Newsweek Nods to Towleroad

Towleroad got a nice mention in Newsweek's new "Things You Need to Know Now" issue, joining a few friends of ours in the "It" blogs section. Thanks, Newsweek.

We're extremely grateful for our two million "not bad" pageviews a month, and we couldn't do it without you - our "it" readers.

Please keep the tips coming in - you've been sending in some excellent stuff lately. And thanks also for your patience these last couple of weeks as we've been readjusting parts of our design. I hope the summer is off to a great start for everyone.

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John Edwards Visits L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center

The folks at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center sent us this shot of Curt Shepard, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Director of Government Relations, Lorri L. Jean, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Chief Executive Officer, and Democratic candidate John Edwards.

Edwards made a stop at the center today on his swing through Southern California following his appearance yesterday on The Tonight Show. It was an informal and educational visit, according to Communications Manager Bob Adams, so Edwards could learn more about the LGBT community's needs and how the Center is working to advance them.

NOTE — I know we've been covering Edwards quite a bit — it's simply that he's been the one making the news of late. We've made no endorsements of any candidate.

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Reggie Bush and David Beckham: Futbol Meets Football

As a follow-up to the photos I posted yesterday, here's a video of Reggie Bush and David Beckham meeting on a playing field in Madrid, for Adidas.
(via pink)

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Death Threats to Students Revealed in UK Bullying Report

The largest poll on homophobic bullying ever conducted in Great Britain has found that nearly 2/3 of gay secondary school students had experienced some form of it.

According to the BBC: "Almost all of those had experienced verbal bullying but 41% had been physically attacked, while 17% said they had received death threats."

The report said that many teachers — half — allowed the bullying to go on unchecked and less than a quarter of teachers had told students homophobic bullying was wrong.

Simon Watt, 17, told The Guardian: "Even before I came out, at school people were always calling me names, because I was effeminate-looking. I couldn't walk down the corridors without being called 'gay boy'. It was really embarrassing and I couldn't really talk about it. It made me feel like I was a bit of a wuss. Even in class, people would say: 'Shut up, gay boy', but the teachers wouldn't do anything. When I lost my temper and flared up at them, I would be the one who got in trouble...I was attacked one night by some 19- to 20-year-olds. I had a burst blood vessel in my eye, a black eye and a burst lip. I nearly fractured my cheekbone and they almost ripped my lip piercing out."

The report also said that "Ninety-eight per cent of young gay people hear the phrases 'that's so gay' or 'you're so gay' in school, and over four fifths hear such comments often or frequently."

70% of bullied students said it had adversely affected their school work.

50% said they had missed school as a result of the bullying.

Said Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill: "These deeply disturbing figures should serve as a wake-up call to everyone working in education. This remains one of the few sorts of bullying about which too many schools still take no action. It blights the lives not just of gay children but of thousands of pupils perceived to be lesbian or gay too."

Gay bullying in schools 'common' [bbc]
'The teachers joined in on the joke' [the guardian]

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Gay Newlywed Swiss Tenor Hugues Cuénod Turns 105

Playbill Arts reports that gay Swiss tenor Hugues Cuénod celebrates his 105th birthday today.

According to PA, Cuénod "was a member of Nadia Boulanger's madrigal group, sang in the world premiere of Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress, played one of the animals in The Cunning Little Vixen for Simon Rattle's Glyndebourne debut, and made his own Metropolitan Opera debut at age 84."

Now that's a life lived fully. And not only that. Cuénod legalized his 20-year relationship with 64-year-old retired Swiss civil servant Alfred Augustin in a civil union ceremony earlier this year.

Said Augustin: "It was a logical decision, especially at this age! Most people were happy for us, though a few promised us 15,000 years in hell." He also noted that although he is no longer very mobile, "Hugues still likes to go riding in the car, especially with the top down so he can let his long white hair blow in the wind."

Cuénod told the Associated Press about his birthday plans: "I will probably stay in bed. I won't do anything special."

