Florida Ban on Gay Adoption Ruled Unconstitutional

The Miami Herald reports that Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman has declared Florida's gay adoption ban unconstiutional:

"In a 53-page ruling, Judge Lederman said, 'It is clear that sexual orientation is not a predictor of a person's ability to parent.' Two lawyers from the Florida Attorney General's Office said they would file an appeal Tuesday. 'We respect the court's decision,' said Assistant Attorney General Valerie Martin. 'Based upon the wishes of our client, the Department of Children & Families, we will file an appeal.' Gill, who is raising the half-brothers, ages 4 and 8, said he was 'elated' by the ruling and 'I cried tears of joy for the first time in my life.'"

Gill can now adopt the boys he has cared for since 2004.

The AP reports: "Florida has one of the strictest bans on gay adoptions in the country. A judge in Key West ruled in September that the ban was unconstitutional, but that ruling has had limited legal impact. Attorneys for the state said they would appeal Lederman's ruling. The appeal will ultimately decide what happens to the state ban in place since 1977.

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Court to Rule in Florida Gay Adoption Case

UPDATE: Ban ruled unconstitutional.

This morning, a Miami-Dade child welfare judge is expected to rule on the constitutionality of Florida's law banning gay adoption.

"Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman heard testimony from Oct. 1-6 over Frank Gill's petition to adopt the two foster children he has cared for since 2004. Florida child welfare administrators testified they would have approved the adoption but for Florida's ban, the only such state law still on the books. Though Florida law does not allow gay people to adopt, they are allowed to be foster parents, and many gay people have fostered children for years. Much of the testimony centered on conflicting interpretations of decades-worth of academic research on whether gay people can parent as successfully as straight people."

The case began in closed court at the beginning of October and followed a decision by a Circuit Court judge declaring the state's law unconstitutional in order to allow a gay Key West foster parent to adopt the son he and his partner had been caring for for seven years.

Lederman's ruling is expected to be appealed immediately and experts say it will go all the way to the Florida Supreme Court.

You may have missed...
More Challenges Underway to Florida's Gay Adoption Ban [tr]
Florida's First Gay Adoption [tr]
Judge Rules Florida Gay Adoption Ban Unconstitutional [tr]
(image miami herald)

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Whoopi Goldberg Talks About NYC Prop 8 March on The View

THANK YOU, Whoopi Goldberg! Hasselbeck, of course, defends the haters.

Check out some photos of Whoopi at the march here.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Take That, Sarah Palin: Film About Two Gay Hockey Dads to Open

Breakfast with Scot, which opened L.A.'s Outfest this year and is the first gay film in which the NHL allowed its logo and uniforms to be used, opens this weekend.

It has already stirred up controversy. Back in February 2007, San Diego-based Christian activist "ex-gay" James Hartline, called the film, which tells the story of a gay couple (a former Toronto Maple Leaf and the team's lawyer) who become the guardians of an eleven-year-old boy struggling to understand his sexuality, "degrading" and warned that it promoted the "homosexualization of small children."

The L.A. Times puts the kibosh on that. They write:

"Ever since Gov. Sarah Palin burst on to the national scene, I've heard more than I ever wanted to hear about hockey moms. Are they that different from soccer moms? Do they really wear lipstick? Or can they get away with lip balm or Blistex? I've never seen a hockey-mom movie, however. Though last week I did see my first hockey-dad movie. Actually, 'Breakfast With Scot' is about two hockey dads, and the only one wearing lipstick is their flamboyant 11-year-old ward, Scot, who winds up living with this comely, strait-laced gay couple after his mom dies. Welcome to the gay family film, as mild and sweet as anything out of the Disney empire."

It opens on both coasts this weekend, with more releases into October.

Watch the trailer, AFTER THE JUMP...

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News: Montana, Hugh Jackman, Parasites, Ig Nobels, Tuna

Montana woman files appeal over historic Montana same-sex partner custody ruling.

Where did Charlie go when he was young? Tuna kindergarten.

Interested in what Shrek the Musical sounds like? Download a free tune.

Gold-winning gay Aussie Olympian hires "the man who helped turn Ian Thorpe into a multimillionaire, David Flaskas, to manage his career away from the dive towers." Mitcham has yet to score a major sponsorship - is homophobia to blame?

Canadian candidate who told a high school assembly gays should be executed is banned from future debates.

Senator Larry Craig gives farewell speech to empty chamber. Crapper goes unmentioned in colleague Mike Crapo's good-bye lauding the accomplishments of his retiring colleague : "It has been a privilege for me to serve with Senator Craig during my time in Congress. My wife, Susan, and I wish him and his wife, Suzanne, well as they begin a new chapter in their lives."

