Orlando Gay Community

We're getting scared over here!

2011-10-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

Do you know what's scarier than reaching out to the gay community? Not reaching out to them! What all of us members of the community (both LGBT folks combined with their friends and family) know is that gay friendly businesses are preferred over those who well... aren't. With all of the things that have been in the news lately, such as the New Jersey wedding shop believe it illegal to sell a wedding dress to a lesbian, it's not surprising that the community turns to gay friendly business directories to prevent such situations.

That being said, getting involved in directories who's purpose is to supply the community with gay friendly businesses is the best way to do so. We believe this enough that we are going help make the fright go away with a contest so scary, anything else will pale and shake in their boots in comparison.

What is the prize for this contest?

Well, I'm glad you asked.

There's a reason I've been abusing the scary reference in regards to something that's not scary at all.

On Halloween, we will be choosing one Facebook and one Twitter follower to receive a FREE Home Page Banner package in one of our directories.

A Home Page Banner package includes the following things:

One Home Page banner that displays at the top of every page
5 Single Category Listings, includes one 4x5 full color art along with business name, address with Google map link (or a tagline), 2 phone numbers, fax number, web link, & email link

Great! How do I enter?

It's easy! All you need to do is be a follower of our Twitter account or like our Facebook account. It's as simple as that. We will be choosing a winner from both groups. That means we're giving away TWO of those packages! Plus, if you happen to be a follower of our Orlando accounts, but your business is based in another geographic area other than Orlando (such as Tampa or Miami), you can still enter! We are located in 26 cities across the United States and will honor the package in one city of your choice. The prize is non-transferable, though. So, you must be affiliated with the business that will be advertised.

Two Step Entry:

Pick one (or both for two chances to win!):

Follow our Twitter account.
Like our Facebook account

Plus, share this post in some way (pick one, please):

Retweet the tweet about the contest from our Orlando Twitter account (or from our twtter feed in the sidebar to the right).
Tweet the following: Not reaching out to the LGBT community is scary! I just entered for a FREE banner from @OrlandoGayPages on Halloween http://bit.ly/qIVVYX
Share the link from our Facebook post about the contest.
Share this post on Google+ (we have a handy +1 button to the right in the sidebar up there) and link to that post in your comment here or add #OrlandoGayPages to the post somewhere.

When you've followed one of our social media channels and passed this contest on to the network of your choice, if you still have a moment, please post here with your thoughts. It could be on topic, or what you had for breakfast. If you want to get in the spirit of the month and the contest, feel free to post a picture or drawing of a jack o' lantern so our scary one up top has some friends. All in all... have fun and good luck!

Project:: Shattered Silence

2011-07-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

Photos Courtesy of Jared O’Roark

"I, myself, am a gay man and feel that the world would be a better place if people would take the time to actually educate themselves about others. That is what Project: Shattered Silence is about..." - Jared O’Roark

When this show debuted, it was to sold out crowds. With such a response, they will be having an encore performance this Saturday in Clearwater at 7:30PM. It is slated as being a show for both those who love the theater and who typically avoid such shows. There's sure to be a character that you will identify with and learn something about yourself from.

All in all, its sure to be a good time if you are in the Clearwater area tomorrow. Head to the beach during the day and then enjoy the theater at night - a perfect culture filled Florida day.

For more information, visit their website: http://hoffmanperformingarts.org/email/education/6-14.html

From their show brochure:

WHAT IS PROJECT: SHATTERED SILENCE?
Project: Shattered Silence is a unique project created by Jared O’Roark from Ruth Eckerd Hall and the Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute. The project gathers teenagers from as many diverse walks of life as possible: racially, financially, religiously, even from different points in Tampa Bay. Through the course of a school year the team gathers to create an original piece of theater for all people (not just for teenagers). The play presents stories and variations on a theme chosen by the group. The team gets to see their created piece displayed when it is performed at the end of the school year (usually by them telling their own stories.)

