News: Shane Mercado, Kalamazoo, Nicolas Sarkozy, Bad Christians

Cincinnati Christian University’s chief financial officer Robert Williams arrested on gay 'sexual imposition' charges.

Aussie Idol star Anthony Callea says coming out has had minimal career impact: "You really have to be comfortable with yourself before you make that step. Everybody has an opinion. People say, 'You should have been up front about it', but you need to be comfortable. You don't want to get to 30 or 40 and be dealing with your sexuality. I wanted to do it my way. I didn't want my label or management to be a part of it, I wanted to write my own statement and express what I've gone through and dealt with."

Beyoncé and "Single Ladies" YouTube superstar Shane Mercadocome face-to-face at premiere of Cadillac Records.

Kentucky police officer convicted of murder of gay student who was his lover.

Former gay prostitute turned Christian extremist Bill Whatcott terrorizing Edmonton, Alberta residents with gay hate and anti-abortion flyers.

Roman Catholic priests told not to offend gays with "heterosexist" language.

Lance Bass on the move?

Kalamazoo, Michigan approves gay rights ordinance: "The city of Kalamazoo has stepped beyond existing state and federal laws, making it illegal to use sexual orientation to discriminate in housing, public accommodations and employment. The Kalamazoo City Commission voted 7-0 Monday night to adopt an expanded anti-discrimination ordinance that makes it a municipal civil infraction to discriminate against gays, lesbians and transgender citizens."

Graham Norton to join West End La Cage Aux Folles revival.

Nicolas Sarkozy doesn't have many new ideas, apparently.

David Gregory to host Meet the Press.

Thatcham, UK man warned he may go to prison for harassing his gay neighbors: "Philip Prior, aged 44, of Malthouse Close, was found guilty of harassing his neighbours Stephen Guy and Glynn Morton. Reading Magistrates’ Court heard how Mr Prior shouted homophobic comments, sang anti-gay songs and pinned gay pornographic images to the outside of his neighbours’ home. Mr Prior denied the offence claiming that any song he had sung was for his entertainment only. The court heard on Wednesday of last week how Mr Prior regularly changed the words in song lyrics to make them sound anti-gay, which he would sing loudly in his garden. Giving evidence, Mr Guy said he and his partner were subject to regular taunts from the defendant. The taunts grew so bad that the couple started making notes of the dates, times and details of all the comments."

Gay UK man kills lover on houseboat, stages cover up, court hears.

Report: Patrick Swayze's health failing. Swayze responds.

One of Gossip Girl's allegedly gay duo spotted swapping spit with female co-star.

Brad Pitt rebuilds New Orleans.

Producer Jon Peters slapped with male sexual harassment suit: " In a lawsuit filed this week in Los Angeles Superior Court, Brian Quintana - a co-producer with Peters on the upcoming 'Superman: Man of Steel' - alleges that Peters subjected him to 'continuous and pervasive sexual harassment.' The suit states there were 'multiple instances where he was physically, sexually harassed by Peters, including being groped by male individuals at Peters' behest.' Peters would 'wrestle and rough up [Quintana] in a sexual manner... fondle himself in front of [Quintana]...often place his hand on [Quintana's] leg in a sexual manner,' as well as 'touch' his buttocks, the suit alleges. In addition, according to the suit, Peters demanded that Quintana 'drive male individuals onto the set for the purposes of granting sexual favors for members of the cast and crew [and] cover up allegations that . . . Peters engaged in sexually inappropriate acts in front of children.'" (via boy culture)

Researcher: "Undesirable" gay men engage in riskier behavior.

California priest instructs parishioners to go to confession if they voted for 'pro-abortion' Obama.

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Vatican Opposes UN Resolution Condemning Anti-Gay Discrimination

Yesterday, it was reported that the Vatican stated its opposition to a UN declaration formally condemning discrimination against gays because doing so would pressure nations which do not recognize same-sex unions to do so. The resolution, which the Vatican claims would "de-criminalize" same-sex unions, is set to be introduced by France on December 10th at the UN General Assembly, on the 60th anniversary of the UN declaration of human rights.

The Times reports: "Over 80 countries in the world currently outlaw same-sex relations, with punishments range from short prison sentences to life imprisonment and even death by execution. The UN declaration will not be binding, but gay rights movements hope it will lead to a UN resolution. The French minister of human rights and foreign affairs, Rama Yade, said that the EU should also 'take the lead in stopping violence against women worldwide.'"

