to be clear that discrimination in state employment will not be tolerated," McDonnell's chief of staff, Martin L. Kent, wrote in a letter to state employees explaining the new directive.

The furor over Cuccinelli's letter has been building since it became public Friday. About 1,000 students at Richmond's Virginia Commonwealth University attended a protest rally Wednesday, and about 200 of them later marched through downtown to the Capitol to talk to legislators.

"We're not a state that needs to breed bigotry," said student Van Jones, 20, of Richmond.

Critics of Cuccinelli's letter, including members of the state's House of Delegates, have warned that colleges that rescind protections for gays could lose accreditation of certain programs, and that it could discourage businesses from locating in Virginia.

"Do you want to let Ken Cuccinelli's anti-gay crusade risk thousands of good-paying jobs in Virginia?" Del. David Englin, D-Alexandria, said on the House floor Wednesday.

The House's most outspoken social conservative, Del. Robert G. Marshall, responded with a five-minute anti-gay speech that suggested criticism of Cuccinelli was motivated by anti-Catholic bias. Marshall, R-Prince William, is a Roman Catholic, as is McDonnell.

Marshall also invoked one-time Soviet spy Whittaker Chambers — who later fingered Americans as communists during the Red Scare of the 1940s — for overcoming what Marshall called "a difficulty with homosexual attraction."
Orlando Sentinel

Army chief of staff sees 'anxiety' on how ban on openly gay personnel would be lifted

2010-03-08T17:48:00.001-08:00

FORT CARSON, Colo. (AP) — Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey said Thursday he sees anxiety in the armed services over how possible changes in the law that bans openly gay servicemen and women would be implemented.

The military must look hard at how a new policy would be put into force to alleviate those concerns, Casey said during a visit to Fort Carson, where he met with commanders and troops from two brigades preparing to deploy, one to Iraq and one to Afghanistan.

President Barack Obama wants to change the 1993 law known as "don't ask, don't tell," saying it unfairly punishes people who want to serve.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has ordered a comprehensive study on how to lift the ban without hurting the forces.

In testimony before Congress last week, Casey and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said they had serious concerns about lifting the ban with two wars raging.

Casey raised those concerns again Thursday, saying it's important to have accurate data on how soldiers and their families feel about lifting the ban and implementing a new policy.

"We've all kind of gone around and done our own informal polling, but that's not sufficient to make a judgment of this level while we're in the middle of a war," he said.

He said it's important to give everyone in the armed forces the chance to speak up without fear of retribution.

Orlando Sentinel

Lesbian couple not allowed to re-enroll child in Catholic church preschool

2010-03-08T17:44:00.000-08:00

A lesbian couple, who have attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boulder for years, has been denied the right to re-enroll their child in the church's preschool. That ruling was made by Fr. Bill Breslin last week. He told staff at the school, "It was the hardest decision I have ever made in my life."

Breslin's decision was made in accord with church policy and has upset both church members and members of Boulder's gay and lesbian community.

"We just came out to lend support to the couple and others who might want to put their child through Catholic school," said David Ensing, Chair of Boulder Pride.

"I had to lean toward my vows to the Bishop and Church in making this decision," said Breslin.

Only in Boulder would church goers walk over to the picket lines and offer coffee and donuts to those questioning the Priest's decision to ban the child from school because of the lifestyle of his guardians.

While churches are tax exempt, which means they don't have to pay property taxes, they could lose that status if they are found to promote or engage in things contrary to government policy. In this case, what could it mean for banning people over sexual orientation? That could be a question for the courts, if the couple decides challenge the decision by Fr. Breslin.

Property taxes do fund public schools, and in some cases some private schools get government funding, but even if they don't, they do enjoy tax exemptions. What some want the church to remember is that tax exemption is a privilege, not a right.

One youngster summed up things nicely for protesters when she, while holding a sign that read 'What would Jesus say?' said, "He would say let the kid go to school, even if he has two mommies or two daddies!"

No word on whether the couple will challenge the ruling by the parish priest.

Orlando Sentinel

Gay and lesbian cruise lines pitch in to help Haiti

2010-01-24T18:43:00.000-08:00

Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas cruise ship is docking in Labadee today, an unaffected port on Haiti’s north coast to deliver supplies to the earthquake-ravaged region. Currently chartered with an Atlantis Vacations cruise on board, the planned stop is part of a concerted effort by Royal Caribbean and leading LGBT cruise lines to participate in disaster relief efforts to Haiti as it struggles to recover from last week’s series of devastating quakes.

The owners of Olivia, Atlantis and RSVP announced Friday a joint effort with other prominent members of the LGBT community to raise donations for earthquake relief in Haiti.

Rich Campbell, chief executive officer of Atlantis Events which announced $15,000 in matching contributions for relief said, “Now is the time for us to lend out gay dollars to a compelling human tragedy that knows no gender or sexual orientation.”

Judy Dlugacz, President and founder of Olivia Companies, explained that many LGBT Americans have visited Haiti on gay cruise ships and that “so many of our passengers have been touched by the destruction and poverty in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country. It is important that as LGBT Americans, we come together to show our community’s solidarity and support for those living through this unimaginable disaster.”

Olivia Companies pledged an additional $7,500 and offered a limited number of free cruises to those who donate $7,500 or more to the fund. To contribute, go to http://american.redcross.org/lgbt-pub.

In addition to Atlantis and Olivia cruises, Charlie Rounds, President of RSVP cruises (a subsidiary of Atlantis), has also joined the effort.

Rounds believes people on board the cruise ships near Haiti will learn from the experience, though some have worried that relaxing in the country – even on the other side of the island – will be awkward for those vacationing.

“The people in Haiti are suffering whether we’re going out to eat in New York or whether we’re in Haiti,” said Rounds. “The other thing that’s really key is the interest we have been generating on board the ship – it affects people more because they’re there and it’s going to embed a better sense of global issues.”

365 Gay

Johnny Weir Triple Salchows His Way On To the U.S. Olympic Team

2010-01-24T18:12:00.000-08:00

With Ellen DeGeneres On Board, Is Idol Going Gay Friendly? Or Are Future Adam Lamberts Cursed?

2010-01-18T20:19:00.001-08:00

At first brush, after reading comments from American IdolSeason 5 runner-up Katharine McPhee, whose second single "Love Story" we actually didn't mind, we wondered, "Has this girl ever met Adam Lambert?" That's because she was there, in an interview with a chintzy nightlife magazine, going on about how gay Idol contestants should stay in the closet if they have any hope of advancing. And that's when we read her subsequent remarks, about how contestants should keep almost all of their personal lives locked up from the audience.

Idol, which after this season says goodbye to Simon Cowell, is the rare reality show that actually hides most of what goes on backstage and in the personal lives of contesants. In the era of Real World and Survivor, Idol helped shape the American reality singing contest marketplace, and did so by keeping the cameras rolling only during the live broadcast, letting viewers see the stage only. (Okay, rehersals with celebrity guests are also aired.) Unless a contestant's personal life winds up leaking via MySpace or YouTube (as it did with McPhee and Lambert), there is never much personal information released outside Idol's very, very carefully manicured image making. That's why we knew through the show that Idol winner Kris Allen was married, but not that Adam Lambert had a boyfriend (that, we learned on MySpace.)

So when McPhee says to NightTimez magazine (via) that, despite Ellen DeGeneres joining the show, Idol isn't about to become the most gay friendly environment, she also argues it's not the most friendly environment for any personal details that might distract fans from the singing. Revealing your sexuality on the show is "a tricky thing I can only compare to someone who's really spiritual or religious: You don’t need to wear your religion on your sleeve. The competition is not about your faith or your sexuality but about you as an artist." She adds: "Look, I think everyone knew Adam Lambert was gay. I don’t feel it was a big surprise, and I think Adam did the right thing by coming out with that Rolling Stone cover. He was just as flamboyant on the show as he is now, but anytime you say too much about your personal stuff, it can hinder you in the competition. If people saw the pictures of me being crazy in college with my gay friends and my girlfriends, they’d probably think differently of me on the show. So it’s a fine line you have to follow on a reality show competition when all of America is voting."

It's not about being the gay one on the show. It's about being the anythingone on the show, where any personal allegiance or identity can be a liability. McPhee's argument: Sing your songs, and let your talent stand for itself, and don't go confusing the voting audience with your personal life. Choose your American Idol, then, based on who's the best singer, not who's overshared on the Internet.

Queerty

Lady Gaga on Oprah Part #3

2010-01-18T19:54:00.001-08:00

Lady Gaga on Oprah Part #2

2010-01-18T19:53:00.001-08:00

Lady Gaga on Oprah Part #1

2010-01-18T19:51:00.000-08:00

We're Cheering for These Gay Nashville Weight Watchers

2010-01-03T17:43:00.000-08:00

Excuse us as we fall in love with the two-year-old Nashville Weight Watchers gay and lesbian group that's already lost some 2,664 pounds among its 17-ish members, for an average 78-pound weight loss per person, per year. Wow. For 2010, they're launching a new 10-week plan, and they're looking for a dozen new members. It's like The Biggest Loser, without the television cameras or that cuuuuute Bob Harper (and militant Jillian Michaels). New Year's resolutions, particularly of the fitness variety, are so much easier when you work on it with others. And with continued discrimination in health care, it's as important as ever for us LGBTs stay healthy. Good luck, Nashville, and let us know how much weight drops in the new year!
Queerty

Eminem Censors Himself for the Gays

2009-12-28T20:07:00.000-08:00

Rapper Eminem, known for his homophobic lyrics, has agreed to tone down his lyrics for upcoming tour dates in the U.K.

The organization OutRage! announced a plan to protest summer 2010 concerts, but now Eminem and the group have come to an agreement that the rapper would not use homophobic language in his shows.

Wireless Festival spokesman David Allison said that Eminem agreed to sign a document, stating that he would not use the language. In exchange, there would be no protests at the show.

“We have a condition that he does not use lyrics that encourage or incite hatred against gay people," Allison said, according to the U.K. newspaper The Evening Standard. "He is free to express his views on gay people, as long as he stays off the violence and hatred. He has got plenty of other lyrics to choose from. In recent years he has become quite well-behaved.”

The Wireless Festival is slated for London's Hyde Park in July.

Advocate

Tom Ford swaps fashion for film with ‘Single Man’

2009-12-28T19:28:00.000-08:00

Fashion designer Tom Ford has made a seamless transition to filmmaker with “A Single Man,” the soulful, immaculately styled story of a grieving college professor in 1960s California. The ultra-confident Ford never doubted his abilities – though he admits plenty of other people did.

”It’s funny, because everyone was so supportive,” Ford said. “And now that I’ve made the film, quite a few people have said to me, ‘Isn’t it nice you did that when everyone was laughing at you?’”

They’re not laughing now.

”A Single Man” has earned strong reviews – it opens widely across North America on Christmas Day – and last week received Golden Globe nominations for its score and the performances of Julianne Moore and Colin Firth.

Firth won the best-actor prize at the Venice Film Festival for his performance as George Falconer, a gay Englishman in Los Angeles mourning the death of his longtime lover in a car accident.

Ford – who directed, co-wrote and co-produced the film – has been praised for his subtle adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s novel, which recounts a day in George’s life through seemingly unfilmable interior monologue.

The film adds a dash of plot and gallons of visual flair.

Unable to see a future without his partner Jim (Matthew Goode), George resolves to end it all. He gets a gun and starts to set his affairs in order.

Along the way he encounters his best friend, Charley (Julianne Moore, sporting a wardrobe to die for), and Kenny (Nicholas Hoult, all grown up since he played the boy in “About a Boy”), a young student who takes a slightly stalkerish interest in George.

It’s all remarkably assured, but then the Texas-born Ford has never lacked ambition. Now 48, he transformed luxury brand Gucci in the 1990s before founding his own Tom Ford label. Filmmaking seemed like a small step.

“I’ve just never let the thought of failure stop me when there was something I felt that I wanted to do,” he said. “I wanted to make a film. And I want to make another, and another, and another.”

“A Single Man” is the work of a film fanatic, a love letter to cinema. George’s monochrome life bursts into Technicolor when he makes contact with other people. Ford includes visual salutes to directors from Alfred Hitchcock to Pedro Almodovar to Wong Kar-wai. Even “The Wizard of Oz” gets a reference. These are not the acts of a director afraid to be compared to his idols.

The movie’s stylish surface offers all you would expect from a fashionista’s film: precise period detail, handsome actors and gorgeous outfits that capture the early 1960s in all their sartorial glory, from pin-sharp suits to pink mohair sweaters.

“I don’t know how to help myself,” laughed Ford, who despite a jetlag-inducing round of international openings is impeccably tailored, from his crisp shirt cuffs to his neat suit jacket.

“People said to me afterwards, ‘Everyone’s so beautiful.’ And I thought, ‘They are?’ It wasn’t anything that occurred to me.

“It’s kind of enhanced reality. You’re seeing the world through the eyes of a man who thinks he’s leaving, and everything becomes hyper-beautiful to him.”

Ford insists, however, that he did not put style over substance. Many reviewers have been surprised by the film’s restraint, the unflashy way it depicts an intelligent, ironic, emotionally reserved man consumed by grief. It’s a tribute to Firth, who gives the performance of his career, but also to Ford.

Ford says that, when he chose the project, “believe it or not, I didn’t care about the style. It’s layered on to support the characters. But when looking for the right project it was the story, something worth telling. That’s what attracted me.”

“I had to figure out what my voice was as a filmmaker. I knew what I stood for as a fashion designer, but let’s be real: Who needs to see a Tom Ford film? Who cares? What did I have to say?”

What the film seems to say is: embrace the moment and enjoy the beauty around you.

Like the late Isherwood – best known for writing the stories of 1930s Berlin that inspired the musical “Cabaret” – Ford has an interest in philosophy and spirituality. The film approvingly cites Aldous Huxley’s maxim, “Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him.”

“It is a very spiritual book,” Ford said. “It’s about a guy who can’t see his future. It is all about living in the present.”