WHAT IS “WHEN THE MUSIC STOPS”?
“When the Music Stops” is the title of the first play created by Project: Shattered Silence. The theme is diversity. The show premiered last year to a sold out audience. P:SS was asked to give an encore performance the following week, once again to a sold out crowd. Well, now P:SS has been
asked to give another encore performance one year after its debut. Please come and witness how diversity can look artistically.

WHO IS THE SHOW DESIGNED FOR?
The show is designed to be seen by all ages, and anyone interested in discovering (or just wanting to share with someone) that even though we are all different on the outside, internally the same emotions pump through our hearts.

QUESTIONS?
Please contact Jared O’Roark at Ruth Eckerd Hall
Email: jared@rutheckerdhall.net
Phone: (727) 712-2746

Florida Film Festival - Without

2011-04-06T09:33:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for something to do this weekend or next that you wouldn't normally be able to, the Florida Film Festival is beginning. Recently, I was contacted about a movie that is being played that is "about a late teen girl grieving over the loss of her girlfriend due to cyber-bullying while having to take a job in an isolated woodland house as the caretaker for a catatonic old man."

Wanted by director Mark Jackson is slated as being a mixture of Black Swan and Repulsion by the critics. Jackson and Jessica Dimmock of Right on Red Films state that it is "inspired by real stories of anti-gay cyber bullying..." and further state "...at a time of click-for-content, diminished attention spans, Without dares to slowly meditate on some of the most urgent issues of our time."

All in all, it sounds like it will be an interesting film.

For more information on Wanted, see below or visit their page on the festival's site or on the studio's site where you can view a trailer.

Be sure to also take a look at the other films being played in the festival.

FL FILM FESTIVAL LOCATION & SHOWTIMES
Regal Winter Park Village B
Saturday, April 9th 7:30 pm
Thursday, April 14th 9:30 pm

Synopsis
In a time when the world seems too much with us, a pretty nineteen-year-old girl tumbles into loneliness when she takes a job as a caretaker for a catatonic old man on a remote wooded island with no cell signal or internet. Arriving already isolated and scarred by mysterious past events that are never fully explained, she begins a slow progression of mental and emotional disintegration as she struggles to maintain a daily routine while in conflict with her own guilt, sexuality, and an unshakable sense of loss. An intense and brave performance by newcomer Joslyn Jensen, cited as “creative, nuanced, and moving” at Slamdance 2011, earned the film a Special Jury Mention and makes this an experience that’s hard to shake. With its echoes of Polanski’s Repulsion, Aronofsky’s Black Swan, and Haneke’s The Piano Teacher, the bold and startling WITHOUT is a rigorously filmed chamber drama of a most provocative and unusual nature.

Dot Gay May be on the Horizon

2011-02-08T11:07:00.000-08:00

Move over .com and make way for .gay!

...or .love, .eco, .car, .health, .radio, .ski, etc. In fact, there's a large list of all the possibilities various groups already want to see when the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) completes its tasks to implement the new Top level Domains over on the .NXT Conference site. The custom domain will also mean cities and states can have their own top level domain like .nyc or .florida. We may also see brand ones like .coke (.canon and .unicef are already listed).

What's the catch, you may ask? Having your own top level domain like this will be coming with a hefty price tag. $185,000 plus a $25,000 annual fee according to the Washington Post. Pretty big catch! Luckily, the dotGAYalliance and dotGAY will be pushing to have the .gay extension included so we may see eventually sites like hotel.gay, sports.gay, or health.gay popping up.

Unfortunately, as has happened in the past with the Bush Administration stopping the .xxx extension, the Obama administration is quietly pushing to allow countries, including the US, to veto top level domains. That then leads to the trouble that having a central domain such as .gay (or any number of potentially controversial extensions like .abortion, .aids, etc) would allow countries who aren't friendly towards a particular subject to block any domain with that extension if it was approved by the ICANN.

Confused About "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"? You're Not Alone...

