Arnold Schwarzenegger on Marriage Equality and Prop 8 Protests

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared on This Week with George Stephanopoulos, one day after thousands protested across the nation for marriage equality.

Schwarzenegger said he would not be joining Democrats who are filing a challenge in the court. He also said that although his personal belief is that marriage is between a man and a woman, he thinks the Supreme Court was right when they declared it unconstitutional, and he believes they'll do it again when looking at Proposition 8. He told Stephanopoulos that boycotts and protest are not the way people should be approaching the passage of Prop 8.

Schwarzenegger also says he'll declare a legal edict if advised to do so by Attorney General Jerry Brown that declared existing same-sex marriages valid in the state.

A week ago, Schwarzenegger told CNN's John King that opponents of Prop 8 should not give up in their quest to have Proposition 8 overturned.

Watch the Stephanopoulos clip and read the transcript, AFTER THE JUMP...

Previously
Schwarzenegger Urges Same-Sex Marriage Supporters: 'Never Give Up' [tr]

***TRANSCRIPT***

STEPHANOPOULOS: Proposition 8 here in California, it passed, defining marriage as exclusively for men and women. I know you've said you hope the court overturns it. Will you join Democrats who are filing a challenge in the court?

SCHWARZENEGGER: No. I mean, I have been asked to join this fight, and I had my own fight with Proposition 11, and that's what I've focused on.

But I made it very clear. I personally am -- for me, marriage is between a man and a woman. But I don't want to ever force my will on anyone.

I think that the Supreme Court was right by saying that it's unconstitutional. And that everyone should have the right, just like we had the battle in 1948 and the Supreme Court decision came down, that, you know, it was unconstitutional for blacks and whites not to be able to get married with each other, and they overturned that. And since then, that has been taken care of.

And now the Supreme Court says that it's also unconstitutional to not let gay people get married, the same-sex marriage. So to me, that is the important decision here, and everything else is not that important. So people can pass initiatives, like Proposition 187 passed under Wilson that said we should not give, you know, Latinos and those that are illegally here any educational services or any kind of medical services. The Supreme Court said, well, the people maybe had some intentions there, but it's unconstitutional.

STEPHANOPOULOS: So you think the courts should overturn Proposition 8?

SCHWARZENEGGER: The court has overturned it. And now they went back. And the people have voted for it again, against the gay marriage. So the Supreme Court, you know, I think ought to go and look at that again. And we'll go back to the same decision, basically.

STEPHANOPOULOS: And you believe they will.

SCHWARZENEGGER: I think that they will. And I think that the important thing now is to resolve this issue in that way.

SCHWARZENEGGER: In a peaceful way, rather than, you know, going out and protesting, and going out and boycotting and all those things. I think that's not the best way to go about it.

STEPHANOPOULOS: In the meantime, some legal experts have suggested that you should, if you believe that, issue an edict, a ruling, that says that the marriages that have already taken place in California are absolutely legal. Will you do that?

SCHWARZENEGGER: Well, I have to get together with Jerry Brown, our attorney general, and see what the legal opinion is, because he's my lawyer, basically. And so, we always do those things together.

STEPHANOPOULOS: But you're inclined to do it?

SCHWARZENEGGER: It's a conversation that I can have with him about the -- if that's the legal way to go.

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Schwarzenegger Urges Same-Sex Marriage Supporters: 'Never Give Up'

In his strongest interview to date on Proposition 8, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger told CNN's John King that those same-sex couples already married in California should not worry that their marriages will be nullified, and urged supporters of same-sex marriages to continue the fight given the Supreme Court's definitive ruling on it in May. He also commented on the reasons why he felt, the measure passed — strong turnout among minority voters and heavy funding by religious groups. I've transcribed it below, and AFTER THE JUMP...

Said Schwarzenegger: "I think that the people of California just again have spoken on this issue and they went against it. Just like in the year 2000 when they voted against it with Proposition 22. They had a very, very strong campaign the pro- Prop 8 people, and I think that the people that tried to defeat it did not have maybe as good a campaign or as much money behind it. Whatever. I think it is unfortunate obviously but it's not the end because I think this will go back into the courts, this will go back to the Supreme Court because the Supreme Court very clearly in California has declared this unconstitutional. It's the same as in the 1948 case when blacks and whites were not allowed to marry. So I think that we will again maybe undo that, if the court is willing to do that, and then move forward from there and again lead in that area."