Despite the film’s warm reception, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. The openly gay Ford has taken some flak for advertising the film with a poster featuring Firth and Moore – implying, in some eyes, a heterosexual theme.

Ford says the poster is “marketing 101: you have your two biggest stars and they give great performances, who are you going to put on the poster to get people to go see it?”

He’s less happy about having to cut the trailer to remove a male-male kiss – fine in Europe, but classified in the U.S. as “adult sexual content” that would limit the circumstances in which it could be seen.

He agreed to the cut – marketing won out again – but says the classification is “totally absurd.”

Overall, though, Ford is enjoying this new career.

He says filmmaking is “the closest thing to God we get to be.”

“I created that universe: it’s forever sealed in that little bubble. A hundred years from now, all the actors will be dead, I’ll be dead – but you’ll still be able to pop it in and laugh, cry, smile. It will be alive. It’s just amazing.”

365Gay

Where Was Anderson Cooper At His Boyfriend's Bar's Hanukkah Party?

2009-12-21T05:41:00.000-08:00

The 4-Year-Old Cross-Dressing Boy Who Got Drunk and Stole His Neighbors Gifts

2009-12-21T05:24:00.000-08:00

The Thanksgiving Family's Savage Murder Suspect Is 'Effeminate' and Hits Gay Bars

2009-12-13T14:52:00.000-08:00

How to find one of America's most-wanted killers? Oh, just look for his "effeminate" qualities. Because that's how the U.S. Marshals are describing Paul Merhige, who's believed to have murdered his twin sisters (one of which was pregnant), 6-year-old cousin, and 79-year-old aunt in a shooting ramapage over the Thanksgiving holiday.

The APB on Merhige — who's been added to the 15 Most Wanted list — notes the suspect might be "homosexual and/or effeminate and may frequent homosexual establishments." Also, he supposedly fakes his OCD, so be on the look out for a man who must flip his hair four times in a row before doing two pirouettes.

Allegedly killing him family north of Miami over "ongoing resentment," Merhige — who bought four guns in the month leading up to the shooting — also injured his brother-in-law and another guest at a gathering, which he actually left before returning with murder on the mind.

He remains on the lam, and might be using the names Paul Mariage, Carlo Rabisi or Michael Manis. Neither of which sound very faggy.
Queerty

Adam Lambert on The View

2009-12-10T19:18:00.000-08:00

The NY Couple Who Want Their Marriage Annuled (Because It's Unconstitutional)

2009-12-07T05:56:00.000-08:00

While Sacramento's John Marcotte's attempt to put a ban on divorce on the voter ballot next year is an admirable mockery of the right-wing's opposition to gay marriage in California, one New York couple is seeking a different tactic: Rachel Murch D'Olimpio and Matthew D'Olimpio, both 29 and with an infant son together, want their marriage annulled, because their own union is a violation of the Constitution because gays cannot also get hitched.

It's always hard to tell just how serious folks are when they pull stunts like these, but Brooklyn's D'Olimpios are, at the very least, showing how ridiculous it is to deny gay marriage rights, particularly in the wake of this week's legislative defeat in the state. And they appear to actually be exploring how this could all pan out legally. (Facebook group here.)

So why get an annulment instead of a divorce? Because annulments are reserved for deleting marriages that are, supposedly, never legal (or consummated) in the first place. The D'Olimpios argue that by not extending marriage rights to gays, existing marriage laws violate a constitutional right to equal protection, and is thus invalid. Notes Emma Ruby-Sachs:

Legally, their approach has some promise. Contracts freely entered into can be deemed void if they contravene public policy. There is an argument — one that has been successful in Iowa and California — that giving marriage rights to straight couples and not same-sex couples violates the right to equal protection of the laws. This is not new reasoning.

However, usually the courts require the applying individual to prove that they are, in some way, being denied equal protection of the laws of the state. Rachel and Matthew are fully protected. It's their friends and fellow New York residents who are being denied their rights.

But striking down a contract for being contrary to public policy provides more flexibility than the strict constitutional analysis courts have previously engaged in on this matter. Courts can assert, in some cases, that acts are contrary to public policy simply because they create any effect on society as a whole that is undesirable. For example, contracts promoting the sale of babies are considered contrary to public policy. While offending the moral character of many, selling infants may not actually cause concrete harm (this is, in fact, an argument put forward by famed legal scholar Justice Richard Posner).

New York's courts may choose to use the annulment challenge as an opportunity to hear evidence on the social harm marriage discrimination causes for the entire state — gay and straight residents alike. There are plenty of arguments to support this assertion. Inequality breeds social division and resentment. Children of same-sex couples denied marriage rights suffer psychological harm. Residents in same-sex committed relationships arbitrarily bear greater tax burdens. The list goes on.

Is a New York court going to strike down existing marriage laws based on their case? Highly doubtful. But we're excited to see yet another case make its way through the courts proving marriage is not always about religious beliefs or procreation, but merely a legal contract between two people.

Meanwhile, notes Matt in a statement:

Never before have I been so ashamed of my state or to be a New Yorker. For me, New York is the only place I feel truly comfortable calling home, and one of the many reasons for that is how progressive, diverse and accepting the people of this great state are towards each other and how our state constitution protects so many more of our rights than nearly any other state. While the failure of the bill to pass wasn't a complete surprise, obviously, or our actions wouldn't have been necessary to begin with, I was surprised with how many Democrats voted against it. Only 24 voted for it, which in my opinion is a disgrace. Our Senator, Ms. Montgommery voted for it, and gave a kind speech in support of it, along with several moving and eloquent speeches in favor of it. As I listened to these Senators speak, like Senator Liz Krueger, explaining their positions with passion, explaining its connection to civil rights, referring to the vote as part of a movement, really gave me a feeling of hope that this bill may very well pass. Especially considering that the voices against really used nothing more than their tired arguments about the historical or "traditional"
definition of marriage being defended, but without really explaining why it needed defending, and without regard for how drastically society has changed in the last several thousand years.

So now, we have our work cut out for us. We're currently in contact with several lawyers who have offered, to various degrees, pro-bono assistance with helping us figure out exactly how to file our annulment in court, especially in matters of jurisdiction, and precisely how to word our request to maximize its effectiveness and avoid any quick defeat on a technicality.

Once we have dedicated legal counsel, we'll proceed as fast as we can to filing our annulment and will be asking the members of our group, which has nearly doubled since 9am today, to join us at the court when and where we file.

It's always the time to be on the right side of history. In the meantime I will be posting links to all the Democratic Senators who voted no, followed by the Republicans that includes their contact information, and a brief bio of their record, encouraging our members to write to them about how they feel. I will also be contacting the heads of the Democratic party in their areas, along with the state, explaining to them how our group feels, how fast we're growing and how we won't stand for the Democratic party being so disloyal to itself and to the people it claims to represent. All the Republicans were once again able to stand together, while the Democrats split, and split big. We have only just begun our fight. And we won't stop until all couples, gay or straight, will be able to marry in New York. As far as we're concerned, our marriage in the eyes of the state died today and won't revive until same-sex marriage is legalized here.

Is Rick Warren Silent on Uganda's Gay Murder Bill Because He Supports It?

2009-11-30T05:51:00.000-08:00

Why is it so hard for Rick Warren, the president's favorite pastor to rankle the gays, to disavow the proposed legislation that would make gay sex punishable by death in Uganda? For a man so devoted to Jesus's compassion, Warren certainly has a ridiculous double standard when it comes to where and to whom that compassion is devoted.

Warren's involvement with Uganda's anti-gay bill stems from his relationship with Martin Ssempa, the Ugandan pastor backing the legislation. While Warren publicly stated he severed all ties with Ssempa, it's no secret the pastor found welcome arms at Warren's Saddleback Church.

And yet, Warren — who laughably claims things like never being against gay marriage — refuses to denounce an utterly deplorable bill led by a possibly-former associate.

"The fundamental dignity of every person, our right to be free, and the freedom to make moral choices are gifts endowed by God, our creator," says Warren in a statement. "However, it is not my personal calling as a pastor in America to comment or interfere in the political process of other nations."

That's quite amusing, given Warren's new found appreciation for all things non-America. Lately, he's focused heavily on China; he told an audience earlier this month that "last Sunday there were more Christians who went to church in China than all of Europe combined." And like the crusaders before him, it sounds like Warren would be quite at home spreading what he thinks is god's message beyond America's borders; he's made plenty of in-roads to bring Anglican churches in America into the fold of Africa's anti-gay clerics, as his visits to Uganda are more akin to one-man campaigns to encourage divisiveness.

On Meet The Press, Warren declared it not to be his job to interfere "with the political process of other nations." But this is not about the laws of other nations.

This is about basic protections for human life. If a foreign lawmaker were calling for Christians to be executed, Warren would be there, leading the opposition. But when it comes to gay men and women, who, Warren supposedly does not wish ill, he's not just remained painfully silent, he has, be fault, endorsed genocide against gay Ugandans.

Queerty

Adam Lambert on "Soaked"

2009-11-29T15:25:00.000-08:00

Lady Gaga on Jay Leno

2009-11-24T20:57:00.001-08:00

Window Media's South Florida Blade + 411 Will Survive! (Sort Of)

2009-11-21T20:07:00.000-08:00

Window Media's collapse led to the Washington Blade's staff creating the just-launched D.C. Agenda. But what about Window's Florida publications, 411 Magazine and the South Florida Blade? Those, too, will continue! Under new names, of course.

Because the federal Small Business Administration (which absorbed Window overseer Avalon Equity Partners) owns Window's intellectual property (i.e. the brand names of the publications), any effort to continue the publications' missions requires new names, brands, and fancy logos. That's because SBA, despite having offers on the table for its properties, declared Window bankrupt and closed its papers unannounced.

That left the bland-sounding company Multimedia Platforms, which was in negotiations to buy the South Florida Blade and 411 from SBA/Window, in a lurch. So instead of carrying on with those two titles, Multimedia Platforms is starting its own stand-ins under the umbrella its website Mark's List: 411 will become Mark's List Magazine, and the Blade — currently headed by former Queerty editor and Real World alum Dan Renzi — will become an as-yet-untitled biweekly paper. And Renzi says both publications will be helmed by "most of the writers, designers and photographers from the old publications," reports Lisa Rab.

Renzi, meanwhile, blogs in a post titled "I'm Still Employed" that he "blame[s] corporate mismanagement" for Window's demise. Hey, that sounds familiar!

So what's life like without corporate overseers? Just lovely, says Renzi.

My division's employees just moved to new offices and got to work, same as usual, making our gay magic. It made things easier, actually. Although it was a touch stressful showing up to our old office to be greeted by our (former) Vice President crying in front of our locked doors.

Now those Vice Presidents are lamenting the loss of the company, sending out wailing press releases saying Gay Press Is Dead. Well, no, it's not. Corporate excess is dead. I'm in my new office, with my sparkling new computer, proofreading editorials and dealing with my bizniss. Some of the papers in our company, including Washington Blade and Southern Voice, seem to be gone for now. But they will come back too.

(NB: So far, we've yet to hear about a resurrection of Window's Atlanta-based David magazine, which shuttered among the rest of the closures. Have you?)
Queerty

10-Year-Old Who Refuses to Say 'Pledge of Allegiance' Until Gays Have Full Equality

2009-11-17T19:18:00.000-08:00

South Park Not As Sorry Over 'Fag' Episode As GLAAD Would Hope

2009-11-11T18:55:00.000-08:00

Nope, South Park and Comedy Central won't be apologizing for last week's fag-filled episode, despite GLAAD's demand they do so. Because South Park is a television show that traffics in stereotypes and bigotry — to point out how ridiculous they are, rather than endorse them — and believes its viewers to be smart enough to recognize its M.O. Which means rather than a "We're sorry," they issued this statement: "South Park is famous for tackling controversial subject matter in thoughtful and hilarious ways. This particular episode of the show has been both criticized and applauded within the gay and lesbian community. With all of that in mind, we will let this South Park episode speak for itself."

Oooh, but did you read between the lines there? They said the ep was "both criticized and applauded within the gay and lesbian community," which is basically akin to saying, "You are not the entire gay community, GLAAD!" Bitch. Slap!
Queerty

Gay leaders blame TV ads, Obama for same-sex marriage loss in Maine; conservatives rejoice

2009-11-09T06:12:00.000-08:00

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stunned and angry, national gay rights leaders Wednesday blamed scare-mongering ads — and President Barack Obama's lack of engagement — for a bitter election setback in Maine that could alter the dynamics for both sides in the gay-marriage debate.

Conservatives, in contrast, celebrated Maine voters' rejection of a law that would have allowed gay couples to wed, depicting it as a warning shot that should deter politicians in other states from pushing for same-sex marriage.

"Every time the citizens have voted on marriage, they have always sided with natural marriage," said Mathew Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based Christian legal group. "Maine dramatically illustrates the will of the people, and politicians should wake up and listen."

Gay activists were frustrated that Obama, who insists he staunchly supports their overall civil rights agenda, didn't speak out forcefully in defense of Maine's marriage law before Tuesday's referendum. The law was repealed in a vote of 53 percent to 47 percent.

"President Obama missed an opportunity to state his position against these discriminatory attacks with the clarity and moral imperative that would have helped in this close fight," said Evan Wolfson of the national advocacy group Freedom to Marry. "The anti-gay forces are throwing millions of dollars into various unsubtle ads aimed at scaring people, so subtle statements from the White House are not enough."

The White House, asked about the criticism, had no immediate comment.

The marriage debate is simmering in at least a half-dozen states where a same-sex marriage bill is pending or where a court ruling or existing law is being eyed by conservatives for possible challenge.

Had Maine's law been upheld by voters, it would have become the sixth state to legalize gay marriage — and the first to affirm it by popular vote. In Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Iowa, gay marriage resulted from court decisions or legislation.

California is sure to be a major battleground over the next several years. Last year, conservatives succeeded in winning public approval of Proposition 8, which overturned a state court ruling allowing gay marriage. Gay rights groups want to take the issue back to the voters but are divided on a timetable.

