News: NY Dems, Jesse Metcalfe, India, David Archuleta, Soulforce

New Jersey gay marriage political debate looms.

NY Governor David Paterson blasts rebel Democrats. I posted about this yesterday.

OUT 100 cover revealed.

Jesse Metcalfe drinks, plunges 40 feet off nightclub balcony.

Lansing, Michigan church target of protest by gay "anarchists": "The disruption came from a group which calls itself Bash Back, and involved demonstrations outside the church and inside the sanctuary while services were under way, said Mt. Hope Church communications director David Williams. Members of the group inside the church shouted pro-gay slogans, threw leaflets, unfurled a banner and pulled a fire alarm, then hastily departed, Williams said. There were no injuries, he said. Williams said the episode was over in just a few minutes. Eaton County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrived quickly, Williams said, but no arrests were made. No one from the police agency was available today."

"Extreme" fan's body found near home of Paula Abdul.

No thanks, Fred: Major networks to air stealth Focus on the Family ad.

Arguments conclude, Delhi high court set to rule on decriminalizing homosexuality.

George Clooney on marriage equality: "At some point in our lifetime, gay marriage won't be an issue, and everyone who stood against this civil right will look as outdated as George Wallace standing on the school steps keeping James Hood from entering the University of Alabama because he was black."

Sotheby's contemporary art auction jumps recession: " The sale, at which the majority of successful bidders were American, took in $125 million, including commission, against a low estimate of $200 million, a benchmark established before the September onset of the crisis gripping world financial markets. Records were set for Philip Guston, John Currin and Richard Serra as 68 percent of the 63 lots on offer found buyers -- to the relief of Sotheby's officials."

David Archuleta brings "Crush" to TRL.

Killers of gay British man have sentences cut by eight years: " Igor Irinel, 22, and Sorin Abuculesci, 34, tied up Sri Lankan Mohamed Raheem and left him to suffocate to death at his flat in Sardeson House on the Holderness Estate on June 2 last year. After spending the night with Mr Raheem after meeting him in a gay bar, Irinel ransacked his flat with the help of his brother before badly beating and finally murdering Mr Raheem. After being found guilty by a jury in April this year, Irinel and Abuculesci were respectively sentenced at the Old Bailey to a mimimum of 30 and 28 years in prison."

Death toll in Congo violence nears six million.

Soulforce equality riders arrested at Union University in Jackson Tennessee: "The arrests occurred during the next-to-last stop on the 2008 Equality Ride, an outreach bus tour of 15 religious schools across the South by Soulforce Q. The organization is the young-adult division of a group that fights discrimination against gays with nonviolent protest. Police arrested 21-year-old Zak Rittenhouse of Frankfort, Ohio; 22-year-old Manny Lampon of New York City; and 22-year-old Jarrett Lucas of Minneapolis, Minn., a co-director of the 2008 Equality Ride, on trespassing charges. The arrests came after campus security warned them to leave an area declared off-limits to the riders."

News: Grey's Anatomy, Mitch McConnell, True Blood, David Cook

California gay marriage ban a $73 million race.

McCain not ready to spell on day one.

The gay-baiting of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Signorile: "Since McConnnell is a senator who has voted antigay over and over again, it's certainly relevant to ask the question if things just don't add up, and there's nothing wrong with implying someone is gay or asking the question, is there? And if McConnell is not, and there is some other truth to his discharge, why not just state it?"

Lesbian relationship axed from Grey's Anatomy; female cast member fired. CBS reportedly nervous about too many gay storylines?...

And heads reportedly rolling on Heroes as well...

Four Soulforce riders arrested at Central Baptist College in Arkansas: "As Conway police handcuffed three women and one man, their fellow activists remained on the public sidewalk and sang the Christian camp song that begins, 'Love, love, love, love, Christians, this is your call.' The 17 activists were all members of Soulforce Q, a group that seeks what it describes as equal treatment for gay students. The group visited the small Conway campus of about 500 students as part of its third annual Equality Ride, a national bus tour of conservative Christian colleges and universities."

