News: Al Reynolds, Playboy, The Mole, 90210, Ohio University

Obama VP nomination hint?

Al Reynolds Jr. unloads in long MySpace rant: "...I have been called a gigolo, a freeloader, unemployed, a sham and many other things that don’t bear repeating. People on television, radio and the internet have spoken disparagingly of my life, my sexuality, my career and my integrity..."

Your first look at the cast of the 90210 spin-off.

Ohio University freshman kicked out by roommates before even arriving, because he's gay: "That was when I found out their real motivation. 'Listen, we do not have a friend moving in. We were just trying to be nice; we both just feel really uncomfortable living with a homosexual.' Now what am I to do? I can’t leave because I’m not allowed, and I can’t stay because I fear for my own safety. I’ve been talking back and forth with them and they feel that I am obligated to leave because of their discomfort. I wonder if they realize mine — especially when I read their statuses on Facebook declaring X is a homophobe at 8:58 p.m., and X hates faggots at 9:21 p.m."

Pastor John Hagee apologizes for anti-Catholic statements. McCain calls the action "laudable." What about his anti-gay statements? Oh yea, nonsense.

Joaquin Phoenix recording an album.

California high school teacher inadvertently displays gay porn to class during Adobe Photoshop demonstration: "The incident happened during a project in a computer graphic arts class Monday morning, according to several students. The impression was the image was accidentally projected during a lesson on how to use Adobe Photoshop. As the image remained on the screen four to five seconds, several students say it sent the teacher scrambling to quickly take it off the screen."

Playboy to enter gay market with cable VOD channel: "Playboy plans to initially offer Time Warner Cable subscribers 20 hours of gay male programming. The service is slated to begin operating next month. Although the Playboy brand has been linked with heterosexual men’s entertainment since its magazine's first issue in 1953, the company now describes itself more generally as "valuing sexiness and style" and is seeking more ways to diversify and boost its revenue."

Girls love gay male porn.

NYT features Barney Frank's best one-liners: “So, apparently, same-sex marriage is the V8 juice of America.”

Meet The Mole's gay competitor, 25-year-old restaurant manager Bobby.

Sean Penn heads up Cannes Film Festival jury.

Michael Moore making sequel to Fahrenheit 9/11: "Sequel will pick up where "Fahrenheit 9/11" left off. In the time since, Bush's popularity has plummeted, while the Iraq war continues and the economy falters."

STUDY: Music influences perception of wine. "Heavy rock music like Jimi Hendrix or The Rolling Stones is a good accompaniment to a Cabernet Sauvignon, while opera buffs might prefer a 2006 Syrah, said the study by psychologists at a British university. The research, in collaboration with a Chilean wine producer, indicates that different types of music stimulate different parts of the brain, and prime us to taste wines in a corresponding way. For example when a powerful piece of music such as Carmina Burana is heard, a Cabernet Sauvignon is perceived as being 60 per cent more powerful, rich and robust than when no music is heard."

Gay Peace Corps. volunteer on being gay and in Mozambique.

The story behind news anchor Sue Simmons' "what the fuck" outburst: "Maybe that will teach Chuck to stop reading things on his computer monitor and start paying attention to Sue. It looked like a spat between two people who have worked together for so long that they know each other’s rhythms a little too well. And, of course, they have worked together, for ages — or at least since 1980. There was Chuck Scarborough, reading something on a computer screen embedded in the desk and not listening to his co-anchor, Sue Simmons. So she let him have it in what sounded like mock derision."

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Senator Edward Kennedy Steps into ENDA Battle

Despite vocal objections from Roberta Sklar of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, Senator Ted Kennedy has begun a push in the Senate to bring the trans-exclusive ENDA bill, which was approved by the House in early November, to the floor for a vote:

"Kennedy said Senate approval of the bill could pave the way for extending protections to transgender workers next year, when he hopes Democrats will increase their numbers in Congress and a Democratic president supporting gay rights will be in the White House. 'The fact is that the House of Representatives has taken action,' Kennedy said in an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press. 'The best opportunity for progress is ... to follow along on the action of the House of Representatives, and then look down the road to a new day after we have a good Democratic Congress and a Democratic president.' Kennedy expects an 'uphill fight' in the narrowly divided Senate, where 60 votes rather than a simple majority would be needed to overcome expected GOP stalling tactics. Kennedy and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who supports the bill, are working on the timing for bringing the bill to the floor."

Said Keisling: "We've expressed to Senator Kennedy's office our disappointment and opposition to his idea to move forward. We're always working and talking with his office and we'll see what happens."

A Bush veto is expected if the bill does pass the Senate.

Kennedy Targets Job Bias Against Gays [ap]

You may have missed... HRC Defends Position on ENDA as Trans Groups Picket Outside [tr]
Advocate Reveals New Findings from HRC ENDA Poll [tr]
House Passes Employment Non-Discrimination Act 235-184 [tr]
Barney Frank to Speak on ENDA Controversy [tr]

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, Discrimination, ENDA, News, Ted Kennedy | Permalink | Comments (3)

04/01/2008

Pentagon and House at Odds over Tammy Baldwin Spouse Travel

The definition of the word "spouse" appears to be at the center of a tangle between House speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Pentagon over allowing Wisconsin Rep. Tammy Baldwin's partner Lauren Azar to travel with her in official situations similar to other congressional spouses.