In the aftermath of the Maine vote, some California activists appealed to their supporters for money to help them put a measure on the 2010 ballot. Other activist leaders want to wait until 2012.

"It's never too early to go back to right a fundamental wrong," said Chaz Lowe of Yes! on Equality, who favors shooting for 2010. "A lot of people are angry, a lot of people are upset. It at least has the potential to be a mobilization for the grass roots."

Some California activists said the outcome in Maine strengthened their belief that it will fall to the U.S. Supreme Court — not the voters — to make gay marriage legal. A federal lawsuit challenging Prop. 8 is scheduled to go to trial in January, the first step in a legal journey that is expected to reach the high court in a few years.

"The results in Maine underscore exactly why we are challenging California's same-sex marriage ban," said Chad Griffin, president of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, the Los Angeles group spearheading the lawsuit. "The U.S. Constitution guarantees equal rights to every American, and when those rights are violated, it is the role of our courts to protect us, regardless of what the polls say."

The situation elsewhere:

— In New Jersey, the election Tuesday of Republican Chris Christie as governor puts extra pressure on gay rights supporters to win passage of a pending same-sex marriage bill before the legislative session ends in January. Christie says he would veto such a bill, while lame-duck Gov. Jon Corzine, a Democrat, says he would sign it.

— In Iowa, where the state Supreme Court legalized gay marriage last April, conservatives have no quick way to overturn the ruling. Their only option would be to amend the state constitution through a ballot measure — in 2014 at the earliest — and that effort would need approval from a legislature whose current Democratic leaders don't even want to debate the issue.

— In New Hampshire, conservatives have filed legislation to repeal the state's new gay-marriage law and amend the constitution to ban such unions. Kevin Smith, executive director of the conservative Cornerstone Policy Research, said he doubts the measures will pass, but hopes the vote in Maine will give gay-marriage opponents ammunition for the 2010 elections.

"It gives us more fodder to go back to people and say, 'Look, they aren't letting you vote on it,'" Smith said.

— In Washington, D.C., conservatives are trying to force a popular vote on a bill headed toward City Council approval that would legalize gay marriage. Michael Crawford, one of the leaders of the local pro-gay marriage campaign, said the result in Maine increased his determination to avoid a ballot measure.

"The same cabal of anti-gay groups who stripped away marriage equality from our families in California and Maine now have their sights on D.C.," he said.

Crawford was among numerous gay rights leaders complaining about the campaign tactics of the groups that opposed same-sex marriage in Maine and California.

In both states, California-based political strategist Frank Schubert oversaw an advertising campaign warning that "homosexual marriage" would be taught in public schools.

The campaign to defend gay marriage countered that Maine's state curriculum guidelines contain no reference to marriage, and the state's Democratic attorney general, Janet Mills, issued an opinion backing that up. But the ads continued.

"It is infuriating to see that the same fear-mongering ads that were used to pass Prop. 8 a year ago have triumphed again at the expense of so many," said Joe Solmonese of the Human Rights Campaign, the largest national gay rights group.

Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, came away with a different message.

"Over and over again, the American people have affirmed marriage at the ballot box and turned aside the demands of a movement that remains largely driven by Hollywood, some extreme activists and a few activist judges," he said. "We hope the message sent by Maine's voters will be heard in Washington and state capitals around the nation."
Orlando Sentinel

Kansas High School Students Excited to See Westboro Star In Rent

2009-10-25T15:08:00.000-07:00

Remember all the wrangling it took to get administrators at Orange County's Corona Del Mar High School to let students stage Rent? And how, when they finally did, America's leading comedy troupe
Westboro Baptist picked the thing? Well another high school, this time in Kansas, is putting on Rent — which deals with gays and AIDS and lighting candles — and guess who plans to show up?

Westboro!

The drama club at Shawnee Mission North High School will be performing Rent this week, but first it'll have to say hello to Fred Phelps & Co., their Kansas neighbors.

Jeez, if you want to see it that bad, Westboro, we're sure there are still tickets available.

Queerty

Census Waiting Another 10 Years to Count Married Gay Couples?

2009-10-25T14:05:00.000-07:00

Weren't we supposed to be celebrating our inclusion in the 2010 census? Too bad. You're going to have to wait another 10 years.

Citing the scattered state-by-state legality of same-sex marriage, the U.S. Census Bureau will not count married gays as, uh, "married"; they will be listed as "unmarried partners." Their gayness, however, will be counted in another way: Same-sex household coupling data will be recorded, and made available, on a state-by-state level.

How come? Changing the counting method revealed "a wildly inflated number could be produced if the number of heads of household who said they lived with another adult of the same sex, and described that person as a husband or wife, were only counted. Some couples in civil unions or domestic partnerships, or who live as spouses in states where gay couples have no spousal rights, have tended in past surveys to identify themselves as husbands or wives anyway, according to [Gary Gates, a University of California, Los Angeles demographer who has been advising the bureau on gay issues]."

And no matter how much quibbling, 2010's methodology is "set in stone," according to Tim Olsen, assistant chief of the bureau's field division.

Now if we're reading the excuses correctly, Census officials are afraid of overcounting the gays?

The annual American Community Survey the bureau produced for 2008, for example, had 150,000 married same-sex couples spread across every U.S. state, even though only two states — Massachusetts and for a 5-month period, California — allowed same-sex marriages. Gates estimates there are probably no more than 35,000 legally married gay couples in the country now.

This is no small matter. Census data is used in everything from deciding where to put voter polling outposts to how much cash the government hands out to certain projects. Going another 10 years without an official count of America's married gays will only reinforce their invisibility.
Queerty

NY top court weighs challenge to gay marriage benefits for state and county workers

2009-10-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A Christian legal group seeking to stop New York agencies from recognizing same-sex marriages performed outside the state argued in the state's highest court Tuesday that the practice amounts to a policy decision that requires approval by lawmakers.

Attorney Brian Raum told state Court of Appeals judges that a law their court upheld three years ago defines marriage as between one man and one woman, based on "well established public policies linking marriage in New York to procreation and the welfare of children."

Raum's group — the Alliance Defense Fund of Scottsdale, Ariz. — is representing New York plaintiffs who are challenging state and county benefits for spouses of same-sex couples married in Canada or states where those marriages are legal.

The state has exceptions for marriages performed elsewhere that are considered abhorrent in New York, including incest and polygamy. Raum argued that same-sex marriage should be regarded as another exception.

He acknowledged when questioned by judges that a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New York recently passed the state Assembly. He also acknowledged that the law defining marriage is a century old, and some more recent statutes protect gays in New York from discrimination.

"Broad recognition of out-of-state marriages is the law here," Judge Susan Read said during Tuesday's hearing. "It's been the law for a long time."

New York's Department of Civil Service extended benefits to legally married same-sex spouses of state and local government workers in 2007. Westchester County also authorized benefits.

Lower courts upheld the benefits, though the midlevel appeals court split over the reasons why. Three justices cited New York's recognition of legal marriages elsewhere, while two others noted the department's narrower authority to determine which public workers are entitled to health coverage.

Attorney Susan Sommer, representing two same-sex couples, said the court should back the broader interpretation "to bring certainty and stability to families."

Judge Eugene Pigott Jr. questioned whether it wasn't just a question of semantics and opponents would still have a problem if the benefits were simply granted to dependents, as recognized by department officials, who included same-sex spouses.

Judge Robert Smith questioned whether the court would be establishing a basis for discriminating against New Yorkers at home, where they can't legally marry. "Is it fair to say we don't allow same-sex marriages, but if you get a bus ticket we do?"

The seven judges are expected to rule on the matter next month.
Orlando Sentinel

National Equality March Rally: Staceyann Chin speaks

2009-10-13T12:37:00.000-07:00

Judy Shepard Speaks At Gay Rights Rally In Washington, DC

2009-10-11T22:18:00.000-07:00

The Drag Queens These 2 Men Attacked Just Happened to Be Cage Fighters. Ouch

2009-10-07T08:45:00.000-07:00

Don't you hate it when you think you're picking on a bunch of cross-dressing fags and they turn out to be kickass cage fighters dressing in drag for a night out? Dean Gardener and Jason Fender certainly do.

That's because the pair, after spotting two men wearing wigs, heels and skirts, thought it would be funny to confront them and start throwing punches. Bad move, gents! Because those puffs were actually well-trained ass kickers.

A security camera caught the fight in South Wales, which was shown in court, and includes excellent shots of the cage fighters kicking the crap out of Gardener and Fender. Fun!

The duo (whose attorney blames their drinking, natch) were sentenced to electronic monitoring, a curfew, and four months of community service. And, hopefully, this life lesson: While it's their bad luck they actually targeted cage fighters, drag queens in general aren't worth messing with. Those girls will cut you.
Queerty

Catholic Church Appreciates Some Miracles, Just Not This Teacher's Sex Change

2009-10-02T08:29:00.001-07:00

"The teaching of the Catholic Church is that persons cannot change their gender," say the the Greater St. Albert Catholic school board in Alberta, Canada, which did not elaborate on the church's findings about clownfish. It's a response to substitute teacher Jan Buterman's claim she was banned from working with the schools after announcing she was changing her gender. "One's gender is considered what God created us to be," Greater St. Albert says in a letter to Buterman, who filed a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission. "Since you made a personal choice to change your gender, which is contrary to Catholic teachings, we have had to remove you from the substitute teacher list." Ya know what? If Jesus can walk on water and turn water to wine, we're pretty sure god is just fine with other miracles, like turning a penis into a vagina. 'Cause really, that's some shit.

Queerty

A Reasonable Debate on Jamaica's Queerphobia Starts With the Bible

2009-10-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

The Jamaican newspaper Jamaica Gleaner is normally home to rants about those jerkoffs in the United States who have a problem with the island nation's celebrated culture of homophobia, and defenses from locals about Jamaica's right to Christian-inspired gay hate. But herewith, an about-face from the rag!

Any conversation about homophobia and Jamaica must include a footnote about where it comes from: the faithful. Most anti-gay sentiment begins with the church. Which makes Gleaner contributor's Keith Noel argument for tolerance all the more wondrous, since it leads off with some scripture.

The theoretical basis for our homophobia lies in our Old Testament attitudes. We believe that the Bible has made it quite clear that any and all forms of homosexual relationships are sinful and its perpetrators should either be expelled from our churches or should be counselled and prayed for.

The logic is that this behaviour, being terribly sinful, is 'of the devil' - the creator and instigator of all that is sinful. So in the churches that are more demanding of their members there are cries for the expulsion of persons who are found guilty of this behaviour. In churches where the tone is less stringent and more nurturing, the consensus would be for the priest (and whoever else in the church is qualified to do so) to counsel the guilty persons and for the church to pray for them, exhorting God Almighty to drive this demon of unnatural lust from their souls.

This, from a man who "long believed that all forms of homosexual behaviour was unnatural. It was 'easy' for me to think thus because I have always been repulsed by the idea of homosexual lovemaking. However, I considered myself quite liberal as I was one of those who advocated treating homosexuality like all other sins (including gambling, lust, lying and fornication) and so accepted gays simply as fellow sinners and prayed for them."

So what's changed for Noel? Well, Caster Semenya, who for all intents and purposes is intersex. And, apparently, she's a good enough reason to find new conclusions about queers.

So the recent flurry of comments about Caster Semenya, the South African athlete, has interesting reverberations for us. We hear in the news that the IAAF will not penalise her because she did not cheat. She had lived her life as a woman and believed herself to be one. She had taken no hormones, no operations, nothing to give her masculine characteristics. Yet the reports are that she is not entirely female. These scientific studies are forcing many to realise that there is a masculine-feminine continuum and that some persons fall closer to the centre in this continuum.

[...] These persons, according to all the scientific evidence, are not sinful, corrupt 'weirdos', but persons who, at birth, (like Ms Semanya) had only some of the organs of the gender to which they belonged and, internally, had some of the organs of the other.

All of this seems to challenge an aspect of our Adam/Eve theory. If physically, persons are not placed so firmly and definitely in one gender by the Maker, what about psychologically? Does it not follow that some persons could, quite naturally (i.e. because of how they were born) find themselves attracted to persons who belong to the same gender? Or is it heresy to consider this?

Who would have thought it would take a South African track star and international athletics scandal to ignite a conversation in Jamaica that maybe, possibly, there's a remote chance they've been wrong all along to target LGBTs?

(Caster, meanwhile, was just handed £1,600 from strip club Teazers for that awful billboard ad they created, and then defended.)

Queerty

The American Library Assocation's Week-Long Crusade to Promote Gay Agenda

2009-09-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

The American Library Association is basically a front group for liberals, we've ascertained. How else to explain why they're spending this whole week "celebrating" Banned Books Week
, bringing attention to America's most hated books that PTA associations and conservative action organizations routinely nominate to be burned in the public square. Usual suspects include To Kill a Mockingbird, Harry Potter anything, The Color Purple, and The Kite Runner. All of these tomes, you see, are responsible for increasing this nation's healthcare costs by hiking the blood pressure of right-wingers. Don't you understand how complicated an issue this is? Focus on the Family does!

"Every year, the ALA and other liberal groups use this trumped-up event to intimidate and basically silence concerned parents," says Candi Cushman, FOTF's education analyst, who has obviously seen this awesome map. "The truth is, parents have every right and responsibility to object to their kids receiving sexually explicit and pro-gay literature without their permission, especially in a school setting."

Keep in mind, FOTF doesn't recommend banning books. They just want concerned citizens to donate to their library books that represent conservative, Christian values. Hey, maybe Kirk Cameron has an extra copy of Origins lying around that you could donate?
Queerty

It's Back to Go-Go Dancing For Shane 'Single Ladies' Mercado

2009-09-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

Dolce and Gabbana Stopped Supporting the Gays. Time to Stop Supporting D&G?

2009-09-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

As the employees of a company that survives on companies willing to spend money on gay media, we can understand the frustration with certain marketers who turn their backs on LGBTs for no apparent reason. Especially those who once were writing checks to our kind, and then suddenly stopped, thinking they could get gay love without spending on an ad campaign. Like Dolce & Gabbana.