Today, Reuters reports that the Vatican has been "attacked" for the condemnation. Once again, gays are being framed as the aggressors:

"A strongly worded editorial in Italy's mainstream La Stampa newspaper said the Vatican's reasoning was 'grotesque.' Pointing out that homosexuality was still punishable by death in some Islamic countries, the editorial said what the Vatican really feared was a 'chain reaction in favor of legally recognized homosexual unions in countries, like Italy, where there is currently no legislation.' Franco Grillini, founder and honorary president of Arcigay, Italy's leading gay rights group, said the Vatican's reasoning smacked of 'total idiocy and madness... 'The French resolution, which is supported by all 27 members of the European Union, has nothing to do with gay marriage. It is about stopping jail and the death penalty for homosexuals,' Grillini told Reuters."

In late October, the Vatican said that candidates for the Catholic priesthood should undergo psychological tests to screen out heterosexuals unable to control their sexual urges and those with strong homosexual tendencies.

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News: Mumbai, Pilot Whales, Britney Spears, Scuba, Pregnant Man

A grim first look inside the Taj Hotel following the weekend's deadly terrorist siege in Mumbai. The owner of the Taj said the hotel had temporarily increased security following a warning they received. The Big Picture offers some powerful and troubling photos. Hostages says he wishes he had a gun rather than a camera. This video allegedly shows the final living terrorist beaten and arrested. Condoleezza Rice heads to India.

Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire wins big at British independent film awards (Bifas): "...the story of a Mumbai teenage boy who astounds all around him by doing well on the Indian Who Wants To Be a Millionaire quiz show, won best film, best director and best newcomer for its British lead."

Pregnant man Thomas Beatie and family go international.

Scottish women targeted in homophobic gravel attack: "Police say the happened at around 2am yesterday morning as the pair made their way along Duke Street towards Lochend Road following a night out. The women, aged 34 and 35 were then subjected homophobic abuse by two men who were walking in the opposite direction. The men then picked up gravel from the ground and threw it. One of the women had gravel thrown directly in her face before both men ran off towards Leith Links."

Britney Spears goes on the record, brings Circus to X-Factor.

Scientists: Blueberries can improve memory.

Nature/nurture argument for homosexuality to be informed by forthcoming study of twins.

Scuba dive in the middle of the Utah desert.

Judge rules murder of gay man in Australia not homophobic: "The court had heard Fleming, 35, and the youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were sharing a beer at a Narrabeen toilet block while sheltering from a storm. Fleming, a 'gentle, childlike man' with Asperger’s Syndrome later approached the youth with his trousers down and attempted to hug him. NSW Supreme Court justice David Kirby said the killing was the result of a failure of communication. 'He feared that he may be raped or sexually assaulted,' Kirby told the court as he handed down the sentence. 'He says, and I accept, he is not homophobic.'"

Gay penguins segregated at China zoo after urge to father children leads them to steal eggs. No doubt the wingnuts will be all over this story.

Tampa, Florida area sees shift in attitudes toward gay people: "The gay and lesbian community that left Ybor City in the early 1990s is returning to play a key role in its resurrection. A local salsa instructor is satisfying a growing interest in a class for gay and lesbian dancers. And in Palmetto, the nation's first gay and lesbian retirement community is appealing to people nationwide seeking a slice of Florida paradise. Perhaps no sign of support is clearer than the election of Kevin Beckner, the county's first openly gay commissioner. He defeated Brian Blair, a supporter of the county's ban on recognizing gay pride."

British rugby league adopts stance against homophobia: "League officials say posters and logos carrying the message, 'Some people are gay. Get over it!' will be displayed at rugby league grounds, in programs and fan areas, as a bid to promote LGBT integration in the sport.

Ben Affleck shaves his head.

More than 150 pilot whales die in mass stranding in Tasmania.

Gay Catholic's book ruffles frocks at Boston church.

Secret behind Tina Fey's scar revealed.

Norman Mailer writer's colony to launch in May in Provincetown: "Still in its planning stages, the center, to be funded entirely through private donations, is scheduled to host at least seven weeklong seminars next summer, as well as monthlong fellowships and other events. And that's just the first season, Schiller said. Colony organizers include an ad­visory board of noted authors, among them Günter Grass, Joan Didion and Doris Kearns Goodwin. They are still planning the curriculum for the fall and winter seasons...The summer seminars, which will begin in May and end in August, will range in theme from first-person journalism to documentary filmmaking."

Huffington Post raises $25 million in new capital from OAk Investment Partners.

Warrant out for Polish man suspected in homophobic UK attack.

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #393

JOE LIEBERMAN: Harry Reid press conference on decision to allow Joe Lieberman to keep his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Committee despite his attacks on Barack Obama during the campaign season.

CATHOLIC CARDINAL STAFFORD: Criticizes Obama as "aggressive, disruptive and apocalyptic."

PACKERS FAN: A bear who's a big Packers fan.

HABANERA: David Schmader at Slog says this old Sesame Street clip is maybe his earliest childhood memory. We must be the same age.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

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Vatican: Psychological Tests to Screen Priests for Sexual, Gay Urges

Would there be any left standing?