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

Weekend Updates
Prop 8 Protest in New York City this Wednesday [tr]
Tens of Thousands March Against Prop 8 in San Francisco [tr]
12,000+ Take to Streets in L.A.'s Silver Lake in Opposition to Prop 8 [tr]
Thousands March in San Diego Opposing Hateful Prop 8 Passage [tr]
Thousands Protest Prop 8 Passage at LDS Temple in Salt Lake City [tr]

Schwarzenegger adds: "It's a cultural issue also, because as you can see because of the big turnout amongst African-American and Latinos, that had an effect also which they did not expect so there's all kinds of other things that I think the religious groups have done. A big campaign, a lot of them, to support proposition 8 and so on. So it's a very, very difficult thing."

He concluded with something of a battle cry: "When I was campaigning for Proposition 11 a lot times the press came to me and said governor why are you doing that? It has failed five times before. Why a sixth time? I said, look. I learn the messages from lifting weights. Sometimes I try to life the weight ten times and I failed, but the eleventh time I lifted it. So I learned that you should never ever give up. And I think it's the same with this issue. They should never give up. They should be on it, and on it, until they get it done."

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News: Robert Downey, Jr., Florida, Daniel Craig, Dogs, Cindy Sheehan

Schwarzenegger releases positions on California ballot measures.

Life? Electricity seen on Saturn moon.

Brit tabloid: Madonna made Guy Ritchie sign a marriage contract which included rules on how they should argue and what words they could use.

Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes.

Cindy Sheehan's night with Sean Penn at the Milk premiere.

Homophobic little league coaches un-suspended: "Garbacik’s [the superintendent who originally suspended the coaches] decision came after a two-month investigation that started with complaints a 12-year-old baseball player was being harassed. The boy’s parents contacted Garbacik in June after finding out their son was being called names such as 'gay, fag, homo and queer' by other players. Kaletha told Garbacik he was aware of the comments, but called it 'joking and humor' and 'just boys being boys.'"

Attorney General: Justices of the Peace in Connecticut must marry same-sex couples.

Manuel Muñoz wins Whiting Award for story collection The Faith Healer of Olive Avenue.

TIME: The Gay Mafia that's redefining politics.

Florida writer for the Huffington Post Carol Anne Burger murders former lover, then kills herself: "Burger killed her former lover by stabbing her 222 times with a Phillips-head screwdriver and then took pains to hide her crime, police said Wednesday. Jessica Kalish, who shared a house with Burger despite breaking up with her more than a year ago, was found last Thursday stuffed in the backseat of her gun-metal BMW sedan, abandoned behind a medical office at 2300 S. Congress Avenue. Her blood was splashed around the rear end and undercarriage of the car, as if her killer had tried to load her into the trunk. The driver-side window was shattered."

Ellen DeGeneres goes after Zac Efron's coiffure.

Long Island gay plumber poisons his ex-wife: " The mother of two, Maureen Steeves, 41, suffered massive damage to major organs and is brain dead. She isn't expected to recover. David Steeves said he hatched the plot to poison her because 'I can't stand the thought of her being with someone else,' according to Suffolk County police."

Daniel Craig is back as James Bond. Quantum of Solace premieres in London.

UK announces new rules barring spreaders of "extremism, hatred, and violence" from entering the country: "One of the main targets of the crackdown will be militant Muslim extremists, such as the radical preacher Omar Bakri Mohammed who is already banned from returning to Britain under existing rules. The curbs could also apply to extremists from other religions as well as neo-Nazis, animal rights activists and those with virulently anti-homosexual views whose inflammatory words might incite violence."

A fuzzy balls letdown.

U.S. Civil War vs. 2008 Election maps. (via Sullivan)

Gay man attacked in Plumstead UK suffers broken collarbone.

Researchers: Dogs only animals that can read emotion in human faces. "Research findings suggest that, like an understanding best friend, they can see at a glance if we are happy, sad, pleased or angry." Or when there are sausages coming.

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San Francisco's Castro Street Fair Serving Milk This Sunday

The Castro Street Fair, which Harvey Milk helped create, is on this Sunday: "The fair's T-shirt and cover art for its program guide this year features a rendition of Milk as superhero, tearing apart his oxford shirt to reveal the source of his boundless energy and addictive enthusiasm - a carton of milk. A headline overhead boosts 'Harvey Milk Lives.' The shirts cost $20 and can be purchased at the fair's information booth near Castro and Market streets." (Below, via the BAR, a photo of Milk in a dunk tank at the 1978 Castro Street Fair, shot by Dan Nicoletta)

Schwarzenegger's veto of the "Harvey Milk Day" bill helped set a new record: "[Arnold has] rejected more than 35-percent of the bills that reached his desk this year. The previous record was set by Governor Gray Davis at 25-percent. That's according to the state Senate Local Government committee."