What's his secret for living to such a ripe old age? Cuénod told Swiss Agency ATS: "It's not my fault, I didn't do anything for it! I'm in good health, I'm lazy and I have a [dear] friend to look after me."

We should all be so lucky. Happy Birthday Hugues Cuénod!

The World's Oldest Living Tenor Celebrates His 105th Birthday (And He's a Newlywed, No Less!) [playbill arts]

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News: Nancy Grace, Seattle Bears, Scientology, Tim McGraw, Kylie

Human Rights Campaign launches "Back Story" blog.

Isaiah Washington will join Larry King on Monday, July 2. Meanwhile, Washington has reportedly been in Talks with NBC about a possible deal, but those talks have stalled.

TAB: Hook-handed convicted terrorist Abu Hamza realizes his nurse is gay after two years and is now refusing treatment. Source: "The nurse is upset about it. He has spent the last couple of years doing everything for Hamza, even wiping his bottom. It shows how little respect Hamza has for others. The nurse dresses him, washes him, cleans his teeth, cuts his toenails, trims his beard and applies ointment for his skin disorder. His nurse is open about being gay. He even speaks with a camp voice. His nickname is Queenie. Hamza has been refusing treatment while he is on duty but he won't be able to keep that up because it is causing him a great deal of discomfort."

Democrats Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) and Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.) urge State Department to rehire discharged gay Arabic translators: “We are writing to urge the Department of State to take a specific step — the hiring of our unfairly dismissed, language-qualified soldiers — so our nation might salvage something positive from the lamentable results of this benighted policy."

Kylie Minogue fever hits Manchester as artifact exhibit arrives.

Armistead Maupin talks about his keepsake dragon and the years he spent in Vietnam.

CNN's Nancy Grace announces that she secretly married - with twins. 'Thank you, friend'.

Tim McGraw also shows off his baby bump.

Cult members not allowed: Tom Cruise banned from shooting hitler film in Germany because he belongs to Scientology. "The U.S. actor has been cast as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of the unsuccessful attempt to assassinate the Nazi dictator in July 1944 with a bomb hidden in a briefcase. Defence Ministry spokesman Harald Kammerbauer said the film makers 'will not be allowed to film at German military sites if Count Stauffenberg is played by Tom Cruise, who has publicly professed to being a member of the Scientology cult.'"

Seattle Bears win Slog Pride Parade awards: "This two-sided float, created by Northwest Bears, was the crowd favorite. Hell, it made both of Seattle’s daily papers, displacing the usual shots of drag queens and half-naked lesbians on Harleys. Featuring a tub full of hairy daddies covered in suds, 'Bears, Bath and Beyond' was funny and sexy, camp and butch, and the unanimous choice of our judges."

Contrary to some reports, The View has actually lost viewers since Rosie O'Donnell's departure, to the tune of 400,000: "According to figures obtained from Nielsen/Soundscan by our research department, 'The View' sank like a stone during the first two weeks of June, right after Rosie left. Indeed, 'The View' suffered a 13 percent decline in household ratings, and a 9 percent decline in overall ratings during the combined weeks of June 4 and 11 compared with Rosie's last two weeks."

WWE star Chris Benoit in double homicide-suicide: "The details, when they come out, are going to prove a little bizarre."

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Alan Cumming Film Tortures More Than David Boreanaz

A screening of Alan Cumming's new film A Suffering Man's Charity at NYC's Core Club last night incited a few extreme reactions, Page Six reports:

"Some scenes in the dark comedy - about a 'failed composer turned music teacher with a weakness for impoverished young men' - were too much for the crowd. During a gruesome torture scene involving a scantily clad David Boreanaz and a whip, several people left and a woman fainted. Cumming - who adapted, directed, produced and stars in the movie - was unfazed and partied with Paper magazine execs afterward."

Here's a clip for you. No whips are involved in this one.