"Candidates for the Catholic priesthood should undergo psychological tests to screen out heterosexuals unable to control their sexual urges and those with strong homosexual tendencies, the Vatican said Thursday. A new document was the second in three years to deal with the effects of a sexual abuse scandal that rocked the Church six years ago. It said the early detection of 'sometimes pathological' psychological defects of men before they become priests would help avoid tragic experiences."

Previously
The Priesthood: Men and Lots of 'Em [tr]

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Fresno Priest Who Came Out Against Prop 8 is Suspended

Father Geoff Farrow, the Fresno, California priest who earlier this month received a standing ovation from his congregation after speaking out against California's Proposition 8 in a sermon to his parish and then followed it up by coming out of the closet to news media later, has been suspended by the Fresno Bishop. It was not unexpected.

Farrow writes on his personal blog: "In all candor, I had anticipated that response which is why, I had removed my personal property from the parish house and offices. I bear no personal antimosity to the bishop for his decision."

Said Farrow in his sermon: "In directing the faithful to vote 'yes' on Proposition 8 the California bishops are not merely entering the political arena, they are ignoring the advances and insights of neurology, psychology, and the very statements made by the church itself that homosexuality is innate...I know that these words of truth will cost me dearly. But to withhold them would be far more costly and I would become accomplice to a moral evil that strips gay and lesbian people of their civil rights but of their human dignity as well."

Fresno Bishop John T. Steinbock removed Farrow on Thursday, the L.A. Times reports in a lengthy article: "'Your statement contradicted the teaching of the Catholic Church and has brought scandal to your parish community as well as the whole Church,' Steinbock wrote in a disciplinary letter that also admonished Farrow against 'using the Internet as a means of continuing your conflict with the Church's teaching.' The priest also was stripped of his salary and benefits, and ordered to stay away from all church communities he had served."

Farrow is unrepentant about his actions: "I felt the need to speak, not for myself but, on behalf of those who have no one to speak for them in this matter in our Church. Personally, my life has been rather difficult since I made this statement as I knew it would be. I have no regrets since, it was my hope that this statement would lead to greater discussion of the treatment of gay and lesbian people in and by the Church. Also, it is my earnest hope that in some small way, this helps to preserve the civil rights of gay and lesbian persons which are currently under attack by the proponants of Propostion 8. "

An open letter to my parish community [father geoff farrow]
Fresno priest's stance against anti-gay-marriage proposition roils church [la times]

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Fresno, California Priest Comes Out As Gay, Speaks Out Against Prop 8

Now here's an exemplary Christian.

Father Geoffrey Farrow of the Saint Paul Newman Center in northeast Fresno received a standing ovation from half his congregation after offering up a sermon about loving thy neighbor and then urging his congregation to vote against Proposition 8, the California measure that would ban same-sex marriage. He also came out to the local ABC news reporter in an interview following his mass.

Said Farrow to his congregation: "In directing the faithful to vote 'yes' on Proposition 8 the California bishops are not merely entering the political arena, they are ignoring the advances and insights of neurology, psychology, and the very statements made by the church itself that homosexuality is innate."

He added: "I know that these words of truth will cost me dearly. But to withhold them would be far more costly and I would become accomplice to a moral evil that strips gay and lesbian people of their civil rights but of their human dignity as well."

He said that questions from his parishioners needing direction on how they should vote, as well as his own conscience inspired him to give the sermon and come out of the closet.

Farrow has been an ordained Catholic priest for 23 years.

Priest's Shocking Revelation [abc10]

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News: Baltimore, Claymates, Folsom Street, PETA, Brad Pitt

Baltimore police probe shooting of gay man as possible hate crime: "Police spokeswoman Officer Nicole Monroe says the shooting occurred shortly after midnight Monday in the 600 block of Howard Street. A gay couple was walking on the street when a man on a bicycle approached one of the two men and engaged him in conversation. Monroe says the second man walked ahead several feet, heard what sounded like two gunshots and saw his companion was injured. The man with the bike fled on foot, then returned for his bicycle and left the scene."

Michelle Obama pens Advocate op-ed: "The World As it Should Be."

Obama to pose for cover of Men's Health.

Blindsided Claymates apoplectic over Clay Aiken's coming out: "please tell me I'm not the only one who is shocked beyond belief! I feel numb I'm so upset. This can't be real!! How can you guys say this won't change anything? This changes EVERYTHING. I don't even know what to think right now"

Lobbying firm of Rick Davis, McCain's campaign manager, remains on the payroll of Freddie Mac. McCain attacks story but does not deny.

Was Condoleezza Rice passed up for VP because of her sexuality?: "It was the persistent rumors about her sexuality that ultimately killed her chances and removed her from the list...In Washington circles, it’s just assumed Rice is gay and nobody really cares. But in the glare of the media spotlight, those rumors were bound to get magnified a thousandfold and the mainstream media would have had an excuse to reveal the facts that would have caused conniption fits among the Republican base."