California Assemblyman Mark Leno responds to Schwarzenegger veto: "The governor's veto message ... only underscores the need for an ever broader audience to learn of the hope and inspiration that Harvey Milk's life represented. Discrimination, inequality, and injustice are global issues, which Harvey valiantly fought while sacrificing his own life to an assassin's bullet. This veto will not deter us from our goal of sharing Harvey's message of courage and personal empowerment with all Californians."

Producer James Schamus on Sean Penn's performance as Milk: "[Penn’s mimicry of Milk] is one piece of a very large puzzle. To me, what was amazing was the spiritual connectivity he had, not just with the character but with the cast. There’s a generosity to his acting in it.”

Recently
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Vetoes 'Harvey Milk Day' Bill [tr]

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Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Vetoes 'Harvey Milk Day' Bill

Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed legislation that would have approved May 22 as "Harvey Milk Day" in California.

Said Schwarzenegger in a statement: "I respect the author's intent to designate May 22nd as 'Harvey Milk Day' and a day of special significance for California public schools and educational institutions to honor Harvey Milk as an important community leader and public official in the city and county of San Francisco. However, I believe his contributions should continue to be recognized at the local level by those who were most impacted by his contributions."

The bill was authored by Assemblyman Mark Leno.

The California Senate approved the measure along party lines in August. Not one Republican voted for it. Religious right wing activists had been lobbying Schwarzenegger's office for weeks to have the legislation quashed, upset that it would 'promote homosexuality' in schools. Looks like they won.

This is outrageous. Milk is a civil rights leader who deserves this recognition. Let's not let the right win on same-sex marriage as well. Schwarzenegger should be ashamed.

Milk's story is, of course the subject of a major feature film directed by Gus van Sant starring Sean Penn, to be released at the end of November. You can read all our Harvey Milk and our Milk coverage here.

Watch the film's trailer, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Groups To California Supreme Court: Keep Marriage Ban On the Ballot

Civil rights groups have already filed to have the proposed same-sex marriage amendment tossed off the ballot in California, and now two outfits called the Alliance Defense Fund and Protect Marriage (I presume they're also anti-divorce, anti-bills and anti-children?) have petitioned the state Supreme Court to reject that plea.

The petition states:

"In reality, petitioners are challenging the sovereign power of the people to amend their constitution to override judicial interpretations of the constitution with which they disagree."

California Secretary of State Debra Bowen also filed, but only to urge the Court to decide by August 11, when ballots would be off to the printer.

The presidential candidates have weighed in—John McCain backs the amendment that is opposed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, while Barack Obama opposes it in spite of being "personally" against same-sex marriage.

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Poll Shows Majority of California Voters Against Gay Marriage Ban

It's a small majority, but hopeful news:

"The Field Poll survey found 51 percent against approving a possible November ballot measure to prohibit gay marriage, with 43 percent in favor. A slightly differently worded question on the same issue found 54 percent opposed and 40 percent in favor...The poll found a strong generational gap on the issue, with those aged 18-29 approving of gay marriage by 68 percent and those 65 or older disapproving by 55 percent. The poll found that in recent decades a growing number of Californians have approved allowing same-sex couples to marry, with 51 percent of those polled now approving, up from 44 percent in 2006 and 30 percent in 1985. The poll of 1,052 registered Californian voters was taken from May 17-26, in the days after California Supreme Court decision, and had a sampling error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points to 5 percentage points, depending on the question."

In related news, the religious right has apparently been flooding Schwarzenegger's office with calls complaining about his opposition to the ban. You can voice yours as well. Here's how (via AmericaBlog):

"Call 1-916-445-2841. Then press 1 (then wait a sec), then 5 (then wait a sec), then 1, then 1." If the line is busy, call back. It only took me a few times to get through.

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Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno Brushed Off by Schwarzenegger

Back in March I posted about Sacha Baron Cohen and his antics as gay Austrian TV reporter Bruno at Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport. Baron-Cohen astonished onlookers in a hot pants strip dance in the middle of the terminal. Around the same time, he also tricked Ben Affleck into giving him an interview.

Baron-Cohen tried to do the same to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger over the weekend, but was given the brush off. One shot of Bruno's encounter is above.

More at Just Jared....

Two clips of Bruno's Kansas airport shoot, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Same-Sex Marriage Foes in California Ready to Submit Petitions

The "Protect Marriage" coalition has announced that they've collected more than 1.1 million signatures in support of an amendment banning same-sex marriage in California, enough to get the measure on the ballot:

"The initiative needs 694,354 signatures, or 8 percent of the votes cast in the last governor's race, to make it onto the ballot. 'We have gone against tremendous odds to do this, and now the voters in California will have the chance to protect marriage,' [Brian Brown, executive director of the California office of the National Organization for Marriage] said. Supporters of the Limit on Marriage initiative plan to deliver their signed petitions to county registrars this week, ahead of the April 28 submission deadline set by the California Secretary of State's Office. The signatures must be verified before the amendment can be approved for the election. Although gay men and lesbians cannot legally wed in California, opponents of same-sex unions want the ban written into the state Constitution. In that way, neither the Legislature nor the California Supreme Court can legalize gay marriage without approval from voters."

