Western Evangelical Group Pushing Ethiopia to Impose Death Penalty for Gays

Will Ethiopia consider imposing the death penalty for homosexuality? Bikya News seems to think so:

An anti-gay organization that held a recent workshop on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues in Ethiopia is reporting that the death penalty against gay people in Ethiopia may be on the horizon.

The workshop reportedly looked with the social ‘evils’ and ‘disastrous’ effects of homosexuality in Ethiopia, and was led by United for Life Ethiopia, a Western Evangelical Christian organization with local representation.

Government officials, religious leaders, leading heath professionals, charities and members of the public attended the event at the Bethel Teaching Hospital in Addis Ababa, last week. In the workshop police alleged ‘homosexual family members and neighbors’ have sexually abused 117 boys last year. It comes on the heels of much antagonism toward the LGBT community in Ethiopia.

GSN adds:

At the conclusion of the workshop, the EICAH representative stated that the council is ‘making progress’ in convincing the government to be stricter on homosexuality and introduce the death penalty to punish ‘such acts’.

The ECIAH representative added that prospects for capital punishment being legislated against gays ‘seems promising’.

The United for Life Ethiopia (ULE), led by Dr Seyoum Antonios, sponsored the event as well as ECIAH.

ULE is a Western Evangelical organization that receives funding in the UK and US and offers to ‘cure’ gayness as well as campaigning aggressively against LGBT people in the country.

When Trash Met Lava: VIDEO

This video isn't quite as funny, poignant or touching as the late Nora Ephron's When Harry Met Sally, but it's still pretty captivating: a team of scientist threw a 66 pound bag of garbage into Ethiopia's Erta Ale volcano to simulate what would happen if a human fell in. Answer: angry lava.

Watch the volcano spew forth, AFTER THE JUMP…

(via Gawker)

NEWS: Bishop Eddie Long's Marital Woes, Ethopia's Inhospitality, Obamacare Is Happening, And A 3D Tour Of An Extraterrestrial Body

The space probe Dawn has now gathered enough data on the asteroid Vesta to allow NASA to create a guided tour in 3D. You'll need red and green 3D glasses to view properly. Watch AFTER THE JUMP! And marvel: once Dawn's done with Vesta, she'll spin out of the asteroid's gravity well using super-futuristic ion propulsion and rendezvous with the dwarf planet Ceres, which is orbiting the sun at 17 kilometers per second. Science is awesome!  [HT: Phil Plait]

Ethiopians are unhappy about hosting International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Africa.

Alan Sues, Laugh-In star and pioneering/stereotyping TV gay guy, has died. From the Times:

Mr. Sues tended to perform with over-the-top flamboyance on the show, displaying stereotypically gay mannerisms. What he did not disclose was that he was gay, Mr. Michaud said, fearing that to tell the truth about his sexual orientation would have ended his career.

“It wasn’t because he was ashamed of being gay; it was because he was surviving as a performer,” Mr. Michaud said in a telephone interview, adding that Mr. Sues was actually an inspiration to many gay viewers. “Many gay men came up to him and said how important he was when they were young because he was the only gay man they could see on television,” Mr. Michaud said.

Bishop Eddie Long's wife seeks a divorce:

In September of 2010, four young men came forward with lawsuits against Eddie Long—a well-known social conservative and Atlanta megachurch pastor—claiming that the bishop had plied them with vacations, cars and money in exchange for sex, starting when they were 16. (The cases were dismissed this spring after Long reached settlements with each of the men.) Yesterday, Vanessa Long filed for divorce, releasing a statement this morning that read "[a]fter a great deal of deliberation and prayer, I have decided to terminate my marriage to Bishop Eddie L. Long."

Gay couple accused of molesting adopted sons:

The allegations have caused turmoil within the family and has divided them, with family members forced to choose sides. Harasz’s biological daughter, Jackie, 19, told the media that she strongly believes that the couple is innocent. Chris Harasz, one of the adopted boys, says that all of the allegations are true.

Wirth and Harasz adopted nine boys from three different sibling groups over the past ten years.

Sandusky talks. And talks. And talks.

Standing On Ceremony to close.

Christian's don't like Johnny Depp's Christmas song.

Lovely Patty Austin's got a new album out. She talks about it, and AIDS, and all kinds of other things with The Advocate.

Yesterday, according to Forbes, "the bomb buried in Obamacare" exploded.  

The police stole the Occu-pies:

First there was pepper spray. Then came the batons. But on Thursday night, bad relations between the police and protesters entered a new dimension. While arrested demonstrators sat in their cells at a Lower East side station house, the police, protesters say, stole their pizza and drank all their soda pop.