The Italian designers were once big spenders in gay media, and their homoerotic ad campaigns found a place among us when other magazines turned their backs. But as Out's Aaron Hicklin complains, D&G is no longer a paying client: "I would say Diesel owes a lot of its early success to gay men, as does Prada Sport. Also American Apparel T-shirts, Volkswagen, and the entire Bravo network. And, at the risk of making us sound utterly status-obsessed, you can add just about any premium vodka brand. Then there's the odd case of Dolce & Gabbana, a brand that has a big gay fan base but no longer reciprocates by advertising in gay media. I don't know if it's because they take the gay market for granted, but given the homoerotic imagery of their campaigns, and often positive gay messaging, it seems like a big missed opportunity."

Indeed. But from their perspective, why pay for something you can get for free? Sure, they won't get two-page glossy spreads in Out without paying for it, and fashion stylists might choose another label's belt or slacks for a photo shoot (knowing D&G isn't supporting their publication), but it's not like D&G is suffering gay love.

The gays still fawn over their bags, jeans, shirts, and suits. They don't spend with Queerty, and yet we give Stefano and Domenico plenty of free press. We give their models free press. Hell, we even give their advertising free press.

We rationalize like so: These are two mainstream gay designers — fashion celebrities — and thus they deserve our coverage. Would we appreciate it if they helped fund our paychecks? Yes.

Two years ago, D&G was marketing its watch line with homoerotic storylines (in addition to straight ones). Its print ads are still filled with plenty of nude male models and sexuality criss-crossing. But now those ads appear in more tolerant, high-brown fashion books, rather than more accessible, gay-targeted rags.

But their support of gay media? Diminishing. Adds Hicklin: "Italians do seem to have a deeply conflicted relationship to homosexuality that goes back to classical Rome. We actually sent a writer, Michael Joseph Gross, to Italy some years back to write that very piece. But, still, Domenico and Stefano used to advertise in Out, and even appeared on the cover some years ago, so their retreat from gay media is disappointing."

We've previously discussed whether an advertiser's support of the gay community — through advertising, or even pride parade sponsorship — makes a difference in your support of their brands. But what about a company like D&G that used to fund the very type of gay media you're reading right now, but has since opted to abandon it. Is that a brand still worth supporting?
Queerty

He Was Attacked By a 'Model' He Met Online. Because He's a 'Faggot'

2009-09-16T07:09:00.000-07:00

Just a week after this, comes this: Canadian modeling agent Brandon Wright's brutal attack at the hands of someone he met online.

After meeting a man in person who called himself Alex, purportedly looking for representation, Wright got into the man's truck to, uh, look at something Alex wanted to show him. Then Alex delivered the line, "Because you’re gay you need to be punished. I’m going to fucking kill you and you’re a faggot," before beating him with a heavy object while the car was moving and repeating "I’m going to fucking kill you faggot." Wright jumped out of the moving truck, and bystanders — including, uh, "this thug guy" — helped. Wright headed to the hospital, was treated, and released.

Terrible stuff. But here's what we learn: If you need to meet anonymous strangers from the web, do it in a public place (which Wright did). Do not get into their cars (which Wright did). And absolutely tell at least one friend where you're going, with whom, and when you're returning. Maybe even promise to call your friend at a certain time, and if that call doesn't come, they know something is wrong.

Oh, and save your chat transcripts and photos. They'll help police find your assailant.
Queerty

Elton John Wants to Adopt Ukrainian Toddler

2009-09-14T19:33:00.000-07:00

Kathy Griffin Spoofs Kate Gosselin!

2009-09-10T21:59:00.000-07:00

Men's Vogue Refused to Run a Gay Ad. But Which Straight Style Mags Do?

2009-09-09T11:43:00.000-07:00

When glossy magazine publisher Conde Nast launched Men's Vogue in 2005, the running joke was: How are they going to find enough sauve straight guys to put on the cover 12 times a year? After all, there are only so many George Clooneys. But then there were Will Smiths, Roger Federers, and Hugh Jackmans, and they made fine coverboys. That didn't save the magazine, which is basically dead (okay, it's still running twice a year). And neither did its refusal to recognize that, hey, gay men might actually read this thing.

But why appeal to them? Well, then-Men's Vogue publisher William Li opted not to. Photographer Juergen Teller says this Marc Jacobs ad, featuring his friends and real life couple Dick Page and James Gibbs, was refused by the magazine. Says Teller, describing the controversies involving his Jacobs ad campaign shoots:

The Dakota ones caused nothing, and they are pretty hard-core. They are on the border of being too much, even for me. I don’t remember hearing much about it, but if there was any controversy it was very under the radar. Funnily enough the most complaints were about the series with Dick Page and James Gibbs because they are a gay couple. Men’s Vogue even refused to publish it. Dick is a very close friend of mine and I’ve known him for 20 years — he’s been part of the Marc family for 20 years. And I like the idea of having a gay couple in a men’s ad because it makes sense. And I wanted the ads to be like they are — very romantic, tender and sweet. I certainly didn’t want to have anything provocative, not at all. The only other controversy that comes to mind also involved Vogue — the women’s one — over an ad of a clothed Cindy Sherman and me in which I am grabbing her breasts. That caused a stir. Go figure.

But let's not put all the blame on Men's Vogue: We can't recall the last time we saw an obviously gay ad in, say, GQ, which is headed by homo Jim Nelson. Or Details, which is stuffed with homoerotic advertising but not homosexual advertising, and is essentially a magazine for gay men who don't know what to think about other gay men.

Then again, we've stopped reading these magazines, because we discovered something called The Internet. But maybe you folks are still reading rags like Esquire and Details — magazines targeted at the well-off, sophisticated and stylish male, who could as easily be gay as he is straight. If so, you know better than us. So please, flip through those ad pages, and correct us. Are any "straight" men's style/culture/fashion magazines (read: not V Man) running explicitly gay advertising? Name 'em, and the advertisers, so we can applaud their commercial exploitation of our greatest insecurity: fear of not being accepted by the cool kids.

Queerty

Anticipation for Glee

2009-09-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

As anticipation builds for the September 9 premiere of out creator Ryan Murphy's spirited new musical comedy series Glee, an official soundtrack recording has been announced.

Columbia Records will team with Twentieth Television to release Glee: the Music, Volume 1 on November 3. The release comes on the heels of the cast's cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'," which hit number 1 on the iTunes chart after its use in the show's pilot, which was previewed on May 19 after an episode of American Idol.

The soundtrack will feature 17 tracks recorded by the cast, including Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," Queen’s "Somebody to Love," and Kanye West’s "Gold Digger."

Advocate

Harrah's Is Trying Damn Hard to Get the Gay Gambling Business. Will You Pull Their Handle?

2009-08-31T17:35:00.000-07:00

If any of you have disposable income right now, and feel like flitting it away on slot machines and craps tables, casino giant Harrah's would just love it if you spent those 20s with its gambling properties. After all, they've been doing so much for the gays lately.

Let's get this right out of the way: Harrah's Entertainment is a freakin' giant corporation. Its annual revenue is in the upper ten-figures (that's billions, BTW). It operates casinos, hotels, and other entertainment venues in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Reno, and elsewhere. And with revenue falling, you can be sure every move it makes is pure business.

And yet, or because of, Harrah's wants you gays.

The owner of Caesars Palace, Bally's, Flamingo, Harrah's, Paris, and the Rio came out swinging for the gays earlier this year when it called on Gov. Jim Gibbons to pass a civil unions bill. (He declined, but legislators overrode his veto.) You could say Harrah's was on the right side of equal rights, or more accurately, it didn't want to miss out on the wedding industry biz a law like that would ultimate provide.

Harrah's' inroads with the gays isn't new. It regularly targets the LGBT demographic. (The company is a Queerty advertiser. This post is not tied to any paid ad campaign.) As Transracial points out, it's doubling down on an East Coast effort to draw the homos to its Atlantic City properties. September's "Out in Atlantic City" is a weekend of Harrah's-sponsored gay festivities, with some 1,000 gays expected to drop in to see Amanda Lepore's breasts and Lance Bass' ass.

But the company's friendliness with the gays appears to be more than a gimmick; Harrah's provides things like health care benefits to the partners of its gay employees, something it's not required by law to do.

At a time when certain corporate behemoths continue turning their backs on LGBTs (while reaping enormous profits), might we candidly suggest it's time to start, or at least firm up, our own efforts to spend dollars with the companies who don't consider us "less than"?

Queerty

The $1 Million Barbra Streisand Garage Sale She Can't Be Happy About

2009-08-26T11:31:00.000-07:00

The singer Barbra Streisand is starting to sound a lot like Oprah, what with her focus on lady friendships. But girl is gonna need her close confidants, 'cause the gay icon is being sold out by her former boyfriend who's credited with discovering her — who's a gay.

Barry Dennen and Babs met in 1959. They were both starring in a terrible way-the-hell-off-Broadway production, and Barry heard her sing, then turned her on to Edith Pilaf, got her singing and working out those wind pipes as they moved in with each other in New York's Greenwich Village. As the story goes, Barry realized he was a big 'mo, they split, and she went on to have an enormously successful career.

Barry went on to write 1997's book My Life With Barbra: A Love Story. Now, he's looking to cash in again, auctioning off Barbra's earliest recordings and hoping to snag $1 million in the process.

The tapes include Streisand singing "A Taste of Honey" and "Two Brothers" in Dennen's apartment, with him accompanying on guitar. There's also a Sept. 17, 1960, rehearsal at the Bon Soir nightclub, where Streisand sang "Keepin' Out of Mischief Now," "A Sleepin' Bee," "I Want To Be Bad," "When Sunny Gets Blue," "Lover Come Back to Me," "Nobody's Heart" and "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?"

"I’m a little trepidations,” says Barry. “I don’t know what the fallout will be. I don’t like upsetting Barbra, and I don’t want her fans angry at me.” That's funny, because he knows what the fallout is going to be; she's already got lawyers involved to block the recordings' release, if you believe the Internet.

Amusing, Barbra is hosting her own auction of her own things, except these proceeds will go to charity — one not called the Barry Dennen Desperation Fund.
Queerty

He Was Tormented Not By Peers, But His Teachers. Guess Who the School Stands Behind?

2009-08-25T18:39:00.000-07:00

When Alex Merritt spoke up to reveal two of his own teachers made fun of him, in front of classmates, for thinking he is gay, Merritt probably didn't think he'd walk away with a $25,000 settlement from the Anoka-Hennepin School District in Minnesota. He probably also didn't think he'd have to listen to the the school district stand behind the teachers.

Last night a "standing-room only" crowd gathered at the school district's meeting, with plenty of parents outraged over the school board's decision to defend the two accused teachers (Walter Filson and Diane Cleveland), who Merritt says made jokes about his perceived sexuality and appearance during the 2007-08 school year, which left him alienated and forced to change schools.

The boy's "fence swings both ways," teacher Diane Cleveland commented during a class in the 2007-2008 school year, according to an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.

When the boy wrote a report on Ben Franklin, Cleveland allegedly said before the entire class that the boy had a "thing for older men." Another teacher, Walter Filson, said in front of other students that the boy "enjoys wearing women's clothes." When the boy decided to report on Abraham Lincoln, Filson allegedly said, "Since you like your men older …" the Human Rights report said.

But there's only so much concerned parents and a Facebook page, with 1,200 supporters, can do, apparently.

The board has so far stood behind the teachers, claiming this is an isolated incident and both teachers have an excellent record with the district. Board chairman, Michael Sullivan said the board will consider all that was said at the meeting.

"There have been specific suggestions that I would hopefully will follow up on and pursue to see if they make sense in the context of this district," he said.

Know what we have here? A school district protecting teachers who are actually harming children. The board denies the teachers violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act, but paid up anyway.

We don't have to get into the psychology of teens, especially those who don't fit strict gender norms. To our knowledge, Merritt hasn't said whether he is gay or straight, Merritt says he's straight, but that doesn't matter: Targeting a student shouldn't be tolerated by classmates, but particularly their instructors. It fosters an environment of ridicule and torment.

For Merritt's sake, we hope he is straight; he leaves for basic Army training next week.
Queerty

Go Find a Notary Public, 'Cause Domestic Partnerships Start Blowing Into Town Next Week

2009-08-20T13:56:00.001-07:00

Despite Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons vetoing a bill to grand domestic partnership rights to same-sex couples — and then admitting he violated the sanctity of his own marriage — the State Senate and Assembly told the gov where he could shove it, and overrode his veto. Which means beginning next week, the secretary of state's office will begin accepting domestic partnership applications. Register early if you want your paperwork processed by Oct. 1, when the law takes effect. The law, which some say violates Nevada's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, only grants some marriage rights while also barring discrimination against couples, straight or gay, in domestic partnerships.
Queerty

Brad Pitt's Commitment to the Gays (and Pot Smokers) Is Not an Empty Promise!

2009-08-18T20:04:00.000-07:00

Utah paper rejects same-sex wedding announcement

2009-08-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

Said policy is only to publish announcements legal under state law

A southern Utah newspaper has rejected a California gay couple's wedding announcement, saying its policy is only to publish announcements for marriages legal under Utah law.

Tyler Barrick and Spencer Young say The Spectrum in St. George initially accepted their paid wedding announcement last week, but then changed course. The couple was legally married June 17, 2008, in San Francisco. They wanted the announcement printed in Young's hometown paper ahead of a family party next week.

In an e-mail exchange with publisher Donnie Welch, Young says the marriage is as valid as other marriages and deserves equal treatment by the paper.

In a response, Welch rejects that idea and cites the paper's policy of only promoting marriages that are valid in Utah.

A message left for Welch was not immediately returned Thursday.
Washington Blade

Israeli Gay Youth Center Reopens

2009-08-05T23:06:00.000-07:00

A community center for gay youths in Tel Aviv reopened Monday, two days after it was the site of a shooting that killed two and wounded 15, reports the Haaretz newspaper.

Police continued to hunt for the masked gunman who entered the center late Saturday and fired on a support group meeting in the basement, killing counselor Nir Katz, 26, and group member Liz Trobishi, 16.