The California Supreme Court is expected to rule on same-sex marriage before June. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently promised to actively oppose any attempts to amend the constitution, calling it "a total waste of time."

The SF Chronicle reports: "Dan Hawes, an organizer with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force who has spent two months on the effort to keep the initiative from qualifying, said he had never seen such a coordinated attempt to prevent a marriage amendment from making it to the ballot. 'There is a real sense of hope and possibility here because of the court ruling that is coming down in June,' he said. 'The fact that could be taken away in five months is really painful for people who want to marry.'"

Backers of Calif. gay marriage ban ready to submit petitions [sf chronicle]

Recently
Schwarzenegger Calls Gay Marriage Ban 'a Total Waste of Time' [tr]
California High Court Preparing Pro-Gay Ruling on Marriage? [tr]

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California High Court Preparing Pro-Gay Ruling on Marriage?

The Huffington Post's Ryan Davis, who with a coalition of gay leaders in late March flew to California to lobby Schwarzenegger to oppose the Family Research Council's anti-gay marriage ballot initiative, has heard some rumblings from within the California High Court. Schwarzenegger publicly opposed the measure that would ban same-sex marriage at the Log Cabin Republican convention over the weekend, and Davis believes it's because he knows what may happen next month.

Writes Davis: "Sources wishing to remain anonymous in the California Court System indicate that the court, which has until June 2, 2008 to issue it's marriage ruling, is considering issuing it on Friday, May 23, 2008, with the decision being written by Chief Justice Ronald George. The Court is readying itself for a backlash that may follow the rumored and bold decision. There is talk that the Court will not simply strike down Proposition 22, but will move the State of California toward full marriage, if not even granting full marriage rights for gays and lesbians outright. Obviously aware of what's coming, Gov. Schwarzenegger came out swinging against the FRC's proposed amendment, 'I will always be there to fight against that,' he said to huge applause this weekend at a Log Cabin Republican Convention in San Diego. He went so far as to call the initiative a 'waste of time'" and acknowledge that the people of California are, 'much further along on that issue.' The latest Field Poll shows only 51% of Californians oppose full gay marriage, an 11 point drop since 2000. There seems little doubt that California is moving toward full gay marriage equality."

A seismic prediction, to be sure. We can hope.

Listen to Arnold Schwarzenegger's remarks from last week's LCR confab AFTER THE JUMP...

The Great California Gay Marriage Shift [huffington post]

Previously
Schwarzenegger Calls Gay Marriage Ban 'a Total Waste of Time' [tr]
California Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Same-Sex Marriage Case [tr]
CA Anti-Gay Groups Relaunch Effort to Ban Same-Sex Marriage [tr]

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Schwarzenegger Calls Gay Marriage Ban 'a Total Waste of Time'

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke out at Friday's Log Cabin Republican convention in San Diego about efforts in the state to put a measure constitutionally banning same-sex marriage on the state's ballot in the upcoming election.

Rex Wockner wrangled the full quote: "Well, first of all, I think that it would never happen in California because I think that California people are much further along with that issue. And, number two, I will always be there to fight against that, because it would never happen. I think we need a constitutional amendment so that foreign-born citizens can run for president, but not about gay marriage. That's a total waste of time."

Opponents of marriage equality said at the beginning of April that they have nearly one million signatures supporting the anti-gay measure. Schwarzenegger's statement has been hailed as a salvo against those efforts.

Said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California: "This is extremely significant, and it's an enormous event to have our Republican governor come out against this ballot measure, which is opposed by Democrats as well. It makes this opposition a bipartisan issue."

Schwarzenegger has continually vetoed and promised to veto legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state. His position on that remains unchanged.

Following, his statements, one LCR member urged the governor: "Arnold, I loved all your movies. ... Take your shirt off!"

Teased Schwarzenegger: "Why stop there?!"

Arnie: Marriage-ban effort "a total waste of time" [rex wockner]
Fun with the Governator... [rex wockner]
Governor against amendment to ban gay marriage [sf chronicle]
(image: rex wockner)

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Even Schwarzenegger is a Fan of Anderson Cooper's Biceps

Anderson Cooper appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien last night and discussed the intricacies of presidential debates, adventures with stalkers, and also revealed that, like many others, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger can't help himself when it comes to Anderson's biceps.

