05/23/2013
The New York Daily News reports that a Manhattan Criminal Court has indicted Elliot Morales, 33, who shot Mark Carson, 32 (pictured), in the West Village on Saturday night in a hate crime murder. Morales did not appear in court, but his attorney did. Writes the Daily News:
The lawyer, Kevin Michael Canfield, later said Morales is not guilty of the slaying and is "devastated by the charges."
"He didn't murder anybody," Canfield said, suggesting there were other factors at play.
"He was sexually abused as a child by a male authority figure which led to a lifetime of alcoholism and drug abuse," Canfield told the Daily News, adding, "It's a terrible tragedy."
Despite other factors which may have contributed, Morales was caught soon after he shot Carson, and the gravity of the situation is very real. Towleroad previously reported on Morales' charges which included murder as a hate crime and weapons charges, as well as the massive march and rally which followed on Monday.
The Daily News recalls the incident:
"Look at you faggots, you look like gay wrestlers," Morales allegedly told victim Mark Carson and his friend minutes before policed say he shot Mark Carson, 32, in the head.
Authorities said he callously laughed as he confessed to the random killing. His gleeful expression came as he allegedly told investigators, "I shot him in the face."
The indictment follows several weeks of increased anti-gay bias incidents in New York City, including
the beating of two separate gay couples near Madison Square Garden, as well as an
attack on New York nightlife promoter Dan Contarino. The Daily News reports that Morales will face "his Supreme Court arraignment on June 18th." For now, he is being held at Rikers Island with no bail posted.
Posted May. 23,2013 at 3:16 PM EST by Joseph Ehrman-Dupre in Crime, Mark Carson, New York |
Permalink
| Comments (26)
The US Peace Corps said today it would begin accepting gay domestic partners and married couples who wish to serve together overseas, CBS News reports:
Married couples have been serving together in the Peace Corps since the organization was founded in 1961. About 7 percent of overseas assignments are currently filled by married volunteers who serve together.
Same-sex couples, however, will only be placed in countries where "homosexual acts are not criminalized" for safety reasons, press director Shira Kramer told CBS News.
"The Peace Corps will foster safe and productive assignments for same-sex couples and provide them with guidance for maintaining their safety and well-being. The agency will provide country-specific information to applicants once they are invited to serve, and Peace Corps staff will provide additional information and training once volunteers arrive in-country," Kramer said.
Applications will begin on June 3, and an affadavit verifying the relationship must be provided.
Posted May. 23,2013 at 2:52 PM EST by Andy Towle in News |
Permalink
| Comments (6)
The Underwear Expert continues its scintillating questioning of boys in briefs, with Miami-born, NYC-based model Pablo Hernandez.
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...
For past interviews, see Derek Allen Watson, Greg S, Philip Fusco, Mark MacKillop, Go Green.
Continue reading "Interview with an Underwear Model: Pablo Hernandez - VIDEO"
Posted May. 23,2013 at 2:12 PM EST by Andy Towle in Fashion Men, Models, News, Underwear |
Permalink
| Comments (17)
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Landry Jones spoke with Outsports reporter Cyd Zeigler at the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Rookie Premiere. He discussed his Christian beliefs and the novel perspective that they shouldn't interfere with having a gay player on his team. Asked about how Christian and gay players would mesh on the field, Jones had this to say:
"There's not a conflict," Jones said. "People are people and God tells us to love everybody. And so that's what I do."
"Now, do I condone what they're doing? No, I don't think it's right," he continued.
"But, am I going to go out there and not talk to them? Am I going to go out there and be hateful and mean to them? I think that's ignorant. I think we respect and love everybody. But, there's also a moral standard there for me, and I'm going to take a stand on that. I don't think it's right, but it's their life and I'm not going to go up because someone is gay and be mean or hateful and say terrible things to them. I'm going to treat them like a human being."
Jones recalls other NFL players, the notorious Tim Tebow in particular, with his strong Christian background. During their interview, Zeigler noticed a Biblical passage from Philippians printed on Jones' hand. But Jones also respects the gay community, and gay players:
"It doesn't matter if you're gay or if you're straight," Jones said. "If you can play the game of football, you're going to be on a team and you're going to have a job. Just like if you're in a regular business setting. If you can do your job well, you can do your job. You can get paid and earn a living and provide for your family, whatever your family looks like."
Jones' words echo the recent outspoken support of former NFL player Kurt Warner and recently dismissed-and-resigned punter Chris Kluwe. And though Landry is hesitant to fully support the gay community, Zeigler suggests that his may be the halfway-there perspective we need to embrace in the sports world:
If we're going to open sports for everyone, Jones' willingness to put his personal feelings aside and treat people equally is the kind of perspective we must be willing to hear. Just as we want men like Jones to accept us, we must accept them.
Posted May. 23,2013 at 1:46 PM EST by Joseph Ehrman-Dupre in Chris Kluwe, Football (American), Landry Jones, LGBT Stories, NFL, Pittsburgh, Sports, Tim Tebow |
Permalink
| Comments (36)
Glenn Beck can spot a conspiracy from a mile away, and on his program last night the conservative pseudo-professor certainly delivered, claiming that an interview by CNN's Wolf Blitzer this week was the workings of a CNN producer "sympathetic to the atheist plight," Right Wing Watch reports.
The interview in question is from Tuesday, when Blitzer asked a woman who survived this week's massive tornado in Oklahoma, "Do you thank the Lord?" In the interview, the woman laughed and responded disarmingly, "I'm actually an atheist," and the two shared a moment of awkward laughter.
To Beck, though, the question "just wasn't natural," and therefore must have been a plant by some producer who thought it was important "to point out that in the middle of the heartland, there are atheists there too."
Although Beck said the question "doesn't have to be nefarious," he went on to situate the interview as part of something much larger:
"We are not fighting against flesh and bone. We are fighting the forces of spiritual darkness. It doesn't matter what people's intent are. I will tell you: that was there for a reason."
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...
Continue reading "Glenn Beck: Wolf Blitzer's Question for Atheist Tornado Survivor Was a Plant — VIDEO"
Posted May. 23,2013 at 12:25 PM EST by Jacob Combs in Atheism, CNN, Glenn Beck, Tornado, Wolf Blitzer |
Permalink
| Comments (36)
The Family Research Council, an SPLC-designated hate group, is running a full-page ad today in the Dallas Morning News urging the Boy Scouts to uphold its ban on gay scouts and leaders, Good As You reports.
Writes Jeremy Hooper:
They simply don't believe in the concept of well-adjusted LGBT people and don't want us to have rights, opportunities, or basic peace of mind. Let's be clear here: That is the underlying drive that's informing this whole thing.
Check out the ad below.
The BSA is planning a vote today on the proposal to lift the ban on gay scouts (and keep the ban on gay leaders).
Earlier...
Gay Boy Scout Camp Counselor Fired on Camera After Coming Out: VIDEO [tlrd]
Boy Scouts to Vote Today on Proposal to Lift Ban on Gay Scouts [tlrd]
Rep. Jim Bridenstine Blasts 'Intolerant Left' for Bullying the Boy Scouts: VIDEO [tlrd]
SPLC-designated "hate group" encourages Boy Scouts to back discrimination
Posted May. 23,2013 at 11:47 AM EST by Andy Towle in Boy Scouts, Family Research Council, News, Tony Perkins |
Permalink
| Comments (18)
Recent Comments