2010-11-17T15:29:00.000-08:00

As one of my followers on Twitter mentioned recently, the news about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has been less than clear. He is, of course, absolutely right as it seems things are constantly going back and forth about whether it will be repealed or not (and even if it will be included in the Defense Authorization Act this year). I've been reading the stories as they appear on various news sites and have seen everything from the White House not approving any defense bill without the repeal of DADT to the lame duck congress won't be able to pass the defense bill with or without it due to the small time span.

While I won't be able to make anything clearer about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" myself as I'm not a member of congress, at least I can do some of the legwork by giving you a list of the most informative articles I've read lately to do with DADT.

While Wikipedia has its flaws in the communal editing and potential of false information being edited in by those who aren't up on their facts or are trolling, generally, it is always a good place to look for quickly updated information and source linkes. Don't Ask, Don't Tell article on Wikipedia

Advocate.com is also another source and is where most of the articles I've been reading has stemmed from. The latest one posted as of November 16, 2010 is A Midwestern DADT Repeal Effort.

Others Articles Posted Recently

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/11/yes_dadt_repeal_could_still_pa.html

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/11/mccain_is_still_on_the_wrong_s.html

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/11/the_morning_plum_131.html

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/11/on_dadt_its_imperial_presidenc.html

http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2010/11/gates-launches-investigation-of-dont-ask-dont-tell-review-leak.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=131223266

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-1114-court-gays-military-20101112,0,6155475.story

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/cindy-mccain-opposes-john-mccain-dont/story?id=12131423

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20022790-503544.html

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2010/11/17/obama-restates-commitment-on-keeping-dont-ask-in-defense-bill/

Overall, we're going to have to wait and see what comes out of the lame-duck congressional session. Taking a look through some of those links will help to piece together a semblance of where things are currently standing. If it's anything like a couple recent days though, tomorrow it may very well be a different story.

Hate Crime in Orlando

2010-09-20T19:17:00.000-07:00

A 20 year old gay man was beat by a group of teens for his sexual preference. The Orange County deputies said this is a hate crime.

A group of nine boys and girls left 20-year-old Daniel Lago with scratches on his face, including bruises to his lips, back of the head and cheeks, reports from the Orange County Sheriff's Office show.

Lago said he was walking home around 9:30 p.m. when one of the teenagers approached him in the area of Long and Barbara roads, between Rosemont and Lockhart, and asked to use his cell phone.

He told the suspect he didn't have minutes on his phone. The teen then asked Lago if he was gay.

When Lago replied, "What if I am?" the teen said, "So you are."

The victim then said one of the female teenagers pushed him from behind, reports show. She and the teen who asked for the cell phone started beating Lago.

Deputies said Lago gripped his cell phone and tried to run from the attackers.

One of the teen suspects pulled off and stole Lago's rainbow-colored necklace, as well as a metal charm depicting two male gender symbols.

Sexual orientation is one of a handful of personal characteristics protected by Florida's hate-crime laws, along with race, color, religion and several others.

Transgender Child in Deltona

2010-09-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

Most little girls think of themselves wearing a dress and high heels.

But one kid in Deltona has always depicted herself differently: As a boy in pants, standing outside a "boy's" school or picking flowers for his mom.

This young girl wants to be called "he." And after years of battles over school clothes and haircuts and long meetings with a therapist, the third-grader's parents are letting her live as a boy.

This child hasn't had a sex change and wasn't born a hermaphrodite.

The parents say, their 8-year-old was born with the wrong body — a situation a number of families are struggling with nationwide.

"This is just who he is — he is just wired in such a way that he's male. It doesn't matter what his genitalia is," said the child's mom.

Although mental-health experts disagree on whether people should make such a dramatic transition at a young age, children as young as 5 are doing it. They're changing their names, insisting on a new pronoun and altering their appearance with new clothes and hairstyles.

As a result, school districts are having to make some controversial changes.

What should schools do about restrooms and locker rooms? How do they make sure everybody uses the correct pronouns? How should teachers explain the situation to curious classmates?

