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04/19/2007


Obama Addresses Racism, Climate Change on New York Visit

Obamaletterman

Barack Obama appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman last night, on the eve of his address to the United Nations on climate change.

Said Obama of allegations of racism from the right-wing: "First of all I think it's important to realize that I was actually Black before the election."

Obamaun

This morning, Obama talked to the UN General Assembly about taking action on climate change:

"We also cannot allow the old divisions that have characterized the climate debate for so many years to block our progress. Yes, the developed nations that caused much of the damage to our climate over the last century still have a responsibility to lead. And we will continue to do so – by investing in renewable energy, promoting greater efficiency, and slashing our emissions to reach the targets we set for 2020 and our long-term goal for 2050. But those rapidly-growing developing nations that will produce nearly all the growth in global carbon emissions in the decades ahead must do their part as well. Some of these nations have already made great strides with the development and deployment of clean energy. Still, they will need to commit to strong measures at home and agree to stand behind those commitments just as the developed nations must stand behind their own. We cannot meet this challenge unless all the largest emitters of greenhouse gas pollution act together. There is no other way."

Highlights from the Letterman appearance and the UN speech, AFTER THE JUMP...

Continue reading "Obama Addresses Racism, Climate Change on New York Visit" »


News: Michael Jackson, Tortoise, Whitney Houston, Caymans, Halo

RoadFormer Idaho senator Larry Craig opens consulting firm.

RoadPolice surround Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray's house in Las Vegas. Murray administered Jackson Propofol the night before his death. Home raided.

Transit RoadDocked Space Shuttle and ISS transit sun. FLASHBACK: Space Shuttle and Hubble transit sun.

RoadAspray: The cure for stank ass.

RoadHalo vs. Already Gone: Did Ryan Tedder sell Beyoncé and Kelly Clarkson the same song with different lyrics?

RoadBill in Uganda would ban free speech on behalf of LGBT people: "Recently, [Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity James Nsaba] Buturo said that once the two bills are passed into law, it will be an offence to publish and distribute literature on homosexuality. He also said it would become impossible for homosexuals to address press conferences and attract people to support their cause."

RoadNearly-extinct Galapagos tortoise may become father at the age of 90.

RoadWhitney Houston moves up date of album release, offers free track on website.

RoadGay cruise to visit Cayman Islands again: "Three years ago, Atlantis Events brought 3,200 gay tourists to Cayman. A small number turned out to protest when the passengers came ashore in 2006, but the visit passed off without much disturbance. Mr. Yuan said he believed people’s attitudes had changed since 1998, and that the tourism industry in Cayman had extended a welcome to Atlantis and its customers."

RoadACT UP veteran and film and music critic Robert Hilferty takes own life.

Gyllenhaal_namath RoadConfirmed: Jake Gyllenhaal to play Joe Namath.

RoadJosh & Josh visit World Outgames for Passport magazine.

RoadProtect Marriage chairman Ron Prentice holds secret meeting, tells followers to pray for LGBT divisiveness in repeal of Proposition 8.

RoadBoy George says Elton John helped him through prison experience: "Elton offered me love and support from both himself and David [Furnish]. He also sent me a lovely music player...Stephen Fry, Matt Lucas, Antony Hegarty and Holly Johnson wrote to me too. The only time I got emotional in prison was when I got letters from friends. People that beforehand I wouldn’t have thought I could rely on."

Fwbartender RoadFort Worth Rainbow Lounge bartender killed in car wreck.

RoadTired of vampires yet?

RoadGrace Jones plays Hollywood Bowl.

RoadACLU of Florida gets $150,000 in funding from Tides Foundation to help end Florida's gay adoption ban.

Road500 protest Gay Pride in Charlotte, North Carolina: “We are not here to have a confrontation…We are here to send the message that God has a better way.”

Road$294K: Proponents of Vermont's marriage equality bill outspent opponents by a margin of 7 to 1. "Meanwhile, same-sex marriage opponents spent only $41,769 on their campaign, according to final disclosure forms filed Monday."