Police looking into violent gay bashing outside club in downtown Hamilton, Ontario, Canada: "The victim was treated in hospital. Shortly afterwards a man appeared at hospital with injuries to his hand. Police say the man bragged about his assault at the Embassy Club."

Hugh Jackman lookin' spiffy.

Catholic churches in Michigan town of Hamtramck urge voters to reject town's anti-discrimination that includes protections for sexual orientation: "We have to keep the morals and have the regular families and bring up children according to God's law. Keep it the way it was from the beginning."

Equality Maryland to honor transgender model Isis.

Alien parasites killing sharks off the coast of Oregon. Damn, those things look nasty.

I'm very sorry to report the passing of Rupert, the cutest deer ever.

Facebook censors gay men's retailer Priape: "Michael Ain, Priape's director of marketing and sales, says Facebook is treating Priape differently than it does similar pages aimed at heterosexual audiences."

Duke University to host Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson: "Janie Long, director of the Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Life-which organized Robinson's visit-said she hoped his appearance would help to open a campus conversation on faith and identity. 'This is something that I deal with with students quite frequently,' she said. 'And because I very much want students from all kinds of faith backgrounds-it's not students that are Christians, it's really all faith backgrounds-it's a chance for those students to be exposed to someone who I think is really an excellent role model in terms of balancing different parts of identity.'"

Madonna and A-Rod reportedly dine together in NYC.

Out Dartmouth runner Jamal Brown shares his experiences as an openly gay college athlete.

There are two out gay men on this season's Top Chef — meet them.

Broadway's Hairspray to close.

Annual Ig Nobel Prizes awarded.

CBS in trouble for Survivor peen moment that nobody saw.

A new comedy TV series based on the childhood memoirs of Simon Doonan by the writer of Beautiful Thing comes to the BBC: "This glittering and hilarious series delves inside Simon's youthful memories and his desire to escape suburban Reading and live amongst the 'beautiful people' - from his perspective as a window dresser in a New York department store."

CDC: 1 in 5 unaware they are infected with HIV.

Building in Bangkok's gay area collapses: "The collapse happened on Tuesday in Bangkok's Silom Soi 4 at around 4pm local time (10pm NZ time), when the Soi is largely unattended. There are no reports of fatalities or injuries. The four-story building, currently under renovation and operating as Roxy Club, partially fell to the ground, crushing motorcyles and furniture, leaving the street covered in large pieces of concrete and other debris."

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Montana Court Issues Historic Same-Sex Parent Custody Ruling

The ACLU hailed a ruling by a Missoula, Montana district court judge who awarded custody rights to Michelle Kulstad. Kulstad had raised two kids with her partner Barbara Maniaci for nearly a decade. The kids were legally adopted by Maniaci, who sought sole custody when the couple split:

"In his order, McLean focused on whether or not a parental bond existed between Kulstad and her children. 'The evidence shows that rupture of the children's relationship with Ms. Kulstad would be not only contrary to their best interests, but severely detrimental to their well-being,' he wrote...Maniaci, as the 'legally adoptive' parent, argued that Kulstad had no custodial rights to the children, and should not be granted visitation rights, calling the woman a 'legal stranger' to the children. But in his 48-page decision, McLean rejected Maniaci's argument and ruled that it was in the best interest of the children for their parent-child relationship with Kulstad to continue. He found that Kulstad raised the children with Maniaci and provided for them financially. The court also noted that the children recognized Kulstad as a parent and have a constitutional right to that relationship."

Said Betsy Griffing, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana: "This is the first case of its kind that I am aware of. The point of this is that children of every parent have the right to a parental bond. An exception cannot be carved out in the case of gay parents."

Court: Same-sex parent has custody rights [missoulian]

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News: True Blood, Sarah Silverman, Bronx, Ed Koch, Caribou

American Airlines endorses ENDA.

Victory Fund endorses 100 candidates in 2008.

Gay families plentiful in the Bronx: "Same-sex couples in the Bronx are more likely to have children than those in any other New York City borough, according to a study released last month, and perhaps more than any county in the country."

Britney Spears takes the isle of Manhattan.

The Pope rejects French ambassador to Vatican because he's gay and married to a man.

Popular Chicago bartender-turned gay activist takes own life: "Ron Ziebarth, a North Side bartender with a dedicated following, was a champion fundraiser for Equality Illinois and a former chairman of the gay rights group's annual gala. Mr. Ziebarth, 52, died Tuesday, Sept. 23, said Colm Treacy, owner of two Andersonville bars where Mr. Ziebarth worked. He had suffered from bouts of depression for a few years, and he killed himself by hanging, Treacy said."