Log Cabin Republican slams "wacky left bloggers" for outing McCain chief of staff Mark Buse.

The San Francisco Bay Guardian profiles Kink.com's takeover of the San Francisco Armory.

Fundie Peter LaBarbera makes annual trip to San Francisco's Folsom Street Fair to confront Mayor Gavin Newsom.

A look back at "coming out" covers.

NYT David Pogue looks at the T-Mobile G-1 running Google Android.

Madonna tour towels seized in Montenegro: "The Queen Of Pop travels with 300 expensive designer towels for her and her dancers to use when they come off stage. But officials in Montenegro confiscated the lot because they were suspicious about the number she was taking into the country. A source said: 'The customs people had never come across that kind of volume of towels for personal use before, or the cost given for them. People in Montenegro just aren’t used to spending that much on a towel.'"

Drew Barrymore inserting herself between rumored gay Gossip Girl co-stars.

Bad boys: The Sarah Palin email hacker and the Britney Spears single leaker.

Brad Pitt forced into hideous yellow terrycloth get-up!

Latifah: Hairspray sequel still in the works.

PETA urges Ben & Jerry's to switch from cow milk to human breast milk: "PETA's request comes in the wake of news reports that a Swiss restaurant owner will begin purchasing breast milk from nursing mothers and substituting breast milk for 75 percent of the cow's milk in the food he serves."

Scott Pomfret, author of gay erotica and a lector at a Boston Catholic church, loses the latter job over new book: "Pomfret's latest book, a sarcastic memoir titled 'Since My Last Confession,' proved too much for the friars, many of whom were interviewed by Pomfret as he wrote the book. The book suggests that some local clergy, who are given fictional names, are sexually active, and is mocking toward Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, the archbishop of Boston."

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News: Prop 8, Google, Tony Kushner, Gay Places, Sarah Palin

Urgent: Marriage equality supporters in California lag in fundraising. "According to the most recent campaign contribution reports from the California Secretary of State, supporters of the anti-gay marriage November ballot measure have raised $16.2 million in their effort to pass Proposition 8. Opponents have brought in $10.8 million, which is still a sizable chunk of money. But Dale Kelly Bankhead, who signed the email as campaign manager of 'No On 8,' writes, 'We must match what is raised dollar for dollar with the right wing; if we do not, we are at serious risk of losing this November.'" No on Prop 8 (site).

Josh Brolin has a daddy complex.

UK's Independent lists five most improved places for gay tolerance, five worst places to be gay, and ten best places to live if you're gay.

Sarah Palin just an "average hockey mom" who wears $2500 Valentino jackets and tans in her own home.

New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos appears at PAC fundraiser for Log Cabin Republicans, reiterates opposition to same-sex marriage, promises legislation targeting bullying: "'Sometimes the media will say, ‘What are you doing here?’ You’re Republicans and I’m proud of you for being Republicans and I’m proud of being a Republican and standing here with each and every one of you,' he added. The appearance of a Senate majority leader was unusual. Mr. Skelos took over as majority leader this summer from Joseph L. Bruno, who in his 14 years in the post appeared at only one prominent event held by a gay group — a 2006 lobbying event held by the Empire State Pride Agenda."

White privilege, McCain/Palin, and the Kenyan witchhunter.

British footballer Frank Lampard needs to brush up on his make-up skills.

Google to place servers on ships at sea? "A Google patent application filed two years ago but published this fall is getting some new attention because it's just too interesting to ignore. The patent (link) is for putting data centers on ships at sea and harvesting the energy in waves for power. The biggest benefit for the company, though, could come from changed legal and tax status by placing the ships outside of national jurisdiction. It's a thought both fascinating and frightening, although it also may end up as just another crazy patent filed for the sake of filing it."

Angels in America playwright Tony Kushner to receive first Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award: "The award, which which comes with a cash prize of $200,000 will be announced on Wednesday. The award was created 'with an eye toward attracting talented playwrights and bolstering the status of their profession.'"

Australian Labor MPs slam push for marriage equality: "Responding to AME’s renewed marriage push, Labor MP Anthony Albanese – the Federal Member for Grayndler – lashed out at the group, calling their campaign 'ridiculous'."

V: Tyra Banks channels Miss Ross?

Beyoncé plays cop in new video.

Australian HIV infections surge: "New cases of HIV in Australia rose by almost 50 percent in the past eight years, as gay men and immigrants infected overseas spurred the number of people with the virus to a 14-year high. The number of new infections increased to 1,051 in 2007 from 718 in 1999, and are at the highest level since 1993, according to the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research annual surveillance report today. Almost 70 percent of cases in the five years through 2007 were among gay and bisexual men."