Is New York going to get a moving skyscraper?

You may remember the case in Secaucus, New Jersey where a gay couple was awarded $2.84 million by a jury. The couple filed suit against that town claiming that they were harassed in an April 2004 incident by a group of firefighters who were partying at the firehouse adjacent to their residence. Now, the fire station is under investigation for a letter that went out to residents: "Last week, a letter that was sent to residents in the 2nd Ward from the "officers and members" of Rescue Co.1/Engine Co. 2, stationed in the North End firehouse. In the letter, the North End firefighters decried the departures of firefighters Charles Snyder Sr., Charles Snyder Jr., and Charles Mutschler, who, according to the letter, were forced by Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell to resign from the department. 'The Officers and Members of Rescue 1/Engine 2 are writing to the residents to reassure you that we are still both WILLING and CAPABLE of helping to keep our town safe,' said the letter. 'Recently, our firehouse has been under scrutiny for 'ALLEGATIONS' of an incident that occurred on April 24, 2004. As a result, three dedicated members forcefully resigned.'"

American Idol winner David Cook's brand spankin' new video for "Lights On".

Alan Ball on making True Blood: "How easy it is to read the vampires as a metaphor for this or that is the least interesting for me. It’s texture, but it’s not what the series is about. When I first pitched this to HBO and somebody asked me what it was about, I said, 'It’s about the terrors of intimacy.' At the time, I thought, 'Who knows what that means, but it sounds good!' Over time, I’ve really started to believe that that is the deeper meaning of the show, and I would venture to say a lot of horror movies, and is a lot of the reason why the vampire is such a powerful archetype."

Katy Perry performs at the largest AIDS fundraiser in Toronto with a bunch of shirtless hotties.

Inside fashion powerhouse Aussiebum.

Jennifer Hudson sequestered in her grief; crime scene too much.

Lindsay Lohan gets political: "In a post titled "VOTE," she apologizes for not blogging for awhile, and then gives us her get-out-and-vote spiel: 'I cannot say how important it is for everyone to get out there and vote tomorrow... The future of our country depends on it. Just one vote can make such a difference... Vote—because your thoughts are worth it..VOTE—because YOU can make this country a better place...VOTE—because you can. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She goes on to say 'yea' for Obama, including a little smiley face emoticon with her endorsement, and no on Props 8 and 4, the latter of which would require a doctor, before performing an abortion on a minor, to notify the girl's parents at least 48 hours before doing the procedure."

News: Soulforce, Pete Burns, Tap Water, Methodists, Uganda

Killer gets 22 to life for the 2001 murder of Queens, NY resident Edgar Garzon.

New trend for Scientologists: dressing like a gay couple.

West Virginia votes being flipped from Democrat to Republican: "This is the second West Virginia county where voters have reported this problem. Last week, three voters in Jackson County told The Charleston Gazette their electronic vote for 'Barack Obama' kept flipping to 'John McCain.' In both counties, Republicans are responsible for overseeing elections. Both county clerks said the problem is isolated. They also blamed voters for not being more careful."

Protect Marriage bus to wind through California for 8 days urging voters to ban same-sex marriage.

Guy Ritchie convinced Madonna is spying on him. A-Rod moves in.

Ugandan Ethics and Integrity Minister on gays: "Ten years ago, this phenomena was not there, but the disease has penetrated everywhere. Who's going to occupy Uganda 20 years from now if we all become homosexuals? We know that homosexuals don't reproduce. There is now a globalization of homosexuality and people in Uganda are attempting to take advantage of the globalization. It is an attempt to end civilization. It is that serious."

Former Dead or Alive singer Pete Burns to receive £1million payout for botched cosmetic surgery: "The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant said he suffered horrific side effects from the ‘trout pout’, including painful swelling and blisters so severe he could not eat, drink or speak. He claims he was left with weeping sores, felt suicidal and looked so ‘physically repulsive’ he could not leave the house for seven months."

9 of 15 members of American River College's student association face recall vote following uproar over vote to support Proposition 8.