Watch the clip, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Peter LaBarbera and Folsom Street Fair on Hannity & Colmes

On Tuesday, I posted the letter from Peter LaBarbera, the President of the right-wing religious group Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, to Nancy Pelosi demanding she respond to the sexual fetish shenanigans going on at the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco. Here it is, to refresh your memory.

Yesterday, LaBarbera held a screening of the footage he had collected at the National Press Club, and also took his crusade to Hannity & Colmes to show some of it off again (does anyone doubt he watches the tape over and over in his hotel room?).

A few responses to the LaBarbera appearance from around the web. One from conservative blogger Joe Murray who comments on LaBarbera giving Arnold Schwarzenegger a free pass, and another from transsexual blogger Happy Cat at Pam's House Blend who extends an invitation to LaBarbera for a meeting.

Previously
"Pro-Family" Leader to Hold Gay Fetish Film Screening in DC [tr]
Miller Pulls Logo from Folsom Ad Over "Last Supper" Parody [tr]

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Schwarzenegger Vetoes Same-Sex Marriage Bill as Promised

Even as he proclaimed that "all Californians are entitled to full protection under the law 'and should not be discriminated against based upon their sexual orientation,'" California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger again vetoed a bill that would have lifted the state's ban on same-sex marriage.

The veto was expected but it was Schwarzenegger's language that hit a nerve for some.

Said Equality California executive director Geoff Kors: "We find it shocking for the governor to say he opposes discrimination based on sexual orientation and then veto a bill that would have ended discrimination based on sexual orientation."

Kors called it "hypocrisy at its worst."

According to the AP, "In his veto message, Schwarzenegger said voters and the state Supreme Court should decide the issue. The high court is likely to rule next year on whether California's ban on gay marriages violates the constitution. The governor said voters 'should then determine what, if any, statutory changes are needed in response to the court's ruling.'"

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Remains of human "hobbits" discovered in Indonesia.

L.A. Times no fan of Boy George's fashion line: "Been wondering what clever Boy George is up to lately? Of course, you haven't. Despite that, here's a sneak peek at his latest endeavor -- a retro punk clothing line called B-Rude. We don't really want to hurt him (or his feelings), but this bright neon, ripped, safety-pinned sportswear is so been there/done that. It's a blatant rip-off of the late designer Stephen Sprouse's '80s collections...he only person I could see wanting to wear this stuff is teen idol/punkette poseur Avril Lavigne. Hey, she's already got the crass finger flip down pat."

Political fallout for San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders unclear following his tearful press conference yesterday in which he changed his position and threw his support behind a resolution urging the California Supreme Court to overturn the state's ban on same-sex marriage.

Provincetown beachgoers receive retroactive nude sunbathing tickets from Cape Cod National Seashore undercover police.

The Bahamas Christian Council battling to keep LOGO off the air on Cable Bahamas. BCC PrResident John Humes: "I don't think it would be in the best interest for Cable Bahamas to proceed with incorporating this channel. There may be a market there but we already have enough problems with what we have now [in terms of channels on Cable Bahamas]. And to bring a gay agenda into the mix, we will not stand by idly and allow that to happen, for sure."

Britney Spears' patience with the media is wearing thin.

200 rally in Hollywood marriage equality protest at Arnold Schwarzengger's Walk of Fame star.

Salon's Gay Guide to the GOP: "On one end, there is Rudy Giuliani, a former New York mayor who has lived with gay friends, favors gay domestic partnerships, and sometimes dresses in drag. At the other end, there is Alan Keyes, who calls lesbians 'selfish hedonists,' even though his only daughter is a lesbian. There exists, shall we say, a veritable rainbow of variation in between."

Brady Bunch shocker: Behind-the-scenes "sexual hijinks" between Marcia and Jan.

World Cup of gay soccer to kick off in Buenos Aires.

20/20 to cover "ex-Gay" conference Love Won Out tonight: "It's about people who have to make tough choices in their lives."

UK schools urge police intervention in cyber-bullying cases: "The threat of legal sanctions on top of school disciplinary measures, including the confiscation of mobile phones and temporary bans or restricted access to the internet, is recommended in far tougher guidance to combat the increasing incidence of this form of bullying. Research for the new campaign found one in three 12-15-year-olds reported having been cyberbullied, a higher proportion than other surveys. Teacher unions, too, say members are being subjected to demeaning and offensive attacks through pupils' videos and comments on websites."

