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."

Military Paper Backs Up Claims of Deal to Delay Repeal of 'DADT'

In early June, Jason Bellini released a much-discussed report at The Daily Beast alleging that gay groups had made a deal with Congress to delay "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in favor of other LGBT legislation.

According to Bellini, gay leaders in Washington made a deal with leaders in the House to not push for DADT until sometime next year. "Congressional sources" told Bellini that HRC wants to focus on a federal hate crimes bill and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) first.

The Human Rights Campaign released a statement adamantly denying the claims. Said HRC: "This story is not only an outright lie, it is recklessly irresponsible.  HRC never made such a deal and continues to work with congress and the administration on a full range of equality issues including a swift end to the military's shameful ban on gay servicemembers."

Michelangelo Signorile interviewed Aaron Belkin of the Palm Center the same day HRC released its statement, and Belkin backed up Bellini's claims. Said Belkin: "We've heard from so many offices that not only are they not doing anything but they're pro-actively lobbying against consideration of the issue. I feel very confident in saying that."

Yesterday, the Stars and Stripes, an independent news source which operates from within the U.S. Defense Dept., said this in an article regarding the status of DADT:

"An official with the House Democratic leadership said the House is committed to repealing 'don’t ask' but has agreed with civil rights groups to put new hate crime legislation and a workplace nondiscrimination bill on the legislative calendar before taking up the military issue."

Yesterday, 76 House Democrats signed a letter to Obama urging him to halt discharges of gay military personnel.

So, I guess a few questions remain: Is there a deal? Was HRC lying? And was the letter sent to Obama yesterday simply "lip service" intended to make it look like some action is being taken given the fury that has erupted between LGBT folks and the DNC over the last week?

HRC Releases Statement in Advance of Presidential Memorandum

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese released a statement praising the offering of "some benefits" to partners of federal workers in advance of a press conference by Obama scheduled for 5:45 this evening.

 “Today’s Presidential memorandum committing to a federal workplace free from discrimination, including the extension of some benefits to same-sex partners of federal workers, is a welcome and long-overdue step toward bringing the government’s policies closer in line with what America’s largest companies understand is good for business. Today’s presidential signature is the first brick in paving what is a long path toward equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans.  We commend President Obama and his administration for taking this beginning step to level the playing field but we look forward to working with him to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, overturn 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell' and guarantee the entire American workforce is free from discrimination.”

Previously
Obama to Extend Federal Benefits to Gay Employees - updated [tr]

Orbitz Commercial Features Human Rights Campaign Logo

Some brand placement from the Human Rights Campaign can be seen in a new commercial from Orbitz travel in which a group of golfers is interrupted by an Orbitz representative who presents them with checks for the savings they earned booking with the travel company.

Neither the group's name nor any mention of the word "gay" is present in the ad but the recognizable HRC logo is prominently featured on one golfer's shirt (we'll have to assume that's the stealth gay guy's golf bag with the rainbow towel hanging on it).

"Orbitz reached out to HRC and asked to license use of our logo on the shirt in the ad," HRC's Director of Media Relations Brad Luna told Towleroad in an email, "And since Orbitz is a company that has a strong history of reaching out to the LGBT community and has a perfect 100% on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index, we allowed them to use that shirt."

Watch the spot, AFTER THE JUMP...

WSJ on Department of Justice DOMA Brief and HRC Letter

The Wall Street Journal reports on yesterday's letter from Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese to President Obama:

"A prominent gay-rights organization, long supportive of President Barack Obama, sent him a scathing letter Monday to protest the administration's recent legal backing of the Defense of Marriage Act. The frustration, expressed in an emotional letter by the president of the Human Rights Campaign, also stems from Mr. Obama's reluctance to move on other issues on its agenda, such as allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military."

Americablog notes that the mainstream corporate media is waking up. As usual regarding LGBT issues, Rachel Maddow was first out of the gate on the cable news networks.

HRC, NGLTF, ACLU, Others Call on Obama To Repeal DOMA Now

Reacting to this morning's disappointing motion from the Justice Department to dismiss a federal same-sex marriage case and the disturbing and insulting set of briefs filed along with the motion, the Human Rights Campaign and the NGLTF have called on the President to send legislation to Congress repealing the Defense of Marriage Act.

Said HRC President Joe Solmonese in a statement: “The Administration apparently determined that it had a duty to defend DOMA in the courts.  The President has just as strong a duty to put his principles into action, and end discrimination against LGBT people and our families. We call on the President to send legislation repealing DOMA to Congress.”

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund reacts to some of the dehumanizing language in the brief:

"DOMA is and has always been an immoral attack on same-sex couples, our families and our fundamental humanity. This law has only served to discriminate against Americans and belittle our nation's heralded values embracing freedom, fairness and justice. The Task Force Action Fund demands President Obama and Congress immediately repeal this hateful law, which has left a moral scar on our nation and its worthy pursuit of equal justice for all. Unfortunately, the malicious and outrageous arguments and language used in the Department of Justice's marriage brief is only serving to inflame and malign the humanity of same-sex couples and our families. This is unacceptable. This ugly chapter in our nation's history must come to an end now with the repeal of DOMA."

Obama's promises, via DailyKos:

The American Civil Liberties Union, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, National Center for Lesbian Rights, and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force released a joint statement, posted AFTER THE JUMP...

Happy Stonewall anniversary everybody!

(Official White House photo by Pete Souza)

Earlier...
DOJ Defends DOMA, Says Good for Budget, Invokes Incest [tr]
DOJ Motions to Dismiss Federal Same-Sex Marriage Case [tr]