Log Cabin Republicans respond to Palin's break from McCain on federal marriage amendment: "We disagree with Gov. Palin on this issue, but we're glad that Sen. McCain agrees with us. The president sets the policy for the administration. Sen. McCain twice voted against the federal marriage amendment and continues to believe the states should decide this issue."

Darwin: New Zealand man injured while car-surfing and mooning other vehicles.

Lucky us: MTV brings the banality of The Hills to the Big Apple.

Sexy Mormon missionary calendar creator has diploma yanked by Brigham Young University.

Vote delayed on gay high school in Chicago: "Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan said Friday that the school board would see the plan Nov. 19. The proposal was originally supposed to be considered Wednesday. Duncan gave preliminary approval for the the Pride Campus of Social Justice High school earlier this month. The high school be open to all students citywide but would provide a safe, 'gay-friendly' atmosphere."

Two Methodist women offered historic credentials: "Two women blocked from ordination as United Methodist ministers because one is a married lesbian and the other disagrees with church rules on gay rights received "extraordinary ordination" in Baltimore yesterday."

Obama canvasser punched in the face by a man ranting about ACORN receives personal call from Obama.

Soulforce bus riders arrested at Mississippi College.

NYT: Tap water safer than bottled water. "The Environmental Working Group released a report Wednesday that charged that some bottled waters were 'no different than tap water.' And it found fertilizer residue, pain medication and other chemicals in some major brands."

Two men who created Social Justice course for British Columbia high school students sue school board for refusing to offer the class: "Social Justice 12, an elective for senior students, was created as a result of a contract the province signed with the Correns in 2006 to end a long-standing human rights complaint that the curriculum discriminated against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students. Abbotsford officials say they're reviewing the course because of parental concerns, and the board has not yet decided whether it will be offered in future."

Soulforce Met with Vandalism, Arrests, at Palm Beach Atlantic U.

Six members of the gay Christian group Soulforce, which is taking its 2008 Equality Ride to Christian colleges and universities across the South, were arrested after being barred from the Palm Beach Atlantic University campus. They arrived there on Monday to meet with students and raise awareness about tolerance and the lack of safety of gay and lesbian students on campus.

Soulforce writes, in a press release: "As ten of the Riders were turned away, six remained and were arrested, one by one. Those arrested were Jarrett Lucas, 22, from Philadelphia, Danielle Cooper, 19, from Maplewood, NJ, Lauren Parke, 25, from Seattle, Enzi Tanner, 24, from Minneapolis, Nicholas Rocco DeFinis, 22, from Lansdale, PA, and Zak Rittenhouse, 21, from Frankfort, OH. Students looked on as the young adults were placed in handcuffs and moved into a police van." Those arrested are set to go before a judge today.

Here's a report from WPTV.

Soulforce adds: "Today's visit to PBAU comes after a night of harassment for participants of the Equality Ride. Sunday evening, the glass door of the bus was bashed in with a hard object. Two panes of glass were shattered and small portions of the vinyl wrap were scratched off. A police report of the incident was filed."

The group recently completed a very successful visit to the late Jerry Falwell's Liberty University.

Six arrested during protest at Palm Beach Atlantic University [sun-sentinel]
Equality Ride Faces Vandalism, Arrests at Palm Beach [soulforce]
Florida Christian University Welcomes Gay Youth with Handcuffs & Brick [gaysofla]

News: Senegal, Orlando, Jake Gyllenhaal, Genetics, Edmund White

Company to offer service sequencing an individual's complete genetic make-up for $5,000.

Senegalese entertainer who was forced from his country after appearing in magazine photos of a 'gay wedding', has found refuge in New York: "I'm fabulous. I feel good."

Orlando to become first central Florida city to offer benefits to partners of gay employees: "Orlando city commissioners are expected to approve the plan on Monday. There are currently 18 Orlando city employees who would benefit from the measure, which would cost the city about $37,000. 'It's going to be a good thing. It shows we're progressive. It will help us attract good people. Benefits are an important package if you're going to work for government, and this will help us compete with other government agencies,' Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said."

