Towleroad Talking Points: Wingnut Friday

PHOTO OF THE DAY: The state of LGBT rights throughout Europe.  

BY SAM GREISMAN

A look back at today's top stories

WINGNUTTERY

Lots and lots of crazies making news on this Friday. It's graduation season and it seems that it will not be a happy time for a male transgender student in New Mexico whose Catholic school is forcing him to wear a girl's gown on the big day. The saga of the Washington florist who denied a gay couple flowers for their wedding continues to drag on as the florist is now suing the state for "religious discrimination". A judge in Texas is using something called a "morality clause" to try and separate a lesbian couple. 

There was horrific violence at a gay pride parade in Tblisi, Georgia where revellers were attacked by thousands of anti-gay demonstrators. There will be one more wingnut at Fox News as homophobic former Congressman Allen West has joined the cable news network. A veteran UFC fighter has been suspended for calling a fellow fighter a "faggot" on Twitter and if you thought the mayor of your town was bad; at least he isn't smoking crack. 

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ENTERTAINMENT

Singer George Michael was apparently involved in a car accident in the UK yesterday and had to be airlifted to a hospital. Luckily his injuries are reported to be "superficial". Last night was the big American Idol season finale and eventual champion Candice Glover and Jennifer Hudson performed a stirring duet. Adam Lambert, Jessie J and Angie Miller were also on hand to perform a version of "Titanium" and "Domino". 

At the Eurovision Song Contest, a pro-gay marriage themed song that originated in Finland continues to roll through the competition. And RuPaul and Lady Bunny give us a whole bunch of stuff we might want to "lick". 

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GAY NEWS

There was a shake-up today at GLAAD where the organization's President announced that he will be stepping down. Also according to a recent survey, a majority of the LGBT community in Europe is living in fear. 

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VIDEO OF THE DAY

Get up-close and personal with a grizzly bear. 

Le1f is Having a 'Spa Day': VIDEO

We've previously featured NYC-based rapper Le1f's clips "Wut" and "Soda".

He's back with a steamy new clip and he's ready for a "Spa Day".

Check it out, AFTER THE JUMP...

Thousands of People Attack Gay Pride Marchers in Tblisi, Georgia: More VIDEO

This morning I posted some horrific clips of thousands of people attacking Gay Pride marchers in Tblisi, Georgia who had been protected by police before being shipped from the area in buses that were surrounded and assaulted with fists and objects.

At least 17 people have been injured in the violence, Radio Free Europe reports.

One of the antigay activists, Zaza Davitaia, explained why he was against the rally taking place.

"I give my support to those who are gathered here. We are against a rally that contradicts our Georgian morals and traditions," Davitaia said. "[Gay-rights campaigners] receive financial support from some organizations abroad and they wanted to hold a demonstration against Georgian morals."

There were many Orthodox priests among the antigay demonstrators. One of them, Reverend Ioanne, said he wanted to stop LGBT activists from furthering their agenda.

"It's unacceptable in any way, especially today," he said. "It's a plan by some forces, who test our patience, to force us to make a mistake so they can act according to their program."

Twelve were hospitalized, according to Amnesty, including three police officers and a journalist.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Texas Judge Uses 'Morality Clause' to Divide Lesbian Couple, Gives Woman's Partner 30 Days to Move Out

A Texas judge is forcing a lesbian couple apart because he disagrees with their "lifestyle".

The Dallas Voice reports:

Judge John Roach Jr., a Republican who presides over the 296th District Court, enforced the “morality clause” in Compton’s divorce papers on Tuesday, May 7. Under the clause, someone who has a “dating or intimate relationship” with the person or is not related “by blood or marriage” is not allowed after 9 p.m. when the children are present. Price was given 30 days to move out of the home because the children live with the couple.

Price posted about the judge’s ruling on Facebook last week, writing that the judge placed the clause in the divorce papers because he didn’t like Compton’s “lifestyle.”

“Our children are all happy and well adjusted. By his enforcement, being that we cannot marry in this state, I have been ordered to move out of my home,” Price wrote.