Sarah Silverman: Do the great schlep for Obama.

Report: Sarah Palin lip liner is a tattoo.

Jonas Brother merges with a Mustang.

Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ): Bailout defeat had nothing to do with Pelosi speech.

Pride Reinvention Festival giving Perth, Australia a gay identity crisis?

Homophobic attack in Dungannon, Northern Ireland: "The victim claims to have been lured to the old railway lines around 9pm on Tuesday, September 23 where four males beat him up. He required medical attention in the minor injuries unit for abrasions."

Washington D.C. police arrest suspect in anti-gay July attack.

Wisconsin man who stabbed his roommate because he believed the roommate was spreading gay rumors about him is ordered into a mental health facility in Wisconsin.

Washington State Bar Association comes out in favor of marriage equality: "The resolution was adopted unanimously by the group's 14-member Board of Governors despite considerable opposition from association members, board president Mark Johnson of Seattle said. 'We felt it was appropriate to take a position,' Johnson told the Tri-City Herald. 'There certainly will be people who will be distressed.'"

True Blood's Ryan Kwanten hangs ten.

Janet Jackson hospitalized with sudden illness.

Straight model sues Genre magazine over unauthorized use of image.

Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch campaigning for Barack Obama in South Florida: "Koch, who represented Manhattan's East Side on the City Council and in Congress before being elected to the first of three terms as mayor in 1977, told an admiring crowd that Obama is the best choice for president. His 15-minute speech at Temple Beth Torah/Tamarac Jewish Center was one of four stops Sunday to campaign for Obama. Koch also spoke at the Sunrise Civic Center, Temple Emeth in Delray Beach and Century Village in West Palm Beach."

Caribou wins Canada's Polaris Music Prize.

Guardian's Balaji Ravichandran: Public schism in India opening between the Health Ministry and the federal government of decriminalization of homosexuality.

University of Iowa boosts harassment training after anti-gay graffiti discovered in public men's room: "A male student last week reported to school officials he saw several weeks ago a message written on a chalk board in the third floor men's restroom in North Hall. The student said the message was an anti-gay slur against Beth Skinner, a doctoral student and teaching assistant in social work. School officials don't know how long the message was there, and it was gone when the male student reported it, Saunders said. Skinner, 36, said her first reaction was disbelief that such a slur would be written in the School of Social Work. 'We have a core set of values and ethics that guide our practice and this would not be one of them,' she said."

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Clay Aiken Talks to Diane Sawyer About Decision to Come Out

Clay Aiken spoke to Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America this morning about his decision to come out of the closet.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

Others have been speaking out as well.

American Idol judge Simon Cowell joked, "Wow, that's a shock. It's like being told Santa Clause isn't real -- unbelievable," then added, "Good for him. If he said it, it's the right thing for him. Good for him. I don't think anyone cares. Let's face it. It's 2008. You know, who cares?"

Lance Bass told People, "I'm happy for him. It's good to see someone actually being true to who they are. I think it's something that's nice to share with the world, because it really does relieve a lot of pressure off of you," then joked, "Coming out on the cover of PEOPLE magazine? I mean, c'mon. Can't he be just a little bit more original?"

Charlie Herschel, who's a contestant on the upcoming season of Survivor, talked to the Advocate about how he struck up an IM relationship with a then-closeted Aiken last summer: "Well, he’s not a close friend of mine. We’ve only hung out, like, twice. I fell out of touch with him for a little while, but there was a point when I was in law school that I was on IM almost every day, so we used to IM almost every day. But we haven’t spoken since I got back from Africa, so he doesn’t even know I was on Survivor. But there was a point, up through when I left for Survivor, where we were in pretty close contact...I was pretty surprised that he came out, just because he seemed pretty adamant about being private about that sort of stuff with the public."

And do you remember John Paulus, the former Green Beret and real estate agent who in 2006 claimed he's had sex with Aiken? He released a statement and is shutting down his Aiken blog: "Some have called or emailed me asking if I feel vindicated. For me, this isn’t about vindication. The days of me seeking such have past. This is about Clay Aiken and what this means for him. Today, Clay Aiken has just had that 10 ton weight lifted from his shoulders. He doesn’t have to hide or live in fear of anyone knowing his secret. He can be happy living openly and honestly and for me this is what’s most important. I hope that Clay fans will forgive Clay and accept him."

Watch Diane Sawyer's interview, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Kids with Gay Parents Put Face on Battle Against Prop 8

Proud Parenting has produced a video using mostly kids with gay parents that puts a human face on some who will be affected by the same-sex marriage ban should it pass in California.