Daniel Craig in a sling.

Tom of Finland exhibit visits Liverpool.

Wisconsin Catholic church's music director fired because he's gay: "He says his supervisor fired him this summer after worshipers complained he was too open about his sexual orientation. 'He said having an openly gay male employed at the Church is a scandal,' said Philyaw, recounting the conversation. 'I felt betrayed. But I'm not bitter.' The Madison Catholic Diocese declined an interview request citing their policy of not discussing personnel issues. Philyaw says he's never had any problems at work before and claims the Church knew he was gay when they hired him. Still, employment lawyers there's nothing illegal about what happened."

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Madonna Dedicates 'Like a Virgin' to the Pope at Rome Concert

Because we are all children of God, this one goes out to the Catholic League's Bill Donohue.

Following the concert, the devotee of Kabbalah visited a pilgrim church in Rome: "Escorted by two Italian policewomen on motorcycles, Madonna, 50, went to the basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme and stayed "for a long time" in meditation before the relics of the True Cross, according to Father Gaetano Claudio Fioraso, the Priest-in-Charge."

Watch her dedication, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Gay Activist Peter Tatchell Accuses Vatican of 'Moral Vandalism'

Gay rights activist Peter Tatchell has accused the Vatican of "moral vandalism" for moving the body of Victorian British Cardinal John Henry Newman out of a grave beside his "close friend" Father Ambrose St John.

Said Tatchell: "Newman repeatedly made it clear that he wanted to be buried next to his life-long partner, Ambrose St John. No one gave the Pope permission to defy Newman's wishes. The re-burial has only one aim in mind: to cover up Newman's homosexuality and to disavow his love for another man. It is an act of shameless dishonesty and personal betrayal by the gay-hating Catholic Church."

The Times reports: "Arguably the most famous convert to Catholicism in Victorian England, Newman was originally an Anglican clergyman who spearheaded the Oxford movement which attempted bring the Church of England back to what he viewed as its Catholic origins. After a prolonged bout of self-questioning, Newman converted to the Catholic Church in 1845. Upon his death in 1890, Newman was buried alongside his close friend, former companion and fellow convert, Father Ambrose St John. Previously, they had shared a house."

The Catholic Church called Tatchell's suggestion that the two were romantically involved a "trick of homosexual activists," saying "Now Cardinal Newman's great friendship with Ambrose St John is being slyly suggested as evidence of his being subject to a disordered sexuality. The utter absurdity of this idea speaks for itself."

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Signorile Talks to Catholic League's Bill Donohue about Towleroad

Yesterday I mentioned that The Catholic League's Bill Donohue would guest on Michelangelo Signorile's Sirius radio show to discuss his demand that the DNC pull Towleroad's press credentials for the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Signorile sent out these clips today.

Donohue called on Convention CEO Leah Daughtry to "nix" Towleroad and feminist blog Bitch Ph.D.'s media credentials at next week's convention. According to Donohue, we are the "most offensive" of the more than 120 blogs offered credentials.

Said Donohue: "Towleroad describes itself as ‘A Site with Homosexual Tendencies.’ Accordingly, it shows men in jock straps and underwear. It also has a post on Pope Benedict XVI that takes him to task for wearing a cape with ermine. Some of those who commented on this described the pope in a vile and profane way. Both of these blogs should be cut immediately from the list of credentialed sites. Neither functions as a responsible media outlet and both offend Catholics, as well as others. To allow them access to the Democratic National Convention sends a message to Catholics they will not forget."

I responded to Donohue in this post.

Below, in the first clip, Signorile has a general discussion about Donohue's 'call to action' for the DNC:

In the clips below, Donohue reads specific comments from the blogs that offend him, and attempts to link the Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal with the bathhouses of New York in the 80's. Signorile also gets him to respond to "cheeky" comments Donohue he once made about Signorile's ass.

Thanks to Mike for taking this on.

In the Jaws of the Pit Bull [the gist]

Background
Catholic League's Bill Donohue To DNC: Pull Towleroad Credentials [tr]
Respecting God's Creation: The Pope Wears Ermine [tr]

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Catholic League's Bill Donohue to Guest on Signorile Show

The Catholic League's Bill Donohue will be on Michelangelo Signorile's Sirius radio show today at 3:30 ET to discuss his anger at the DNC for giving credentials to Towleroad and Bitch PhD at this year's Democratic National Convention in Denver.

In other Catholic news, a Roman Catholic Priest in Fall River, Massachusetts has fled the country to Brazil after being accused of sexually assaulting a minor in Connecticut.