RoadUN grants official status to LGBT Brazilian organization: "The victory for the Brazilian Association of Gays, Lesbians and Transsexuals marks the third consecutive year the U.N. Economic and Social Council has overturned a decision by a 19-country committee blocking gay groups from participating in the global body's debates."

RoadWilliam Shatner makes poetry of Sarah Palin speech.


Earth Hour is Tomorrow Night

Earthhour

Earth Hour is tomorrow night, and it's bigger this year. Details, AFTER THE JUMP...

Continue reading "Earth Hour is Tomorrow Night" »


Towleroad Guide to the Tube #450

JUDGE JUDY: On Prop 8 and the Arkansas gay adoption and foster parent ban - "It's just plain wrong."

JIM CRAMER: Speaks out for the first time since Jon Stewart's lashing of CNBC.

SUBWAY ART GALLERY OPENING: Improv Everywhere's latest stunt. "How much is it worth?"

UN DECLARATION: Rachel Maddow on the Obama administration's decision to support a declaration calling for the global decriminalization of homosexuality.


Obama Administration to Endorse UN Declaration on LGBT Human Rights Refused by Bush

A United Nations declaration on human rights which calls for the global decriminalization of homosexuality which the U.S. declined to sign under Bush last December will be endorsed by the Obama administration, the AP reports:

Earth "U.S. officials said Tuesday they had notified the declaration's French sponsors that the administration wants to be added as a supporter. The Bush administration was criticized in December when it was the only western government that refused to sign on. The move was made after an interagency review of the Bush administration's position on the nonbinding document, which was signed by all 27 European Union members as well as Japan, Australia, Mexico and three dozen other countries, the officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because Congress was still being notified of the decision. They said the administration had decided to sign the declaration to demonstrate that the United States supports human rights for all. 'The United States is an outspoken defender of human rights and critic of human rights abuses around the world,' said one official. 'As such, we join with the other supporters of this statement and we will continue to remind countries of the importance of respecting the human rights of all people in all appropriate international fora,' the official said. The official added that the United States was concerned about 'violence and human rights abuses against gay, lesbian, transsexual and bisexual individuals" and was also "troubled by the criminalization of sexual orientation in many countries.' ... 'In the words of the United States Supreme Court, the right to be free from criminalization on the basis of sexual orientation 'has been accepted as an integral part of human freedom',' the official said."

The Vatican and the Organisation of Islamic States have been vocal in their opposition to the declaration.

The global petition initiative was launched by Prof. Louis-Georges Tin, president of the International Committee for IDAHO (the International Day Against Homophobia)

Said Peter Tatchell of London's activist group OutRage! in December: "It will be the first time in its history that the UN General Assembly has ever considered the issue of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) human rights."

The text of the declaration, AFTER THE JUMP...

Continue reading "Obama Administration to Endorse UN Declaration on LGBT Human Rights Refused by Bush" »


Reversing Bush Policy, U.S. Backs UN Condemnation of Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation


Un-gay-flag-20090101-329 "In late December the United Nations General Assembly held a symbolic vote on a statement calling for the universal decriminalization of homosexuality. France spearheaded the resolution, which was a 13 point declaration "to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests or detention." The statement received 60 votes in support, mostly from Europe and South America. Opposing the resolution, were the United States, the Holy See, and members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. At the time, the Bush administration couched its objection to the measure in legal technicalities. Well, that was then. This is now: At the so-called 'Durban Review Conference' on racism and xenophonia underway in Geneva, Europe again put forward language condemning 'all forms of discrimination and all other human rights violations based on sexual orientation.' According to UN Watch, 'The Czech Republic on behalf of the E.U., with the support of New Zealand, the United States, Colombia, Chili (sic) on behalf of the South American states, the Netherlands, Argentina and a few others, took the floor in support.'"

The efforts unfortunately failed due to lack of support from non-European countries (South Africa on behalf of the African Group, China, Egypt, Nigeria,Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Botswana, Iran, Algeria, and Syria), but the U.S. appears to be back on the correct side of the issue now.

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