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News: David Beckham, Nellie's, Condoleezza Rice, Chris Crocker

Condoleezza Rice denied audience with Pope Benedict over U.S. foreign policy: "The US secretary of state Condoleeza Rice indicated to the Vatican that she urgently needed to meet Benedict XVI. She was on her way back into the viper’s nest of the Middle East and it would have been no bad thing to meet her counterparts with the credentials of a papal audience. Ms Rice had hoped that the audience could be fixed for early August at Castelgandolfo, the papal summer residence, when Benedict XVI returned from Lorenzago in the Dolomites, but she was told the Pope was on holiday. She insisted but to no avail. Vatican diplomats were adamant and 'Benedict XVI is on holiday' continued to be the official reply."

Hot java: One Venti Beckhammato, please...

Lesbian activist Robin Tyler calls on Arnold Schwarzenegger's lesbian chief-of-staff Susan Kennedy to resign: "I am not only extremely disappointed in the Governor's lack of courage, but am especially disappointed in Susan Kennedy, his chief of staff, whose "same gender wedding" I attended in Hawaii several years ago. Since I attended Susan's wedding, why is she so against attending mine? Both Arnold and Susan know that it is unconstitutional for the majority to deny a minority equal protection under the law."

Chris Crocker inks reality "docu-soap" deal: "It's going to pretty much be the 'Chris Crocker experience. We consider him a rebel character that people will find interesting. He's going to be a TV star."

Kathy Griffin engaged to Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak?

Pop star Mika threatened with lawsuit over name, by Belgian reggae artist Mika: "I was called Mika before him and have registered the name. Even though his real name is Mica, I think he should change it."

The Washington Post takes a look at gay D.C. sports bar Nellie's: "What sounds like a gay slur isn't: Nellie's pays homage to Schantz's great- and great-great-grandmothers, both named Nellie, one of whom is captured in sepia-toned photographs on the wall. True to its theme, the sports bar sticks to showing games on its TV monitors and displaying tennis rackets, oars and trophies as decorations; the bathroom sinks once wet the hands of spectators at Washington's old Griffith Stadium."

Sydney police accused of ignoring gay bashing: "The officer told me how stressful the court process would be and said, ‘Do you realise that nine out of 10 gay men don’t report incidents because they are afraid?’ I said I wanted to press charges anyway, and they said, ‘The men are only going to get off free.’"

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Schwarzenegger to Continue Vetoing Same-sex Marriage Bill

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has not changed his position on same-sex marriage and will not, he told news media at a press conference regarding his health care plan on Monday.

Said Schwarzenegger: "It would be wrong for the people to vote for something and for me to then overturn it. So they can send this bill down as many times as they want, I won't do it."

The SF Chronicle reports: "Schwarzenegger vetoed a gay marriage bill in 2005, citing the 61 percent of voters who favored Proposition 22 in March 2000. He announced in February that he would veto the bill again if it reached his desk this year. Despite the announcement, lawmakers approved it before adjourning last week. Schwarzenegger has until Oct. 14 to act on the measure."

The California Senate approved the Bill on Friday, September 7th by a 22-15 vote. It was then sent to the governor. This bill defines marriage as "a civil contract between two persons" according to the AP, and would "retain the right of religious institutions to refuse to sanction the unions."

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Schwarzenegger Gets Newly Approved California Gay Marriage Bill

Late on Friday, the California Senate agreed to Assembly amendments to a gay marriage bill by a 22-15 vote and sent the measure to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is expected to veto it, as he did a similar bill two years ago:

"Schwarzenegger has not taken a specific position on AB 43, although he vetoed a similar gay-marriage bill in 2005. His spokesman, Aaron McLear, said the governor will abide by the results of a ballot initiative in which 61.4 percent of voters said the state should restrict marriage to a union between a man and a woman."

This bill defines marriage as "a civil contract between two persons" according to the AP, and would "retain the right of religious institutions to refuse to sanction the unions."

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Isaiah Washington continues to speak out about his unjust firing: "All of this I'm saying to you has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he's gay. [T.R. Knight] came out October 19 as purely a tactical move to do exactly what it did, get public opinion in an outrage to lead them to believe that he is being picked on because he is gay. He could care less about the gay community."

DJ Junior Vasquez warns against crystal meth — "Don't touch that shit. It'll suck your soul and ruin your life, and it'll take years to get it back" — and working with Cyndi Lauper — "I think she's immensely talented, but she's a control freak with bizarre ideas. She's a royal pain in the ass to work with."

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's gay appointees: "Nowhere in the releases from the governor's office will you find any mention of the fact that seven of his appointments hail from the LGBT community. But since 2005 he has selected six gay men and one lesbian for political posts, three Republicans, two Democrats, and one independent."

Not coming on down: Rosie O'Donnell won't be doing The Price is Right after all.

Sunil Pant, founder of Nepal's Blue Diamond Society, the only LGBT support group in Nepal and the winner of the prestigious 2007 Felipa de Souza Award from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, speaks out about what it's like to be gay in Nepal - MP3 interview.

