News: Amsterdam, Oraine Barrett, DNC, Ants, Gay Apartheid

Mixner: U.S. in state of Gay Apartheid.

Signorile: Did the DNC LGBT fundraiser really bring in a million dollars?

New York local mag HX sold. Matthew Bank: "We've had an incredible time creating what we feel is the best local gay magazine the world has ever seen, and I am proud that even in this difficult economy we were able to ensure that this magazine that is dear to the hearts of so many readers will be able to continue under capable new ownership."

Paula Abdul and Cindy McCain pill panic?

Propofol, drug used for surgical anesthesia, found in Michael Jackson home. Entertainment Weekly publishes four tribute covers.

Canadian HIV vaccine ready for human trials.

Human Rights Campaign volunteer assaulted at Omaha Gay Pride after tossing stickers into Bible-beaters wagon.

Farrah Fawcett laid to rest.

White House won't appeal $500K ruling in favor of transgender employee of the Library of Congress in discrimination case.

God Says No: James Hannaham, author of new novel about religious repression, life in the closet, and sex in the bathroom, is interviewed by Salon.

Single colony of ants a new world superpower!

Thomas Norman, veteran district attorney who prosecuted Harvey Milk - George Moscone murder case which resulted in a lenient verdict against Supervisor Dan White and the subsequent White Night riots, dies.

Victory Fund endorses 15 new candidates.

The Hitler stealth planes that could have dropped a bomb on NYC: "The 142-foot wingspan bomber was submitted for approval in 1944, and it would have been able to fly from Berlin to NYC and back without refueling, thanks to the same blended wing design and six BMW 003A or eight Junker Jumo 004B turbojets. As the documentary shows, had the Nazis extended the war in 1946 and developed the atomic bomb as planned, the Ho 18 could have been their Enola Gay."

Vibe magazine to close immediately.

Ghosts: Stephen King remembers Michael Jackson. Public viewing scheduled at Neverland.

Oraine Barrett does Brazil's DOM magazine.

Muslim mayor in conservative Amsterdam suburb flies flag for gays: "Ahmed Marcouch, 41, is on a self-appointed mission to end homophobia in Slotervaart, just a stones' throw from the capital but light-years away from its anything-goes mentality. To make his point, Mayor Marcouch recently invited Amsterdam's annual Gay Pride parade to pass through his constituency when it takes place in August. 'It is necessary to confront this issue, to say that homosexuals are normal people like all of us and that we require them to be respected,' Marcouch told AFP."

New Project Runway is 100% heterosexual safe.

Cristiano Ronaldo attacks "fan" over video camera: "Ronaldo reportedly kicked in the window of a car the girl was sat in, sending shards of glass all over her. The teenager was treated for cuts on her arm in hospital and later reported the attack to police, it was claimed...The teenager is said to have told police she was videoing Ronaldo because she was a fan. However, some reports said she was with a freelance paparazzi photographer who had allegedly been following the star."

Lt. Colonel Victor Fehrenbach Discusses White House LGBT Event

Didn't get a chance to post this earlier today but Lt. Colonel Victor Fehrenbach appeared on yesterday's Rachel Maddow show (with the excellent Alison Stewart as her substitution) in a segment about Stonewall and Obama's White House LGBT reception. Fehrenbach discusses his meeting with the President.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

Harassment Caught on Video in the Twin Cities: 'I Hate Gay People'

Some disturbing anti-gay harassment in the Twin Cities:

The YouTube poster writes: "My friend and I were leaving the Gay Pride Festival in Minneapolis, MN (6/27/09) and came across a group of Somalian kids who asked my friend if he was gay. When he answered 'yes', they proceeded to harass him and me with verbal threats and even throwing rocks at my friend at one point. Sad.. "

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

(via joe.my.god)

Watch: Full Video of Obama White House LGBT Pride Celebration

Here is full video of Obama's remarks to those assembled in the White House East Room yesterday for a reception marking Pride month. This is a follow-up to yesterday's post, where you can see the transcript and guest list to the event.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

Here is a round-up of reaction and reports on the event:

Wall Street Journal: "The president gave no new details about how he would advance these issues, but he made passionate remarks saluting the pioneers of the gay-rights movement and expressed solidarity with those working for equal rights."

NYT: "Joined by his wife, Michelle, the president directly addressed criticism from gay and lesbian leaders that he had not been a forceful advocate for them."

AP: "But the president says his administration already has made progress on several fronts and that activists will — in his words — 'have pretty good feelings' about the Obama administration when he leaves office."

CNN: "But critics say it's too little, too late."

Washington Post: "But the excitement among the several hundred guests invited by the first couple to the East Wing Monday was tempered by frustration among many who believe that the president has moved too slowly to make good on his campaign promises."

Guest Tom Gregory: "The Obama Administration assembled a group of two hundred or more of America's well-heeled leaders for equality, but like little doggies most were wide-eyed at his feet. Today's address left me wanting. The pain experienced by homosexuals is deadly tragic. Annually, thousands of American children kill themselves due to the bigotry pervasive across America. In today's speech President Obama said gay America would be happy by the time his administration is over. If he doesn't stop offering excuses and empty promises, they will be."

Guest Joan Garry:  "No president had ever invited a big bunch of us over for cocktails during Pride Month before. The event was remarkable. Historic. I was proud to be there. Proud to have my partner at my side...And of course I wanted more."

