Canadian Woman Settles Complaint with Montreal Gay Bar

You may remember in May of last year I posted about Audrey Vachon, a Canadian woman who filed a complaint after being thrown out of Montreal's Le Stud bar because it has a "men only" policy.

The Canadian Press reports that the bar and Vachon have settled the discrimination complaint: "Bar Le Stud and Audrey Vachon, the 21-year-old woman who launched the complaint, agreed to keep the terms of the settlement confidential. Quebec's human rights commission says businesses have the right to attract a particular clientele but not to discriminate by excluding other customers. Vachon sat down at the bar with her father for an afternoon beer a year ago when staff told them women were not allowed. Le Stud owner Michel Gadoury said at the time women had been banned most nights since the bar opened 11 years ago."

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CO Senator Pulls "Short People" Stunt to Mock Gay Discrimination

The Colorado Senate debated a bill on Friday that would ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in housing, places of public accommodation, consumer credit, labor unions and school enrollment. It became heated when Republican Senator Greg Brophy offered up a 'stunt' amendment to the bill that would ban discrimination against short people:

"The debate on the Senate floor over a bill that would expand the prohibition of sexual orientation-based discrimination became personal and emotional this morning after a senator offered a rhetorical amendment to ban discrimination against short people. Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, withdrew the stunt amendment after arguing that there is no need for the bill because he has not seen evidence that gays and lesbians are discriminated against when seeking a job or a home. 'What I'm talking about is economic discrimination, political discrimination, employment discrimination,' Brophy said. 'I find no pattern of any of those.' Brophy's comments outraged Democrats, who took turns at the lectern denouncing his argument with angry and sometimes shaking voices.

Said Jennifer Veiga, a gay Denver Democrat sponsoring Senate Bill 200: "It must be nice, as a white male to sit back and mock the real discrimination that occurs in our society, especially on the basis of sexual orientation."

Lawmaker uses short people to question gay-bias bill [denver post]

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News: Tori Spelling, Paw Paw, NYC Nightlife, ACT UP, Jason Mraz

New York may soon no longer be the city that never sleeps.

Jason Mraz on his new album and why he surrounds himself with gay people: "To me it’s not an issue of gay or straight; it’s just a coincidence that the people I hang out with happened to be … gay folk. And I, as a writer, have always written from a feminine side. I take yoga, and I practice my spirituality, to balance my heaven and earth, to balance my masculine and my feminine, you know? And I think what I find hanging out in the gay community, there’s more of a balance in the masculine and feminine qualities in the lifestyle than in a typical straight relationship or just in a straight person."

Tori Spelling anoints herself a gay icon: "I'm a huge fan of gays. They love me; I love them. They consider me kind of a gay icon, which they've labeled me as."

Justice Department confirms inquiry into whether U.S. Attorney Leslie Hagen was fired because she is a lesbian: "Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie A. Hagen was informed in 2006 that her contract working on Indian affairs in the Justice Department's Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys would not be renewed for a second year — despite receiving the highest possible performance reviews. When NPR first reported Hagen's case earlier this month, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) asked the Inspector General's Office and the Office of Professional Responsibility to confirm that they were looking into Hagen's case."

Jake Gyllenhaal stands underneath an umbrella - ella - ella.

Leslie Jordan, who stars in the upcoming Sordid Lives, headlined a fundraiser on Monday night for NYC's Harvey Milk High School scholarship fund.

Harvey Milk City Hall Memorial Committee seeks donors to help fund cost of unveiling event on May 22, what would have been Milk's 78th birthday. More on the Memorial here.

In other Milk news, what is recognized as the first public tribute to Harvey Milk after his death, a mural painted on the side of the Duboce Park recreation center named in his honor, will soon be painted over. The city plans to paint a different work (also honoring Milk) on the rec center's east-facing wall, and place another memorial inside the building's lobby.

A FIRST LOOK at Project Runway winner Christian Siriano's appearance on Ugly Betty.

Next week, Law & Order: SVU will feature pro football player who is outed when his lover is murdered. This Bailey Chase, the player.

Animated Disney hunks become underwear models

Martha Stewart remembers her Chow, Paw Paw, who died last Saturday.

"Fearless" exhibit of openly gay athletes opens at San Ramon Valley High School in San Francisco's Bay Area.

Robert Downey Jr. sucks a mean thumb.

Jay Blotcher recalls the lessons he learned on the front lines of ACT UP. He'll be appearing tomorrow at NYU with other ACT UP alums at NYU's Cantor Film Center: "This wasn’t some haphazard group—our media committee had members that were publicists at major firms. Michelangelo Signorile, my predecessor as media coordinator, applied showbiz-PR tactics to ACT UP and got us a lot of attention."

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North Carolina Officials Assure the State Can Discriminate

A rule in the state's personnel handbook showed up online that wasn't supposed to be there. It said that the state bans discrimination based on sexual orientation. So not true:

"State officials Monday removed a ban on anti-gay discrimination from an online copy of the state's personnel handbook. North Carolina does not ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in hiring, discipline and pay of state employees. The State Personnel Commission's attempt to change that was rejected in January by the state Rules Review Commission as overstepping the other appointed board's authority. But the rule change showed up all the same in one of two copies of the handbook on the Office of State Personnel's Web site. The other had the correct version. 'Somehow it mistakenly got put on the Web site,' personnel office spokeswoman Margaret Jordan said. House Republican Leader Paul Stam last week criticized the proposed rule, similar to measures that have failed in the legislature, and questioned why it appeared in the handbook."