Politico reports: "Under House guidelines, members of Congress may take their spouses with them on military flights if there is room for them and when it is 'necessary for protocol purposes.' Although Baldwin, the only openly gay woman elected to Congress, exchanged wedding vows with Lauren Azar in 1998, her home state of Wisconsin does not officially recognize same-sex marriages, and military officials were apparently unwilling to consider Azar a 'spouse' within the meaning of the House guidelines. In appealing to [Defense Secretary Robert] Gates, Pelosi aides said their boss was simply asking the defense secretary to follow a precedent established by her predecessor, former Republican Rep. Dennis Hastert of Illinois. Pelosi told Gates that Hastert had allowed Baldwin to take Azar on a previous trip abroad. Gates, who was apparently unaware of any earlier trips, told the speaker that she was responsible for the House travel rules and had the authority to make an exception, according to officials on and off the Hill. His only requirement was that Pelosi send him a letter authorizing the trip. Pelosi sent such a letter moments after the phone call ended, and Azar was allowed on the plane."

While some suggest that the military is uneasy about the use of its planes in a situation that would be legitimizing a same-sex relationship while it still treats its employees according to the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, Rep. Barney Frank believes it has more to do with the Bush administration's policy in other areas.

Says Frank: “I think the military was following orders. I think the administration disapproves of same-sex marriage.”

Pentagon balked on gay partner travel [politico]

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, Discrimination, Gay Marriage, Military, Nancy Pelosi, Tammy Baldwin, Travel, Wisconsin | Permalink | Comments (7)

03/25/2008

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #264

BARNEY FRANK: Announces his MAke Room for the Serious Criminals Bill on Real Time with Bill Maher.

CIAO: New film about two gay men who meet after a mutual friend dies. Playing this week at the Dallas AFI International Film Festival. More here.

THE HEART: This sculpture, by Billy Chasen, was recently displayed at the American Heart Association's 2008 Heart of New York Gala, which took place at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

WALRUS: This guy is a Smooth Criminal.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

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Posted by Andy in Art & Design, Barney Frank, Bill Maher, Film, Music, News, Towleroad Guide to the Tube | Permalink | Comments (2)

03/24/2008

News: Barney Frank, Bullied, Missing Emails, Steve May, Birdwatcher

White House has new excuse for missing emails: we threw away the hard drives.

Mangina: Make Me a Supermodel's Perry demonstrates how to do "a proper tuck".

Ryan Phillippe gives Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon his blessing.

Arizona Republican Steve May rescinds Congressional bid after mom and pop refuse to release him from family business: “(My parents) always see my behavior as erratic because they’re dishonest. Sobriety showed me that they were engaged in … evil behavior that I want nothing to do with."

Judge anticipates more dirt in McGreevey divorce trial: "If Dina Matos McGreevey presses a claim that she was duped into marrying New Jersey's gay ex-governor, she'll likely endure a mountain of embarrassing evidence exposed at the trial. 'This week was just the tip of the iceberg,' Union County Superior Court Judge Karen Cassidy cautioned the warring former first couple at a hearing Thursday."

Kate Beckinsale tells Allure she'd rather eat vagina than sushi: "I have to say, sushi freaks me out more than almost anything. At least a vagina would be warm. [laughs] My publicist has literally turned a funny color and is going to go have a lie-down. He's throwing up now, as well. I find a lot of things kind of funny and I often say what's on my mind, and then get nine texts from all my friends going, 'What's the matter with you?' But I haven't ever made a big attempt to have any particular image. And I don't really worry about it."

Good news, Wentworth Miller fans. Prison Break has been picked up for a fourth season.

Mr. DeMille, your estate is ready for its close-up.

Barney Frank calls for decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana on Real Time with Bill Maher: "Frank offered no details on his legislation, and it's not at all clear that he could ever get it to the House floor for a vote. A Frank aide was unaware of his plans other than his statement on HBO. Frank has introduced legislation in previous years to allow the use of 'medical marijuana,' although the bills never made it out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Asked by [Bill] Maher as to why he would push a pot decriminalization bill now, Frank said the American public has already decided that personal use of marijuana is not a problem. 'I now think it's time for the politicians to catch up to the public,' Frank said. 'The notion that you lock people up for smoking marijuana is pretty silly. I'm going to call it the 'Make Room for Serious Criminals' bill.'"

Hire your own paparazzo.

Bullying Billy: The NYT explores the case of one Fayetteville, Arkansas boy whose parents say has become a target for torment.

Mika steps up security after death threats: "Apparently the 24-year-old crooner has been forced to step up security after receiving some dodgy death threats from over-zealous fans. But the Grace Kelly star seems determined to put on a brave face, insisting: 'I'm absolutely fine - don't worry about me - I'm not scared.' In fact, far from shying away, he's promising to be much more flamboyant. 'I want to make my shows even more dramatic,' he told us."

Rediscovering God: Britney Spears negotiating to sing gig at Mel Gibson's Holy Family Catholic Church in Malibu.