In related news, some are concerned that Black voters in California, traditionally conservative on social issues, will come to the polls in great numbers to support Obama and then cast a vote for the anti-gay measure:

"To blunt that possibility, gay leaders and Proposition 8 opponents have been sponsoring casual events at restaurants in traditionally black neighborhoods in Los Angeles, meeting with black clergy members and recruiting gay black couples to serve as spokespeople on panels and at house parties and church events. 'This is black people talking to black people,' said Ron Buckmire, the board president of the Barbara Jordan/Bayard Rustin Coalition, a gay rights group in Los Angeles. 'We’re saying, ‘Gay people are black and black people are gay. And if you are voting conservative on an antigay ballot measure, you are hurting the black community.’'"

Watch the Proud Parenting video, AFTER THE JUMP...

No on Prop 8 [official site]

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NYT: Palin Singled Out Gay-Themed Book in Censorship Inquiry

With regard to Sarah Palin and book banning, there's been a lot of discussion about whether or not particular books were singled out for censorship by the then mayor of Wasilla, Alaska.

In a searing front-page story in yesterday's New York Times, the paper reveals, among other things, that Palin wanted a children's book that teaches kids about homosexuality off the shelves, but would not read its contents:

"The new mayor also tended carefully to her evangelical base. She appointed a pastor to the town planning board. And she began to eye the library. For years, social conservatives had pressed the library director to remove books they considered immoral. 'People would bring books back censored,' recalled former Mayor John Stein, Ms. Palin’s predecessor. 'Pages would get marked up or torn out.' Witnesses and contemporary news accounts say Ms. Palin asked the librarian about removing books from the shelves. The McCain-Palin presidential campaign says Ms. Palin never advocated censorship. But in 1995, Ms. Palin, then a city councilwoman, told colleagues that she had noticed the book 'Daddy’s Roommate' on the shelves and that it did not belong there, according to Ms. Chase and Mr. Stein. Ms. Chase read the book, which helps children understand homosexuality, and said it was inoffensive; she suggested that Ms. Palin read it. 'Sarah said she didn’t need to read that stuff,' Ms. Chase said. 'It was disturbing that someone would be willing to remove a book from the library and she didn’t even read it...I’m still proud of Sarah,' she added, 'but she scares the bejeebers out of me.'"

The book's gay author, Michael Willhoite, had some words for Palin after he heard the news: "I rather suspected one of my books might be the one she targeted. I can tell you right now, Ms. Palin is a very good mother and everything. But she is my mortal enemy. She is one of the enemies of the First Amendment and I can hardly [organize] my thoughts here, I am so offended by this. I don't think Ms. Palin will care for me, but that is fine. I don't really care for her, not at all. I think John McCain made a disastrous choice. Unfortunately she seems to be doing well in the polls but I would think the honeymoon period will be ending soon."

A recent ABC investigation revealed that Palin had an interest in banning books and fired a librarian after the librarian told her that the library's policies were based on national standards.

In 1993, Entertainment Weekly reviewed Daddy's Roommate: "By any measure, these books are competent and humane — they can comfort a worried youngster or help any child understand that not all families in today's world are built the same way. At the same time, they neither aim for nor achieve the transporting power of fiction to change a child's inner life. No child is going to love them with a passion. So no adult need approach them with fear and loathing."

Once Elected, Palin Hired Friends and Lashed Foes [nyt]

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News: John Amaechi, Clinton, Iowans, Kenny Chesney, India

Former pro basketball player John Amaechi is blogging from Beijing!

BrightSide: Restaurant/bar funded by Heath Ledger before his death to open in Brooklyn.

Murdered trans woman Angie Zapata mourned in Colorado.

The Atlantic publishes a whole bunch of Hillary Clinton's campaign memos. Here's some of the reaction...

Will Britney Spears attempt it again at the VMAs?

Will John Edwards come around now on gay marriage? "Asked about his position on same-sex marriage a year ago, John Edwards said that he 'personally [does] not' support gay marriage, citing his religious beliefs as basis for his opposition. Even without the hindsight we have recently acquired about Edwards' own marriage, this was the response of a bigot. We now know that as with most bigots, Edwards is a hypocrite. As he was spewing inane statements about being "on a journey" on the issue of gay marriage, he surely had to remember the journey that lead him just months earlier to break his civil obligations and spiritual vows in his union with his wife Elizabeth."

The Sioux City Journal profiles Chuck Swaggerty and Jason Morgan, a gay couple who are not only parents but plaintiffs in the same-sex marriage case making it through the state's court system: "Here we are, 10 years together, two kids together and yet somebody can be married for a month and they can have insurance at their jobs and we can't. But it's really more than that. ... Marriage, it is really more about love and family."

