Same-Sex Kiss: Prelude to a Diss

Two men who kissed at one of five Chico's Tacos restaurants in El Paso, Tex., were kicked out by guards—and local law enforcement supported the ejection, citing non-existent laws regarding homosexual conduct in public.

The men and three friends were asked to leave after the kiss when security personnel told them they didn't allow "all that faggot stuff" in the establishment, according to Carlos Diaz de Leon, a member of the group.

The men refused to leave, instead calling the police. One hour and multiple slurs later, police arrived and one officer told the men same-sex kissing is illegal in public, and that they could be arrested. (The Supreme Court needs a better publicist—they threw out Lawrence v. Texas six years ago.)

Outrageously, Detective Carlos Carrillo said the restaurant had every right to "refuse service to whoever they don't want there. That's their prerogative." The irony was apparently lost on him.

In 2003, the chain's fiftieth anniversary, the Texas House of Representatives honored the family who founded the business.

Some mostly encouraging local reactions here. Contact info and way to "review" Chico's here.

Lighten Up, Homo: Ross Cleared of Offending You

British TV host Jonathan Ross has been found "not in breach" of the broadcasting code for remarks he made in May on his Radio 2 show that parents might want to put any Hannah Montana-loving sons up for adoption before they bring a "partner" home.

The ruling by Ofcom, which monitors offensive comments on the air, said in part, "The comment was clearly presented as a joke intended to make light of the reactions that some parents have if their child chooses a toy that is very widely recognised to be designed and marketed for the opposite sex...The fact that this comment was intended to be a joke was illustrated further by the reaction from Andy Davies, who was heard laughing."

So apparently if you're joking, it's impossible to offend or cause harm.

Gay-rights advocate Derek Munn said, "The fact that a comment is light-hearted does not absolve it from perpetuating the stereotypes that lead to homophobic bullying, which is reflected in the 61 separate complaints listeners made."

For his part, Ross Tweeted after the incident, "Am mortified to hear some people thought I was being homophobic on Radio show. Nothing could be further from the truth, as I am sure most know."

Whether you think this is a case where gay people were way too easily offended or a case of clear-cut homophobic humor, the Ofcom ruling's reasoning regarding humor, the intent to offend and the potential for children to imitate the remark on the playground is, well, a joke. As is Ross's sincere belief that just because one is not a card-carrying homophobe, it's impossible to say or do anything to offend gay people.

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)

Real NJ Housewife Danielle Staub Gets Some Gay Love at NYC Pride

Danielle Staub of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, marched in yesterday's Pride parade in NYC. Image by Flickr user SReed99342. You may remember Staub defended gays from homophobic slurs by her co-stars on the recent series.

WaPo: "The annual march down Fifth Avenue commemorated the Stonewall rebellion of 40 years ago, when patrons at a gay bar resisted the police. The several days of disturbances that followed the uprising became one of the defining moments of the gay rights movement. The celebration was tempered by the knowledge that other states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa, have legalized same-sex marriage before New York."
Boy Culture has a wrap-up of the NYC Pride parade as does Kenneth in the 212.

Here's an excellent portfolio of shots from Boss Tweed on Flickr.

A contingent of gay bloggers also marched this year ( I was invited but out-of-town, so unfortunately couldn't join, but it looks like they had fun).

CNN's coverage of the event, AFTER THE JUMP...

Pride Weekend Anti-Gay Assault in NYC Leaves Man Bloodied, Beaten

Joe Holladay, a former Village Voice sales rep, was beaten by a group of men on New York's upper east side on Saturday. The group called Holladay a "faggot" as they beat him, likely with a blunt object.

The Village Voice reports: "Holladay tells us that he walked out of John Jerome's apartment on East 85th Street between York and East End Avenues, where he'd been staying, at about 4 a.m. to smoke a cigarette on the sidewalk, and five or six young men swarmed him. 'It's very blurry,' he says, 'But yeah, they said 'faggot.' And the next thing I know I'm in the hospital.' Jerome, an acting coach, heard the fracas and came downstairs to find his friend 'in a pool of blood. I thought he was dead. He wasn't moving.' Jerome says neighbors in the building told him, and the police, that they saw a group of five or six young white men 'with crewcuts, wearing wife-beaters' smoking pot outside the building just before the incident -- and, drawn to their window by the noise when the beating occurred, heard the anti-gay epithets and saw the young men pile into a car and drive away."

Said Holladay: The mark on my forehead looks like it was made by the base of a gun."

The NYPD has interviewed Holladay and witnesses and is investigating the assault.

Isaiah Washington Participates in 'No H8' Campaign

Isaiah Washington is the latest star to take part in photographer Adam Bouska's "No H8" campaign.

He gave a rambling interview to Entertainment Tonight:

"What has been purported about me has nothing to do with who I am. I have been dealing with organizations like ACT UP for over 25 years. Right before Keith Haring passed away I was working with him. City kids of New York. Fighting for awareness of HIV/AIDS for 25 years of my life..."

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...