Welsh TV birdwatcher Iolo Williams says his tight-fitting shorts have found him a new audience: "The dad-of-two, married to wife Ceri, told Wales on Sunday: 'A friend of mine, a girl who lives in Newport, told me about one of her mates who is gay, and said they have an informal gay club. One thing they did was tape my S4C programmes wearing my tight shorts and would get together in a bar to watch it. I was a little bit surprised at first but absolutely delighted. If they all watched my programmes it would probably double my audience!' Game-for-a-laugh Iolo said he’d would be more than happy to pop out for a pint with his newfound fanbase."

I Love My Boo: NYC safe sex campaign targets young Black and Latino gay and bisexual men. "One of the elements of this campaign that I love is that the language reflects it's target audience. It's current and even a little hood. ... Beautiful images of brothers loving and respecting each others bodies and souls. Now that's not something you see everyday."

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Posted by Andy in AIDS/HIV, Arizona, Barney Frank, Britney Spears, Bullying, Fashion Men, George W. Bush, Jake Gyllenhaal, James McGreevey, Mel Gibson, Mika, Models, News, Real Estate, Ryan Philippe, Wales, Wentworth Miller | Permalink | Comments (14)

02/14/2008

Matt Foreman Charges Barney Frank "Squeamish" on Trans Issues

Noting that he is leaving his job and therefore able to talk candidly about some of his experiences, outgoing National Gay & Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman told Michelangelo Signorile on his radio show Wednesday that he felt Representative Barney Frank was "squeamish" on transgender issues.

Said Foreman: "Of the many things I've loved about being in the Task Force, is that, you know, we're a progressive organization, and we're proud of it, and that we have a history of speaking the truth and seeing the world in a bigger way than just a 'gay-specific,' 'me-first-all-the-time' attitude that affects so much of our movement. I think what really happened [ on ENDA] is [Speaker Nancy Pelosi's] people said 'Look, Congress has a terrible reputation right now, they're not delivering for any progressive causes... What do we have to do to deliver to our progressive allies?' That means labor and health and environment and gays. And, so, I mean, I don't know this for a fact, but I would bet my life that this is what happened: They went to Barney Frank and said 'What do we need to pass ENDA?' Representative Frank, who has always been pretty squeamish on the trans issue, and I guess I can say these things because I am leaving my job...you know, said 'Look the best way to pass ENDA, and the easiest way is to -- let's take out gender identity,' and I don't think the Speaker's people thought this through--didn't think it through--and then they said 'OK, let's do it'."

Frank called the remarks "absurd" and has scheduled an appearance on Signorile's Sirius show today at 3:30 to respond.

PageOneQ has audio clips of Foreman's appearance.

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, Gay Rights, Matt Foreman, News, Transgender | Permalink | Comments (25)

01/30/2008

Brit Hume Surprised at Bush and Barney Frank 'Affection'

As a follow-up to my post from last night on Bush's interaction with Rep. Barney Frank at the State of the Union address, here's a clip from FOX News' post-speech broadcast in which Brit Hume interrupts commentator Nina Easton to note that Bush (shock!) actually stopped to talk to a (gasp!) liberal.

Presumably this is when Bush told Frank he hoped he told his boyfriend how "open-minded" he is.

Said Hume: "Hold on a second, what we just saw there was an interesting moment, a moment of friendship, almost affection between the president and none other than Barney Frank, who I think it's fair to say is one of the most liberal Members of Congress, also one of the smartest guys up there, but, uh..."

I'd love to know what Hume was going to say next before Easton gave him the rational explanation.

Previously
Bush Interrupts Barney Frank Phone Call with Boyfriend [tr]

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, George W. Bush, News | Permalink | Comments (10)

01/29/2008

Bush Interrupts Barney Frank Phone Call with Boyfriend

On his way into the House chamber for the State of the Union, Bush reportedly bumped into Barney Frank who was on the phone with his boyfriend. Bush didn't know who it was, but told Frank to tell them 'hello'.

After the speech, the Boston Globe reports, Frank sought out the President and told him, "Mr. President, by the way, the person I was talking to when you said to say hello was my boyfriend."

Bush's reply?

"Well. I hope you said how open-minded I am."

Said Frank: "I considered telling [the president] I wouldn't marry him, but then I thought, 'Nah.'"

An Unexpected Caller [political intelligence]

Previously
Bush Kiss: Man on Man Action at the State of the Union [tr]

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, George W. Bush, News | Permalink | Comments (11)

11/14/2007

Barney Frank Endorses Clinton, Takes Economic Advisor Role

Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank has endorsed Hillary Clinton's campaign and will take on the role of economic advisor, the campaign announced.

Said Frank in a press release: "I have from the beginning of this campaign believed that Hillary Clinton was the candidate best qualified to serve as President,” Rep. Frank said. “I am convinced that once elected, the qualities she will bring to the job - commitment, intellect, and political skills - will make her an extremely effective leader in our effort to reverse the badly flawed course on which George Bush and past Republican Congresses have set this country...In addition, based on my work with her on issues involving discrimination, I am convinced that Hillary Clinton is the candidate best equipped to pass laws that will treat all Americans with dignity, fairness and equality no matter who they are or who they love.

Said Clinton:" I’m honored to have the support of one of the sharpest minds in Congress. Barney has devoted his life to championing economic fairness and civil rights, and expanding opportunity for all Americans. I’m delighted he’ll take a leadership role in our campaign."