Provincetown business owners take sides over "family week": "Family Week, which just ended here, is causing a turf war between different local businesses: those who benefit from having several hundred children and their parents pushing strollers through town and those who most definitely do not."

The extent to which, unfortunately, some people, even law enforcement, associate gays with child molesters was illustrated in this incident which happened at a Fire Island resort town over the weekend (not one of the gay resort towns).

Wild Kingdom: Polar Bear remains found in shark's stomach: "...they are unable to say whether the shark attacked and ate the bear or whether it simply scavenged a bear's carcase."

Kenny Chesney is an athletic supporter: "Payton volunteered a story he heard about Chesney helping Saints cornerback Mike McKenzie undress for a shower last January while the two were in Birmingham, Ala., to rehabilitate from surgery."

Kylie Minogue is "The One".

Lady Gaga is always on.

With the recent boost from health minister Anbumani Ramadoss, challengers to India's law criminalizing homosexuality are hopeful the antiquated law can be done away with: "The Delhi High Court is set to address a petition filed in the court by the NAZ Foundation, a Delhi-based non-government organization for HIV and AIDS prevention. The group is challenging arrests under 377."

Shia LaBeouf may not lose his finger after all.

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News: Geology, Mr. Blackwell, Pageants, Clay Aiken, Montauk

John Edwards admits affair, says he lied during campaign.

Condoleezza Rice undermines McCain arguments, says U.S. would be safe with Obama: "Oh, the United States will be fine. I think that we are having an important debate about how we keep the country safe. I think we are having an important debate about our responsibilities, our obligations, our interests in the Middle East in the wake of the now increasing evidence of success in Iraq. Those are important judgments for the American people to make."

Settled: The "Monster" that washed up on the beach last week in Montauk, NY was a viral marketing campaign.

At 8:08 on 08/08/08: Singer Clay Aiken is a proud father.

Log Cabin Republicans launch Republicans Against Prop. 8"...Scott Schmidt: "Marriage is a personal decision. It's not up to the long arm of the government of when, where and whom you should get married to."

Sting goes shirtless for the final show of The Police in New York City.

Radar on the unsung heroes of the child beauty pageant circuit: gay men.

Wingnut Randy Thomasson warns against horrors of 'Harvey Milk Day': "This will harm children as young [sic] kindergarten. Every May 22, AB 2567 will positively portray to children homosexual experimentation, homosexual 'marriages,' sex-change operations, and anything else that's 'in the closet.' Governor Schwarzenegger should say no to this very inappropriate bill, which has nothing to do with academic excellence."

Quentin Tarantino signs Brad Pitt for World War II action-drama Inglorious Bastards: "The 44-year-old actor will play a Southern rebel who assembles a team of eight prisoners-turned-soldiers to battle the Nazis."

Group compiling dynamic first-of-its-kind map of Earth's geology.

Connecticut man attempts murder to end gay rumors.

Diva in polka dots: Elton John makes splash in Saint-Tropez.

Fashion critic Mr. Blackwell hospitalized, emerges from coma.

Canadian border agents confiscate laptop over gay porn: "While the gay men watched, a CBSA agent sat in their truck and poked through the contents of the laptop. When he ran into locked material, he got the passwords from them. Rick and Shawn say that, in retrospect, it was a slapdash search. The laptop was combed, but not their cell phones, Shawn's Blackberry, or the loose burned CDs in the truck's glove compartment. The CBSA officers went into their office. Time ticked by as Rick and Shawn pondered what to do next. About an hour later, a CBSA officer came back with bad news. 'He came back and said 'We're going to have to confiscate the laptop.' I asked why. He said it had 'questionable material,'' says Rick."

BLOCKED: Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church also held up at Canadian border.

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News: Bionic Eye, 'Celeb' Ads, Tammy Baldwin, Underwear

LGBT groups demand action on Michael Causer gay bashing death in Liverpool. Outrage! activist: "It was going to happen sooner or later and I am stunned how the local media here in Liverpool have downplayed coverage of this story which I feel is due to the lack of a vocal LGBT community in Liverpool."

Chace Crawford on gay rumors: "I just don't even want to speculate on that. It's just one of those things that rolls off my back. There's not one seed of truth to it, so it'll just go away in the end. I have actually met Perez Hilton a couple of times. He's normally very nice. But if he covers an untrue rumour, then I have to accept that it will become one of those things people will speculate about."

Just when you think you've heard it all (warning: graphic).

Tina Brown to unleash The Daily Beast after fictional newspaper of Evelyn Waugh's Scoop.

"Celeb" ads hurting Obama in the polls — response too soft?