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Rochester Gay Bash Victims Sue Police, Cite "Deliberate Indifference"

Victims of a gay bashing in June in Rochester, New York have filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Rochester police and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. It's regarding an incident I posted about previously in which the gay bash victims allege that police let their attackers go and took them into custody instead. One woman says that one of the officers called her a "drunken dyke".

The lawsuit claims "that responding officers showed 'deliberate indifference' and mocked them with gay slurs," according to the Democrat & Chronicle:

"The lawsuit — filed by Dave Greenlaw, Josh Lieberman, Megan Barrett and Christine Herrick — states that law enforcement 'treated the plaintiff's complaints of harassment differently from other types of harassment for an extended period of time, thus failing to protect the plaintiffs.' At one point, Greenlaw called 911, complaining that police weren't doing anything. A sheriff's deputy responded, according to the lawsuit but, once told of the situation, said nothing could be done and left. One officer is identified by last name only in the lawsuit, but alternate spellings are provided and the officer's identity could not be confirmed. Christina A. Agola, attorney for the alleged victims, said her clients asked for badge numbers that morning 'and were told, 'Look at our car.''"

The sheriff denies anyone from his office responded that night.

In mid-June, the police department appealed to the public for information on the attackers whom they had originally let go.

Said police chief David Moore: "I want to know more than anyone what happened on June 1 about 2:30 in the morning. We did have an opportunity early on to identify the individuals. ... We need to go back and make that right."

The suspects are two men and two women, thought to be in their 20's. Police have identified them but their identities have not been released, according to the D&C.

A rally to draw attention to the incident has been scheduled for 4:30 to 6:30 today at the intersection of Monroe Avenue and South Goodman Street in southeast Rochester.

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Scheduling of Chuck & Larry Premiere Jousts Gay Film Fest

The upcoming Adam Sandler/Kevin James film I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, about a pair of firefighters who pretend to be gay in order to collect domestic partner benefits, is perhaps the most high-profile gay-themed "mainstream" film of the summer. It's set to open on July 20th.

The film's premiere is scheduled for July 12th, which happens to be the opening night of the 25th anniversary of L.A.'s largest gay and lesbian film festival, Outfest.

Yet, according to The Advocate there have been no attempts by Universal to tie the film with the fest:

"Did Universal know about a potential rainbow-colored calendar collision when the premiere date was set? A Universal spokesperson had this response: 'The fact that our film premieres during Outfest is merely a coincidence. The date of the premiere is predicated solely on when the film's talent is available during their very busy schedules promoting the film in the two weeks before its release. We consider 'I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry' a mainstream comedy whose message is inclusive and positive, and we hope that the film appeals to a broad variety of moviegoers.' Some industry insiders, however, are raising their eyebrows over why 'Chuck & Larry' didn't marry itself to the Outfest schedule or move out of the way to accommodate the gays. Sandler, James, and Dugan all declined to speak to The Advocate for our Summer Movie Preview. Universal also failed to provide anyone who could speak on behalf of the film. 'One would think the gays would appreciate the movie, even if it is in jest,' said one source with ties to the festival. 'You sort of have to wonder why Universal didn't go with Outfest in the first place.'"

Said Outfest executive director Stephen Gutwillig: "It's both one of the biggest nights of the gay calendar for Los Angeles and one of the biggest nights for the gay Hollywood mafia."

As gay marriage and domestic partnerships are a potential hot button issue, some will surely wonder if it's the movie's treatment of gay and lesbian subject matter that has caused the studio to schedule its premiere on a night when Hollywood's gays will all be at the Outfest event.

In Entertainment Weekly's April Summer Movie preview, they did note that filmmakers took time to show the film to GLAAD:

"While Sandler's coarse, goofy style may not seem right for such a hot-button issue, the studio's taken the time to screen the movie for GLAAD and listen to their comments. 'The movie has . . . some of the expected stereotypes, but in its own disarming way, it's a call for equality and respect,' says Damon Romine, a GLAAD representative. Dan Aykroyd, who plays the fire chief, seconds that opinion. 'It's a move about tolerance . . . Sure, there will be a little controversy, which hopefully will help sell tickets. I don't see the gay community getting upset about it.'"