As The Nation notes, now both openly gay members of Congress, Frank and Tammy Baldwin, have thrown their support behind Clinton: "When Baldwin endorsed Clinton last summer, she cited her longstanding friendship with the senator as well as a shared commitment to health care reform. In addition, the Wisconsinite described Clinton as "strong and vocal" in her support of ending employment discrimination against gays and lesbians. Baldwin acknowledged at the time, however, that she and Clinton do not see eye to eye on the issue of same-sex marriage. The New York senator supports domestic partnership initiatives and civil unions, but has opposed moves that allow gay and lesbian couples to wed.
'It's not my position,' Baldwin said of Clinton's stance. 'I support full marriage equality. We will voice encouragement for (Clinton) to be open to changing her opinion.'"

In related news, a McCain supporter asks the candidate, "How do we beat the bitch?"

McCain's response: "That's an excellent question."

McCain responded late yesterday to the airing of his comments, according to Talking Points Memo: "McCain has on many occasions expressed his respect for Senator Clinton, just as he did when confronted with the question in South Carolina."

You can read Barney Frank's full statement after the jump.

FULL STATEMENT from Barney Frank:

"I have from the beginning of this campaign believed that Hillary Clinton was the candidate best qualified to serve as President,” Rep. Frank said. “I am convinced that once elected, the qualities she will bring to the job - commitment, intellect, and political skills - will make her an extremely effective leader in our effort to reverse the badly flawed course on which George Bush and past Republican Congresses have set this country.

“I am particularly pleased by her commitment to reverse the economic policies that have created a situation in which as the country progresses economically, only a small number of Americans benefit. Her understanding of the need to implement policies that provide fairness for middle and working class people is very important. She has shown an ability to fight for progressive values in a way that is capable of appealing to the majority of our fellow citizens, and I believe that she is both politically and substantively the candidate best qualified to be our nominee.

“As Chair of the House Financial Services Committee with major responsibilities for various parts of our economy, I particularly look forward to working with her and members of her administration in once again demonstrating that economic growth and a concern for economic fairness in fact are reinforcing values, and not, as the current administration believes, in competition with each other.

"In addition, based on my work with her on issues involving discrimination, I am convinced that Hillary Clinton is the candidate best equipped to pass laws that will treat all Americans with dignity, fairness and equality no matter who they are or who they love.”

“I’m honored to have the support of one of the sharpest minds in Congress,” Clinton said. “Barney has devoted his life to championing economic fairness and civil rights, and expanding opportunity for all Americans. I’m delighted he’ll take a leadership role in our campaign.”

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, Democratic Party, Election 2008, Hillary Clinton, News, Tammy Baldwin | Permalink | Comments (15)

11/07/2007

House Passes Employment Non-Discrimination Act 235-184

House passes ENDA 235-184. 35 Republicans joined the Democrats.

Above, Barney Frank's remarks on ENDA — on the left, his comments at the beginning of debate, at right his tearful comments at the end, after a motion was made to send the bill back to committee, in order to kill it. The motion to recommit was made on the basis of marriage: "Motion to recommit "to modify, limit, restrict, or in any way overturn any State or Federal definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, including the use of this Act as a legal predicate in litigation on the issue of marriage."

The motion to recommit failed 222-198.

Tammy Baldwin withdrew her amendment adding transgender protections at the end of debate. Baldwin released a statement following the vote.

Here are a few clips of the debate this afternoon:

Below, Representative John Lewis speaks in favor of the bill. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's statement in support of the bill.

Below, Representative Barbara Lee speaks in support of the Baldwin amendment that would add protections for transgender people. Representative Kathy Castor speaks in favor of the bill.

Jeremy at Good As You has a whole line-up of audio recordings of the debate that went on this afternoon.

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, ENDA, Nancy Pelosi, News, Tammy Baldwin | Permalink | Comments (56)

11/06/2007

Update: ENDA Floor Vote Coming Tomorrow

The House will vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and several amendments tomorrow, Gay City News is reporting:

"...the House Rules Committee voted early in the evening on November 5 to advance the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to the floor for a vote, and to permit consideration of three amendments, including Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin's proposal to restore transgender protections to the bill. The Baldwin amendment will get ten minutes for debate. The floor vote had been been tentatively scheduled for Tuesday..."

UPDATE: Human Right Campaign endorses watered-down bill, presses for transgender amendment...

UPDATE 2: Leadership Council on Civil Rights (with HRC) letter to the House.

Previously
ENDA Goes Before House Rules Committee; Headed to Floor [tr]

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, ENDA, News, Tammy Baldwin | Permalink | Comments (10)

11/05/2007

ENDA Goes Before House Rules Committee; Headed to Floor

Gay City News reports that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is currently before the House Rules Committee and is headed to the floor at some point this week. The version of the bill before the committee does not include protections for transgender individuals:

"According to Steve Adamske, a spokesman for out gay Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank, ENDA's lead sponsor, the Committee will take up the measure in the form it was scaled back to in late September, at Frank's recommendation, to include only sexual orientation - and not gender identity and expression - as a protected class."

Rep. Tammy Baldwin's amendment, which would add protections for transgender individuals back into the bill, may be heard on the floor as well, however, the exact process by which that would occur is reportedly being considered by the Rules Committee.