Behind the scenes of the Paris Hilton John McCain spoof. Director: "I was literally in my car and thought Paris must respond. It's her duty as a citizen. Within three hours I was on the phone with her and she was into it. Our next goal is a town-hall-style debate between Paris, McCain and that sea creature that washed up in Montauk."

McCain and the age issue: "Some older people may have mild cognitive problems without meeting criteria for dementia. Mild cognitive impairment might affect attention, language, judgment, memory, reading, or writing. It may be noticeable to the individual or to other people, but it does not severely impair activities of daily living."

Scientists unveil first step to the bionic eye.

Apple pulls $999.99 "I am Rich" iPhone App that did nothing, but someone actually bought it while it was still available.

Shia LaBeouf may lose a finger.

Two Spoons: Play about gay dads to open in New York in September.

Made in Brazil and Kenneth in the 212 check out National Underwear Day.

Jerry Falwell died poor.

Kansas lesbian loses primary after last -minute anti-gay smear campaign by opponent: "Inga Taylor, a Victory-Fund endorsee, had outraised and out-organized her opponent, Gail Finney. But Finney and her supporters launched a late mail, e-mail and phone campaign highlighting Taylor’s sexual orientation and contributions to her campaign from the Victory Fund."

Great piece from AfterElton featuring broadcast news pundits and their thoughts on gay issues.

"Ex-gay" wingnut James Hartline claims lesbians rampaged during San Diego Pride march: "Calling itself San Diego Dyke March, the group of approximately 300 lesbians so disturbed a number of residents in the community of North Park, that one fearful churchgoer who resides in the area has alleged that a number of other church members were forced to keep their children indoors to avoid being exposed to the disgusting activities of the women. During the march, one shirtless woman exposed her bare chest."

Ryan Phillippe sweats bullets.

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin: Why I am backing Barack.

Attorney for Knoxville anti-gay church shooter Jim Adkisson lays groundwork for insanity plea: "Stephens said Tennessee law requires that the case get to the criminal court level before the defense receives money to pay for a mental evaluation. 'It is my burden to prove that he was insane at the time of the commission of the offense, Stephens said outside court. 'It is absolutely critical a mental health expert see him now at this critical stage.'"

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John McCain Backtracks on Gay Adoption Remarks

John McCain has backtracked on a statement to the New York Times over the weekend on whether or not same-sex parents should be allowed to adopt children. Said McCain to the paper: "I think that we’ve proven that both parents are important in the success of a family so, no, I don’t believe in gay adoption."

The remarks were criticized by PFLAG which responded with research to the contrary.

McCain campaign Director of Communications Jill Hazelbaker sent out the following clarification this afternoon:

"McCain could have been clearer in the interview in stating that his position on gay adoption is that it is a state issue, just as he made it clear in the interview that marriage is a state issue. He was not endorsing any federal legislation. McCain's expressed his personal preference for children to be raised by a mother and a father wherever possible. However, as an adoptive father himself, McCain believes children deserve loving and caring home environments, and he recognizes that there are many abandoned children who have yet to find homes. McCain believes that in those situations that caring parental figures are better for the child than the alternative."

Previously
PFLAG Responds to McCain Remarks on Gay Adoption [tr]
John McCain on Gay Adoption, Marriage, the Internet [tr]

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PFLAG Responds to McCain Remarks on Gay Adoption

Citing research from the American Academy of Pediatrics that children who grow up raised by gay parents "fare as well in emotional, cognitive, social, and sexual functioning as do children whose parents are heterosexual," PFLAG has hit back at Senator John McCain's ignorant remarks to the New York Times over the weekend that he and his wife Cindy and their heterosexual marriage are the ultimate example of what adoptive parents should look like.

Said McCain: "I think that we’ve proven that both parents are important in the success of a family so, no, I don’t believe in gay adoption."

Responded executive director Jody M. Huckaby: "In a country where more than 125,000 children are waiting for foster parents, Senator McCain would deny loving homes to children who desperately need them simply because of an outdated prejudice about what a family may look like. We are disappointed and saddened that a public leader who is himself an adoptive father would deny the children in America’s foster care system the opportunity to thrive as part of a welcoming family. Love makes a family, but short-sighted positions like Senator McCain’s can certainly tear families apart, too. Senator McCain’s position is out of synch with the research and science and out of step with what is in the best interests of children waiting for a home and a family. PFLAG knows the pain inflicted upon families due to misinformation about LGBT issues. We implore Senator McCain to take a serious look at the overwhelming evidence and listen to the stories of the countless children raised by loving lesbian and gay couples. The evidence is clear: children should not be denied access to the loving homes of gay couples."