“NYPD Sadistically Eats Pizzas Meant for World AIDS Day Occupy Wall St. Protesters,” read the headline on the protesters’ news release about the episode.

The police concede that they ate the pizza, but said they thought the pies were intended for them.

“Any way you slice it, it was an honest mistake,” said Paul J. Browne, the head police spokesman.

George Packer tells the story of Ray Kachel, and some other folk who found a home at Zucotti. It's a really good read.

News: Winnipeg, Brenda Dickson, Nepal, Sam Adams, Stephen Harper

Gambino mob hitman didn't mean to tell everyone he was gay: “'He didn’t want to make an announcement to the world,' said one person with knowledge of the case who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the dangers facing Mr. Mormando. 'He wanted the judge to know what risks he took — why he wasn’t just your average cooperator, someone who had simply broken the code.'"

Sam Taylor-Wood's sleeping Beckham image to appear on condoms in Spain.

Why Hello There: 'Welcome to My Home' star Brenda Dickson wrongly imprisoned for four months!

Rep. Alan Grayson launches website to document those who have died because they had no health care.

James Franco makes silent appearance on SNL.

Boston DJ Barry Scott denied new trial against Provincetown police.

Nepal to seek status as LGBT tourist destination: "Nepal government has held a series of meetings with well-known international tour operators and non-profit organisations to promote Nepal as a potential destination for LGBTs, the Kantipur online said on Thursday. Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) officials hope that LGBT arrivals will give a boost to the number of visitors to the country as the government mulls new way to bring in a million foreign tourists in the Nepal Tourism Year 2011."

WATCH: John Mayer's music video for "Heartbreak Warfare".

McCain supporters' testosterone dropped on election night.

Ethiopia pleas with international community for food aid.

Pee Wee Herman plans comeback: "I don't want anyone for one second to think that I am titillated by images of children."

Philadelphia Gay News serves as test run for U.S. Census ad.

LAPD cuts ties with the Boy Scouts.

Uganda bill that would penalizes gays with death put off until 2010: "Parliament was too busy, just now, to handle the important matter of the Anti- Homosexuality bill. Apparently it is very, very far ahead in the future, but that gives you time to check in with your MP and tell them how much you support the Bahati Bill." American Evangelicals are playing role in efforts there to exterminate gays...

Fatal men's bathhouse fire now a homicide investigation in Winnipeg: "The bathhouse's owner, Somchai Pengpharsuks, told the Free Press last week he believed the blaze was set by two men on the building's second floor. He said the incident was potentially hate-motivated, according to information he received, because the bathhouse is frequented predominantly by gay men. Both men died of smoke inhalation in a fire that police believe was "deliberately set," said a police spokesman.

Glee planning "all Madonna" episode.

Former Oregon senator to lead new recall effort against Portland Mayor Sam Adams: "The PAC's treasurer, Teresa McGuire said this time around opponents will use paid signature collectors, much the same as other nonprofit campaigns."

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper hires homophobe speechwriter: "Referring to former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's 1969 decision to decriminalize homosexuality, Hannaford wrote in 2005, 'Fine, said lots of people. Leave gays alone? Fair enough. But, let 'em be Boy Scout leaders? Have each other's benefits? Adopt kids? Marry each other? Ridiculous. Anybody seeking political office who suggested it would have been laughed off the hustings. Yet, the Liberals are ready to legalize gay marriage. How did we get to this point?'"

News: Jon Huntsman, Ethiopia, Katy Perry, Hubble, Ethan Zohn

Washington Governor Christine Gregoire would like to see a marriage equality bill on her desk. SIGNS "everything but marriage" law.

John Mayer in lipstick assault.

The Pool: Inside a White House photo-op. 

AFP on the secret life of gays in Ethiopia: "Under its penal code, the very act itself can bring three years behind bars. And if the offender 'makes a profession of such activities' the penalty rises to up to five years. The law also seeks a maximum sentence of up to ten years if any kind of coercion is involved. Yet, there are calls for more stringent rules against the homosexual community whose exact size is impossible to determine due to fears of repression."

Colorado conservatives see "chipping away of legal barriers" to civil unions.

Hollywood Reporter: Taking Woodstock a "solid but minor" Ang Lee film.

Political masterstroke? Obama nominates Utah Governor Jon Huntsman as ambassador to China.

Katy Perry's Adam Lambert cape censored on iTunes.