Baldwin declined to add her name in support of the watered-down ENDA (she was a co-sponsor of the original bill), and several Democrats may defect in their support of it due to the lack of transgender inclusion. However, Gay City News notes, the fact that is in committee is a signal that leadership feels it has the votes to pass the bill.

ENDA Heading to Floor This Week [gay city news]

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, ENDA, News, Tammy Baldwin, Transgender | Permalink | Comments (21)

10/31/2007

News: Mario Lopez, Louis Vuitton, Sydney, Tom Ford, Brazil

Robert Goulet dies at 73, awaiting lung transplant at hospital.

Does Annie Leibowitz's Louis Vuitton ad contain a hidden message from Gorbachev about poisoned Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko?

Being Mr. Gay Brazil requires Representative Barney Frank on Larry Craig: "I don’t think he should have been arrested, but it’s more likely than not that he was interested in sex. You have a right to privacy but not hypocrisy. During the period that I was closeted for seven years, I was always a gay rights supporter. I think it’s a fundamental violation of principles to vote one way and act another."

Following rash of gay bashings, a "safe space" opens on Oxford Street in Sydney: "Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said the City had agreed to lease a recently vacated shop front in a Council-owned building to ACON for use as a night-time Safe Space for the gay community. '“Following discussions with ACON, the City has agreed to provide the premises free of charge for ACON to use on a nightly basis,'” Ms Moore said. '“The Safe Space will act as a refuge for people who feel threatened or abused.” Residents continue to report assaults, robberies and anti-social behaviour associated with large late night licensed premises. There are ongoing reports of serious problems and people tell me that they fear for their safety.”'"

Ass-tastic: Mario Lopez lets it all hang out for Halloween.

Wentworth Miller holds on tight!

Two pink triangles from the Holocaust being auctioned in the UK: "They are expected to fetch hundreds of pounds when they go under the hammer at the Mullock's Auctioneers at Ludlow Racecourse on Thursday. Also being sold at the auction are other rare items including a description of a Spanish flu pandemic that killed millions and an apologetic letter from composer Edward Elgar."

Jesse Helms documentary comes to DVD, and includes never-before-seen interview with Matthew Shepard.

Frequent Towleroad commenter David Ehrenstein writes on "Obama's Gospel Mistake" in the L.A. Times.

Harper Lee to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Tom Ford is buying mineral rights to the land beneath his Galisteo, New Mexico ranch in order to block oil drilling: "Ford paid the state Land Office about $84,000 earlier this year to purchase the mineral rights to more than 1,400 acres, according to Land Office records. The purchase came in response to Tecton Energy's controversial proposal to drill eight exploratory wells on 65,000 acres, or 101 square miles, in the Galisteo Basin where it has acquired mineral rights." All drilling above ground is expected to continue.

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Posted by Andy in Advertising, Annie Leibovitz, Barack Obama, Barney Frank, Brazil, Deaths, Larry Craig, Mario Lopez, Matthew Shepard, New Mexico, News, Sydney, Tom Ford, Wentworth Miller | Permalink | Comments (25)

10/12/2007

Barney Frank and Activists Dig in Their Heels Over ENDA

Above, highlights from Barney Frank's press conference yesterday on ENDA.

The conflict between the Democratic legislature's will to pass a bill that excludes transgender people and the desire of the vast majority of LGBT groups to pass an inclusive bill has spilled into the mainstream media over the past 24 hours.

The AP reports: "The debate over including transgender people has sharply divided gay rights activists, many of whom are trying to kill a stripped-down bill without protections for transgender workers that Frank and Democratic leaders hope will win House passage this year."

Both Frank and the executive director of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force Matt Foreman have acknowledged that it's strange for the two groups to be on opposing sides of a progressive issue.

Said Foreman: "We're not going to be split off this way. We're driven by principle. No civil rights movement has ever left a part of its community behind - and we're not about to be the first. I never thought in a million years we would be on the opposite side of Barney Frank and it is painful."

Frank countered, "Politically, the notion that you don't do anything until you can do everything is self-defeating. These things take awhile. The transgender issue is of relatively recent vintage. Fighting your friends can sometimes be difficult."

Gay Rights Backers Split on Bias Bill [ap]

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, Democratic Party, Discrimination, ENDA, Matt Foreman, News | Permalink | Comments (58)

10/11/2007

Barney Frank: Foes of Non-Inclusive ENDA "Can't Handle the Truth"

At a press conference earlier today, Rep. Barney Frank restated his position on an Employment Non-Discrimination Bill that does not include transgender people, The Advocate reports: "In remarks at a press conference on Capitol Hill this morning, Frank said that a sexual orientation-only ENDA could pass in the House with a margin of 15 or 20 votes, but that a transgender-inclusive bill wouldn't even garner an up-or-down vote on the floor of the chamber due to the lack of political support."

Frank called the anger over the sexual-orientation-only bill "counterproductive" and said that opponents "can’t handle the truth unfortunately." Said Frank: "Should we kill the whole bill? I have a very profound difference with people who say we should…I do not think you deny people protection if you can. A sexual orientation-only bill would be very helpful."