The black-clad, hooded gunman fled the gay center on Nahmani Street on foot.

Most of the wounded were reported to be minors, with four of them critically injured.

Gay Tel Aviv residents rallied Sunday to condemn the attack, which they called the worst ever against Israel’s gays.

Officials said it remained unclear whether homophobia or other factors motivated the attack.

Nitzan Horowitz, the only openly gay member of the Israeli parliament, denounced the attack as a hate crime, echoing many other leaders in the country.
Advocate

Are American Soldiers Really Executing Iraq's Gays?

2009-08-05T22:13:00.000-07:00

When gay Iraqi refugee Hussam (a pseudonym) told attendees of a fundraiser that he has photos of American soldiers torturing and executing LBGTs there, it set off a growing shitstorm of disbelief and inquiry. Especially since Hussam wouldn't turn over the photos. But that doesn't mean the U.S. military isn't looking into things.

Hussam's unseen photos caught the attention of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Command, relays the Washington Blade. Congressional gay Barney Frank is reportedly looking into the allegations as well.

Determining whether the photos exist appears to be Step One. Determining what they actually depict (read: How does one ascertain the people featured in the photos were, in fact, gay?) is also a top priority.

And without making the evidence public, or even providing the photos to military investigators, Hussam is generating his share of skeptics (including London-based advocacy organization Iraqi LGBT), especially since the claims were made during a fundraiser; what better way to generate cash to help Middle Eastern refugees than with tales of gross atrocities? But given the U.S. military's wanton ways with Iraqis before, the notion that servicemen mistreated civilians isn't outside the realm of possibilities. Executing them because they're gay, however, is a stretch.

The U.S. State Department only recently began singling out violence against Iraq's gays as something it "condemns." But while the U.S. military stands to be shamed if Hussam's allegations are true, organizations that co-sponsored the fundraiser he appeared at — including Human Rights Watch, the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission, the National LGBT Bar Association, and the Human Rights Campaign, whose headquarters hosted the event — will get slapped with a red mark for welcoming Hussam and his "over-exaggerated" allegations, and giving his version of crazy a platform, if he's been lying.
Queerty

Hawaii's $1 Million-Earning Football Coach Sorry For 'Faggot Dance' Commentary

2009-08-03T06:58:00.000-07:00

Hawaii Warriors football coach Greg McMackin — the highest paid state employee, earning $1 million a year (!) — is very sorry for saying, while speaking at a media preview for the Western Athletic Conference, opponents at Notre Dame did "this little faggot dance." He didn't mean to be so offensive in front of the news media!

The comments came yesterday, and were quickly followed up with an in-person apology — and a plea with reporters not to relay his statements. Fat chance. The Idaho Statesmen, among others, pounced on him. As they should! Now, the question begs, how far will the reaction go? All the way to forcing him to resign? 'Cause McMackin is meeting today with Hawaii athletic director Jim Donovan, and we imagine "words" will be exchanged.

MORE:

McMackin used the term “faggot” three times while explaining why Notre Dame was so fired up to play Hawaii in the game, which the Fighting Irish won 49-21.

McMackin responded to the Notre Dame clapping tradition by having his players do the ha’a, an intense Polynesian dance and chant the Warriors do before games.

McMackin said Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis got up at the banquet and told the crowd, “We do something special at Notre Dame.”

“And they get up and they do this little cheer, like this,” McMackin said Thursday, doing a rhythmic clap. “You know, this little faggot dance.”

Once McMackin saw Notre Dame’s team demonstration, he gave his players the signal — the shaka — to do their ha’a.

That's what inspired Notre Dame, the coach said.

“I screwed up. And I’ll never do this again,” he said of having his players do the dance. “… It was the best (ha’a) I’ve ever seen. I mean, they’re on their chairs, they have beads on, they’re ripping their beads off. I mean, it was a little scary. I think Notre Dame watched that and said, ‘We better have ourselves ready,’ because they really played a good game.”

McMackin made his comments in front of about a dozen reporters, most with voice recorders, and a WAC video camera. He then tried to convince reporters not to write about his comments.
Queerty

Clinton says he supports same-sex marriage

2009-07-29T12:34:00.001-07:00

WASHINGTON — Gay activists lauded former President Bill Clinton after he expressed support last week for same-sex marriage.

As first reported in The Nation, Clinton said he’s now “basically in support” of same-sex nuptials. Clinton opposed same-sex marriage when he was president and signed the federal Defense of Marriage Act into law. His comment last week marked the first time Clinton expressed direct support for same-sex marriage.

Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, welcomed the turnaround. She said Clinton “is stepping solidly into the 21st century by supporting marriage equality for same-sex couples.”

“In doing so, he joins many other public figures who have already taken this important stand for fairness and equality,” she said. “We call upon other elected officials, including President Obama, to do the same to ensure same-sex couples are no longer treated as second-class citizens in this country.”

Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, noted that “President Clinton’s support for the freedom to marry has evolved over time, and shows the power we each have when we talk about why marriage matters to the people we know and help them rise to fairness.”
http://www.washblade.com/2009/7-17/news/national/14886.cfm

Kathy Griffin on Larry King

2009-07-27T19:45:00.000-07:00

Did Baptist Newspaper Break Oath to God By Forging Governor's Signature On Anti-Gay Proclamation?

2009-07-22T21:49:00.000-07:00

So the Oklahoma-based Baptist Messenger, an 85,000-circ newsletter for god-fearing conservative religious types, accidentally violated that whole "thou shall not bear false witness" contract man made with the lord by forging the signature of Gov. Brad Henry, and the State Seal, on a ridiculous thing called the "Proclamation for Morality."

Sometimes newspapers do manage to fake their work. But the Baptist Messenger didn't just goof — it blatantly Photoshopped the gov's signature to give its anti-gay "Proclamation" that much more authority.

The newspaper has since, uh, apologized for the "oversight": "In the July 16 Messenger, the graphic representation of the Oklahoma Citizen's Proclamation for Morality was misleading, indicating that Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry and Secretary of State Susan Savage had signed the document. This is not the case, and the Messenger staff apologizes for the oversight and error."

Take it up with your creator.

Queerty

Gay Penguins Harry and Pepper Split … Over a Girl

2009-07-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

Proving gay relationships are just as susceptible to break-ups as heteros — even in the animal kingdom! — beloved gay penguin couple Harry and Pepper have gone their separate ways. The San Francisco Zoo pair, who joined up as adolescents, nested together as adults and together raised their own chick from an abandoned egg. And then entered a lady.

Maybe Harry is actually bi?

He's dropped Pepper for Linda (pictured here with Harry), a widowed penguin known for quickly shacking up with new mates after ditching partners. And, evidently, getting her new men to attack their gay ex-lovers.

Enter the recently widowed Linda, who has long had a reputation of sorts, according to Brown.

Several years ago, she left her longtime companion and moved in with much older Fig just hours after Fig’s partner passed away, Brown said.

“That was the fastest we’d ever seen penguins move on,” he said. “To be completely anthropomorphizing, Linda seems conniving. She’s got her plan. I don’t think she was wanting to be a single girl for too long.”

This year, within weeks of Fig passing away in winter, Harry was seen in Fig’s old burrow spending time with Linda, Brown said.

Then one day, Harry and Linda approached Pepper’s pen and confronted Pepper. Harry began attacking Pepper violently and the three ultimately had to be separated, Brown said.

Harry and Linda successfully nested this year and eventually Pepper was returned to the penguin exhibit from a bachelor pad at the Avian Conservation Center, where he quietly took up his old residence. Zookeepers and fans are waiting with bated breath to see what might happen next.

“That’s the big question,” Brown said. “It’s molting season in late July and early August, and around that time we see couples getting shaken up. It’ll be interesting to see if Harry spends any of that time with Pepper. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Bill O'Reilly will be thrilled.
Queerty

Sean Kennedy’s killer released from prison

2009-07-10T12:08:00.000-07:00

Stephen Andrew Moller served only one year behind bars

Stephen Andrew Moller, who was convicted in June 2008 in the death of Sean Kennedy, was released from prison early after serving one year. Witnesses testified at Moller’s trial that he used anti-gay slurs while beating Kennedy outside a Greenville, S.C., bar in May 2007. “This adds insult to injury. To release a man just one year after his sentencing in this heinous crime and to inform the victim’s mother through an automated recording is despicable,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese in a statement. “Sean Kennedy was violently attacked for no other reason than his sexual orientation. This is a text book case of why we need to pass federal legislation that would bring stiffer penalties and provide local authorities with the full resources of the U.S. Justice Department to address vicious hate crimes.” For more information about Sean Kennedy, visit www.seanslastwish.org.
Washington Blade

The Top Selling Tupperware Salesman is a Drag Queen!

2009-07-09T13:29:00.001-07:00

Thousands Gather for Pridefest

2009-06-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

DENVER - This is the 34th annual Pridefest - and it's been named one of the top 10 gay pride events in the country.

Denver Police estimate about 100,000 people celebrated the event.

And some participants say they remember a day when the parade didn't draw such large crowds.

"It keeps growing and growing," parade spectator Amanda Lewis said.

Evidence they say of acceptance.

"Some people say we won't need it anymore, because we're becoming more mainstream and accepted. But all that means is more straight people come to the party," parade spectator Megan Excell said.

Many families were in the crowd. And many in the crowd were talking about diversity, current accomplishments and future goals.

"I worked really hard to get the hate crimes statute changed in Colorado years ago. I think nationally we'll see that happen. So I really do see change coming," Denver District Attorney Mitchell Morrissey said.

9News

Advocacy group: Bias killings of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual transgender people highest since 1999

2009-06-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (AP) — The number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people killed in bias-motivated incidents increased by 28 percent in 2008 compared to a year ago, according to a national coalition of advocacy groups.

Last year's 29 killings was the highest recorded by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs since 1999, when it documented the same number of slayings, according to a report released Tuesday by the coalition.

"What we're also seeing, more disturbingly, is the increase in the severity of violence," said Sharon Stapel, executive director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project, which coordinates coalition.

Stapel theorized that at least some of last year's violence was backlash against issues that arose during the during the presidential campaign. She cited debates about same-sex marriage, the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, and federal legislation that would ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as possible flash points."The more visibility there is the more likely we're going to see backlash, and that's exactly what we see here," Stapel said.

Overall, the number of victims who reported anti-LGBT violence in 2008 increased by two percent compared to 2007, said the New York-based coalition of programs in 25 states.

Coalition officials say their figures are more accurate than those from law enforcement agencies. As an example, they say, the FBI doesn't record bias crimes against transgender people because gender identity isn't covered by federal hate-crime law.

Also, victims sometimes are reluctant to report bias incidents to police because they don't want to reveal their sexual orientation or gender identity and/or they fear bias from police, officials said.

Reports of physical abuse by police increased to 25 incidents last year from 10 in 2007, the report said.

For the new report, programs in Milwaukee, Minnesota, Chicago, Los Angeles, Colorado, Columbus, Ohio, Houston, Pennsylvania, New York City, Kansas City, Missouri, Michigan and San Francisco submitted data.

Programs in Vermont and the Boston area participated in the 2007 report but not the current one. The program in Rochester, N.Y., participated in 2008 for the first time.

The largest increase — 64 percent — was in Milwaukee, where the number of reported incidents rose to 18 in 2008 from 11 in 2007, the report said.

Officials weren't sure whether reported increases were attributable to more people reporting incidents or an actual rise.

Meighan Bentz, a victim outreach advocate at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, which includes an anti-violence project, said, "I think it's a combination."

"Certainly there are more people reporting," Bentz said, adding that the project started in 2005. "As time goes on there are more people aware of our program as a resource."

Bentz added, "I do believe there are ongoing issues of violence and its affect upon LGBT individuals. It's a vulnerable population."

Many of 2008's incidents made headlines.

In December, a man was beaten to death in New York City while he walked arm in arm with his brother as their attackers yelled anti-gay and anti-Latino epithets. Two men have been charged with murder as a hate crime.

In February 2008, 15-year-old Lawrence King was shot to death at school in Oxnard, Calif., near Malibu after enduring harassment after he told classmates he was gay; a classmate is charged as an adult in the killing, which prosecutors classified as a hate crime.

Last June, a surveillance tape was publicized showing Memphis, Tenn., police officers beating Duanna Johnson, a transgender woman, and shouting slurs in a jail booking area; a public outcry erupted.

In November, Johnson was found fatally shot on a Memphis street.
By: Associated Press

Former Mass. state senator who fought for gay marriage to head gay rights advocacy group GLAAD

2009-06-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

BOSTON (AP) — A gay former state lawmaker who fought a personal and political battle to help Massachusetts become the first state to legalize gay marriage has been appointed head of a national gay rights group.

Former Sen. Jarrett Barrios will become president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, which operates from New York and Los Angeles.

Barrios tearfully shared stories of his family during debate on a proposal that would have effectively undone a court ruling making Massachusetts the first in the nation to allow gay couples to wed.

GLAAD distinguishes itself from many other gay rights groups by focusing on how lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are presented in the media.

We're making progress toward equality, but we'll only achieve full equality if we change hearts and minds — and that's what GLAAD is all about," Barrios said in a statement. "We're working for the day when every one of us is accepted, respected and valued for the contributions we make to this country. It's an ambitious goal, but I know we can do it. I believe in our community, and I believe in our country."

Barrios, 40, is married to Democratic political strategist Doug Hattaway, a former spokesman for Vice President Al Gore. Barrios and Hattaway have two children.

Since 2007, Barrios has been president of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, which announced his move Wednesday.

By: Associated Press

Ricky Martin Almost Comes Out!

2009-06-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

Back in 2005, sometimes pop star and golden shower lover Ricky Martin told Barbara Walters, "I think that sexuality is something that each individual should deal with in their own way. And that's all I have to say about that." It certainly didn't help all that gay speculation! Four years later, it appears Martin, who's been out of the public eye for a bit, doesn't really care.

He tells Spanish-language TV Aqui magazine that "'his heart could belong to a woman or a man." Of course his publicist could always backtrack and say he was referring to his two twin baby boys (born via surrogate).