Can Kelly Clarkson survive her clash with music mogul Clive Davis?

Madonna buys sixth London property for £6 million: "The American singer and her husband Guy Ritchie last week signed a contract on the 10-bedroom Georgian townhouse in London's Marylebone. It adjoins the eight-bedroom property the couple live in with children Lourdes, 10, and Rocco, six. They also own two nearby mews houses, which are occupied by staff, and two other houses in central London...Madonna faced competition for the house from comedian Jennifer Saunders and photographer Mario Testino.

Paris Hilton to leave jail on Tuesday, have sitdown with Larry King. Illustration courtesy Pretty on the Outside.

CNN looks at gay adoption: "For the Manford-Roach family, difficulties arose when they first tried to hyphenate [their son] Jackson's last name. The judge overseeing the legal procedure in Dallas, Texas, crumpled up the paper and threw it over her shoulder when she realized they were a same-sex couple, Manford said. 'Get out of my courtroom, I would never do this for you,' the judge said, according to Manford. 'Children need a mom and a dad.'"

Transgender firefighter Jennifer Lasko pulls out of dinner with Barack Obama after her transgender status is exposed for fear of causing disruption to his campaign. Obama spokeswoman: "Sen. Obama would love to have her attend the dinner. If she chooses not to attend, Sen. Obama looks forward to meeting her and hearing more about her thoughts on how we can change this country."

Ad campaign attempts to humiliate male Australian speed demons by suggesting they are 'lesser' men: "The below-the-belt television ads show women noticing a young man roaring past then turning scornfully to their friends and wiggling their little fingers. The mocking gesture with the 'pinkie' is a clear sign they believe the driver is trying to compensate for an inadequate manhood, and is designed to counter the idea that speeding is cool and macho."

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California Assembly Approves Same-Sex Marriage

A bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry in California passed the state Assembly on a party-line vote of 42-34 yesterday, moving on to a Senate vote and perhaps another showdown with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Sacramento Bee reports: "Assemblyman Mark Leno D-San Francisco (left, with Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara)), characterized his Assembly Bill 43 as 'marriage equality.' 'Why would we want government dictating affairs of the heart?' he asked. But Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Hesperia, said that supporting the notion of gay marriage violates his religious beliefs. 'As a Christian, I do believe that the act of homosexuality is immoral,' he said. Unlike two years ago, Tuesday's debate was not angry or hurtful, though both sides were passionate in their views...Under AB 43, gay and lesbian couples would be able to obtain civil marriage certificates from local government. Churches would not be required to perform such weddings...But critics of AB 43 noted that Californians overwhelmingly passed a ballot measure seven years ago that said only marriage between a man and woman would be valid in the state. 'The will of the people has been spoken,' Adams argued."

Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill in 2005. He has said he'll do it again should the measure come before him.

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Schwarzenegger Planning Gay Marriage Veto Sequel

A bill from Assemblyman Mark Leno that would legalize gay marriage in California by defining it as a civil contract between two persons and allowing religions to opt out from performing ceremonies is set to be considered by the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. The bill, which is identical to one floated in 2005, should be passed and arrive at Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk, where it will likely be vetoed, again. Unfortunately, the votes just aren't there to override a veto.

According to the AP, "a spokeswoman for Schwarzenegger, Sabrina Lockhart, said the governor's position hasn't changed." They report that Schwarzenegger recently reiterated his opinion that the measure should instead be on the ballot, telling a group of high school students: "I don't want, as governor, to go against the will of the people."

Last week, California's Supreme Court received briefs challenging the constitutionality of the state's ban on same-sex marriage. That case is likely to be decided later this year, a decision that will likely impact any related legislation under consideration.

Governor vows to veto gay marriage bill again this year [press telegram]

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News: Bingham Cup, Ricky Martin, Stonewall, Gay Penguins

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger refuses to take a stand on same-sex marriage: "Some observers think his actions are aimed at safeguarding his conservative base. But the governor's confidants say the stance isn't calculated to duck political shrapnel. In fact, even the governor's close gay advisers disagree on the marriage debate. His allies believe his stance makes perfect sense for a man who cares more for the tangible -- say, allowing domestic partners to file joint state tax returns -- than the symbolic, even if it makes history."

Ricky Martin offers a brief description of his assets.

Ann Coulter drops the "F" bomb a second time at church, to gasps from the congregation. She also "understands" how doctors who provide abortions get shot.

Historic Stonewall Bar reopening...