While he applauded efforts by the LGBT community lobbying for a trans-inclusive bill, he expressed dismay that such efforts had come so late in the process, according to The Advocate: "Frank asserted that pulling the sexual orientation-only bill would send a bad message to the country and would only hurt the LGBT rights movement. 'The headline will be, 'Pelosi pulls gay rights bill from agenda,' that they didn't have enough votes to pass it. I don't understand how that helps us.'"

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, Democratic Party, ENDA, News | Permalink | Comments (41)

10/05/2007

Barney Frank to Speak on ENDA Controversy

Representative Barney Frank will appear on Michelangelo Signorile's Sirius radio show at 5:15 pm EST today to talk about the controversy surrounding the ENDA legislation. Jon Davidson of Lambda Legal will be on before Frank, starting at 3:30 EST. You can get a free three-day pass to Sirius here.

A week ago, Frank announced that transgender-inclusion in the LGBT anti-discrimination legislation would be cut because the bill would not have enough votes to pass with transgender people included.

This, understandably, set off a firestorm in the LGBT community.

On Monday, the House voted to postpone action on ENDA pending further assessment of reaction from the LGBT community.

I've tried to gather some of the pieces I've run across regarding the controversy:

Lambda Legal's Open Letter to Barney Frank [PDF]
Barney Frank on Lambda Legal's analysis [bilerico project]
Lambda Legal Responds to Rep Barney Frank [bilerico project]

Sole transgender HRC board member Donna Rose on her resignation over HRC's position:
Donna Rose statement [out for democracy]

United ENDA Forms [ngltf]
HRC Launches Full-Scale Nationwide Call to Action in Support of Inclusive ENDA [hrc]
The difficult discussions people don't want to have [pam's house blend]
Gabriel Rotello: If ENDA Doesn't Protect the Transgendered, It Doesn't Protect Me [huffington post]
John Aravosis: The Transgender Fiasco [americablog]
Waymon Hudson: Accept No Substitutes: Stripped Down Version of ENDA is Dangerous and Wrong [bilerico project]
Libby Post: The Party Never Really Started [pageoneq]

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, Discrimination, ENDA, News, Transgender | Permalink | Comments (49)

09/28/2007

Trans Inclusion Cut from ENDA After Vote Reveals Lack of Support

The Employment Nondiscrimination Act, or ENDA, is to be taken up by the Education and Labor Committee next Tuesday, and sent to the House floor after that for a vote. It will not include protections for transgender people as a preliminary vote revealed that because of the trans-inclusive nature of the bill it did not have enough support to pass, the Washington Post reports.

According to The Advocate, Rep. Barney Frank will introduce two versions of the bill. ENDA, which would extend civil rights protections based on sexual orientation, and a new bill, "GENDA", that will take up civil rights protections for transgender people. The latter, obviously, is not likely to pass until further hearings are held.

Via WaPo: "The last time Congress took up ENDA was in 1996, when it failed to clear the Senate by just one vote. It should have passed then, and it most certainly should pass now. The bill will not give 'special rights' to homosexuals, as opponents claim. The reality is ENDA will give homosexuals basic civil rights on a federal level. If the legislation is passed, it would be illegal to fire, refuse to hire or refuse to promote an employee because of the person's real or perceived sexual orientation."

Barney Frank discusses the decision on the Bilerico report.

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, Gay Rights, News, Transgender | Permalink | Comments (34)

08/30/2007

Rep. Barney Frank Comments on Larry Craig's Arrest

For all our Larry Craig coverage, click here.

Openly gay Rep. Barney Frank gave an interview to the Associated Press about Senator Larry Craig's guilty plea and his recent lewd conduct arrest in a Minneapolis airport restroom. Frank does not feel that Craig should resign.

Said Frank: "What he did, it's hypocritical, but it's not an abuse of his office in the sense that he was taking money for corrupt votes. I think people should resign when they have clearly done the job in a way that is dishonest. It's one thing to say that someone can't be trusted to vote without being corrupt, it's another to say that he can't be trusted to go to the bathroom by himself....This is the hypocrisy -- it's to deny legal equality to gay people, but then to engage in gay behavior."

Frank also called Craig's denial that he is guilty "implausible". Said Frank: He called Craig's denial "implausible," given the facts of the case. "The normal reaction if you are falsely accused is indignation, not submission, particularly if you are a senator."

Frank said it was unlikely Craig would have success in future elections: "Even gay men who have not been involved in this kind of public sex situation generally get forced out of Republican politics because of opposition within the Republican Party. This is unfortunate, but the fact that he's gay is going to be a problem in the Republican primary."

Yesterday, several of Craig's Republican colleagues put pressure on him to resign.

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08/09/2007

Exclusive: National Memorial for LGBT Hate Crime Victims Launches

Scott Hall, longtime activist Frank Kameny, US. Representative Barney Frank and Amazing Race winner and activist Chip Arndt are spearheading the launch of Gay American Heroes, a national memorial to honor LGBT people murdered because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Supporting them are a large number of gay and straight public figures who have lent their names to the project.

The memorial's goal is to honor and remember LGBT people who have been murdered in anti-gay hate crimes, engage and inform the public about LGBT hate crimes, and "inspire compassion and greater appreciation for, and acceptance of, diversity," according to Arndt.