Price also mentions that Compton’s ex-husband rarely sees their two children and was once charged with stalking Compton. She said he also hired a private investigator in order to bring the case before the judge. Court records show the ex-husband, Joshua Compton, was charged with third-degree felony stalking in 2011 but pleaded to a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespassing.

More at The Voice...

Think Progress adds: "Compton can appeal Price’s decision, but her appeal will be heard by the notoriously conservative Texas court system. Ultimately, the question of whether Compton’s relationship with Price is entitled to the same dignity accorded to any other loving couple could rest with the United States Supreme Court."

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #1370

GET LUCKY: Dancing to a Daft Punk cover.

ALLEN ROSENTHAL: A survivor of the 'ex-gay' group NARTH speaks out.

OWL: Loves being petted.

BELGIUM: Liberal humanists celebrate 10 years of marriage equality.

For recent Guides to the Tube, click HERE.

News: Tigers, Portugal, Michael Musto, Zachary Quinto, Italy

Scientists report first success in cloning stem cells.

Meet the extremists fighting to keep discrimination in the Boy Scouts.

Take back the Night: New Yorkers rally against recent spate of anti-gay hate crimes. "LGBT New Yorkers and their allies participated in the event which commenced with a rally outside Madison Square Garden and concluded with a march through Chelsea toward Jackson Park."

I thought she was lip-synching too.

Portugal's parliament legalizes limited gay adoption: "Coinciding with International Day Against Homophobia, the bill leapt its first hurdle by passing a first reading with 99 votes in favour, 94 against and nine abstentions."

Michael Musto let go from Village Voice in employee bloodbath.

The gay retiree utopia in Sonoma County, California: "Fountaingrove Lodge is the most high-end LGBT retirement project to date. After scoring with an over-60 community for Asian-Americans in Northern California, Bill and Cindy Gallaher, founders of Oakmont Senior Living, a retirement community development company, decided to target wealthy gays. Fountaingrove’s 10-acre grounds in Santa Rosa, Calif., feature a swimming pool, wine cages, and an upscale restaurant. The complex will be a licensed continuing care retirement community (CCRC), meaning everything from knee-replacement rehab to bathing assistance will be available from the comfort of one’s own home."

Beyonce snubbed Zachary Quinto.

Jason Bateman and Will Arnett walk hand-in-hand for the paparazzi.

Tribunal finds for London police officer sacked after complaining about racism, homophobia: "The tribunal found that Maxwell, who is black and gay, suffered multiple counts of degrading or humiliating treatment. One officer talked of gay men 'taking it up the arse', and the tribunal found that one officer described a man in a photograph as being 'as gay as a gay in a gay tea shop', which police colleagues greeted with laughter."

Before the IRS harassed the Tea Party, it harassed gay rights groups.

Minnesota marriage equality group to live on as PAC: "The new Minnesotans United PAC will give grassroots and financial support to lawmakers from both parties who voted for the bill."

Religious Right activist/rock star Bradlee Dean went nuts after Minnesota passed marriage equality.

Here's Idol contender Angie Miller's single "You Set Me Free".

$39 million raised by Leonardo DiCaprio foundation to aid Nepal's tigers, conservation efforts worldwide.

L.A. Galaxy forward Landon Donovan says MLS is ready to welcome gay players, speaks of Robbie Rogers: "We recently had a player come play with us who has declared publicly that he's gay, and it's been a very, very good thing for our team."

LISTEN: Britney Spear's "Ooh La La" Smurfs single.

Wingnut claims that if gay Boy Scouts are banned, then boys won't discuss sex.

Italian gay activists hope country's new coalition government will open gateway to gay rights: "Elections in February brought a significant number of young people and women representatives to parliament, particularly in the centre, left and protest Five Star Movement, and LGBT organisations said they were hopeful the fresh faces would serve as a catalyst. 'For the first time in a very long time, we have a lay parliament with a significant number of young people and women. With their help we could finally see a legal revolution,' Mancuso said."