Chuck and Larry go up against gay Hollywood [the advocate]

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Adam Sandler and Kevin James' Wedding Photo [tr]
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John Edwards on Wife's Gay Marriage Position: "She Actually Says What She Thinks"

John and Elizabeth Edwards were on The Tonight Show last night and the presidential hopeful told Jay Leno that he does have a difference of opinion with his wife when it comes to gay marriage.

Elizabeth Edwards appeared at a breakfast event for the Alice B. Toklas Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Democratic Club at San Francisco's Gay Pride last week and told reporters after her keynote speech: "I don't know why somebody else's marriage has anything to do with me. I'm completely comfortable with gay marriage...If he's pleasant to me on the street, if his children don't throw things in my yard, then I'm happy. It seems to me we're making issues of things that honestly ... don't matter."

John Edwards told Leno: "It's not the only thing we disagree about. She actually says what she thinks...A lot of people I love and care about feel the same way Elizabeth does. I'm very strong about ending discrimination against gay and lesbian couples. But I'm not quite where Elizabeth is yet."

Saying what you think. Now that's refreshing!

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Elizabeth Edwards Declares Support for Gay Marriage [tr]
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Gay Kiss Student Still Waiting for NJ Superintendent's Apology

Although Newark Schools superintendent Marion Bolden issued a press apology yesterday for censoring the photograph of a gay student's kiss in 230 of East Side High School's yearbooks, the reports that the student, Andre Jackson, has not yet heard from her personally:

"Mr. Jackson, 18, said that nobody bothered to call him. 'I’m not looking to accept the apology,' he said in a telephone interview yesterday afternoon, a few minutes after he finished his graduation rehearsal. Any apology needed to be personal, and not contained in a press statement, he said. After all, the yearbook incident revived tensions with members of his family he has quarreled with because he is gay, he said. 'I have yet to speak to the board, the school, anyone,' he said."

Bolden's office reportedly told the NYT that a meeting was scheduled for today, but Jackson was unaware of it.

Steven Goldstein, the chairman and chief executive of Garden State Equality, expressed satisfaction that the school had agreed to redistribute the yearbooks to those who want "uncensored" versions, though Jackson rightly felt that everyone should get a new one. Said Jackson: "It’s not about who wants one. It’s about what happened."

Goldstein says he'll insist that the school district meet four times a year with Newark's gay and lesbian community.

Backstory...
NJ Superintendent Apologizes for Censoring Gay Kiss [tr]

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Paris Hilton: What a Difference 22 Days Make

Fifteen minutes after midnight last night, Paris Hilton was released from Lynwood Detention Facility after serving three weeks:

"Hilton was wearing jeans and a white top and green jacket. Her mother and father had pulled up to the front of the facility in a black Escalade to pick up their daughter. Paris Hilton sauntered down the brick walkway, smiling and waving a few times and saying 'Hi.' She got into the waiting vehicle as it was swarmed by photographers. Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said Hilton thanked the guards, nurses and other staff on her way out. Whitmore said Hilton stayed in the medical ward at the facility. He described her as demure and friendly and relieved to be through with the sentence. 'She has fulfilled her obligation. It's now completed,' Whitmore said."

Hilton will appear on Larry King Live Wednesday night. Barbara Walters had the opportunity to interview her, but turned it down.

Walters told US Weekly the interview was "beneath her": "Look, I've done prison interviews before, but people like the Menendez Brothers were really important news stories. This wasn't. And even though I'd already written my questions, when all that pay-for-play stuff happened, I suddenly felt this was not up to my standard. It...felt...sort of …tawdry. The whole thing somehow was beneath me. For [ABC] it was ratings. For me it was respect. I'm fortunately at a point in my life where I can choose what I want, and this was solely my decision. [ABC] respected my decision and walked away. Some agreed with my decision, some didn't. For me it was just a question of respect."

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