Oh, some programmer daydreaming for a more just and decent world.

Ban on anti-gay discrimination taken off personnel handbook on state site [tr]

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Gay Student at Aussie School Objects to 'Straights-Only' Formal

A gay student at one of Brisbane, Australia's elite Anglican private schools has made national headlines after threatening a boycott over the school's policies for its spring formal, at which male students are required to bring a female date.

News.com.au reports: "The student, who did not wish to be named, said he felt misled following his approach to a senior teacher and said he expected students would consider a boycott. The student said he approached Head of Senior School Dr Phil Cummins, who told him the school's practice of allowing only female formal partners would be "quietly changed" if he did not make a big deal about it. 'He said to me, 'If you go quietly about this and if you don't cause us too much trouble, we will just quietly change the rules so they're allowed and no-one gets hurt',' the student said. 'At the start of 2006, there was no one at the school who was openly gay, now there are dozens. Generally it's a very accepting school. It's not like anyone has ever been persecuted for being gay. A few students will have second thoughts about going to the formal because of all this.'"

The headmaster, Jonathan Hensman, stands by the school's policy: "We decide what is appropriate behaviour and what is not."

Australia's leading Anglican Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, who heads the school council, told ABC News: "I have no personal objection to a school deciding to allow boys to take friends who are boys or girls to take friends who are girls to school formals. But I understand in this particular instance the school has decided that its approach is to emphasise the interaction of young men and young women and providing them with an opportunity to do that in this kind of formal setting. And I have no objection to that either. I think that's a reasonable and legitimate approach."

Anger at school gay ban [news.com.au]

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DOJ Looking into Possible Firing of Atty Over Sexual Orientation

NPR reports on a probe into the possible firing of an attorney at the Justice Department for her sexual orientation. It's an investigation which grew out of the larger Alberto Gonzalez U.S. Attorney firings there.

Attorney Leslie Hagen, who received "outstanding" job evaluations, was let go under Gonzales's senior counsel Monica Goodling.

According to NPR, "The Justice Department's inspector general is looking into whether Hagen was dismissed after a rumor reached Goodling that Hagen is a lesbian. As one Republican source put it, 'To some people, that's even worse than being a Democrat.' Several people interviewed by the inspector general's staff said investigators asked whether people drew a connection between the rumors and Hagen's dismissal. The witnesses, who spoke to NPR on the condition of anonymity, said they felt that the rumors led to the decision not to renew Hagen's contract. Someone who worked in Hagen's office says that in a 2006 meeting, senior officials were told that Hagen's contract would not be renewed because someone on the attorney general's staff had a problem with Hagen. The problem, it was suggested during the conversation, was sexual orientation — or what was rumored to be Hagen's sexual orientation. One person at the meeting asked, 'Is that really an issue?' But the decision had been made."

Justice Probes Lawyer's Dismissal Amid Gay Rumor [npr]

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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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04/01/2008

News: 90210, Ecuador, Nate Berkus, Gay Pension, Alabama Prom

A Boy Named Gay wins NYT weird name story contest.

Meet the first cast member of the Beverly Hills 90210 spin-off.

Rally for Sally: 50 Pastors organize "free speech" demonstration for bigoted Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern.

Brown University bookstore to be renovated to make it "a little less gay." Director: "You can practically slice the homoeroticism in there with a knife."

Indonesian Muslim leader clarifies beliefs about homosexuality to Jakarta Post. Ma'aruf Amin, chairman of the Fatwa Commission at the Indonesia Ulema Council: "Yes, it's a social construction, but it is derived from the Koran. The Koran clearly states that homosexuality is unacceptable, and we ulema have agreed about that. It's a curable disorder. There have been many cases where homosexuals have realised what they did was wrong and became heterosexuals again. It's something that can be fought off. God created both good and bad behaviours, but He told humans to choose the good ones. So, it's a matter of options."

Nate Berkus strips down on a Hawaiian beach.

Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa on gay rights: "Let's be clear that the profoundly humanistic position of this government is to respect the intrinsic dignity of everyone, of every human being, independently of their creed, race, sexual preference. ... We will give certain guarantees to stable gay couples but matrimony will continue being reserved for a man, a woman and the family. ... Every person has dignity, that's to say, one must respect a person independently of their sexual preference. Be careful not to deny employment to someone because of their sexual preference. That is discrimination, that is unconstitutional."

Madonna will hurt you.

European Union Court rules in favor of gay man claiming his late partner's pension benefits: "'The refusal to grant the survivor's pension to life partners constitutes direct discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation if surviving spouses and surviving life partners are in a comparable situation as regards that pension,' the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, the EU's highest court, ruled today. The Court of Justice left it up to German judges to decide the status of the pension."

Alabama lesbians win right to attend school prom: "Two Alabama high school students didn't think they would be able to dance the night away at their high school prom last weekend all because they're gay, and the school wouldn't allow them to attend. But that all changed in light of a federal judge's decision. A temporary restraining order was given to the Scottsboro City Board of Education. Chelsie Collins and Lauren Farrington are both students at Scottsboro High School and Saturday night is their school's prom."