You may have missed...
Catholic League's Bill Donohue To DNC: Pull Towleroad Credentials [tr]

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Catholic League's Bill Donohue To DNC: Pull Towleroad Credentials

Today, The Catholic League's Bill Donohue, the mouthpiece of a right wing religious group who spends most of his time using his office to attack free speech, progressives, and gays, took it upon himself to call out the DNC for the diverse range of media it has chosen to credential at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Donohue called on the Convention CEO Leah Daughtry to "nix" Towleroad and feminist blog Bitch Ph.D.'s media credentials at next week's convention. According to Donohue, we are the "most offensive" of the more than 120 blogs offered credentials.

Just today, Daughtry touted this year's delegation as the most diverse Convention in Party History in a press release: "Opening the door of the political process to people who have never taken part in the past has been the bedrock of our planning for this Convention since we arrived in Denver one year ago...it’s only fitting that our delegates represent that same core value and Barack Obama’s unparalleled ability to bring more new people in to the electoral process than ever before."

Bill Donohue's Catholic League, unfortunately, is a right wing radical religious group masked as an advocate with no business meddling in the machinations of U.S. politics. Most Americans believe that the separation of church and state makes America strong.

Once again using the shameful tactic long used by right wing groups to link LGBT subject matter solely with sex, Donohue states: "Towleroad describes itself as 'A Site with Homosexual Tendencies.' Accordingly, it shows men in jock straps and underwear. It also has a post on Pope Benedict XVI that takes him to task for wearing a cape with ermine. Some of those who commented on this described the pope in a vile and profane way."

Our recent reference to the Pope pointed out the hypocrisy of the Catholic leader's wearing of fur, something that hasn't been done since the 60's.

In contrast, the Pope has deemed homosexuality an "intrinsic moral evil" and as recently as New Year's Day ranked same-sex marriage with nuclear arms proliferation, environmental pollution, economic inequality, abortion, and birth control as threats to world peace.

Yet we would never suggest that Catholics not be able to attend the Convention.

If Donohue is so focused on sex, his time would be better focused on healing the epidemic of sexual abuse against children by clergy in the Catholic church, and considering the facts on the use of condoms, which the Church has said have no effect on the prevention of AIDS, rather than attempting to influence American politics by limiting the Democratic ideals of free speech, inclusion and tolerance.

For some background on Donohue, check out this post at Media Matters.

Thanks to Pam's House Blend, Good as You, Joe.MyGod, Queerty, The Carpetbagger Report and others for your support.

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Respecting God's Creation: The Pope Wears Ermine

Not only does he wear Prada shoes, but he's the first Pope since Pope John XXIII in the 1960s to wear the camauro, an ermine-trimmed red velvet hat. He's also been wearing a cape trimmed with ermine.

TheGuardian reports: "But his use of ermine, long favoured by kings, judges and nobles, has drawn the ire of the Italian Association for the Defence of Animals and the Environment, which had by yesterday gathered 2,260 signatures for its petition. "The pope has often talked about protecting the environment and we are asking that he acknowledges that animals, as God's creation, also deserve respect," said the organisation's head, Lorenzo Croce. Benedict's use of fur was defended yesterday by Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo. 'Aren't there more important battles to wage?' he asked. 'There are human beings who merit more urgent assistance that no one is taking care of. And if we eat animals, we can wear them.'"

The paper notes that before he became Pope, Benedict said "Animals too are God's creatures...creatures we must respect as companions in creation and as important elements in creation."

I'd say watch out for PETA and a bucket of paint.

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Ian McKellen and Simon Callow Target Homophobic Scottish Bishop

Back in March, leading Scottish Bishop Joseph Devine, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Motherwell, launched an attack on gays and, more specifically, actor Ian McKellen, criticizing the motivation of the gay community for honoring Holocaust survivors, and remarking during a lecture on Christian faith in Glasgow that "[he] saw actor Ian McKellen being honoured for his work on behalf of homosexuals, when a century ago Oscar Wilde was locked up and put in jail."

At a recent speech to gay rights group Stonewall, McKellen fired back, saying, "From the pulpit, homophobia is preached by some arrogant religious leaders who think their beliefs are superior to our inborn and, some would say, God-given nature....'We neglect the gay lobby at our peril', he said. And when a mother asked him what he would do if his child said he had a mission to be gay, the Bishop of Motherwell replied, sympathising with the mother but not the child, 'I would try to handle it with a degree of compassion but would not tolerate it.'"

His criticism was joined by actor Simon Callow, who spoke out in a Sunday Times interview: "The bishop is in my view a profoundly ignorant and stupid man. If he finds it offensive that gay people want to celebrate those gay people who died in the Holocaust — which was a large number of people — he’s also profoundly un-Christian. But then all churches have thrived on prejudice, it’s a means of keeping people under their control. I think they are really, really shocked at how quickly the world has moved on. They are constantly evoking some kind of specious moral authority which they’ve taken on. Nobody has particularly asked their advice on matters moral. We are working them out for ourselves."