The Volusia County school district is considering changing its anti-bullying policy, too, which parents of the transgender student in Deltona have been pressing for. The Deltona parents said they know their son may have a tough road ahead but is much happier since he cut his hair short and started shopping in the boys' section.

"He never stops talking, he never stops smiling — and that's something we didn't see before," said his mom. "For me to say 'no' would be denying him happiness."

Don't Ask Don't Tell Ruled Unconstitutional

2010-09-13T19:03:00.000-07:00

A federal judge in California declared the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy unconstitutional.

The House voted to repeal the ban in May, as did the Senate Armed Service Committee, and President Obama said he looked forward to signing a bill repealing the ban. "This legislation will make our Armed Forces even stronger and more inclusive by allowing gay and lesbian soldiers to serve honestly and with integrity," he said.

Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called the repeal "the right thing to do."

The U.S. Defense Department bill that includes the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" is ready for final action in the Senate, and gay rights advocates are hopeful because they need only a majority vote for passage. But the Senate has a crowded docket until after the November elections.

"We are facing a critical moment, but we're in the best possible place we could be because it (repeal) is in the bill," Allison Herwitt, legislative director for the Human Rights Campaign, said on Friday.

Phillips is the first judge to rule the "don't ask" policy is unconstitutional, but hers is not likely to be final word. While she could issue an order telling the Pentagon to end it, the U.S. Department of Justice could go the 9th Circuit Court in San Francisco or to the Supreme Court and obtain an order putting her decision on hold while an appeal goes forward.

The Pentagon declined to comment on the judge's decision, referring questions to the Justice Department.

The ruling by Phillips, who was appointed by President Clinton in 1999, was the third decision this summer by a federal judge striking down anti-gay discrimination as unconstitutional.

In Thursday's decision, Judge Phillips followed a similar path by concluding that the military's discriminatory policy against gays and lesbians could not be justified by the evidence presented.

Parliament House Facing Foreclosure

2010-08-30T18:53:00.000-07:00

The oldest gay entertainment club in Orlando is facing foreclosure and is headed into receivership, according to court filings.

The $7.5 million mortgage matured at the end of 2009. Attorneys for the creditors said Monday they expect it will be taken over this week by a court-appointed receiver, which would continue the club's operations under court orders.

Entrepreneur Donald Granastein and his wife purchased it in 1999 and have operated it since then.

The couple have been credited with renovating and reinvigorating the somewhat-faded landmark.

Granastein said he didn't have the money to repay the note when it came due. Granastein holds the liquor license and expects to continue operating, even under a receiver.

"Am I happy with this? That's a big no," he said. "But I'm stuck with whatever happens, and we will be open 100 percent."

Lenders have taken the initial steps to foreclose on the property, which is owned and controlled by Grantastein, president of Parliament Partners Inc.; Gerald Cadesky; and the Gardens LLC.

Modern Family Wins an Emmy

2010-08-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

Modern Family was the first ABC comedy in more than 20 years to receive the Emmy for outstanding comedy series.

Executive producer, Steven Levitan, said onstage that “we are so thrilled that families are sitting down together to watch a television show.”

With the win, “Modern Family” broke the three-year winning streak of NBC’s “30 Rock.”

Gay Wedding Documentary Filmed in Sanford, FL

2010-08-23T18:30:00.000-07:00

A recent Full Sail graduate is hosting the premiere of the Sanford-filmed gay wedding documentary “Unconditional,” directed by Gabriel Haze.

The movie will be shown at the Parliament House’s Footlight Theater on Saturday, Aug. 28.

Tickets are $10.00

Ex-Wife of JetBlue's Steve Slater says He Wants to be a Fashion Designer

2010-08-16T18:26:00.000-07:00

Cynthia Niethamer, the ex-wife of JetBlue's Steve Slater that jumped out of a JetBlue plane last week after having an argument with a passenger, said that he would like to be a fashion designer.

They met when they were 16 and working at JCPenney. Cynthia said that Steve would be great at it and hopes that a reality show would pick him up.