UK Stonewall equality survey finds homophobia rife in British society.

Janice Dickinson: Crazy/Exhausted.

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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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03/28/2008

Sally Kern Meets PFLAG, Comes out Against Anti-Gay Discrimination

Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern met with representatives from the Oklahoma City chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). The group reports that Kern did not issue an apology for her remarks that homosexuality is a greater threat to the United States than terrorism, nor was she asked for one.

Via PFLAG: "Rev. Loyce Newton-Edwards, president of the Oklahoma City PFLAG chapter, was joined in the meeting by Dr. Rev. Kathy McCallie, pastor of the Church of the Open Arms and Rev. Jim Shields, a retired UnitedMethodistChurch minister from Kern’s district. The group requested a meeting with Kern following a March 18 rally at the state capitol. In her meeting with PFLAG supporters today, Kern said that 'I agree with' the idea that gay and lesbian Americans should not be fired from their jobs because of their sexual orientation. 'We appreciate Representative Kern taking the time to meet with us and consider an important, ongoing dialogue about our families and loved ones,' said Rev. Newton-Edwards. 'Representative Kern expressed a commendable desire to consider every family, every Oklahoman and every constituent. Today, she took an important first step forward that, we hope, will be the beginning of many conversations with our families and our community.'"

Said Jody M. Huckaby, executive director of PFLAG: "As Representative Kern begins to listen to voices from across her district, and the state, she will hear the stories of hard-working, patriotic men and women who make our communities better, our nation safer and our families stronger. We appreciate this initial meeting, and PFLAG stands ready to be a resource to Kern and a champion for her constituents. We look forward to continuing today’s conversation and working with Kern to move equality forward. Bringing communities together, rather than dividing the public with inflammatory words, should be a top priority of every elected leader. Kern will always find open arms and welcoming families at PFLAG."

On Thursday evening, Kern was the guest speaker for the UCO's College Republicans. The Oklahoman reports: "Kern spent much of her speech explaining why she thought Christianity plays an important role in American government before turning her attention to her previous comments and taking questions from the audience. Most of the questions came from people who disagreed with Kern's views."

At one point, she said, "If I knew it was being recorded, I'd still say the same thing. I will not back down from what I believe the Bible teaches."

Rep. Sally Kern is not asked to quit [the oklahoman]
Kern says she wouldn't change a thing [the oklahoman]
Oklahoma City PFLAG Supporters Meet with Sally Kern [pflag]

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03/27/2008

News: Gayest Looks, Christian Siriano, Blackmail, Marc Jacobs

My Gayest Look: A site for Jay Leno. Submit yours!

A view of the jungle shot by an elephant who carries around a hidden camera in a log.

Britney Spears may soon have her own sitcom!

Straight cops at University of New Mexico claim discrimination by gay superiors: "The two complaining officers, with a combined 24 years of experience with the UNM police department, filed a complaint with the state Department of Workforce Solutions arguing that they are being treated unfairly because they are straight and their superiors are gay. Lieutenant Michael Young contends that his job as administrative lieutenant was taken from him by Police Chief Kathy Guimond, whom Young claims is gay, and given to Lieutenant Patrick Davis, who is also gay. Young also claims another gay superior, Commander Debbie Kuidis, with Davis were given higher evaluation ratings by Chief Guimond and greater pay raises."

Karl Lagerfeld bodyguard smacks down paparazzo: "A paparazzo lurked from out of the shadows and started snapping away at them, and out of nowhere, one of Lagerfeld's guys just threw him to the ground." I wonder if it was Sebastian?

Scott Heim talks to the SF Chronicle about his latest novel, We Disappear: "What's true and what isn't - that's such an obsession with so many readers. If you say it's totally fictional, or you don't fess up to things, they tend to feel like they've been cheated or something. But if you say, 'Oh yeah, it's from experience,' then they kind of have this idea that you don't have an imagination."

David Beckham earns his 100th cap in a pair of golden booties.

The booties so impressed Beckham's son Romeo, that he dug for some gold of his own.

Keith Richards discusses Mick Jagger's sexuality: "It was camp. Yeah. It was all… I really have no idea if anyone ever shoved it up the shitter."

Kids coming out earlier than ever: "We're working not for tolerance, but for acceptance. I don't care if it's race, gender or sexual orientation. We need to accept the uniqueness of each and every one."

Student ambassadors train against school violence: "The training session was dedicated to Lawrence King, the Oxnard junior high school boy who last month was shot and killed, allegedly by a classmate, purportedly for admitting he was gay. The Oak Park ambassadors, who maintain anonymity for safety reasons, wrote their comments on a poster in memory of the 15-year-old victim: 'Lawrence, what happened to you is extremely unfair. Everyone deserves a chance in life no matter what sex, religion, sexual preference, anything. Your story will teach many people to be better people.' And, 'You are told to forgive and forget but the reality is you don't do either.'"

Marc Jacobs hits L.A. with new man.