Queerty

Carrie Prejean Loses Her Crown

2009-06-10T16:34:00.001-07:00

It's official: Controversial Miss California Carrie Prejean has heard the words "you're fired" from the pageant's grand poobah, Donald Trump.

Trump issued a statement Wednesday saying he sacked Prejean for failing to honor her commitments as Miss California USA.

Pageant officials say Tami Farrell, the first runner-up to Prejean in the Miss California USA competition will take over those responsibilities.

Prejean created controversy during the Miss USA competition, where she was first runner-up, when she answered a judge's question about gay marriage by saying marriage should be reserved for men and women.

Washington Blade

The Soap Star Who Quit Over Having to Kiss Another Guy

2009-05-22T07:53:00.001-07:00

If you're still watching daytime soaps, you'll know Young & The Restless has been trying hard to introduce a gay storyline, given all the buzz As The World Turns enjoyed from Luke and Noah. And producers thought they had one with Chris Engen, who's been playing Adam Wilson since last year. That was until Engen walked off the set when the script called for him to kiss another dude.

One rumor going around is that the storyline goes against Engen's personal beliefs; he graduated from the Bishop Montgomery High School in California and is reportedly still involved there.

Engen's character has been going down a darker path (trying to have his father killed, going to prison, pretending to be blind to get out of prison). His next stunt was to become lovers with the character Rafe Torres, played by Yani Gellman. Because, you know, gays make great villains!

Reports SoapCentral.com: "Months of frustration over the direction of his storyline and lack of airtime exploded in a confrontation between Engen and the show's production team. According to sources, Engen has long felt that the writing for Adam was going in the wrong direction."

If Engen had any hope of making amends and returning to the set, it looks like he lost his chance: Reports say his replacement has already been cast (even though he's still under contract).

Queerty

Obama Had 1 Minute for Judy Shepard

2009-05-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

After an 11th hour urging of "members on both sides of the aisle" to pass the Matthew Shepard Act — in what is arguably Barack Obama's only semi-meaningful contribution to the gay community since taking office — the president met with the Shepard's mother Judy in the Oval Office to discuss the legislation, which passed the House but now sits in the Senate. So how did things go? Well, there's not much that can happen in 60 seconds. Judy tells the Advocate:
Upon arriving at the White House on Wednesday, Shepard first met with the president in the Oval Office. The meeting was short — “It was supposed to be 10 minutes, but his meeting beforehand ran long and I only had a minute or so with him,” Shepard said. But it was long enough for Obama to assure Shepard that he was still a supporter of the hate-crimes bill named in honor of her son, a gay man who was murdered in Laramie, Wyo., in 1998 at age 21.

She was then ushered to a luncheon hosted by Michelle Obama. “It was me and about 80 other people,” she said, adding that she wasn't able to speak one-on-one with the first lady.

Although she understands that many activists, like Mixner, are becoming increasingly frustrated with the White House, Shepard encourages people to be patient when it comes to LGBT legislation.

“We are victims of our own hope,” she says. “These bills are going to get passed, it’s just going to take time and work.”
Queerty

Gays + Lesbians Invited to Fund President's Party That Has No Time For You

2009-05-19T20:42:00.000-07:00

Didn't get an invite to the White House's gay-inclusive Easter Egg Roll? Then here's your chance to plop down at least $1,000 (or as much as $30,400!) for a seat at the Democratic National Committee LGBT Leadership Council dinner on June 25 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in D.C. Joe Biden will be there! And if you're lucky, Rick Warren will serve you appetizers! But sorry, the evening's program is already full, which means you'll have to wait … till sometime "down the road" … for things like marriage rights and the ability to serve openly in the military. [Queers United]

UPDATE: A letter from the DNC's openly gay treasurer Andrew Tobias half-criticizes/half-supports Obama's record on gays thus far. And yes, he still wants your money. IT'S A DOOZY, so we've posted the entire letter on the next page (which talks about Rick Warren, marriage, the lack of "signals" that Obama supports us, ), but here are some relevant bits:

It’s hard to be pleased and angry at the same time. Indeed, I think there are medications for that. And yet I think it’s what a lot of us feel these days. we’re pleased to have a President we can be proud of . . . pleased to be one Al Franken away from having at least partial control of the Senate (partial, because not all 60 will always follow orders) . . . and pleased to see our issues just one click off the WhiteHouse.gov home page for all to see ( http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/civil_rights/ ). But . . . but . . . There are a lot of buts. I’m sorry to send such a long email, but there’s a lot to be frustrated about, and those who feel it most acutely deserve a serious response.

[...] In a perfect world, the President would have parted from Senator Clinton and run in the primary supporting marriage equality. Instead, he called for full repeal of DOMA. That was his position then, that is his position now. Once achieved, it will have the effect of giving all 1,138 Federal benefits of marriage to any couple – from any state – that takes a trip to Massachusetts or anywhere else they can get legally married. That’s a very big deal. I totally get that we wish he could just turn around now, a few months after the election, and – having won – say he now favors marriage equality. Or make a statement congratulating the people of Iowa and Maine and New Hampshire – which amounts to the same thing.

[...] At some point in time I truly believe Obama will mount the bully pulpit in favor of gay marriage. But the timing is the important factor. If you read Goodwin's "Team of Rivals" you will see the our pre-eminent president on moral issues did not jump on them from the very beginning. He waited until the timing was exactly right. Timing is everything in making sure you bring about the result you want.

[...] But – in the words of Dixon Osburn, who co-founded SLDN and spent 13 years running it – “The notion that the President could do away with Don't Ask, Don't Tell with ‘a stroke of the pen’ is misleading.”

From: Andrew Tobias
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009
Subject: progress and frustration - Part Deux [long - save for later if swamped]

It’s hard to be pleased and angry at the same time. Indeed, I think there are medications for that. And yet I think it’s what a lot of us feel these days.

We’re pleased to have a President we can be proud of . . . pleased to be one Al Franken away from having at least partial control of the Senate (partial, because not all 60 will always follow orders) . . . and pleased to see our issues just one click off the WhiteHouse.gov home page for all to see ( http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/civil_rights/ ).

But . . . but . . .

There are a lot of buts.

I’m sorry to send such a long email, but there’s a lot to be frustrated about, and those who feel it most acutely deserve a serious response. Don George’s comments at the end are particularly noteworthy.

With the caveat that this is in no way an official email – I never clear these emails with anyone in advance, in hope that one day I will go SO far astray I will at last be fired and get my life back – let me try to address some of the frustration.

Before getting to MARRIAGE and the MILITARY, a quick preamble:

1. I believe Barack and Michelle Obama are truly committed to our equality. It is not their very first priority, but it is real. And that’s true, I think, of people like Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean (who, now that he is no longer DNC Chair, was able to come out full-bore for Vermont marriage) and our new DNC chair Tim Kaine — and Barney Frank, for that matter, who was the subject of tremendous community ire last year, yet who, to so many of us, is an extraordinary hero.

2. I think we’re going to make a lot of progress in the relatively near future – but I agree with those who feel that, however rapidly it comes, it is – by some measures – not soon enough. How CAN it be? We deserved fully equality from the day we were born. Our Constitution guarantees it.

3. I think we need to keep the pressure on – as in Richard Socarides’s excellent Washington Post op-ed so many have read, and in David Mixner’s comments to the press, to take just two examples – and yet at the same time show our support (as Richard and David are doing with their attendance at the June 25 dinner).

I think we should even allow ourselves to enjoy the milestones, as each one is reached, even though, in a perfect world, they would have been reached earlier.

If we get Gender Identity-inclusive Hate Crimes legislation this summer or fall, and ENDA this fall or winter, let’s not spend TOO much of our energy angry that we didn’t get them this past Spring.

We need to be impatient – and we deserve to be – and yet at the same time, we need to be supportive. The more successful this President is, the better it will be for us.

From what I’ve seen of Law & Order, Bad-Cop/Good-Cop is more effective than bad-cop alone. June 25 is about “good cop.”

4. Our President has a pretty good head for politics. The goals set out on the White House web site are real. I believe we can expect him to move in a deliberate, strategic, pragmatic way to achieve them.

Now to specifics:

RICK WARREN

This sucked. But as hurtful as that was, I believe the goal was to strengthen the President’s ability to govern. The evangelicals would get the invocation; the progressives would get the legislation. The community was absolutely right to express public dismay over Warren’s positions and statements. Indeed, our well-reasoned expressions of dismay may have opened more hearts and minds in the heartland than the Invocation closed – a plus. But even if the President’s instincts should prove to have been wrong and this tactical move does not ultimately help him achieve progressive goals, I think we should at least consider the possibility that that was his intent.

SIGNALS

There have not been enough. But let’s dismiss the ones there have been – ranging from that very public White House agenda to, as silly as it may seem, the invitation of 110 openly gay families to the Easter egg roll. That story made the national TV news. Millions of people saw that our families are deemed by this administration to be as good as any others.

Signals matter. I think we will see more of them.

PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS

We deserve more than just the couple dozen of note so far. But it’s not nothing that the head of the civil service, with jurisdiction over the treatment of millions of Federal employees, is an openly gay man. Or that the chair of the White House Council of Environmental Quality is an openly gay woman. We need to keep pushing and putting ourselves forward as candidates.

THE MILITARY

This is an issue a lot of us have worked on and invested in for a long time. Aubrey Sarvis at SLDN and Aaron Belkin and Nathaniel Frank at the Michael Palm Center are doing amazing work to repeal DA/DT. They deserve our continued strong support.

And publicly (“bad cop”) it’s fine simply to demand immediate repeal. That’s one of the things that has helped bring public support heavily our way. It is NUTS to separate outstanding servicemen like Arab linguist Dan Choi. A great many Americans get that by now, which is why we may be almost there. Congress doesn’t have to be particularly brave to do this.

But – in the words of Dixon Osburn, who co-founded SLDN and spent 13 years running it – “The notion that the President could do away with Don't Ask, Don't Tell with ‘a stroke of the pen’ is misleading.”

Here is his analysis:

<< When I led SLDN, SLDN's legal experts reviewed the question of whether a President could issue an Executive Order to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The answer is that the Supreme Court would likely have to decide the question. The Constitution grants both the President and Congress certain powers to regulate the armed forces. The Constitution empowers Congress to "raise and support armies" and empowers the President as Commander-in-Chief to nominate and promote certain personnel. The question of whether Congress or the President has plenary authority to regulate gays in the military has never been tested. A Member of Congress who supports the ban on gay service members would likely file suit to challenge the President's Executive order. A Executive Order on this matter would also raise the concern of doing an end run around a Congressionally mandated law.

Contrary to the statements that the President has the authority to end gay discharges which led to the belief that an Executive Order could overturn Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the Palm Center Report actually recommends two other actions. The Palm Center itself acknowledges in its report that ultimate repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell requires Congressional action.

First, the Palm Center concludes that the President could issue an Executive Order which precluded gay discharges under the current stop-loss program. Stop loss prevents those facing discharge because of the end of their term of enlistment from being discharged. Notably, the program does not preclude discharge, it only suspends discharge. Currently, only the Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve have in place a stop loss program. The Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard do not. The Army and its reserve components also have stop lossed only specific critical specialties such as infantry and military police, not all specialties. Secretary of Defense Roberts Gates announced in March that he intends to curtail and then cease the stop loss program beginning this summer.

Could President Bush have issued a stop loss order that suspended discharge of gay service members post 9-11? Possibly. There were gay service members during the first Persian Gulf War that served openly during the war only to be discharged after the war. The Pentagon would claim that the discharges were suspended only so long as it the service was in a position to conduct a thorough review, and that there was no intent to exempt service members from the gay ban. SLDN specifically sought guidance from the Bush Administration on whether it would extend the stop loss to cover LGB troops , and the Administration said it would not. If the President issued a service wide stop loss again, this may be an avenue to explore.

Absent a service wide stop loss, The Palm Center's recommendation would have the practical effect of (1) only delaying LGB discharges until the stop loss were lifted or the President determined that a national emergency no longer existed, unless there was a special gay stop loss program; (2) would only apply to the Army unless a special rule were created for the other services; and (3) would apply to only certain specialties, unless a special rule were to cover all gay soldiers regardless of occupational specialty. The administrative discharges against LGB service members would continue, but any decision to discharge would be held in abeyance until the stop loss were lifted.

The Palm Center also recommended that the Secretary of Defense create new rules whereby commanders would no longer make findings under Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and hence halt LGB discharges. The Secretary has authority to promulgate regulations consistent with the law. The Palm Center proposed rule would contravene the law.

There are other administrative regulations that the Administration could consider that would ameliorate Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and SLDN may at some point be prepared to recommend those actions. The primary focus for now should be marshaling Congress to enact the Military Readiness Enhancement Act and repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell outright. It is much too early to discount that strategy.

Bottom line: it is simply misleading to suggest that the President could easily end gay discharges with a stroke of the pen. The community needs to focus on building support (1) in the Senate to introduce the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, and (2) in the Pentagon and the services to minimize opposition to Congressional action. >>

I remember going to the Pentagon with Dixon and his SLDN co-founder Michelle Benecke for a tense meeting with the Undersecretary of Defense many years ago. The two of them were terrifically well prepared and tough as nails. We could not have had better advocates – and the same is true of Aubrey now.

As frustrating as it is to have to wait even one day more, I think we have to accept that, in not getting it done in his first four months in office, the President has not betrayed us. He is committed to the goal.

MARRIAGE

In a perfect world, the President would have parted from Senator Clinton and run in the primary supporting marriage equality.

Instead, he called for full repeal of DOMA. That was his position then, that is his position now.

Once achieved, it will have the effect of giving all 1,138 Federal benefits of marriage to any couple – from any state – that takes a trip to Massachusetts or anywhere else they can get legally married.

That’s a very big deal.

I totally get that we wish he could just turn around now, a few months after the election, and – having won – say he now favors marriage equality. Or make a statement congratulating the people of Iowa and Maine and New Hampshire – which amounts to the same thing.