PFLAG notes additional research from the AAP: "In fact, growing up with parents who are lesbian or gay may confer some advantages to children. They have been described as more tolerant of diversity and more nurturing toward younger children than children whose parents are heterosexual."

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Breakfast with Scot Opens L.A.'s Outfest

Breakfast with Scot opened L.A.'s Outfest film fest last night at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Los Angeles. The Canadian film (based on a 1999 novel by Michael Downing) tells the story of a gay couple (a former Toronto Maple Leaf and the team's lawyer) who become the guardians of an eleven-year-old boy struggling to understand his sexuality. More of the fests offerings and intentions were written up today in The Hollywood Reporter.

According to the industry paper, "This year's Platinum programming pays tribute to underground punk mutineer Bruce LaBruce with screenings of his 'Super 8 1/2' (1993) and new 'Otto; or, Up With Dead People' (Strand Releasing) at Redcat. This year's highest honor, the Outfest Achievement Award, will go to filmmaker Donna Deitch, whose 1985 'Desert Hearts' made waves for its earnest and positive portrayal of lesbian romance. Outfest also has selected a small number of "centerpiece" films for Gala screenings. This year's opening- and closing-night galas at the Orpheum Theatre are 2007's 'Breakfast With Scot' and 2008's 'Tru Loved,' both of which depict families helmed by gay and lesbian parents in tree-lined suburbia. Likely to create buzz this election year are films in the Outing Politics series, including the Oscar-winning 1984 documentary 'The Times of Harvey Milk,' a narrative version of which will be released by Focus Features this year, and Dan Butler's satire 2007's 'Karl Rove, I Love You,' which centers on an unknown actor's obsession with the Dubya handler."

Breakfast with Scot made headlines in 2006 as it was the first gay-themed film to be endorsed by an NHL franchise, the Toronto Maple Leafs. The endorsement, of course, rattled wingnuts like James Hartline, who slammed the endorsement and the film's gay parenting message. The movie's star Tom Cavanagh talked about playing gay last year and his onscreen kiss with actor Ben Shenkman. Said Cavanagh of the kiss: "Let me quote Keats here: 'Beauty is truth, and truth is beauty.' And when you're as good-looking as Ben Shenkman, it doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman. Although, I'm not sure if Ben's wife wants to hear me say that."

Watch the trailer for Breakfast with Scot, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Father Figures

Australian gay male couples are coughing up $80,000 to become fathers by "renting wombs" in the United States because it is illegal in their home country for two men to pay a surrogate. Four hundred American women are participating as egg donors—the prospective fathers choose them from profiles and their eggs are then implanted in surrogates.

The clinic’s medical director, Dr. Jeffrey Steinberg, says over 125 couples have already conceived.

"They are almost all professional, working men who obviously have a bit of money and desperately want a child."

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Rosie O'Donnell on Being a Gay Mom at Autism Benefit

Rosie O'Donnell returned to stand-up comedy at last night's Night of Too Many Stars autism education benefit in New York and talked about being gay and famous. She also talked about how her six-year-old son Blake explains having two gay moms to his school friends using the magnets on Thomas the Tank Engine.

Watch the clip, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Tom Ford Says He's Going to Father a Child in 2008

At least that's what he's telling Fantastic Man magazine, and he's not waiting around for partner Richard Buckley to do it:

Says Ford: "I'm going to have a kid in 2008. Richard knows I've wanted this for a long time. He's just resisted it. He would be a spectacular father. It's going to give his life new meaning...I'm a lot younger. If things follow their natural order he'll [Richard] probably leave the planet ahead of me and I can't not have had something I've wanted forever. I've always wanted kids. I don't want to get to 75 years old and just have made a lot of dresses, done some houses."

If he wants it in 2008 he better get moving as he has another three weeks.

Previously
Tom Ford is a Fantastic Man [tr]
Tom Ford Does GQ Russia [tr]
Tom Ford Explores His Foot Fetish [tr]
Tom Ford to Direct Adaptation of Gay Isherwood Novel? [tr]
Tom Ford: "I'm an Equal Opportunity Objectifier" [tr]
Tom Ford is a Towel Snapper [tr]

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UK Christian Group Ad Claims Gays Aim To Abolish the Family

An advertisement from the Christian Congress for Traditional Values (CCTV) claiming that the main goal of gay people is to "Abolish the Family" has been criticized by the UK's Advertising Standards Authority, which told the group to "ensure future campaigns were not presented in a way that could cause serious offence or which might lead to antisocial behaviour."