Melbourne, Australia teacher fined $3,000 for blackmailing former lover with a sex video: "Hicks became aware that the victim was a 'closet homosexual' who had a wife and daughter who were not aware of his activities, Judge Michael McInerney told the court. 'He was discreet, or discreet as one can be if you pick up someone in a public toilet,' he said. The court was told that during one of their liaisons, Hicks - who also was married, had a child and was bisexual - recorded them on his mobile phone participating in a sex act. Hicks later approached the victim and told him he had a video of them and that he wanted $3,000 or he would show it to the victim's wife and put it on YouTube, the court heard."

Project Runway winner Christian Siriano designed the dress that Kimberley Locke performed in on last night's American Idol.

Leona Lewis is the first UK female artist to top the U.S. charts in more than 20 years, since Kim Wilde's 1987 cover "You Keep Me Hangin On".

Anti-gay domestic partner bill dies in Kentucky senate: "The Kentucky Senate’s Health and Welfare Committee voted to defeat a bill yesterday that would have barred state universities and other public agencies from providing health coverage to employees’ domestic partners. Furthermore, committee member David Watkins (right) scolded the bill’s sponsor, Vernie McGaha, for introducing it, calling the legislation divisive and ignoring the state’s biggest health problems like smoking and obesity, according to The Courier Journal."

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Gay Student Faces Possible Expulsion for 'Harassing' Straight Friend

Gay Kansas high school student Jimmy Iniguez faces possible expulsion after being identified as an accomplice in an incident which resulted in a straight friend's expulsion. That incident originated after Iniguez, who describes the other student as his "best friend," told his straight friend that because of their association people were saying that he was gay.

"According to Iniguez, the incident began when a female friend told him she had heard a rumor that a mutual male friend of theirs was gay. 'I told her that rumor was false,' Iniguez said. 'I said I would know, because I was his best friend.' But, 'it's like you can't be straight and have a gay friend,' he added. When the male student saw Iniguez in the bathroom later that day, he asked Iniguez what was going on. 'So I told him, 'Some people are saying you're gay, but don't worry. I told them it wasn't true,'' Iniguez said. 'But he still got kind of upset.' The student, who is 18, allegedly returned to class and threatened students and a teacher, Iniguez said. He was suspended and later expelled. School officials then suspended Iniguez, saying he was partly to blame because he harassed the teenager in the bathroom. 'It appears to me, if there's any harassment here, it's on the part of the administration at the school,' said John McKean, a lawyer representing Iniguez and his mother. The teenager, a longtime friend of Iniguez's, has agreed to testify on Iniguez's behalf at today's hearing, McKean said."

Iniguez has been suspended, unfairly he says, because he is gay: "I am openly gay, and some people don't like that. But I never bothered anybody. All I want is to go back to school."

An expulsion hearing was set for this morning.

Kansas Equality Coalition apparently held a press conference outside the school today.

Teen denies harassment claim [wichita eagle]

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Posted by Andy in Discrimination, Education, Gay Youth, Kansas, News | Permalink | Comments (10)

03/21/2008

Gay Man Denied Passport from State Dept Under Married Name

Jason Hair-Wynn, a gay Massachusetts man who married his partner in 2005 and legally changed his name to add his partner's, must change it back to his old name, Jason Hair, if he wants a passport says the State Department.

According to the Sun Chronicle, the State Department says the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) prohibits them from recognizing his married name: "'We are unable to comply with your request for a name change based on the documentation you sent because of the Defense of Marriage Act ...,' the letter states. 'In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administration bureaus and agencies of the United States, the word 'marriage' means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word 'spouse' refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.'"

Hair-Wynn applied for the passport so he could go to Ghana and work at orphanages educating children about HIV and AIDS. He says he's changing his name back so he can go.

Gay Attleboro man can't get passport under married name [sun chronicle]

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Posted by Andy in Discrimination, Gay Marriage, Massachusetts, News | Permalink | Comments (35)

03/17/2008

Oregon Lawmaker Calls Gays Perverts, Seeks Repeal of Bias Law

Two Republican Oregon legislators are spearheading an effort to repeal portions of the state's law which ban discimination based on sexual orientation:

"State Sen. Gary George, R-Newberg, and Rep. Kim Thatcher, R-Newberg, have submitted a ballot title to state elections officials, who announced this week they will accept public comments through March 25. The draft title on the proposed statutory amendment by George and Thatcher reads: 'Removes sexual orientation from statutes listing impermissible discrimination grounds; deletes other sexual orientation-related provisions.' Jeana Frazzini, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, said the proposed initiative was expected. But she criticized the two Republican lawmakers for their role. 'While I'm not surprised that initiatives to repeal the laws have been filed, I'm shocked that this effort has been spearheaded by legislators whose duty is to protect Oregonians,' Frazzini said."

George recently gave an interview to Oregon gay newspaper Just Out regarding the anti-discrimination laws. Said George: "As an employer, I don’t wanna hear about it. This workplace is for work purposes. My advice to the gay community is SHUT UP, just don’t talk about it. If you walk around talking about what you do in the bedroom, you should be on the pervert channel."