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CA Attorney General Jerry Brown: Proposition 8 Not Retroactive

Same-sex marriages performed before the November elections should remain valid even if Proposition 8 passes, according to California Attorney General Jerry Brown. Proposition 8 would amend the constitution to declare "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

According to the SF Chronicle, "Brown's position is significant because his office will represent the state in lawsuits over Prop. 8's validity and meaning if it passes."

Said Brown, noting that Prop. 8 mentions nothing about retroactivity: "I believe that marriages that have been entered into subsequent to the (May 15) Supreme Court opinion will be recognized by the California Supreme Court. I would think the court, in looking at the underlying equities, would most probably conclude that upholding the marriages performed in that interval (before the election) would be a just result."

In an unsurprising move, the California Catholic Conference (representing the archdioceses of Los Angeles and San Francisco and the dioceses of Fresno, Monterey, Oakland, Orange, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Rosa and Stockton) endorsed Proposition 8 on Monday: "In the statement, the bishops say their position is based partly on the presumption that while all people deserve to be treated with dignity, being raised by a married mother and father is 'the ideal for the well being of children.'"

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Vatican Official Urges Anglican Bishops: Condemn Homosexuality

Walter Cardinal Kasper, president of the pontifical council for promoting christian unity, spoke at the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England yesterday and said the need for Catholics and Anglicans to be on the same page against gays is "sorely needed in the world today" and urged the more than 150 bishops gathered to condemn homosexuality:

Said Kasper: "This teaching is founded in the Old and New Testament and the fidelity to scripture and to Apostolic tradition is absolute. Homosexuality is a disordered behaviour. The activity must be condemned; the traditional approach to homosexuality is comprehensive ... A clear declaration about this theme must come from the Anglican Communion."

According to The Guardian, "Kasper was saddened that dialogue between the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church had been seriously compromised over the issues of women's ordination and homosexuality. These developments had also caused the Communion to enter into a period of dispute, he observed."

Added Kasper: "Many of you are troubled, deeply so, by the threat of fragmentation. In such a scenario, who will our dialogue partner be? How can we appropriately and honestly engage in conversations with those who share Catholic perspectives on the points currently in dispute, and who disagree with some developments within the Anglican Communion or particular provinces?"

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UK Catholic Adoption Agencies Will Reluctantly Consider Gays

Because of anti-discrimination laws, the largest Catholic Adoption in England and Wales will adopt a new policy that won't rule out same-sex couples as adoptive parents:

"The move will undoubtedly be seen as controversial in some quarters. In January 2007, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor wrote to the-then Prime Minister Tony Blair suggesting that Catholic adoption agencies in England and Wales would be forced to close down if they were not allowed to opt out of new gay rights laws, which he said contradicted Catholic teaching. The cardinal said forcing people to act against their consciences would mean discrimination on the grounds of belief, adding that it would be an 'unnecessary tragedy' if Catholic agencies were forced to close. In the cardinal's Westminster archdiocese, the Catholic Children's Society has opted to mount a legal challenge to the regulations by amending its constitution. But A&BSP, which prepares between 40-50 potential adoptive parents a year, has instead decided to comply with them."

However, that doesn't mean they have to approve them. Said Terry Connor, chief executive of the society: "I suspect if a same-sex couple arrives at any of the agencies just to test out the system, they will not get very far."

Recently
McCain's Family Values: Let Children Suffer, Don't Let Gays Adopt [tr]

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Catholic School Principal to Resign After Gay Backyard 'Orgy' Bust

Gabriel de Jesus, the principal of Sacred Heart School for the Arts in Mount Vernon, New York, has been asked to resign after police discovered him and two other men having sex in the backyard of an abandoned home in White Plains.

WCBS reports: "Authorities said DeJesus, Francesco Autera, 31, of Thornwood and another man met online. The trio allegedly picked the backyard of a vacant Abbeyville Lane home to conduct their group sex. An alert neighbor called 911 after noticing something suspicious. 'Two men got out and met a third person on the side of my house and they went on that property and that's when I called 911,' neighbor Rich Pacheco said. Police found DeJesus and Autera naked and arrested both. They are charged with misdemeanor trespassing, public lewdness and disorderly conduct. The third man ran naked down the street before he could be apprehended, according to police."

The neighborhood's Gladys Kravitz was upset she didn't catch the action:

"Helene Forkin, whose backyard on Rockinchair Road abuts the home where the men were found, said she and her daughter were upstairs, watching television, when she heard police arrive. 'We heard: 'Get on the ground and put your hands up!'' she said. 'This threw us completely.'...'Forkin said that, from her window, she saw police with flashlights hold one man on the ground and pull another out of the bushes. 'I'm saying to myself: 'He's not wearing a shirt and he's not wearing a shirt,'' she said. Anna Margotta, Forkin's next-door neighbor, said she learned of the incident yesterday afternoon. 'I was asleep,' she said, laughing. 'They call me Mrs. Kravitz (the nosy neighbor on 'Bewitched') because I'm always looking out the window, except last night. What a crazy world we live in.'"