Steve Slater is facing a $25,000 fine for actions from last weeks JetBlue incident.

Adam Lambert Tour Brings Him to the Orlando Area

2010-08-02T16:05:00.000-07:00

Adam Lambert got some songwriting help from Lady Gaga and Pink on his first album.

Adam's new Glam Nation tour will make it’s way through our area September 17th at the King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne.

Tickets are $39.50 and are on sale now.

Milwaukee Settles With Naked Boys Singing

2010-07-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

I vacationed in Provincetown last year, Naked Boys Singing was there during our stay. My friends that I went on the trip went to the show and said it was great.

I spoke with some of "boys" while they were handing out flyers in their towels standing in the streets and they were all very nice.

Milwaukee shut down Naked Boys Singing in 2005. They decided to settle and pay out $20,000 but admitted no wrong doing.

Naked Boys Singing initially asked for $800,000.

Orlando Fringe review: Dirty Stuff

2010-05-24T16:03:00.001-07:00

Reviewed by Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel

Jonny McGovern shows off with his “Dirty Stuff,” one of the most polished and professional one-man shows in the past decade of Orlando Fringe.

He doesn’t really do it alone. He’s backed by several characters sporting various backgrounds and accents, but all in the high-energy demographic. McGovern, seen on Logo’s The Big Gay Sketch Show, moves wildly and constantly between citizens such as Chocolate Puddin’, an actress from the blaxploitation era; Lurleen Famous, a down home princess with big-city dreams; Jimmy, a closet case who manages to be fabulous with the urging of pimpin’ Velvet Hammer; and Zarzuffa, a rich clubgoer who must pull together a fashion line quickly to satisfy his parents.

McGovern works up a sweat as it all comes to a head one night in the disco, but not before many pop culture references (from The Golden Girls to Gossip Girl) and great lines such as this one from the yearning Jimmy: “There are no two dirtier words in the English language than ‘soccer team.’ ”

Pink Venue, 60 minutes. Remaining shows: 2:10 p.m. Sat. 5/22, 12:40 p.m. Sun. 5/23, 5:20 p.m. Wed. 5/26, 8:10 p.m. Fri 5/28, 12:40 p.m. Sat. 5/29.

Orlando Sentinel

Exactly who is against gay adoption in Florida?

2010-05-17T16:30:00.001-07:00

It’s an interesting question given the state is engaged in a legal battle to prevent a gay foster dad from adopting the two boys he rescued from a crack house.

Quickly, here is how we got where we are, and the players involved.

Foster parent Frank Gill filed a lawsuit against the state, challenging its archaic ban on gays adopting children. No competent mental health official backs the ban. It denies needy kids stable homes for no other purpose than meeting the political agendas of right-wing homophobes.

Gill’s case puts the state in a particularly conflicted position because he has been an exemplary parent, restoring horribly abused children to physical and mental health.

The lawsuit was aimed at the Florida Department of Children and Families, which oversees adoptions and enforces the ban.

At the time, former Attorney General Bob Butterworth was the DCF Secretary. Nobody believes he supports the ban.

In fact, you would be hard pressed to find anyone at DCF who does. People who work in the field understand how destructive the law can be.

So why fight the lawsuit?

State agencies are required to abide by the law, even if they don’t like the law.

There was a fear that if DCF simply capitulated, legislators would go after the agency. That could lead to a ban on gay foster parents – a nightmare scenario for DCF as some of its most caring foster parents are gay. There also was the possibility social conservatives would go for some kind of referendum on the matter.

Charlie Crist, who oversees DCF, backs the adoption ban. Of course, wait five minutes and ask him again, and that may change.

Butterworth hired Attorney General Bill McCollum to defend the agency. This is a client-attorney relationship, with the AG’s office billing DCF for its services.

Butterworth then left DCF and was replaced by George Sheldon, a former legislator who voted against the gay adoption ban while in the legislature.

McCollum’s office was responsible for finding George Rekers, the now-infamous rentboy.com psychologist. McCollum is trying to parse his responsibility, saying that DCF hired him and paid him.