George also described the anti-discrimination measure as like Nazi Germany. Said George in part of an hourlong interview to the Constitution Party of Oregon (audio):

"'Do they [the legislature] have the ability to write a bill dealing with special rights for homosexuals? To say that if I should stand at a pulpit and reach back here and grab a bible and tell you that homosexuality is an abomination to God, and if you're a homosexual you need to stop doing that, okay. You need to stop that. If I were to do that, under this bill, and we had the right people in the room, I could be brought up on charges - sound a little bit like Canada? Sound a little bit like Europe?' Then a voice from the crowd yells out 'Nazi Germany! Sieg Heil!' Nazi Germany, yeah that's right. And so, what happens is, what happens was, is they were able to get passed, and right now there's an effort out there by Marylin Shannon and a bunch of us that are actually going to challenge that. We're gonna say 'No, I'm sorry, you cannot provide special rights, you know, for homosexuals...' with the ability to sue you, and with the requirement that your children and your grandchildren be taught affirmatively that homosexuality is a great idea. So that's the kind of thing that we're battling down there.'"

State Senator Gary George [oregon state legislature]
Oregon lawmakers seek repeal of gay rights law [the oregonian]
Interview with State Senator Gary George [just out]
George speech to Constitution Party [audio]

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Posted by Andy in Discrimination, News, Oregon | Permalink | Comments (22)

03/05/2008

News: Patrick Swayze, Danny Noriega, Testosterone, Kelly Osbourne

Four openly gay Texas candidates advanced in yesterday's primary.

Patrick Swayze has FIVE weeks to live?!? Rep. confirms.

Boyfriend of Toronto gay bar owner Janko Naglic acquitted in murder trial: "The jury returned with its not guilty verdict around 10:15 p.m. Tuesday following a three-week trial that heard from an array of witnesses who testified about the deteriorating relationship between the accused, Ivan Mendez-Romero, and Naglic. On Tuesday night after the verdict, defence lawyer Laurence Cohen said he was "relieved," adding he'd never seen a jury in a murder trial return with a verdict so quickly. The jury retired around 4 p.m. Tuesday after Justice Gladys Pardu finished her nearly all-day charge. 'We did our best for Janko but ultimately we put it into the hands of the jury and we have to respect their decision,' Homicide Det. Sgt. Wayne Banks, the lead investigator on the case, said late Tuesday night."

Legally Blonde 3: Elle Woods goes to the United Nations.

Us Weekly editor Janice Min acknowledges the gay love.

Danny Noriega: Don't hate on my do-rag!

JC Chacez does Vegas.

Alan Duncan, first conservative MP to register for a civil partnership, explains how it all went down: "This is not a 'wedding'," he says. "You really just go into the register office and sign. There will be no Elton John-style stuff: no white suits, no John Inman, no flouncing about. It was on the beach in Oman, two weeks ago, during the parliamentary break. We were walking back after dinner. I did the asking but I think I knew what the answer would be. I said we had had a really good year and should we make it permanent? That was it....It is love - and in no way a political statement. It was entirely personal and mutual. The chemistry is great - we are always laughing. We are very similar: always punctual, tidy, organised; and he's very considerate. We have not had so much as a tense word, let alone an argument. We don't do huffiness. Apart from being very good-looking, James is very socially adept. He says he's really shy going into big social events, but the next thing you know, he's charming the person he's talking to."

Kelly Osbourne to release "camp" fitness DVD featuring drag queens...

Boyband mogul Lou Pearlman pleads guilty to $300m fraud scheme: "In a plea agreement, the music mogul has admitted running scams that defrauded investors and major banks for more than 20 years. Mr Pearlman entered a not guilty plea last year, but is scheduled to reverse that in court in Florida on Thursday. The charges carry a maximum of 25 years in prison and a $1m (£506,000) fine. Mr Pearlman, 53, is expected to plead guilty to two charges of conspiracy, money laundering and making false statements during a bankruptcy proceeding."

Heterosexual UK man files discrimination lawsuit citing years of anti-gay abuse: "Stephen English, 56, says he was called a 'faggot' even though he was happily married with three children. The harassment was so relentless, he claims, that he resigned after nine years as a salesman with a blinds company. He lost his claim for sexual discrimination at a tribunal and at an employment appeal tribunal but the state-funded Equality and Human Rights Commission has taken up his case and will pursue it to the Court of Appeal...The taunts started, he claims, when an area sales manager discovered that he had been to boarding school and lived in Brighton, which has a high proportion of gays in its population. 'He appeared to have assumed from these two facts that I had homosexual tendencies, despite the fact that I was happily married with three daughters,' he told the employment tribunal."

REPORT: Leaked Madonna track "4 Minutes to Save the World" not the version being released. Real version "way better"...

Testosterone level linked to depression in older men: "A study of about 4,000 men aged over 70 found those with lowest testosterone were three times more likely to be depressed than those with the most. Researchers suspect the hormone may affect levels of key brain chemicals."

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Posted by Andy in American Idol, Crime, Discrimination, Drag Queens, Gay Marriage, Great Britain, Madonna, News, Texas, Toronto | Permalink | Comments (20)

03/04/2008

News: Brett Favre, Kentucky, Gus van Sant, Dallas, Danny Noriega

Gay Kentucky couple blocked from adopting child through state's foster care system: "Phillips and Parsley said they are outraged because they had already passed a criminal background check and a home survey by a Sunrise employee who was fully aware of their living arrangement. And they have attended two of five classes required for certification through the free program, they said."

