Towleroad Talking Points: Gun Control and Police Chases

 

BY SAM GREISMAN

A look back at today's top stories

POLITICS

A wild scene unfolded last night in Rhode Island when around 300 people turned out to address the legislative committee that is reviewing a bill that would potentially grant the state marriage equality. Check out video from the statehouse, including an adorable little boy fighting for his two moms. Our series preparing you for the Supreme Court's hearing on Prop 8 and DOMA continues and this time Ari Waldman tells us if we should prepare for a broad or a narrow ruling. 

In a move sure to piss off the NRA, President Obama held a news conference today in which he unveiled his plan to reduce gun violence. 

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ENTERTAINMENT

The Onion brings us news that Jodie Foster's pseudo-coming out has led to a rash of gay teens feeling comfortable to come out in cryptic form. 

With Oprah sending out confirmation that Lance Armstrong did indeed admit to doping in their interview, Jon Stewart previews what the confession may sound like. 

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WINGNUTTERY

An anti-gay church in Seattle has decided to move into a very popular gay neighborhood, and say they look forward to helping all those infected with AIDS. Also, the NRA uses the Secret Service protection of Obama's daughters as a way to make a completely inept and embarrassingly stupid point about gun control. 

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VIDEO OF THE DAY

For those of you who did not grow up in Los Angeles, this is what we watch on TV most days. 

Dennis Kucinich Joins FOX News

Former Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) has joined the FOX News Channel, according to the Hollywood Reporter:

Kucinich, a former U.S. representative from Ohio who once tried to impeach President George W. Bush,  has inked a multiyear deal with Fox News, where he will begin as a contributor, debuting Thursday night on the top-rated The O’Reilly Factor hosted by Bill O’Reilly. After that, Kucinich is expected to appear on various shows across Fox News and Fox Business Network.

“Through 16 years in Congress and two presidential campaigns, Fox News always provided me with an opportunity to share my perspective with its enormous viewership,” Kucinich said.

This should be interesting.

Pitchfork Catches Up with Robyn: VIDEO

Wondering what Swedish pop treasure Robyn has been up to since her Body Talk album? Wonder no more. She sits down with Pitchfork to talk about her last tour, what she's listening to, and her upcoming album.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #1286

NEIL'S PUPPET DREAMS: NPH is abducted by aliens.

BEATBOXER: Fun on the subway.

THE FOUR SEASONS: A journey by train through Norway

JUST BELIEVE: An 'It Gets Better' song from Sean Chapin.

For recent Guides to the Tube, click HERE.

News: Jack Antonoff, Boeing 787, LGBT Lawyers, Titan

Cheetah on top of the world.

French intervention in Mali more popular than gay marriage.

Not Born This Way: Anti-gay group flies banner over Lady Gaga concert.

Japan's two biggest carriers ground Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet after emergency landing.

Jeremy Renner is expecting his first child, with his ex-girlfriend.

Thirty members of the National LGBT Bar Association to take part in searing in at Supreme Court: "Openly gay lawyers already practice before the Supreme Court, but Tuesday will mark the first time lawyers will be identified at the ceremony as LGBT Bar members."

Two dead after helicopter crashes into crane in London: "The helicopter crashed just south of the River Thames near the Underground and mainline train station at Vauxhall, and near the British spy agency MI6."

VIDEO: NOM's Jennifer Roback-Morse assures Rhode Island bigots that they're "doing the right thing".

Former aide: Michelle Bachmann had "unnatural relationship" with debate coach.

The Iceman, with Chris Evans and James Franco, cometh.

Most eligible.

Obama to begin using "Taxation without Representation" plates on presidential vehicles: "The move comes after the city council for Washington, D.C. petitioned the president last week through a resolution, demanding that Obama use the license plates as millions watch his presidential motorcade drive down Pennsylvania Avenue for his inauguration on Monday."

Three privacy settings you might want to change before using Facebook Graph Search.

Wrangler launches jeans that moisturize you: "They definitely feel cooler than regular jeans," said Lizzie Jagger in a film to promote the style. "After a day wearing them, my legs feel great - they come out feeling more silky than usual."

David Bowie readies for reemergence.

Downton Abbey's Ed Speleers hits the beach in Miami.

Awesome interview with fun's Jack Antonoff: "Just because I was born into the elite class of straight Americans who have maximum rights does not mean that I won't fight as if it were me being denied human rights."

Majority of MPs will vote for marriage equality in England and Wales: "A total of 330 MPs have confirmed they will vote in favor of same-sex marriage legislation when it is introduced at Westminster later this year. In contrast, just 126 Members of Parliament (MPs) have publicly stated that they remain opposed to a change in the law, meaning there is now a clear parliamentary majority for equal marriage."

Florida: Boy brought butcher knife to school to defend himself from bullies.

Saturn's moon Titan may have floating ice in its methane lakes: "Titan — Saturn's largest moon, with a diameter of 3,200 miles (5,150 kilometers) — is the only body in our solar system apart from Earth known to host stable bodies of liquid on its surface. While Earth's weather cycle is based on water, Titan's involves hydrocarbons, with liquid ethane and methane falling as rain and pooling in large lakes and seas."

Brooklyn Man Plans to Sue City Over Alleged Assault by Homophobic Police Officers

A Brooklyn man says he was attacked by homophobic police officers who responded to noise complaints at a party he was having. He says the officers arrived after another group of officers had left, and tried to disable a surveillance camera on the outside of the building before entering.

The NY Daily News reports:

Officers from the 77th Precinct, responding to reports of noise at the Sterling Place party, "bum-rushed" Jabbar Campbell after he opened the door of his apartment.

"They were screaming and cursing saying things like 'fag,' 'homo,' 'a--hole,' just a bunch of anti-gay slurs," Campbell, a 32-year-old forensic specialist, told The News.

Campbell said he was beaten by the officers, who bloodied his mouth, split open his lip and caused swelling to his left eye. He was then handcuffed and charged with resisting arrest — and spent 24 hours in police custody.
Campbell filed legal paperwork Wednesday revealing his intention to sue the city.

Said Campbell's lawyer: "They were trying to conceal the evidence by turning the camera away. They committed a hate crime inside a gay pride event."