This is nonsense. DCF hired and paid him inasmuch as DCF is paying for the lawsuit.

Rekers is McCollum’s train wreck. Period.

In fact, a 2007 McCollum letter to Butterworth just surfaced, in which McCollum said about Rekers: “”I believe that this expert and his testimony are necessary to ensure a successful result in this case.”.

McCollum hired him even though Rekers had been discredited in a similar Arizona lawsuit.

This would be like me hiring a roofer whose last customer was left mopping up leaks. And I knew it before hiring him.

McCollum would not take a position on the adoption ban in an interview last week, but basically implied he did not support it, citing a gay member of his staff who had adopted children.

McCollum has a valid argument when he says he doesn’t have the luxury of picking and choosing what laws to defend. He can’t just take a pass on laws he opposes. Think of the precedent that would set. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder defended the Defense Against Marriage law even though he and President Obama oppose it. They caught heat from gay rights groups.

I’ve seen McCollum’s office criticized for pursuing the case against Frank Gill with zeal. That’s what lawyers do — what they are required to do.

It was DCF’s decision to appeal the case when Gill prevailed in circuit court.

The courts could throw out the statute. I imagine that would get the social conservatives riled up for a ballot referendum to enshrine their bigotry in the state constitution.

The ultimate resolution would be for the Legislature to throw out the statute.

Good luck with that.

I do believe there are those religious conservatives out there who would yank these poor children from Frank Gill’s loving home, and really believe God is on their side. Sad. But most responses I’ve received from Christians support his effort to give these boys a stable and lasting home.

Orlando gay center looks for director with the Midas touch

2010-05-17T16:20:00.000-07:00

The rainbow mural was painted on the side wall of the The Center on Mills Avenue after vandals defaced the gay community center and other gay-owned businesses in November 2009. Executive Director Micheal Vance turned the vandalism into a fundraiser, charging each participant $5 to complete a portion of the painting and raising $1,000 for the center.

It was one small instance in the 32 months that Vance headed the Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Community Center of Central Florida, where he raised money, awareness and his voice on behalf of the gay community.

"The messages of hate … were not just sprayed on our walls and our doors, but etched onto the backs of our entire community," Vance proclaimed at the time.

Vance announced last month he was leaving the community center for another job. His departure raises some concerns that The Center may retreat from its vocal, high-profile presence in the gay community in the selection of his successor.

"I just hope they stick with that focus of being an advocacy organization fighting for the things important to their constituents," said Mary Meeks, head of One Orlando, a consortium of gay activists and organizations. "I think it would be a huge loss for The Center to change direction in that regard."

Board Chairman Jay Lovell said advocacy will remain a focus of The Center under the new executive director, who should be hired sometime after June. "As far as things that affect our community, absolutely we have to be more vocal," he said.

Vance brought stability to The Center, created in 1987, at a time when it was struggling to survive financially amid questions of its purpose and relevancy, said Joe Saunders, field director for Equality Florida, a gay civil-rights organization.

Vance worked at opening The Center to gay groups and cooperating more with other organizations such as the Metropolitan Business Association. Vance started regular gatherings of gay leaders so they could get to know each other better, said MBA president David Baker-Hargrove.

With The Center no longer in survival mode and having established itself as a voice and a presence in the gay community, it is time to expand its scope and reach, Saunders said.

"It's the right time for someone with an expanded skill set to take it to the next level," Saunders said.

That next level requires someone who can elevate the financial support for the center, which has a budget of about $100,000 and no paid staff other than the executive director and a part-time assistant Lovell said. To provide the services and meet the needs of the gay community, The Center needs more money and staff, he said.

Lovell said 60 percent of the executive director's job is fundraising: "That is their main goal — bringing in money. And it's not the one dollar here, five dollars there. We are looking for more of a commitment."

Others argue that a one-man office can only do so much and adding fundraising to the job of the executive director could detract from the advocacy and social services The Center provided under Vance.