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Vatican and Anglicans Hold Secret Talks Against Gay Priests, Women Bishops

Anglican websites and news media in England are reporting that secret talks were held in York, England over the weekend by "a handful of Pope Benedict XVI's most trusted advisers" and senior Anglican bishops who refused to include the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the meeting was "an historic union to topple the controversial Anglican push to admit gay unions and the ordination of women bishops.":

"The Anglicans have been bitching about homosexuality ever since the United States arm decided to appoint Gene Robinson as the first openly gay bishop and allowed services for same-sex unions. The Conservative arm fear gay blessing services are already being conducted in the UK and the Sunday Telegraph wrote a story last month about a "wedding" ceremony held for two gay priests. Now that the Anglicans plan to allow women bishops, there is a fear that clergy will defect to the Vatican and Rome: 'The internal pressure of the Anglican communion has pushed us apart and we're committed to greater unity with Rome. There can be no future for Christianity in Europe without Rome.' a bishop is reported to have stated anonymously."

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News: India, Tony Kushner, Jerusalem, Don Imus, Bash'd

Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis forbids liberal Catholic church from holding gay pride prayer service: "St. Joan of Arc Church in Minneapolis has held the event for several years in conjunction with the annual Twin Cities Pride Celebration. The archdiocese is instead suggesting that the church hold a "peace" service Wednesday with no mention of rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Archdiocese spokesman Dennis McGrath says the gay pride prayer service is inimical to the teachings of the Catholic church."

Global warming expert Hansen: Earth close to the tipping point.

This used to be her playground: Madonna and family go to Yankees game.

Grease RIP: A Rydell High death.

Angels in America playwright Tony Kushner to marry in California: "Mark and I are going to get married in California very soon. Then we’re going to be recognized in New York as legally married."

New Bedford, Massachusetts, where two-and-a-half years ago 18-year-old Jacob Robida terrorized a local gay bar with a hatchet and a shotgun, held its first gay pride over the weekend, which attracted 250 people.

Jerusalem gay pride a "go": "The High Court of Justice rejected Monday afternoon a petition filed by right-wing activists Itamar Ben-Gvir and Baruch Marzel against holding a gay pride parade in Jerusalem. As a result, the parade will take place as scheduled this coming Thursday."

Don Imus under fire again for racist comment.

Gay activists in India plan mass gay pride action: "The marchers plan to sing, give speeches and hold candlelit vigils in simultaneous parades in New Delhi, Calcutta and Bangalore on Sunday, said Gautam Bhan, a writer and gay rights activist involved with organizing the marches. While several dozen activists have marched in the eastern city of Calcutta in recent years, these would be the first gay pride parades in New Delhi and Bangalore. Bhan said the activists want to raise awareness of the issues facing the gay community in India."

Bash'd: a rap opera that fights back against anti-gay violence, playing in NYC: "With exceedingly bawdy lyrics, two rapping angels, T-Bag (Mr. Craddock) and Feminem (Mr. Cuckow), recount the tragedy of a Canadian couple, Jack and Dillon, who meet in an Edmonton club, fall in love and wed. But when Jack becomes the victim of violence, their idyll collapses."

New Yorker: Is "angry" Keith Olbermann changing TV news?

Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev sued over Moscow Pride: "Organisers of Moscow Gay Pride today applied to the city’s Tverskoi District Court accusing Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev of 'inaction on their letter' concerning the staging of the march for tolerance – and respect for the rights of freedoms of homosexual people in Russia – in Alexandrovskiy Sad, part of the Kremlin."

Jodie Foster in tussle with paparazzi.

PhD: Memoir of a gay stripper. “The truth was that stripping had long called out to me. It offered something different from my grad school grind of dealing with students, grading papers, and sitting through seemingly endless seminars.”

Obama curtails use of altered presidential seal.

James McAvoy on the perils of six packs and protein: "[The abs] were not a special effect. It was the result of a lot of time at the gym — which I hated. I was also trying to take these super protein supplements and they gave me incredible bouts of flatulence which wouldn’t have endeared me to the rest of the cast. But I’m back to normal."

Boy George takes his orchid for a walk.

A few notes and photos from the Provincetown International Film Festival.

New York Senate Majority Leader Republican Joe Bruno announces he won't seek reelection: "It also means a seat that had been considered a safe one for Republicans will not necessarily be a sure thing this fall. With all New York lawmakers' two-year terms ending in December, Republicans are defending their narrow 32-30 majority in the Senate, the party's last stronghold in state government. Democrats now hold the governor's post and dominate the Assembly by a 106-42 margin."

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