Gus van Sant on filming his new film: Paranoid Park. REVIEW: Van Sant "makes another pretty, vacant movie about pretty, vacant boys..."

Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty posts video of himself smoking a cock.

Documentary explores Florida hate crime killing of Ryan Keith Skipper.

Gay porn films pulled from sale in the UK following barebacking investigation: "Two of the DVDs featured footage from a week-long shoot during which eight British models had sex with each other in multiple combinations without condoms. Four of those who took part were diagnosed as HIV positive soon after. One of the men told the BBC he was distressed that footage which he believed showed him becoming infected had been put on sale."

Green Bay Packers Brett Favre to retire. Sportrait flashback...

Lance and Ben document their romance.

Simon Cowell to produce Billy Eliot-Style musical on Britain's Got Talent winner, opera singer Paul Potts: "That particular day was one of the worst, the acts were just terrible, we were fed up and on comes this guy with a funny little suit and bad teeth who looked very nervous. I can remember looking at the other judges, with that 'here we go again' feeling. We had 2,000 people in the audience, and I'll never forget how much the room changed when he began singing." Video Flashback...

Steven Spielberg to launch social networking site for people interested in the afterlife: "The focus will be on users who’ve had or who are interested in sharing paranormal and extraterrestrial experiences. The new social network may also have original video content investigating alleged ghost and UFO stories."

Pink Speedo down under: Carson Kressley definitely not a fashion coward.

Dallas man claims he was assaulted at Station 4 nightclub: "Sid Gonzales, 43, said he suffered two broken bones in his wrist, a puncture wound to his hand and multiple bruises on his backside when two men assaulted him at about 11 p.m. Gonzales said he was near the main dance floor of the Dallas gay nightclub when two men and a woman walked over and stood nearby. Gonzales said he was 'a little buzzed' from alcohol but not intoxicated. He said he tried to be friendly and make small talk with the trio. But he said he was not trying to hit on the men, whom he described as straight-looking, well-dressed and college-aged. When Gonzales asked a few questions, the woman responded but the men said nothing and looked uncomfortable, he said. Gonzales said he reached out to shake hands with one of the men. The man grabbed Gonzales’ arm, twisted it in the air and slammed it against a knee. Gonzales said the first man also stabbed him in the hand with an unidentified object, while the second began kicking him in the backside."

American Idol contestant Danny Noriega wishes you a Merry Christmas.

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Posted by Andy in AIDS/HIV, American Idol, Brett Favre, Carson Kressley, Crime, Dallas, Discrimination, Drag Queens, Film, Football (American), Gay Adoption, Gus van Sant, Kentucky, Lance Bass, Madonna, News, Pete Doherty, Ryan Keith Skipper, Simon Cowell, Sports, Steven Spielberg | Permalink | Comments (24)

02/25/2008

Rick Perry: If Homosexuality Isn't About Sex, Call It Something Else

In the New York Times magazine on Sunday, Deborah Solomon interviewed Texas Governor Rick Perry, whose crusade in defense of the Boy Scouts of America is being supplemented by royalties from his new book On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts Are Worth Fighting For. The Boy Scouts, of course have been under fire for their discriminatory policies against gays. Most recently, they were evicted from a Philadelphia building they had leased for nearly 80 years because of the city's anti-discrimination ordinance.

Perry says homosexuality is clearly just about sex, and there's no place for sex in the Boy Scouts.

SOLOMON: Let’s talk about your new book, 'On My Honor,' which draws on your experience as an Eagle Scout and champions the values of the Boy Scouts of America, to whom you are donating your royalties.

PERRY: Yes, to their legal-defense fund.

SOLOMON: Which has been fighting the A.C.L.U., to keep gays out of the scouts. Why do you see that as a worthy cause?

PERRY: I am pretty clear about this one. Scouting ought to be about building character, not about sex. Period. Precious few parents enroll their boys in the Scouts to get a crash course in sexual orientation.

SOLOMON: Why do you think a homosexual would be more likely to bring the subject of sex into a conversation than a heterosexual?

PERRY: Well, the ban in scouting applies to scout leaders. When you have a clearly open homosexual scout leader, the scouts are going to talk about it. And they’re not there to learn about that. They’re there to learn about what it means to be loyal and trustworthy and thrifty.

SOLOMON: But don’t you think that homosexuals might also be interested in being loyal and thrifty?

PERRY: The argument that gets made is that homosexuality is about sex. Do you agree?

SOLOMON: No.

PERRY: Well, then why don’t they call it something else?

Perry recently told the AP: "Most Americans have a live-and-let-live view about homosexuality. Scouting's leaders have the same tolerant view, but they do not believe that someone whose personal agenda is to make an open issue of his sexual orientation should be a Scout leader. Scouting is not about sex, but about building character ... The Boy Scouts is not the proper intersection for a debate over sexual preference."