Fired apprentice Derek Arteta says Trump not homophobic: "He didn't know about me until we went to dinner at Spago and he asked about my wife or girlfriend, and I told him, 'I used to have a boyfriend.' It kind of threw him for a loop and I said, 'I'm gay, Mr. Trump.' And he said, 'Oh, so Ivanka does nothing for you?' I said, 'No, not really.' I was about to say, 'No, but Don Junior does,' but I decided that wouldn't be appropriate."

Irish thighs are smiling: 2008 gay rugby Bingham Cup to be held in Dublin, Ireland.

Justin Timberlake's mission to save Britney's career.

Anti-gay Baptist minister Lonnie Latham, whom I reported on early last year, has been acquitted of propositioning an undercover male police officer: "A judge found Lonnie Latham not guilty of the misdemeanor charge of offering to engage in an act of lewdness. If convicted, he would have faced up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. Latham, 61, was arrested Jan. 3, 2006, outside a hotel in Oklahoma City. Police had accused Latham of asking the undercover officer for oral sex, which Latham denied."

Key West quest: become gay spring break capital.

Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell's wonderful gay-themed children's book And Tango Makes Three tops American Library Association's 2006 list of most challenged books: "The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) received a total of 546 challenges last year. A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school, requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness."

Calvin Klein to release "technosexual" fragrance CK in2u.

You couldn't swing a Radar magazine at the Beatrice Inn last night without hitting a gay man.

More than 30 Vermont towns have passed resolutions to impeach President Bush.

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News: Leather Man Dead, Hate Crimes, Milking Beyonce

Man wearing "leather mask, leather clothing and two collars" found dead on Hudson Street in New York's West Village: "The man couldn't be identified yesterday, because no form of ID was found. He was described as a white male in his late 30s." Was mistaken for a Halloween decoration...

Colorado Rep. Marilyn Musgrave calls a future with gay marriage "grim" and says it "is the most important issue that we face today."

Timothy J. Kelleher, a 26-year-old resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts, was found guilty of a homophobic assault yesterday and sentenced to one year probation and 50 hours community service: "Garcia charged that the defendants began yelling homophobic and anti-Semitic slurs at him, calling him a 'faggot Jew.' He then started yelling at the defendants as he approached their car, calling them 'assholes.' Then, Garcia claimed, Kelleher allegedly exited his vehicle and struck Garcia repeatedly in the chest and the head....'Everything happened in a blur,' he recalled. He recounted that after he greeted a male friend with a 'hug and a kiss on the cheek' and 'putting [his] arm around [his friend],' the defendants began yelling 'faggots, faggots' at him outside the window of their car. Garcia recalled then telling the two defendants in their car something akin to 'you fucking assholes, you shouldn’t say shit like that here.'" Charges dropped against second defendant.

Beyonce asks, got milk?

Arnold Schwarzenegger still sitting on bill that would give domestic partners the right to file taxes as married couples: "The bill, which is among a stack of bills that will become law unless vetoed by Saturday, would require California's 75,000 registered domestic partners to file their state tax returns as if they were legally married -- even though they'd still have to submit single returns to Uncle Sam."

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News: Pope Hate, Ben Affleck, Touchscreen iPod?

BOOK: Arnold Schwarzenegger was reportedly enraged in his early years as a bodybuilder when he discovered that footage of his competitions had been used in gay porn films.

John Cameron Mitchell's Shortbus screens at Toronto International Film Festival with Mitchell performing. Film finds international distribution: "People are ready for change. There is a thirst for something different. What pissed me off was that it was ... generically identified of as porn. We are not trying to do anything salacious here. That is just the language which we speak. Porn is really to arouse. This film explores the other areas of sex."

George Bush a fan of pin-up Matt Lauer..

Gay Miami man David Bromstad wins HGTV Design Star competition.

Cameraphone photo raises possibility that video touchscreen iPod is on the menu for Apple's big event tomorrow.

Canadian Bishops were scolded by Pope Benedict XVI when they made a visit to the Vatican on Friday. The Pope lashed out at Canada's stance on gay marriage and abortion: "In the name of ‘tolerance' your country has had to endure the folly of the redefinition of spouse, and in the name of ‘freedom of choice' it is confronted with the daily destruction of unborn children. When the Creator's divine plan is ignored the truth of human nature is lost."

Venice Film Festival winners: Jia Zhang-Ke's Still Life, Helen Mirren as The Queen, Ben Affleck for Hollywoodland...

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Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will appear in front of a gay audience for the first time since taking office when he speaks to Log Cabin Republicans at a fundraiser on June 29th. LCR President Patrick Guerrero: "There is a better than 50-50 chance this man will be the governor of California for the next four years, and for the gay community to label somebody based on one veto is shortsighted. We thought allowing him to address these issues in a friendly setting as well as giving him a chance to get another look at who gay and lesbian families are was important both for him