The BBC reports: "The ASA upheld complaints against the ad, ruling that it could be inflammatory. The poster broke advertising rules on social responsibility, decency, matters of opinion and truthfulness, the ASA said. A complainant had said the advert did not accurately represent gay people's views and was offensive. The watchdog said that a modern family was increasingly less likely to include a married man, woman and their children. 'We considered the statement and the way it appeared was likely to cause offence both to the mainstream gay community and supporters of equality,' said an ASA spokesman."

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News: Kelly Rowland, Sundance, Vermont, Johnny Weir, Florent

L.A. Times columnist asks why The Kite Runner, and its controversial boy-rape scene wasn't included in the GLAAD awards. Maybe because sexual orientation had nothing to do with it.

Channing Tatum recruited for GI Joe film: "The 27-year-old modern-turned-actor will play Duke, a field commander and second-in-command of the G.I. Joe Team after Hawk. Other actors signed on: Sienna Miller as The Baroness, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaj (Lost) as Heavy Duty, Rachel Nichols (Alias) as Shana ‘Scarlett’ O’Hara and Marlon Wayans as Ripcord. Joseph Gordon-Levitt (3rd Rock From the Sun) is also in negotiations to join the project."

Randy Lovely promoted to editor of The Arizona Republic, making him the nation's only openly gay editor of a major U.S. newspaper: "Lovely says he has never hidden his sexual preference, but is not among the most outspoken gay rights activists. 'There are many others who are much more involved. I support them, but I am not on the leadership,' he says of his NLGJA membership. 'I have not had to be anything other than what I am. I can't be the one to tell anyone they have to be out. But it is not something I am afraid of.'"

New York meatpacking staple Florent, which I did a long photo piece on two years ago, may be closing...

Johnny Weir ties with Evan Lysacek at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships but Lysacek wins for skating better in the free skate: "First place, second place, last place, I'm just happy with the way I skated. I was so nervous, and it's fantastic vindication to know I came back and didn't completely fall apart. I feel like a winner."

Keith Olbermann would trade personal success for a decent president: "I think this has been a disastrous presidential administration. I would have given what I have, in terms of broadcasting success in the nature of this newscast, I would have easily said…if I were given the choice of this or some responsible presidency in the last four years or eight years? I would have taken a responsible presidency."

Gay ordained Presbyterian minister Brian Webb-Mitchell shares tips for gay parents in new book: "I wrote the book because there was nothing out there that was pro-gay, pro-child, pro-family and pro-Christian. The books that dealt with gay parenting and Christianity were not very pro-Christian. If anything, they steered people toward the United Church of Christ and away from Catholic and Evangelical churches."

Adrian Grenier brings along his own little entourage.

New board game created by son of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Sebelius set inside a prison is called "Don't Drop the Soap": "Fight your way through 6 different exciting locations in hopes of being granted parole. Escape prison riots in The Yard, slip glass into a mob boss' lasagna in the Cafeteria, steal painkillers from the nurse's desk in the Infirmary." And whatever you do, avoid those gays in the shower room!

"Pro-family" conservatives in Arkansas launch drive to stop unmarried couples from adopting or becoming foster parents. Jerry Cox, president of the Arkansas Family Council Action Committee: "Anyone who tells you that this initiated act is only about gay adoption is not telling you the whole story. Anyone who will tell you, though, that gay adoption has nothing to do with this act wouldn’t be telling you the whole story, either."

Sundance Film Festival winners announced...

Work: Kelly Rowland is proud as a peacock at G-A-Y.

Gay Miller Brewing executive Vic Milford shot and killed in Milwaukee robbery: "'At this time, this is a company grieving the tragic loss of one of its dearest employees,' [a Miller spokesman] said, in a statement. 'The immediate impact of this loss is being felt most by the family and friends of Vic Milford. And out of respect for the Milford family, we believe our attention is best served by caring for those most affected by this horrible tragedy.' Milford, a citizen of South Africa, had lived in Milwaukee since taking the Miller Brewing job in February 2005, Green said, and previously worked for SABMiller since 2002. Milford is survived his parents, who are residents of Zimbabwe, a sister in Australia and a man described as Milford's life partner, who lives in South Africa, according to a Miller statement."

Carol Channing is a robber magnet!

Gay Vermont legislator Jason Lorber moonlights as a stand-up comic: "When I first came here, people said 'You're the first comedian to come to the Statehouse.' I say 'I'm the first PROFESSIONAL comedian to come to the Statehouse'...Politics is about changing society and trying to make the world a better place. And performing makes me feel so alive. I love the creative aspect of it...Growing up, I never pictured myself being with a gay guy. Now, I've come to realize that I could never be happy being with a straight guy."

L.A. Times columnist: FOX News host John Gibson should lose his platform over Heath Ledger remarks.

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