"[Fundraising] should be the board's responsibility," said Matthew Sayti, a former board member. "You can't expect an executive director without support staff to do all those things."

Lovell contends that with more money comes the ability to hire more people, expand existing programs such as HIV testing and mental health counseling, and broaden the scope of the The Center to include more social events and organizations.

But in addition to someone who can write compelling grant applications and establish relationships with generous donors, the gay community center's next director must also be able to work with and coalesce the sometimes contentious organizations within the gay community.

"You have to be able to get along with a lot of people," Lovell said. "We need to keep our agenda neutral and partner up with everyone else. That's what a community center is."
Orlando Sentinel

2,000 join AIDS Walk Orlando so sick won't have to go it alone

2010-04-26T15:22:00.001-07:00

Doctors gave Patrick Brown of Orlando three to six months to live after he was diagnosed with AIDS. That was 12 years ago.Brown is now "healthy as a horse." And he credits the Hope and Help Center of Central Florida, who stood his side and provided aid when he had nowhere else to go."They gave me my life," Brown, 53, said before taking part in the AIDS Walk Orlando at Lake Eola on Saturday. The event brought as many as 2,000 people to the fundraiser and raised $155,000 to pay for medication and care for those in Orange, Osceola, Lake and Seminole counties.Although there is no cure, the virus has reached undetectable levels, said Brown, who now works at the center helping others obtain medical care. Brown used Saturday as a chance to celebrate Obama's healthcare reform, which he says will allow his clients to receive affordable health insurance after being dropped or charge high premiums due to their pre-existing condition.The walk is a top fundraiser for the center, which provided support and access to medical services last year for 4,500 peoplewith the AIDS virus.Organizers said it's a dark and lonely path for the many people infected with the AIDS virus, who often don't tell loved ones about the disease for fear of rejection. No one walked it alone on Saturday, though.The niecesThe walk wasn't just about the people infected. It's also about the loved ones affected. Sisters Michelle Ramos and Loni Vazquez lost uncles Chito Martin (2002) and Leo Martin (1995) to AIDS, whom they honored with T-shirts donning images of both men and the words, "Team Martin." ."Everyone here has someone that has lived with it," said Ramos, 37, of Orlando. Her team of eight raised $550 for the center in honor of their uncles.The advocatesLisa Hoover, 41, of Davenport is among the lucky ones who haven't lost a loved one to the virus. While living through the AIDS panic of the 1980s, Hoover says it "stuck to me." She led a team from the Orlando Youth Alliance, teaming with co-worker Michael Slaymaker, who helped launch Orlando's first AIDS walk in 1995.. Slaymaker is working with youth to teach them how to protect themselves from the virus, which has affected several of his friends. The teens joined this weekend's walk."I hope it give them [people with HIV] hope that others care about them," Slaymaker said.The case workerHelena Ellis, an eligibility specialist with the Hope and Help Center, lost six people in two years. They were more than just clients — they were like family. She says it was hard to see those in their twenties go, and walked just for her late clients, but for the ones she'll see in the future. It cost thousands of dollars each year for HIV patients to receive medications, she said.Ellis estimated about half of the group walking at Lake Eola Saturday were living with HIV/AIDS, while the rest are mostly strangers."Nobody should go through this alone," Ellis said. "There are a lot of people who care about people with the illness. You're definitely not alone in this world."
Orlando Sentinel

Director of Orlando’s gay community center resigns

2010-04-26T15:20:00.000-07:00

Micheal Vance resigned Thursday as the executive director of Orlando's gay community center, saying he was making way for someone who was more skilled at fundraising. Vance said he is taking a job with a consulting company for nonprofit organizations."Our next step is more staff, more programs, more space," Vance said. "To do that requires more money. It's time for someone whose strong suit is bringing in the money."The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center has an annual budget of about $100,000. Besides the executive director, the only other paid staff is a part-time employee, Vance said.Since Vance took over The Center in 2007, the organization has been more politically active, taking vocal stands on issues affecting the gay community. But the demand for support groups, programs and services has outstripped the facilities and the budget of the center on Mills Avenue in Orlando.Jay Lovell, chairman of the Center's board of directors, said he hopes to have a replacement by the time Vance leaves July 7."In this economy, we need someone who can raise money when nobody has any to give," Lovell said. "We have more and more groups who want to use the space and we aren't able to accommodate them."
Orlando Sentinel