The memorial and exhibition, consisting of a 100-ft. long display made up of eight-ft. tall rainbow-colored multi-dimensional panels which bear the photographs, names, ages, and occupations of LGBT hate crime victims, will travel throughout the country to college campuses, LGBT events, and communities where anti-gay hate crimes have occurred. According to the organizers, an informational welcome tent will host guest speakers and distribute educational materials. Local community leaders will be encouraged to host informative programs in conjunction with the exhibit.

The expected completion date of the Gay American Heroes exhibit is December 2007. The foundation's ultimate goal is to establish a permanent memorial to hate crime victims in Washington, D.C.

The organizers say they chose the name "Gay American Heroes" for the exhibition because the majority of the heterosexual community at large, whom the foundation seeks to educate, often does not distinguish between lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, but places all in a single category — gay. The foundation also notes that it is focusing first on Americans and those who choose to take the "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" of others into their own hands. As for the "heroes" moniker, the organizers say: "All people who live honestly about their sexual orientation are heroic, as it takes great strength and courage to face the daily struggles for personal freedom in the face of enormous opposition; to ultimately give their life for said freedom makes them heroes."

Founder and president Scott Hall, a hate crime victim himself, came up with the idea after hearing about the brutal homophobic killing of Ryan Keith Skipper, a 25-year-old from Polk County, Florida.

Hall contacted pioneering gay activist Frank Kameny, whose extensive collection of gay rights papers and memorabilia was recently donated to the Library of Congress, and noted writer and historian James T. Sears. Several others, including Arndt, and Fort Lauderdale's Stonewall Library and Archives executive director Jack Rutland came on board and the project gained steam.

Said Hall: "We want to reach out to communities as soon as possible following a deadly anti-gay hate crime. We want to support the family and friends of the victim, as well as to work with local officials, law enforcement and service organizations to provide counseling and outreach."

Several high-profile figures have thrown their support behind the project as an "Honorary Board of Directors" including U.S. Representative Barney Frank, Matt Foreman of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Eric Alva, the first American wounded in the war in Iraq, actors Alan Cumming, Chad Allen and Bobby Gant, former professional baseball player Billy Bean, political strategist David Mixner, and novelist Christopher Rice. I have also agreed to serve on the Honorary Board.

Cyndi Lauper and T.R. Knight have also expressed a desire to help in whatever way they can.

Elke Kennedy, whose son Sean William Kennedy was killed in a homophobic attack in May in South Carolina, has joined the group's Board of Advisors.

Several local and national organizations have declared their support for the non-profit Foundation. They include Equality Florida, Freedom Democrats of Miami-Dade, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Pridelines Youth Services, Safe Schools South Florida, Stonewall Library & Archives, The Trevor Project and Unity Coalition of Miami-Dade.

Gay American Heroes Foundation will be funded through private and grant donations, offline and online fundraisers and partnership donations. The Dade Community Foundation is currently managing the Foundation’s contributions and is fiscally sponsoring Gay American Heroes.

The foundation's online address is GayAmericanHeroes.com.

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, Chip Arndt, Crime, Frank Kameny, Gay Rights, Michael Sandy, News, Ryan Keith Skipper | Permalink | Comments (27)

05/16/2007

News: Mika, Antarctica, Mitt Romney, McSteamy, Lesbian Arabs

Mayor of Lithuania's capital Vilnius, has backed bus drivers who refused to drive buses emblazoned with gay tolerance advertisements. Said Mayor Juozas Imbrasas: "We tolerate people of any kind of sexual orientation, nevertheless with priority for traditional family and seeking to promote the family values, we disapprove the public display of homosexualists’ ideas in the city of Vilnius."

Mika bemoans price of fame: "It's sad but I just don't have a private life anymore. I have to focus on my music and I have absolutely no time for anything else."

Human Rights Watch calls on Iran to end home raids and mass detentions intended to "counter immoral behavior": "In Iran, the walls of homes are transparent and the halls of justice are opaque. This ‘morality’ campaign shows how fragile respect for privacy and personal dignity is in Iran today."

Barney Frank tired of people asking him about his sling. Memo: "I appreciate the concern expressed by many about why my arm is in a sling. In order to avoid having to repeat the same conversation, I am sending out this Dear Colleague. I ruptured a tendon in my left arm using a curling machine in a gym, and I had it surgically repaired yesterday at Bethesda Naval Hospital. I’ll be using the sling for a week or two, but I feel fine. Thanks for not asking."

Men's Health is all about great abs but all McSteamy serves up some good face to go with them.

Iraq off the table for Prince Harry: "He is a magnet for jihadists."

Antarctica sees ice melt the size of California...in a single month: "Satellite data collected by the scientists between July 1999 and July 2005 showed clear signs that melting had occurred in multiple distinct regions, including far inland and at high latitudes and elevations, where melt had been considered unlikely...Evidence of melting was found up to 560 miles inland from the open ocean, farther than 85 degrees south (about 310 miles from the South Pole) and higher than 6,600 feet above sea level."

In Republican debate, Mitt Romney says he'd like to see the size of Guantanamo doubled: "I am glad [detainees] are at Guantanamo. I don’t want them on our soil. I want them on Guantanamo, where they don’t get the access to lawyers they get when they’re on our soil. I don’t want them in our prisons, I want them there. Some people have said we ought to close Guantanamo. My view is we ought to double Guantanamo."

