News: Gin, Uganda, Channing Tatum, Torture, Nevada, Tony Kushner

New Jersey poll finds 49% of voters support marriage equality, 43% oppose.

Two upstate New York papers write editorials in support of marriage equality.

Channing Tatum is a lover not a fighter.

Is this what's meant by getting ginned up?

Condoleezza Rice approved waterboarding and then lied to Senate Armed Services Committee about it: "Last fall, Rice acknowledged to the Senate Armed Services Committee only that she had attended meetings where the CIA interrogation request was discussed and asked for the attorney general to conduct a legal review. She said she did not recall details. Rice omitted her direct role in approving the program in her written statement to the committee."

Lindsay Lohan talks to Ellen DeGeneres about Samantha Ronson...and Anne Heche.

City of Rochester makes offer to residents suing the city over police gay bashing incident: "In an April 7 correspondence, city municipal attorney Matthew Brown noted that 'the city has made an offer to plaintiffs' in the federal civil case. Attorney Christina Agola, who represents the five who sued the city and police officers, also acknowledged Wednesday that 'we are engaged in talks...We haven't reached an ultimate decision,' she said."

Beyoncé lets it rip.

Uganda paper outs homosexuals.

NYT on the Maine marriage hearings: "The future of the bill, which has more than 60 sponsors, is uncertain. Gov. John Baldacci, a Democrat, had opposed same-sex marriage, but now says he is keeping his options open. The Legislature, where Democrats control both houses, can pass or reject the measure, or send it to the voters for a referendum. If the Legislature passes the bill, citizens can collect enough signatures to place a people’s veto of the legislation on the November ballot."

Michael Musto's sit-down interview with porn producer Michael Lucas.

Longtime owner of Philadelphia gay bar Uncles, Mort Wernik, dies at 73.

Nevada Senate passes domestic partnerships, may face veto from governor: "On a 12-9 vote Tuesday night, the state Senate passed a bill to allow domestic partners, gay and straight, most of the same rights as married couples."

Minneapolis' Guthrie Theatre delays premiere of Tony Kushner play by a week: "The show — 'The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures' — was scheduled to begin previews on May 9 and open on May 15. But the Guthrie says after discussions among Kushner, director Michael Greif and Guthrie director Joe Dowling, it was decided to delay the opening to give the actors more time on stage."

Correction: The press release we linked to earlier in this post that that appeared to be from a national gay organization on torture has been revealed to be a fake.

Common Says He's Over Homophobic Lyrics

Meant to post this earlier in the week. As noted by Contact Music, which never references where they find their quotes, rap star Common has said he's made an effort to rid his music of homophobic lyrics:

"The singer admits he didn't realise his words were upsetting fans until he was approached by two devotees after a concert. He says, 'They was like, 'Why you keep disrespecting homosexuality?' I thought about it. I ain't here to judge 'em, so I just decided not to approach it like that.' Common has also censored the word 'n**ger' in his songs after apologising to TV host Oprah Winfrey for using the derogatory term. He adds, 'I took out some words on my (new) album after that, because I wanted to show a step for myself toward improving on certain things.'"