But imagine the press conferences. And think back to how well this kind of early, highly controversial pro-gay advocacy served President Clinton.

I submit for your consideration a post on this topic from Don George, whose thoughtful contributions on LGBT donor listserves some of you may have seen in the past. On Friday, he posted this (in a thread about marriage):

<< First, let me say that you aren't going to get a president to make a major change of his position at press conference with his press secretary.

Second, we knew Obama's marriage position when we elected him.

Third, we know he is for repealing DOMA, all of DOMA.

So the correct follow up question for Jake (or any gay press) would have been (and still is):

If the President truly wants to give gays all the rights and benefits of married couples, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO GET FROM HERE TO THERE AND WHAT IS YOUR TIME LINE?

If we simply press him to do everything he promised during the campaign in a timely manner, we will be in great shape. By repealing DOMA, gay marriages will be recognized by the federal government. The rest of the marriage issue will take care of itself on a state by state basis. Marriage is really a state issue and DOMA is the main role (obstacle) the federal government plays in this battle. The other federal role (after DOMA is repealed) belongs to the Supreme Court to strike down the various state constitutional amendments against gay marriage. (Or Congress to pass federal legislation to mandate such, but that, I believe is a longer time frame.)

At some point in time I truly believe Obama will mount the bully pulpit in favor of gay marriage. But the timing is the important factor. If you read Goodwin's "Team of Rivals" you will see the our pre-eminent president on moral issues did not jump on them from the very beginning. He waited until the timing was exactly right. Timing is everything in making sure you bring about the result you want.

A good leader cannot get too far out in front of the public. Lincoln himself said that he could not have successfully issued his emancipation proclamation even six months earlier than he did. The public wasn't ready yet and it would have failed.

A good leader while simultaneously not getting too far ahead of the public, uses his office to bring the public closer to his position by educating them and leading them there. Lincoln was great at this with his speeches and letters to the nation. Hopefully Obama will start educating the public on gay issues in general and gay marriage and DADT in particular.

If a leader is too far ahead of the nation, he cannot make that change and fails.... no matter how moral that position is. (Think Bill Clinton and "Don't ask, don't tell.")

Two of Lincoln's contemporaries observed his leadership style. Leonard Swett wanted Lincoln to immediately propose a constitutional amendment abolishing slavery. Lincoln refused and replied that he could see a "time coming" for a constitutional amendment and whoever "stands in its way, will be run over by it" but that the country was not ready just yet. Swett later wrote that the secret to Lincoln's leadership was "by ignoring men, and ignoring all small causes, but by closely calculating the tendencies of events and the great forces which were producing logical results."

John Forney, a news reporter at the time, put it another way. Lincoln was "the most truly progressive man of the age, because he always moves in conjunction with propitious circumstances, not waiting to be dragged by the force of events or wasting strength in premature struggles with them."

I believe this is the way that it is with Obama and same sex marriage at the moment. Now is not quite the right moment for Obama to take up same sex marriage. It would be a premature struggle that would end as badly as Clinton's trying to lift the ban on gays in the military

But when the timing is right, I bet he will do his part grandly. Right now, we should push him to do what he promised to do.

Don George, Kardamyli, Greece >>

So there you have it. I am not challenging your frustration – I share it. But I beg you to play Good Cop as well as Bad Cop, and to help this amazing President succeed.

Since sending “part one” a few hours ago, JOAN GARRY and MARY BONAUTO have signed on to join you for dinner in Washington June 25th. My hero Joan led GLAAD for eight years. My hero Mary – of “the other GLAD” with one ‘A’ – was lead counsel on Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, the Massachusetts case that established the right of same-sex couples to marry.

Join us! It’s going to be a great dinner and we need you.

www.democrats.org/LGBTdinner

Thanks!

Andy
Queerty

Shanna Moakler Resigns from the Miss Universe Organization

2009-05-14T11:42:00.000-07:00

Score one for … integrity? After standing by as Donald Trump praised Carrie Prejean (and complimented her "modeling" shots), former Miss USA Shanna Moakler resigned her post as Miss California USA co-pageant director. http://www.blogger.com/But didn't Trump say Moakler and Prejean had reconciled after hours of closed door meetings? Sure he did! But he was standing at a podium at a press conference, homebase for spinning reality into press-friendly accounts.

If you're just tuning in, Moakler's stance on Prejean has not been one of friendliness. She criticized the Miss USA runner-up for helping the National Organization for Marriage's anti-gay cause and failing to mention those naked pictures of her.

Says Moakler of her resignation: "I cannot with a clear conscious move forward supporting and promoting the Miss Universe Organization when I no longer believe in it, or the contracts I signed committing myself as a youth. I want to be a role model for young [women] with high hopes of pageantry, but now feel it more important to be a role model for my children. I am sorry and hope I have not let any young supporters down but wish them the best of luck in fulfilling their dreams."
Queerty

Marie Osmond: 'Everybody Has a Right to Have Civil Rights'

2009-05-05T09:11:00.000-07:00

Marie Osmond, whose gay daughter was just outed by the tabloids, was initially said to be a gay marriage foe based on her Mormon beliefs. She called Los Angeles radio station KOST 103.5 to clear things up: "Everybody should have the right to share homes and finances with somebody that they care about. On those types of things, I'm very supportive. When it comes to marriage, I think that civil rights need to be for all. … One of the things that we need to be careful is that we don't create hate, because people believe certain things. And we can't make everyone become homogenized. Everybody has a right to believe what they believe. I do think everybody has a right to have civil rights. That's how I feel."
Queerty

Wal-Mart CEO Supported Arkansas Gay Adoption Ban

2009-05-04T11:55:00.000-07:00

Their prices may be low, but Wal-Mart's support of discrimination appears to be through the roof. Thanks to the site KnowThyNeighbor.org, the signers of an Arkansas petition to limit adoption only to married couples (effectively denying adoption to gays, who cannot legally marry) are now available for all to see. Well, they always were: This data is public information, and publishing it is perfectly legal (although the scourge of anti-gay advocates). But browsing Know They Neighbor, one name in particular sticks out: Mike Duke of 16 Pinnacle Drive, Rogers, Arkansas. Yep, that's the guy who Wal-Mart just named CEO on February 1.

As KTN points out, Wal-Mart says it's committed to diversity! From the perspective of the new chief of the company, which has a market cap of almost $200 billion, that means eliminating the rights of gays and lesbians in the name of traditional values!

Now what? Well, you can throw this evidence into yet another hat as reasons to boycott Wal-Mart, right next to "poor employee health care," "unfair labor practices," and "destroying local businesses." If Wal-Mart's chief executive supports such discrimination, buying lawn chairs, toilet paper, and clothes for your kids effectively puts dollars in Duke's pocket.

Though raise your hand if you're really surprised by this. The leader of the world's largest retailer supports good 'ole family values? That he donated the maximum amount toward Mike Huckabee's 2008 presidential campaign? That his wife Susan is also a supporter of the Arkansas petition?

Duke, who also sits on the board and first joined the company in 1995, is a guy who "understands retail and appreciates the complex global environment in which we operate," according to Wal-Mart chairman Rob Walton. Well, at least there's something Duke supposedly understands.

Queerty

Breaking: New Hampshire Senate OKs Gay Marriage. Will The Gov?

2009-04-29T13:43:00.000-07:00

New Hampshire's State Senate narrowly passed a gay marriage bill in a 13-11 vote — but only after an amendment was added to the legislation that prohibits polygamy and marrying family members. The bill now goes to the desk of Gov. John Lynch, who has (frighteningly?) not indicated whether he will sign or veto. If he does sign? New Hampshire will become the FIFTH STATE TO LEGALIZE GAY MARRIAGE!
Queerty

Gay Penguin Book Still #1 in Scaring Conservative Readers

2009-04-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

For the third consecutive year the 2005 book And Tango Makes Three, based on a true story about two gay male penguins at the Central Park Zoo who raise a baby girl chick together, tops the American Library Association's list of the "most frequently challenged" titles, calculated by how many complaints library patrons file against any title. Equally worth a laugh: Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (racism!), Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (sex!), and Alice Walker's The Color Purple (homos!) all dropped off from the 2008 tally, while Cecily von Ziegesar's Gossip Girl scores at No. 7.
Queerty

Rum Dump at Stonewall

2009-04-20T06:48:00.000-07:00

Boycott Jamaica activist Wayne Besen and the owners of the historic Stonewall Inn held a “Rum Dump” yesterday in protest of Jamaica’s brutal treatment of gay men. Time magazine has labeled Jamaica “The Most Homophobic Place on Earth.” The organizers called on all people who support equality and human dignity to boycott Jamaican tourism and Jamaican products such as Myer’s Rum and Red Stripe Beer. Activists called on the Jamaican Prime Minister to clearly and unequivocally condemn the violence against GLBT people and to publicly commit to end gay bashing on the island and improve the human rights situation.

World of Wonder

Angie Zapata's Colorado Hate Crime Murder Trial: First for Transgender Victim?

2009-04-14T17:52:00.000-07:00

"A landmark trial begins this week in Weld County, Colo. It is believed to be the first murder prosecution under hate-crime laws that involves a transgender victim [in Colorado?]. The case is last year's brutal killing of Angie Zapata [nee Justin], an 18-year-old transgender woman who was attacked in her Greeley apartment. The suspect in the case is charged with a number of crimes, including first-degree murder and a "bias-motivated" or hate crime. Colorado was the first state in the nation to pass a hate-crime law, in 1988." [Public News, earlier]

Queerty

American Tourist Is En Route to Jamaica

2009-04-07T11:06:00.001-07:00

With BoycottJamaica.org, American gay activists Michael Petrelis, Wayne Besen, and Jim Burroway have branded the island nation as a breeding ground of homophobia that we shouldn't support. But that doesn't mean the rest of America agrees. Here's one tourist who plans on visiting, bigotry be damned:

A letter printed in the Jamaica Gleaner:

Gay activists are targeting Jamaica because it is an easy target - plain and simple. Many US states have a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

I'm amazed at how time and time again those promoting the virtues of tolerance and diversity are the least tolerant (and the least diverse) of all.

Just recently, the gay rights group in San Francisco refused to accept the passage of Proposition 8, the traditional marriage initiative. Decisions by voters in Florida, Arizona and California to join residents of 27 other states with constitutional protections for traditional marriage have prompted threats of violence against Christians and their churches.

I think that violence against anyone is wrong, no one should have to suffer. I'm really tired of the gay community trying to silence anyone who happens to have a different (moral) opinion on things. They do this every time. It's time to stand up.

The main thing that angers me about the Jamaica boycott site is how the gay and lesbian lobby thinks it can dictate the policy and laws of another sovereign nation.

Mark my words: The gay movement is doing far more harm to its cause than good with this bullying approach. It won't work.

I can't help but believe that for every one person who joins in this wrong-headed boycott, there will be two others who will make an extra effort to support Jamaica.

Jamaica is a Christian nation. Christians are not required by faith to support anyone who supports what God has deemed immoral.

A Christian will stand by higher moral convictions by not contributing in any way, shape or form, to those who wilfully defy God's decrees, especially where morality is concerned. Jamaica simply will not compromise where the word of God is concerned.

I am coming to visit Jamaica and I am going to plan a long vacation there, and encourage all others who stand against immorality to do the same.

Neville Carnegie
United States
Queerty

No equal rights for North Dakotans

2009-04-07T09:10:00.001-07:00

Friday, the North Dakota House of Representatives voted down Senate Bill 2278 54-34, thus stopping the addition of sexual orientation and transgendered persons to the groups protected by the state's Human Rights Act from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations.

House members argued the bill down, stating that its supposed consequences were not in the best interest of the state and that there are more pressing laws North Dakota needs to worry about.

This bill was previously passed by the Senate but with the negative vote, North Dakota will become one of 30 states that still do not have laws barring discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Nearby Iowa, however, is defying the Midwestern odds by legalizing gay marriage for partners.

Iowa joins Massachusetts and Connecticut as the only states that permit gay marriage after the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously upheld a lower-court ruling that rejected a state law restricting marriage to a union between a man and a woman.

There is still some controversy surrounding the decision and opponents may try to enact residency requirements for marriage so that homosexuals across the country could not travel to Iowa and wed. However, the county attorney who defended the law said they were not going to seek a rehearing; the only course of action that could be taken would be a state constitutional amendment, which wouldn't get on the ballot until 2012.

The Dakota Student

Legislation Aims to Ban 'Gay' From School

2009-04-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - One state lawmaker does not want homosexuality brought up at all in schools.

Rep. Stacey Campfield said he believes the issue of homosexuality can be too complicated for young minds to understand. Campfield filed, the "Don't Say Gay" bill, which would essentially ban teachers from talking about the topic.

"I think our teachers need to stick with reading, writing, and arithmetic," Campfield said. "It confuses a lot of children that are already in a difficult part of life, and it's a very complex issue."

Campfield pointed to newspaper articles as examples of where homosexuality was being taught in schools, like a program in Knoxville that contains information on aids, gay and lesbian sex. He said second graders had access to the information.

"Let's take this off the table, lets not talk about this to very young children, I don't see a problem with that," Campfield said.

"I don't think its being taught as curriculum," said Chris Sanders with the Tennessee Equality Project.

Sanders said Campfield does not have enough proof that the issue is real, and calls the bill homophobic.

"If you can't mention something, that sends a signal that there is something wrong with it," Sanders said.

"Homophobic means you're afraid of something. I think its a complex issue. This bill is neutral. It doesn't say we are going to preach against it. We are not going to preach for it; we are going to leave it neutral," Campfield said.

Homophobia aside, Sanders said he believes if the bill passes it will infringe on free speech rights in the classroom.

"The problem with this bill is it would have a chilling effect on even being able to discuss the bill itself, and both sides of the bill in an 8th grade class where you are learning to write essays," Sanders said.

In the end, the education committee voted to hold off on voting on the bill Wednesday. They agreed to study the issue for another year.

News Channel 5

Gay marriage gets recognition in the dictionary

2009-03-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Same-sex marriage might not be recognized in most states, but it is in the dictionary.