Eddie Murphy II: Is rapper Mase a fan of transgender prostitutes?

Lesbian Arabs unite to break down taboos: 'We are Palestinian, we are women, we are gay'.

North Carolina lawmakers argue over whether gays should be included on a list of potential 'bully targets' in schools: "Disagreement focuses on its description of bullying as including acts that are motivated by bias against "any actual or perceived characteristic" of a victim from a list that includes race, gender, disability and sexual orientation. The bill doesn't try to grant special protection to homosexual students - it simply states the fact that they are among the potential victims that school administrators should keep an eye on, said Rep. Rick Glazier, the sponsor. 'Special attention has got to be given to those who suffer the most bullying,' Glazier, D-Cumberland, explained. 'We cannot protect them by pretending that differences don't exist, aren't perceived to exist.'"

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, Eric Dane, Global Warming, Iran, Iraq, Lithuania, Mika, Mitt Romney, News, North Carolina, Prince Harry | Permalink | Comments (13)

04/25/2007

Bill Introduced That Would Ban Anti-gay Employer Discrimination

Yesterday, a bipartisan group of House legislators lead by Barney Frank introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would prohibit employers from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation.

Said Frank: "This is a protection against discrimination that has been tried in a number of states, beginning in Wisconsin more than 20 years ago, and it has worked extremely well. It has caused none of the problems that opponents inaccurately claimed it would and it has provided job protection for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people who ask simply to be allowed do their jobs and be judged on their job performance."

Joining Frank at the press conference introducing the bill were Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH), Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Joe Solmonese, Executive Director of HRC, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT), Rev. Dennis Wiley from Covenant Baptist Church, Steven Keyes, Nationwide Insurance, and Rosalyn Pelles, AFL-CIO. Their moments at the microphone follow after the jump...

Gay-rights proposals gain in Congress [boston globe]

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, Discrimination, Gay Rights, News | Permalink | Comments (9)

10/23/2006

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #46

BARNEY FRANK on BILL MAHER: On outing gay Republican politicians. Frank nails it.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE: Getting slapped in the face with somebody's meat.

MICHAEL J. FOX: Helps out Missouri candidate Claire McCaskill in her run for the Senate and discusses the need for stem cell research, but also reveals the devastating toll Parkinson's Disease has taken.

NANCY PELOSI on IMPEACHMENT: "Making them lame ducks is good enough for me."

Make sure to catch all our guides to the Tube here!

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Posted by Andy in Advertising, Barney Frank, Justin Timberlake, News, Towleroad Guide to the Tube | Permalink | Comments (26)

10/06/2006

Barney Frank: "Gay GOP Like Secret Jews"

Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) talks to The Advocate about Foley and the possible purge of gay Republicans from the Party:

"This is a real crisis, since before, gays in the Republican Party were willing to be tolerated, but Republicans will now be more nervous having gay people in positions of power. They have been critical of people who are out and gay—there could be a real purge of gays in the Republican Party now. It's probably just enough for people to be perceived to be gay... Newt Gingrich said the Republicans couldn't have publicly reprimanded Foley or they would be accused of gay-bashing. That's just gibberish. There would probably be just as much uproar if it was an underage female, because of Foley's work with children. In fact, I think the media has been fairly good about not gay-bashing this scandal."

Frank also talks about how gay male politicians attend functions in Washington with male dates when the Democrats are in office, but show up with their beards under Republican administrations:

"Once, at a congressional Christmas party at the White House, my ex-boyfriend Herb went up to Foley, who was with a female date, and said to him, 'Why don't you get a real date?' Foley didn't say anything."

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

Lawyer: Matt Drudge story on Page's "prank" IMs "a piece of fiction.". "Stephen Jones (the lwayer for the page in question) told the Daily Oklahoman that "there is not any aspect of this matter that is a practical joke nor should anyone treat it that way."

Three more pages come forward. ABC reports that pages from the classes of 1998, 2000 and 2002 have told authorities they were approached by Foley.

2002 Page: "I was seventeen years old and just returned to [my home state] when Foley began to e-mail me, asking if I had ever seen my page roommates naked and how big their penises were."

2000 Page: "His e-mails developed into sexually explicit conversations, and he asked me for photographs of my erect penis."

1998 Page: "Foley would say he was sitting in his boxers and ask what I was wearing. It became more weird, and I stopped responding."

Previously
Hastert Asked "To Intervene" on Foley Three Years Ago [tr]
Mark Foley's Indiscretions Began in '95, as did Cover-Up [tr]
Foley is Gay, Says Attorney; Was Molested by Clergyman as Teenager [tr]
The Talk: Foley, Jon Stewart, Hastert, Bay Buchanan [tr]
Mark Foley Scandal Updates [tr]
Investigations Begin into Cover-up Surrounding Mark Foley: Republican Leaders Knew of Misdeeds for Five Years, Did Nothing [tr]
Political Page Turner: Rep. Mark Foley Resigns Seat Over Inappropriate Emails [tr]
Male Page and Rep Mark Foley in Troubling Email Exchange [tr]

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Posted by Andy in Barney Frank, Mark Foley, News, Republican Party | Permalink | Comments (20)