Troop Leader [nyt]
Texas Gov. Defends Boy Scouts in Book [ap]

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Philadelphia Boy Scouts Evicted Over Anti-Gay Bigotry [tr]
"It's not Politics, It's Government" [tr]
Texas Governor Perry Tells Gay Vets to Go Elsewhere [tr]

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Posted by Andy in Books, Boy Scouts, Discrimination, News, Rick Perry, Texas | Permalink | Comments (47)

02/19/2008

News: GQ France, Breakdancing Beckham, Atlantis, Jason Statham

One of the judicial nominees Bush has been threatening a recess appointment for was recently arrested for DUI wearing a little black dress, fishnet stockings and stilletto heels: "Apparently, Federal Judge Robert Somma, rear-ended another motorist in his Mercedes-Benz after tying one on in a local gay bar. He had difficulty locating his drivers license in his purse. His wife, Wendy, says he's not interested in talking to the press right now."

Spice Girls shocked by baby breakdancing Beckham.

Wisconsin gay rights group utilizes election to raise awareness of upcoming court vacancies.

British BMW salesman forced from job by homophobic co-workers: "Ben Hamilton, 26, claims he was branded 'the nice poof', 'faggot' and 'bender Ben' by workmates at a BMW showroom. He told the hearing he was banned from wearing pink clothing and was made to change. And when he grew a beard he claimed colleagues walking past him would jeer the phrase 'Deal or No Deal?' at him after gameshow host Noel Edmonds up to 30 times a day. Mr Hamilton said a manager told him: 'It must be great to be gay. Does it mean you and your fella can go out, have a few beers, have a curry, beat each other up and still get laid?'"

Space Shuttle Atlantis heads home from International Space Station in preparation for Navy shootdown of errant spy satellite.

GQ launches French edition.

Student: Goldfish aren't the peabrains you think they are.

Excavated remains identified as Sir Hugh Despenser the Younger, lover of King Edward II: "Despenser died a gruesome death, being publicly hung, drawn, quartered and disembowelled for treason in 1326 following Edward's fall. The remains, found in the 1970s on Despenser's brother-in-law's estate at Hulton Abbey, Staffordshire, bear such hallmarks, anthropologist Mary Lewis says. Lewis, from Reading University, made the link by drawing on the manner of execution, carbon-dating of the bones and the absence of several parts of the body. The skull, part of the vertebra and one leg are buried on the family estate at Tewkesbury Abbey. 'Research on the bones shows he was stabbed in the throat and probably stabbed in the stomach, but we would not have any evidence to disembowelment unless the knife had hit any bones,' Lewis said."

Writer Andrew Holleran pays a visit to Fort Lauderdale.

Ben & Jerry endorse Obama, scoop "Cherries for Change" ice cream. "Barack is showing that when you lead with your values and follow what you have inside that good things will happen. What we saw is that when you want real change it's not a marketing slogan. You have to do things differently. And that is not going to be done by someone who's been involved in the system for years and years. It needs to come from inside and Barack Obama has it."

Winehouse likes her chicken fried.

Jason Statham drops the big burly half of himself.

Japan's top court rules Mapplethorpe photos not obscene: "The verdict was hailed as a victory for artistic freedom by a Japanese publisher who filed the lawsuit. His copy of a Mapplethorpe book was seized in 1999 when he tried to bring it from the United States for personal use. Reversing a lower court ruling, the Supreme Court ordered customs to lift its ban on bringing in the book of photographs, entitled 'Robert Mapplethorpe.' In the 2003 ruling, the Tokyo High Court ruled that the book, which included images of male genitals, went 'against good sexual morality.' But Kohei Nasu, the presiding judge, said at the Supreme Court: 'The book and pictures do not fall into a category that would disturb the public,' as quoted by Jiji Press."

UK father-to-be charged in "cowardly, disgraceful" attack on homophobe mistaken for gay man: "John Edwards, prosecuting, told York Crown Court yesterday the assault happened last July when Mr Sandey was returning home along St Mary's by the riverside in York after a night out. He said the area was known to be frequented in the evening by homosexual men, and a passer-by heard one of the group shouting homophobic insults. 'When the defendant pleaded guilty he did so, acknowledging this was aggravated by homophobia. The target of their violence, quite randomly it would seem, was this complainant,' he said. A woman who saw the attackers, including Walls, described seeing Mr Sandey on the ground. The men were punching him before one - it is not known who - jumped on his leg as they shouted 'he is a pervert'. Afterwards Walls spoke to the witness, telling her his name. Forensic experts later found blood on him."

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Posted by Andy in Amy Winehouse, Barack Obama, Crime, David Beckham, Discrimination, France, George W. Bush, Great Britain, Japan, Jason Statham, Magazines, News, Robert Mapplethorpe, Royalty, Space, Wisconsin | Permalink | Comments (9)

02/18/2008

California Gym Boots Gay Man Over T-Shirt

David Cano wore a t-shirt to his gym, California Family Fitness, that said "I need a man or a date, serious inquiries only," and the gym canceled his membership, saying several guests had come forward complaining about his choice of clothing.

Apparently the t-shirt wasn't "family" enough for them.

Said Cano: "I just thought something up, and said maybe I would wear it. It was kind of like a gag thing. They're responsible for kicking me out because of my shirt and discrimination. It's basically because I'm open [about my sexual orientation]."

