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BEAR BUTT: Wide receiver shows off full moon.
Lady Gaga: homophobia and misogyny in music must end.
NATIONWIDE VIGILS HELD: For slain gay Puerto Rican teen.
BEAR BUTT: Wide receiver shows off full moon.
Lady Gaga: homophobia and misogyny in music must end.
NATIONWIDE VIGILS HELD: For slain gay Puerto Rican teen.
Watch: Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado Laid to Rest
Footage from the funeral of gay 19-year-old Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado whose decapitated, dismembered, and partially charred body was found by the side of a road in Puerto Rico two weeks ago. The police investigator suggested that he deserved what he got because of the "type of lifestyle" he was leading.
Certainly, a family who accepts us for who we are is something to be very thankful for. Unfortunately, Jorge wasn't given the chance to be able to enjoy that. Devastating.
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...
Continue reading "Watch: Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado Laid to Rest"
Posted 8:48 AM EST by Andy Towle in Crime, Deaths, News, Puerto Rico | Permalink
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Australia's First Legal Civil Union Ceremony Held in Canberra
Australia has held its first legally-binding civil union ceremony.
ABC News reports: "The Legislative Assembly passed a Greens bill earlier this month allowing gay couples to recognise their relationship with a legal ceremony. Warren McGaw and Chris Rumble - who have been together for nearly 20 years - celebrated their civil partnership at the Old Parliament House rose gardens this afternoon. They say they are excited to be the first couple to take advantage of the legislation. 'We thought we'd take this opportunity not only for gay couples Australia wide ... but just for human rights,' Mr McGaw said."
The celebration will likely be short-lived, as Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has promised to overturn the legislation.
Posted 8:08 AM EST by Andy Towle in Australia, Gay Marriage, News | Permalink
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Brian and Brendan Burke Busting Homophobia in Pro Hockey
Here's a great piece at ESPN about Toronto Maple Leafs and U.S. Olympic Team General Manager Brian Burke, and his son Brendan's coming out:
"Your dad thinks through everything. Dad is big, confident and continuously radiates a persona that is rough, gruff, unrelenting and unapologetic. He has a cold, expressionless poker face straight out of a Clint Eastwood movie. Yet, he does this all with the most subtle of Irish smirks that says there is more behind this thick skin. And there is. He calls you "Moose" because you have always been a big kid. He cares very deeply about you and your happiness. You say he has always been there when you needed him. And he has a great sense of humor. Imagine that. But on this night in 2007, you are petrified of your dad. Because you, Brendan Burke, at 19 years old, are about to tell your dad, Mr. Testosterone, that you are gay."
Brendan, a player himself, now works for the staff of the No.1-ranked hockey team at Miami University.
Here's a statement from Brian, from the article:
"I had a million good reasons to love and admire Brendan. This news didn't alter any of them. I would prefer Brendan hadn't decided to discuss this issue in this very public manner. There will be a great deal of reaction, and I fear a large portion will be negative. But this takes guts, and I admire Brendan greatly, and happily march arm in arm with him on this. There are gay men in professional hockey. We would be fools to think otherwise. And it's sad that they feel the need to conceal this. I understand why they do so, however. Can a gay man advance in professional hockey? He can if he works for the Toronto Maple Leafs! Or for Miami University Hockey. God bless Rico Blasi! And I am certain these two organizations are not alone here. I wish this burden would fall on someone else's shoulders, not Brendan's. Pioneers are often misunderstood and mistrusted. But since he wishes to blaze this trail, I stand beside him with an axe! I simply could not be more proud of Brendan than I am, and I love him as much as I admire him." -- Brian Burke
Posted 7:55 AM EST by Andy Towle in Hockey, I'm Gay, News, Sports | Permalink
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At Least 8 Out Gays Among 338 Guests at White House State Dinner
Last night, Obama held his first state dinner for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India and his wife, Gursharan Kaur.
NYT: "Mr. Obama greeted his guests in Hindi and hailed the contributions of Mohandas K. Gandhi and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., saying that such “giants” are “the reason why both of us can stand here tonight.” Mr. Singh responded, “Your journey to the White House has captured the imaginations of millions and millions of Indians.” The evening was a potent mix of politics, diplomacy and glamour, with the administration’s favored donors mingling with lawmakers from Congress, cabinet secretaries, Indian dignitaries and Hollywood celebrities decked out in tuxedos and designer dresses. The first lady wore a golden sleeveless gown created by Naeem Khan, an Indian-American designer. For Mr. Obama, it was also a rare break from the bruising business of governance, allowing him to showcase his role as a world leader (and a gracious host) at a time when he is managing battles over health care legislation and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq — all while watching his standing falling in the polls."
Among the gays and lesbians attending the dinner were U.S. Export-Import Bank Chair Fred Hochberg and partner Thomas Healy, activist and author Urvashi Vaid and comedian Kate Clinton, Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes and partner Sean Eldridge, and David Geffen and partner Jeremy Lingvall.
Here's the full guest list.
AC360's report on the event, AFTER THE JUMP...
Continue reading "At Least 8 Out Gays Among 338 Guests at White House State Dinner"
Posted 7:30 AM EST by Andy Towle in Barack Obama, Chris Hughes, David Geffen, Fred Hochberg, India, News | Permalink
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Charleston, SC Passes LGBT Non-Discrimination Ordinance
Last night, Charleston South Carolina became the second municipality in the state (Columbia is the first) to pass an anti-discrimination ordinance protecting gays, lesbians, and transgender citizens in housing and public accommodations, WCBD Charleston reports:
"The ordinances were presented to the
mayor’s office in August by members of Charleston’s Alliance For Full
Acceptance (AFFA), SC Stonewall Democrats, SC Log Cabin Republicans,
American Civil Liberties Union and South Carolina Equality—who had
successfully introduced similar ordinances in Columbia SC."
South Carolina Equality lauded the news: "All across South Carolina, we are celebrating this historic victory for all families as Charleston joins Columbia as the second city in the state to enact such nondiscrimination ordinances. These pro-business ordinances are consistent with the values of Charlestonians; they send the clear message that Charleston welcomes families from all walks of life."
Posted 7:15 AM EST by Andy Towle in Charleston, Discrimination, News, South Carolina | Permalink
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Watch: Adam Lambert's 'For Your Entertainment' Video
The Thanksgiving week Lambert onslaught isn't over yet. Here's his video, AFTER THE JUMP...
Continue reading "Watch: Adam Lambert's 'For Your Entertainment' Video"
Posted 8:16 PM EST by Andy Towle in Adam Lambert, Music, Music Video, News | Permalink
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