He Bopped: Robert Downey Jr. on his former compulsions..."I was a compulsive, serial masturbator, but it was the best thing I could have been. I utilized that organ and rode it for everything it was worth."

Columbia International University in South Carolina warns Soulforce they'll be arrested should they try to enter campus today.

Brad Pitt shows his support for Obama.

Report reveals that lesbian soldier Ciara Durkin, who died under 'mysterious circumstances' at an Afghan airbase, took her own life, and sent text messages before she did it: "According to the report, Ms Durkin was found lying against shipping containers behind the chapel. It found that she shot herself in the head while sitting on the ground, leaning back against the containers. Just before she died, text messages were sent from her phone to a friend saying she was going to take her own life. The report does not draw any conclusions as to why the soldier took her own life, but sworn statements from fellow soldiers on the base suggest she was dealing with a range of stressful issues."

Madonna Sticky & Sweet Tour arrives in the U.S.

Signing smack: Project Runway's Jack Mackenroth's thoughts on New York fashion week: "I know some of the designers from other seasons were talking smack about the Project Runway finalists and all their families were right in front of them. I was hanging out with Martin Ritchie, the deaf model on Janice Dickinson’s Modeling agency and we were signing that the Rock and Republic collection was terribly boring so anyone who new sign language within eye view may have 'overheard' us."

Hillary Clinton steps in for Joe Biden at HRC dinner in Washington D.C...."[McCain's] not a maverick. He's a mimic." HRC statement on death of Biden's mother-in-law.

O.J. Simpson guilty on 12 charges in robbery-kidnapping case.

Jake Gyllenhaal goes solo in London.

John Barrowman just wants a little respect.

Rolling Stone eviscerates McCain: "In its broad strokes, McCain's life story is oddly similar to that of the current occupant of the White House. John Sidney McCain III and George Walker Bush both represent the third generation of American dynasties. Both were born into positions of privilege against which they rebelled into mediocrity. Both developed an uncanny social intelligence that allowed them to skate by with a minimum of mental exertion. Both struggled with booze and loutish behavior. At each step, with the aid of their fathers' powerful friends, both failed upward."

British MP once caught up in internet underwear scandal appointed Deputy Leader of the Commons.

Edmund White on his new biography of Rimbaud, and Rimbaud's relationship with Paul Verlaine: "I think it’s quite clear that Rimbaud was the top in the relationship, and I think that’s something that straight people don’t usually grasp very well. They often see the younger boy as being a sort of stand-in for a girl—maybe that comes out of the classical Greek model. But this idea of a tyrannical younger boy frightening and controlling an older married man is something that people who are gay and who’ve lived in gay life recognize as a possible variation of that situation."

Ugandan government promises strengthening of anti-gay laws.

Soulforce Launches 2008 Equality Ride as Liberty U. Welcomes Them

The gay Christian group Soulforce kicked off its annual Soulforce Equality Ride yesterday with a visit to Liberty University, now run by Jerry Falwell, Jr., the son of its founder. His father, the Reverend Jerry Falwell died in May of last year.

This year's ride will visit 15 schools in the South, of various denominations. The ride's goal is to converse with students and faculty, as well as hold public forums and worship services in an effort to promote tolerance and facilitate a welcoming atmosphere for all students at the school. This year 17 LGBT young adults are on the ride.

Said Katie Higgins, Co-director of the Equality Ride last week, before yesterday's event: "We are in contact with Liberty students who have been waiting for the Equality Ride to return. We cannot let them down. We bring hope to students who fear expulsion or other sanctions just for being themselves. We tell them that God loves them just as they are, and we speak up for a community where everyone can learn without fear."

In 2006, Soulforce 24 Soulforce riders were arrested at Liberty U. after Jerry Falwell, the University's founder, warned them they were not welcome. Yesterday, Soulforce riders were met by students who welcomed them on to the campus, and into the campus library.

Watch a report on the visit, which could not have been more different, AFTER THE JUMP...