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Posted by Andy in California, Discrimination, Fashion Men, News | Permalink | Comments (51)

02/08/2008

Teacher Receives Settlement in Anti-Gay Discrimination Lawsuit

Emmit Hancock, a fifth-grade teacher in the Ravenswood City school district in San Francisco's Bay Area who in October 2005 filed a discrimination lawsuit alleging he was fired after telling his classroom that he is gay received a $41,000 settlement in the case.

The San Jose Mercury News reports: " The dispute was sparked on the first day of school in 2004. Hancock, a new teacher, said he heard some boys on the playground calling each other derogatory names used to describe homosexual men. When he approached and told them not to use those words, he said they asked him why and whether he was gay. Hancock said he told them he had been gay for about five years but was now married. Soon after, word of Hancock's bisexuality spread through the school and eventually to parents, who called and complained to the school and the district. Hancock claimed school officials hardly let him teach until Principal Robin Miller asked him to resign."

The school has always claimed that Hancock was fired because he "simply wasn't cutting it as a first-year teacher."

Said Hancock: "It traumatized me. They really made it seem like the parents were really upset with me."

Ravenswood and teacher who told students he was gay settle sex discrimination suit [san jose mercury news]

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Posted by Andy in Discrimination, Education, News | Permalink | Comments (10)

01/31/2008

Kentucky Senate Passes Bill Banning Benefits for Gay Partners

The Kentucky Senate has passed a bill that would ban universities and state agencies from offering benefits to the partners of gay and lesbian employees:

"The vote on Senate Bill 112 was 30-5, with Democratic Sens. Ernesto Scorsone of Lexington, Denise Harper Angel of Louisville, Gerald Neal of Louisville, R.J. Palmer of Winchester and Tim Shaughnessy of Louisville voting against it. 'The only thing that drives this measure is a gay-bashing effort,' said Scorsone, a homosexual. Proponents of the bill say allowing universities to offer domestic-partner benefits violates the Kentucky Constitution, which was amended in 2004 to ban same-sex marriage. 'I have sympathy for Sen. Scorsone,' said Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville. 'I know it's difficult for him to deal with this issue. Nobody directed any comments at him, nor would we have stood for anyone to say anything disrespectful on the floor.'"

Bunch of bigots. Isn't it great how even the Courier-Journal paints Scorsone as not really a person but: 'a homosexual'.

The bill passed on religious values. Said sponsor Vernie McGaha, R-Russell Springs: "I do not recognize domestic partnerships as being a correct thing. My Bible teaches against it."

The bill now awaits a House vote. Thankfully, a similar bill failed to pass there last year.

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Posted by Andy in Discrimination, Kentucky, News | Permalink | Comments (44)

01/25/2008

News: NYC Sushi, Hannah Montana, New Mexico, Kiefer Sutherland

Prepare for spring violence: Moscow Gay Pride parade set for May.

Anderson Cooper says "no" to Heath Ledger coverage: “For the last two nights we have reported on actor Heath Ledger. His shocking death is clearly a story a lot of people are interested in, but tonight we will not be reporting more on it. The truth is there is not really anything new to report. The full results of the various tests done on Mr. Ledger will not be ready for perhaps a few weeks and there is very little new information. I have no doubt other networks will spend a lot of time tonight discussing his death and the various rumors about what might have caused it, but I am not a fan of speculation, so unless there is something really new to discuss we probably won’t be covering it anymore anytime soon.”

Teen pop terrorist? 16-year-old boy arrested for plans to hijack a commercial airliner and commit suicide by crashing it into a Hannah Montana concert.

Domestic partnership bill approved by House in New Mexico.

Black/gay rivalry in DNC revealed by email evidence in the discrimination/unlawful termination suit filed by former DNC gay outreach director Donald Hitchcock.

Founder of Minnesota's largest gay rights group stepping down after 21 years: "Ann DeGroot started what became OutFront Minnesota in 1987, and her tenure as executive director saw Minnesota amend its Human Rights Act in 1993 to cover gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. From 2004 to 2006 she also fought a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. That effort, along with caring for her partner during a battle with ovarian cancer, made the 52-year-old DeGroot realize she needed to slow down."

1,000 people turn out to meet Hillary Clinton at gay NYC Hiro ballroom event.

New York Times endorses Hillary Clinton and John McCain.

McCain memory shaky about statements on his proficiency in economics.

Gay UK couple claims Stagecoach bus company discriminated against them...twice: "Mark Craig, 20, and Steven Black, 16, from Old Meldrum in Aberdeenshire, claim that when they attempted to catch the last Stagecoach bus from Aberdeen back to Old Meldrum on January 11th, the driver opened the doors, looked at them, and then closed the doors and drove off...Last October Mark and Steven were on the last Stagecoach bus of the night from Aberdeen to Old Meldrum, when the driver suddenly stopped the bus and demanded they get off, supposedly at the request of a fellow passenger, for sitting with their arm around each other." Stagecoach denies homophobia...

I recently mentioned that the New Yorker magazine was having a cover illustration contest for its annual issue featuring its mascot, Eustace Tilley. You can view all the entries here.

David Beckham's carbon footprint: it's huge like the rest of him, however, it's not so pretty.

Kiefer Sutherland was apparently jonesing to shop during his 48 days in jail.

AP highlights frustration of gay activists over Democratic campaign: ''They've merely settled on what the Democrats have staked out as a safe, consensus position, just far enough ahead of where th