HRC: "President Obama's remarks today were welcomed and appreciated and, as he stated, it is the actions to advance equality — not simply the words — that will be the true marker by which this White House will be judged.  On the eve of this weekend’s 40th anniversary of Stonewall, the president has yet again reiterated his support for most of the critical federal issues facing millions of LGBT Americans.  We must continue the hard work of turning that support into the passage of actual laws.  We look forward to working with President Obama and his administration to advance equality, and we pledge to be good-faith partners throughout the many battles that lie ahead of us."

Log Cabin Republican spokesperson, Charles T. Moran "It is pretty entertaining to watch the President throw himself a 'Pride Party' after taking a pass on acting upon several issues that would have fulfilled his promises to our Community. I'm not quite sure what he's actually proud of. Hollow words and false promises do not define a legacy or an Administration - only actions and follow-through. This Administration has had several opportunities to show its commitment to the LGBT community and make life better for millions of Americans. Hosting this 'sideshow' reception only rubs salt in the wounds of so many that actually believed his message of 'hope & change.'"

GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios: It was an honor to take part in this important event for the gay and transgender community with fellow advocates and my 17-year old son...Our community will continue to advocate and will be watching closely to ensure Obama makes good on the promises he discussed today and during the campaign. At the heart of the issues discussed today are everyday Americans who want the same chance as everyone else to earn a living, be safe in their communities, serve their country, and take care of the ones they love."

Americablog: "The President gave his speech to the big gay A-listers at the White House (well, minus those who were blacklisted). Boy, that crowd was really into it. They clapped wildly when he said the words, 'gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender.' Just because he said the words. Even though Bill Clinton said those words - what? - 17 years ago? Also, your president wants you to know that unjust laws must be overturned. Some day. The crowd loved that one too. One might forget that the Obama administration defended the Defense of Marriage Act law recently. They not only defended it, they defended it in a way that demeaned and mocked same-sex marriages by invoking incest and pedophilia. But never mind."

Americablog also notes that the guest make-up was 64% men, 36% women.

Guest Rick Rosendall: "I spied Frank Kameny (whose guest I was at the event) sitting on an upholstered bench at the foot of the main staircase, and sat down next to him. I told him of a conversation I had just had: 'So I said, 'Will you support the Uniting American Families Act — Jerry Nadler's bill?' He said, 'I haven't read it yet.' I said, 'Please take a look at it,' to which he said, 'I will.'' Frank asked, 'Who said this to you?' I replied, 'The President of the United States.' Now I realize that getting the President to tell you that he'll look at a bill is not the most earth-shaking development, but if John Aravosis thinks I am going to pass up a chance to get a few moments of input to the most powerful man in the world, he can kiss my you-know-what."

Watch the full video of Obama's remarks, AFTER THE JUMP...

PM Brown Snubs UK's Most Famous Activist from Gay Pride Event

Well-known British activist Peter Tatchell says he was scratched from a list of invitees to a gay event at Downing Street at Prime Minister Gordon Brown's request.

Said Tatchell "I have been campaigning for LGBT human rights for 40 years. I was one of the group of people who helped organise Britain's first gay pride parade in 1972. An insider tipped me off that my name had been removed from the invite list, at Gordon Brown's personal request. He was apparently still angry that I had heckled him over his government's erosion of civil liberties, when he opened the Taking Liberties exhibition at the British Library late last year...He [Brown] claims to support gay equality but his government actually endorses some aspects of homophobic discrimination. It supports the ban on same-sex marriage. Civil partnerships are not equality. They are a form of sexual apartheid, with different laws for gay and straight couples. I don't do my human rights work to win awards, honours or invites. It doesn't matter to me that I haven't been invited. What angers me is the principle - the way the Prime Minister invites and fetes mostly tame pro-Labour loyalists in the LGBT community. It is a manipulative tactic by an insecure government that knows its record on LGBT human rights is not as glorious as it claims."

Downing Street denies the claim: "It's not a reception, it's a very small meeting. The prime minister and Sarah Brown will meet organisers of Pride and others who have contributed to the event. You could fill number 10 with people who have been involved in gay rights."

Police Deny Targeting Gays in Violent Fort Worth, TX Bar Raid

Fort Worth Police Chief Jeff Halstead tells the Star-Telegram that police officers did not target the Rainbow Lounge, a gay nightclub, because of the sexuality of its customers or the date (the 40th anniversary of Stonewall), calling it a "routine bar inspection."

Seven were arrested for public intoxication and one person remains hospitalized for a head injury which may yet require surgery.

The paper reports: "Some customers made 'sexually explicit motions,' according to a police statement, and one grabbed an officer’s crotch. A police spokesman later identified that person as Gibson. 'My brother would not do that,' [Kristy] Morgan said. Gibson, a high-tech worker who is about 5-feet-8 and weighs about 150 pounds, was at the club with friends, including a designated driver, she said. 'He’s not a big drinker, a big partyer,' she said. The police statement said one patron was so drunk he was vomiting. Morgan said her brother threw up because of his head injury. She also questioned police efforts to summon medical help. The time on Gibson’s ticket for public intoxication is 2:10 a.m. An ambulance wasn’t called until 2:25 a.m. Club Manager Randy Norman said Gibson didn’t seem drunk and was walking from the men’s room, holding a bottle of water, when an officer pushed him against a wall and then pushed him to the ground. Some patrons said they heard Gibson ask the officer a question, but that he didn’t fight back. At least three officers were involved in handcuffing him."

A columnist at the Dallas Morning News is demanding answers. As are local politicians: "Council members Joel Burns and Kathleen Hicks are requesting the probe into Sunday's raid at the Rainbow Lounge, where about a half dozen people were arrested. Hicks says she's disturbed by the raid that sent at least one person to the hospital."

Fort Worth police statement identifying involved officers, and local news report,
AFTER THE JUMP...