Obama names lesbian Jenny Durkan for U.S. attorney: "Obama himself said that all six of his nominees for U.S. Attorney 'have distinguished themselves as fair, tenacious and respected attorneys throughout their careers in both public and private service.'  And Gov. Gregoire had this to say: 'I am so pleased the Obama administration also recognizes Jenny's leadership and experience, and nominated her for this important position.  I hope the Senate will act quickly on the nomination to confirm her.'"

A commentary on the NASA TV live feed of the Hubble repair: "One of the striking things, watching the astronauts work, is how slowly everything goes. They move slowly, slowly, slowly, like fish in glycerin. They can barely bend their hands to grasp tools because of all the pressure keeping them alive inside their suits."

Former Survivor winner Ethan Zohn battling cancer: "On April 30, Zohn was diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin's disease. The diagnosis came after months of unexplained itching and night sweats, originally thought to be a skin condition."

Madonna denies that she's planning to hold Kabbalah ccommitment ceremony with Brazilian boytoy Jesus Luz.

Chris Pine demonstrates the wonders of gold-digging for the paparazzi.

First record to be released on Justin Timberlake's record label TenMan gets some vocal help from Timberlake himself.

Male model fix: Todd Sanfield.

Conyers on Obama: "Why is he becoming so conservative now that he's got the job?"

New strategy against AIDS involves insertion of a gene that produces protective antibodies: "The new method worked in mice and now has proved successful in monkeys, too, they reported Sunday in the online edition of the journal Nature Medicine...That doesn't mean an AIDS vaccine for people is in the wings, Johnson said. Years of work may lie ahead before a product is ready for human use."

Iowa attorney: risks paid off in marriage case. "Was the case winnable? Would it pose a security risk to the firm? Would other clients disapprove and take their business elsewhere?The firm's senior lawyers discussed the concerns, Johnson said, but quickly gave him the go-ahead. Over the next several years, Johnson estimates his firm poured roughly $500,000 into research, travel, and other expenses for the case."

News: Ethiopia, Clay Aiken, Burger King, Michael Musto , Spain

Decade-long spike in anti-gay hate crimes expected to continue surge in 2008.

Some vintage shots of a well-known CNN anchor.

Ethiopian clerics want ban on homosexuality enshrined in constitution: "Religious leaders in Ethiopia on Monday urged lawmakers to amend the country's constitution to ban homosexuality in a move they argue could further strengthen existing codes. At a meeting in the Ethiopian capital, nearly a dozen religious figures, including heads of Ethiopia's Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, adopted a resolution against homosexuality, which they termed as 'the pinnacle of immorality.'"

British mum in court for anti-gay attack on her own son.

40-year-old British ex-boxer in court for anti-gay attack on 14-year-old boy: "Wirral magistrates heard Stephen Hope, 40, of Hull, only stopped his attack when he was slashed across the arm by the boy’s mother, who had panicked and grabbed a kitchen knife. The thick-set former drug user had befriended the woman four months prior to the attack on August 13. The court heard how having originally listened to the youth confide he might be homosexual, Hope grew increasingly angry, saying he was driving a wedge between him and his mother."

Clay Aiken immortalized at Sardi's.

Gay Indian Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil goes undercover to try and find a partner: "Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil has been trawling the bars and clubs of a British seaside resort - even taking up a menial job - in a life-follows-art search for a soulmate. Gohil, crown prince of the former princely state of Rajpipla in Gujarat, is among three ‘undercover princes’ who have travelled from India, Sri Lanka and South Africa to star in a four-part British television documentary."

Recession-proof: Arnold Schwarzenegger spends at Hermes.

Max Blumenthal on Rick Warren's double life.

James Kirchik: Gay community needs to calm down about Rick Warren.

The Village Voice's Michael Musto takes on Sarah Palin and others in his year-end review. FLASHBACK: Musto as Lindsay Lohan as Marilyn Monroe.

Spanish judge suspended for trying to stop lesbian from adopting: "The court’s ruling Tuesday says Ferrin ignored Spanish laws allowing homosexual couples to adopt and showed contempt for the woman’s sexual orientation while processing her application. Ferrin says he will appeal his suspension, and that he had only the child’s interests at heart."

Can Paris Hilton get any tackier? It's possible.

Burger King "Flame" meat-scented cologne sells out in NYC. PETA responds with their own fragrance: Gore.

What the Pope actually said about homosexuality being as dangerous as the destruction of the rainforests.

Burlesque dancer Dita von Teese and Dr. Mervyn Silverman receive Award of Courage from amfAR: "Silverman, director of public health from 1977 to 1985, was feted for leadership in HIV prevention...Von Teese, a spokeswoman for the MAC AIDS Fund and a supporter of amfAR, was honored for putting her time and charisma into international fundraising and awareness efforts - not just for men, but women, too."