Merriam-Webster included a secondary definition of marriage to recognize same-sex relationships several years before gay couples were allowed to tie the knot anywhere in the United States, but the change had gone largely unnoticed until the conservative World Net Daily news site reported it Tuesday.

"One of the nation's most prominent dictionary companies has resolved the argument over whether the term 'marriage' should apply to same-sex duos or be reserved for the institution that has held families together for millennia: by simply writing a new definition," World Net wrote in an online story published Tuesday.

In its Web and print editions, Merriam-Webster defines marriage as "the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law."

But in a nod to evolving ideas of love and English usage, the Springfield, Mass.-based company in 2003 added a secondary meaning for "marriage" as "the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage."

Merriam-Webster said in a statement Wednesday that the edited entry merely reflected the frequency with which the term "same-sex marriage" had popped up in print and become part of the general lexicon.

"Its inclusion was a simple matter of providing dictionary users with accurate information about all of the word's current uses," the company said, adding that it was surprised by the recent attention because it was "neither news nor unusual."

"We were one of the last ones among the major dictionary publishers to do this," said Merriam-Webster spokesman Arthur Bicknell.

Boston-based Houghton-Mifflin, publisher of the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, modified its definition of marriage in 2000, adding a fourth example to the entry: "A union between two persons having the customary but usually not the legal force of marriage: a same-sex marriage."

The Oxford English Dictionary this month added in a draft version that the term sometimes refers to "long-term relationships between partners of the same sex." Its editors also have proposed updating the primary sense of the word to mean "the condition of being a husband or wife; the relation between persons married to each other; matrimony."

The dictionary's main entry for marriage, last updated in 1989, reads, "The condition of being a husband or wife; the relation between married persons; spousehood, wedlock."

Only two states in the country legally recognize gay marriage: Connecticut and Massachusetts.

SCNow

Is Craigslist Responsible for the Grisly Death of George Weber?

2009-03-26T21:30:00.000-07:00

In the world of online sex, Craigslist is the 21st Century equivalent of the Rambles; a place where your darkest desires can be fulfilled– bare backing, anonymous groups, "party and play" scenes and for veteran New York WABC radio anchor George Weber, a fantasy of being choked while having oral sex.

What he found was 16-year old John Katehis of Queens, a self-professed anarchist and Satanist who went over to Weber's apartment with the promise of rough sex and $60. What Weber got was his own grisly death. Katehis bound him with duct tape and stabbed him over 50 times, according to the police. The combination of cocaine, vodka, a sociopathic teenager and a man looking to allow the teen's disturbing fantasies to come to life were the perfect tinder for a murderous powder keg. Should the site which brought them all together be held responsible?

A recent lawsuit by the Cook's County Sherriff's office would say, 'Yes'. On March 6th, Sheriff Tom Dart announced a federal lawsuit against Craigslist, saying the site has become "the largest source of prostitution in America." It's not the first time the site has been sued for its ads. A lawsuit last year based on discriminatory housing ads was tossed out by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that the San-Francisco based company was not responsible for the content of the ads, but Dart says the "Erotic Services" section of the site is different. At a press conference, Dart said,

"They are not passive. They are actively involved with this… We put up … one saying 14-year-old looking for sex. That ad wasn't taken down. It sat out there until we took it down."

Craigslist made an agreement with attorneys general in Connecticut, Illinois and other states last November to crack down on illegal ads and CEO Craig Newmark said they would monitor the site's "erotic services" section by requiring a credit card and phone number from all who posted ads.

In practice, Craigslist continues to offer up illegal services. It's not hard to find. A search for "m4m party" on the "erotic services" section on the site offers up ads like this one:

"HEY,(OUTCALLS,OUTCALLS) U WANT REGRET IT!!!!!! LOOKING TO PLEASE U GENEROUS GUYS ONLY WHO WANNA HAVE SOME FUN TONIGHT I AM 5'11 138 LIGHT BROWN SKIN BROWN EYES MIXED BLANTINO VERY GOOD AND SERIOUS ACT WHAT I DO SMOOTH SKIN TONED BODY NICE PACKAGE HERE NOW TO PLAY SAFE FOR MORE INFO CALL NOW [redacted phone number and name] (PARTY DO U?) NO BLOCKED CALLS SERIOUS REPLIES ONLY!!! READY WHEN U R!!!!!!!FAVORS HERE "

Beyond the obvious prostitution angle, this escort all but says he's offering drugs ("favors"), as well.

A search for the phrase "generous" on the New York m4m site brought up over 75 unique ads for March 25th alone. An example is this one line ad:

"skinny teen boy looking to give head to a generous guy in the UES area. you host. d/d free only. looking for now "

His age is not listed.

Craigslist maintains that it is simply a conduit for people and that it's not responsible for what happens on the site, but police forces across the country beg to differ. Law enforcement officials in Kentucky and New York have set up Craigslist Prostitution Task Forces. Last week, Minneapolis police took down to underage prostitution rings on Craigslist. Sgt. Grant Snyder told the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

"The majority of juvenile prostitution takes place on Craigslist. Craigslist gives people the perception of anonymity, and it's easy for anybody to put up an ad."

Weber's murder puts Craiglist's claims of innocence to the test. It's hard to imagine the 16 year-old Katehis and Weber could have met up through any other medium. Even gay sex sites like Adam4Adam and Manhunt have a band of administrators who monitor the ads and many require a traceable credit card of their users. Craigslist, by comparison, depends on users to police the site; a policy that has enabled it to become a wholesale warehouse of underage sex, prostitution and drug use. Craigslist's position that it is merely a conduit for others to connect to each other is at the core of the Internet's belief that it ought to be an open and free space for all, but were Craigslist an actual, physical location, it would have been raided by the police and shut down ages ago.

The Internet is no longer the wild West and you'd be hard-pressed to find any man, woman or child in America who doesn't have access to it. Yet, all the freedom and accessibility comes at a price. Katehis is a product of the Internet Age– His presence is scattered across the web, with profiles on MySpace, porn site XTube, Facebook and YouTube. Based on the photos of him brandishing knives and displaying pentagram tattoos, he's clearly a disturbed young man and Weber took a lethal risk in inviting the teen to his apartment for risky sex, but Craigslist made their connection disturbingly easy. Is there such a thing as too much freedom?

Queerty

Mayor Villaraigosa Marries Gay Couples

2009-03-05T08:13:00.000-08:00

At last night's protest and rally to reject Prop. 8, Los Angeles Mayor and rising Democratic political star Antonio Villaraigosa took to the Olvera Street gazebo and led a ceremony where gay couples married last year renewed their vows. One lesbian couple, children in tow, prompted Villaraigosa to remark, "“Look at these beautiful babies. They’re healthy. They’re loved. They have parents.” Over 18,000 couples were married last year. The Supreme Court will decide whether those marriages will be valid. Watch after the jump.

Queerty

3 face hate-crime charges in Texas gay bar attack

2009-03-03T11:17:00.000-08:00

Three men are facing hate-crime charges after allegedly throwing rocks into a gay bar, injuring two men, police said.

According to witnesses, one man held open the door to Robert's Lafitte bar Sunday night while the other two hurled two rocks, one of them weighing 4 pounds, into the bar. The rocks were apparently being used as doorstops.

A 57-year-old man was treated at a hospital for a gash on the back of his head. Another man was hit in the jaw but refused treatment.

Witnesses chased the three men and provided descriptions to police. The arrests were made after a neighborhood sweep, police said.

Lawrence Lewis III, 20; his brother Lawrneil Lewis, 18; and Alejandro Sam Gray, 17, all of Galveston, were being held Tuesday on aggravated assault charges. Bond was set at $120,000 each.

The district attorney's office authorized a hate crime "enhancement" to the charges because the intent was to randomly assault the victims based on their sexual preference, police spokesman Lt. D.J. Alvarez told The Galveston County Daily News.

The hate crime designation allows a second-degree assault charge to be elevated to a first-degree offense, increasing the potential sentence, Alvarez said.

No information was available on whether the suspects had attorneys, a jail official said.

Washington Blade

American Idol - Adam Lambert

2009-03-02T14:35:00.000-08:00

Trial Begins in Porn Murder Case

2009-02-26T07:39:00.000-08:00

Shocking as it is, the underground world of gay porn is not just teeming with sex and ambition, but crime and murder as well. Heck, gay porn site Fleshbot even runs its own (frequent) crime blotter. And yesterday, in the first day of the Pennsylvania trial against 27-year-old Harlow Cuadra, whose been charged with murdering rival porn producer Brian Kocis, one of his former stars, Justin Hensley (pictured), gave the jury a picture of just how much handgun-wielding fun Cuadra could be.

The Times Leader reports:

"Justin Hensley said he was out of work in April 2005 when Joseph Kerekes offered him a job as an escort for Norfolk Male Escorts in Virginia.

Hensley then began performing with Kerekes’ partner, Harlow Cuadra, in gay pornographic films and moved in with the two in July 2005 to help operate their Web sites.

“I grew to be a friend of Cuadra because he took care of me,” Hensley testified Wednesday during the second day of Cuadra’s capital murder trial before Luzerne County Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr.

Cuadra, 27, is charged with killing rival pornographic movie producer Bryan Kocis, 44, at Kocis’ Midland Drive, Dallas Township, home on Jan. 24, 2007. Kerekes pleaded guilty in December to second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Cuadra’s lawyers, Joseph D’Andrea and Paul Walker, are suggesting to the jury that three other people had more to gain from Kocis’ death, focusing on Kerekes.

Hensley, called to testify by assistant district attorneys Michael Melnick, Shannon Crake and Allyson Kacmanski, said Kerekes was more dominant in the relationship with Cuadra. Hensley quit when Kerekes fired several shots from a handgun during a fight with Cuadra in their residence.

“They wanted me to stay there and work all the time and not have a social life,” Hensley testified. “I was only allowed to leave on the weekends, and if I went out for a sandwich, I had to come right back.”…

Hensley said Cuadra and Kerekes produced mostly amateur pornographic movies they sold on their Web sites, and believed that if they filmed with gay pornographic movie star Sean Lockhart, they would rise to mainstream pornography and “profit.”

“(Cuadra and Kerekes) talked about working with Lockhart for a year,” Hensley testified. “Lockhart was in some very well-known titles … they would definitely profit a lot of money.”

Lockhart was a contract model for Kocis’ company, Cobra Video.

“The only statements I heard about Cobra Video was that it was their main rival; Mr. Cuadra said that,” Hensley said."

According to the prosecution, Cuadra posed as an auditioning model and went to Kocis' home and shot him. The trial is expected to last the week.

Queerty

Colorado Senate approves partner bill

2009-02-25T08:45:00.000-08:00

(Denver, Colorado) Despite a heated debate in which one Colorado state senator linked homosexuality to murder, the Senate has approved a domestic partner bill.

The legislation would make it easier for unmarried couples in Colorado, including gays and lesbians, to make medical decision for incapacitated partners and leave property to their partners.

The measure would apply to same and opposite-sex unmarried couples.

A similar bill already has already passed the House. The two bills must still be harmonized and have a final vote in both houses.

Republicans attacked the measure, calling it an attempt to circumvent the state constitution which bans same-sex marriage.

In 2006, voters passed a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. The same year, they rejected another ballot issue that would have given same-sex couples many of the rights of marriage including property inheritance rights and the power to make medical and funeral arrangements.

During debate on the bill, Sen. Scott Renfroe (R) quoted from the Bible and called homosexuality an “offense to God.”

“When we create laws that go against biblically what we are supposed to stand for, we are allowing to go forward a sin,” Renfroe said on the Senate floor.

“We are taking sins and making them to be legally OK. That is wrong. I’m not saying this is the only sin out there. We have murder. … We don’t make laws making murder legal.”

The remarks brought a swift response from Sen. Jennifer Veiga (D) Colorado’s first openly gay lawmaker and the Senate sponsor of the bill.

“I will stand here today and tell you that God also created me, and the last time I checked, I am who I am,” she said.

And to critics who claimed the bill violates the gay marriage ban, Veiga said: “This brings no two people, myself, my partner, no other gay and lesbian partner, closer to walking down that aisle. It provides no tax benefits. It provides no other benefits. This is not about marriage. This is about health care. This is an equality issue and a fairness issue.”

365 Gay

Colorado Senate gives initial OK to same-sex benefits

2009-02-24T07:10:00.000-08:00

Bill would give partners of state workers health insurance coverage
DENVER (AP) | Feb 24, 9:40 AM

The partners of gay and lesbian state workers would be able to get health insurance coverage under a bill given initial backing by the Senate on Monday.

The measure (Senate Bill 88) would add domestic partners to the list of dependents eligible for coverage. Same-sex partners who have been in a committed partnership with a state employee for at least a year would qualify as a domestic partner.

Sponsor Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver, said it was a "fair and equitable" step that would help Colorado compete for employees with businesses and other states that offer such coverage. She also said 17 Colorado counties and cities already offer such benefits.

But some Republican senators who opposed the bill said it violates the will of the voters. Two years ago, voters rejected Referendum I, which would have granted domestic partner status to same-sex couples. They also passed a constitutional ban on gay marriage.

Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, ran down a list of the margins by which Referendum I had failed in several districts.

Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley, said he opposed the bill because it goes against his religious beliefs. He quoted Bible verses about creation and homosexuality during the debate.

"Homosexuality is seen as a violation of this natural created law, and it is an offense to God," he said.

Veiga, who is a lesbian, said she respected Renfroe's beliefs but didn't share them. She also said that lawmakers have to do what's best for all people and can't always follow their own moral beliefs.

"God also created me, and the last time I checked I am who I am, people. If that doesn't reconcile with how you view the world, I'm sorry. But I don't always see the world the way others see it as well," she said.

Veiga said the bill is about extending health care only to an estimated 79 people and doesn't address any of the rights, such as tax benefits, available to married couples.

Fiscal analysts estimate that the change will cost about $116,000 a year in both federal and state dollars.

The measure must pass another vote before it can be sent to the House.

Washington Blade