Lance Bass, others sponsor gay-friendly prom

2010-04-12T13:31:00.000-07:00

TUPELO, Miss. —

Green Day, former 'N Sync member Lance Bass and celebrity chef Cat Cora are among those helping to pay for a gay-friendly prom in Mississippi next month.

Organizers say the event is open to everyone but geared toward gay students.

The American Humanist Association also will contribute $20,000 for the May 8 event in Tupelo.

The annual prom is organized by the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition. This year's event has drawn attention because of the case of Constance McMillen, a high school senior who challenged her school district's rule banning same-sex dates at proms.

Coalition spokesman Matthew Sheffield says plans for the event haven't been completed. He says Bass, who is gay, is among the celebrities expected to attend.

Seattle Times

Ellen Degeneres Filming in Orlando

2010-03-29T18:32:00.001-07:00

Woman calls 911 on Orlando police

2010-03-14T19:22:00.000-07:00

An Orlando club-goer faces criminal charges after she called 911 on an Orlando police officer.

Kelly Petersen, 24, was arrested on misdemeanor counts of resisting an officer without violence, disorderly conduct, misuse of 911, escape and trespassing after the incident, which took place Tuesday after she called police to investigate a battery.

Petersen first called the police to dance club Pulse, 1912 S. Orange Ave., at 12:45 a.m. She said a male patron slapped her face, but police found no independent witnesses and did not make any arrests.

Club employees asked her to leave because she was too drunk and disorderly, according to a police report. Instead, she made obscene gestures and said she needed to go inside to get her keys.

Police repeatedly told her she couldn't and asked her to leave. So she dialed 911, the report said.

"If you can't call police, who can you call?" Petersen said in a telephone interview.

Petersen said she wanted to see a "super sergeant," the report states. Then she yelled anti-homosexual slurs at club patrons.

Pulse is a gay club.

Petersen, who is straight, said she used the slurs because the person who hit her was gay and called her names.

"My roommate is gay," Petersen said. "I have nothing against gay peopleAfter the call, Petersen was handcuffed and asked if she had any weapons. She replied she had one in a bodily orifice and called the officer an "idiot," the report states. No gun was found and she was placed in the back of a patrol vehicle.

That's when she slipped out of a handcuff. After a tussle, police put them back on, the report states.

She said she slipped out of the handcuff because her shoulder, which has undergone surgery, hurt. She said police wouldn't help her. ."

She also said she wasn't drunk, and had only two raspberry lemon drop shots.

Petersen was released Tuesday on $900 bail. She said she was bruised in the incident.

Petersen said the early-morning disturbance taught her a lesson:

"I will never call Orlando PD ever, ever again," Petersen said.

Orlando Sentinel

Porno ‘lesbian story’ found on school worker computer

2010-03-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

DELAND -- Two Volusia County school employees were fired recently and two others suspended for inappropriate conduct on the job.

Office specialist Sara Osipower and bus driver Tiffany Williamson lost their jobs, while bus driver Barbara Eady and Galaxy Middle School campus advisor Frank Davila were suspended without pay for 10 days and three days, respectively.

Osipower, 24, worked in the staff development office. She was fired after an investigation showed her work computer contained an excessive number of personal e-mails, inappropriate and personal photos and a "pornographic lesbian story," according to a school district report.

Osipower could not be reached for comment, but she told a school district investigator the photos were accidentally downloaded and she was unaware of the story that had been saved to her computer.

Williamson, 36, lost her job earlier this month for making an unauthorized stop to give medication to her infant son and using a school bus to drive another son home from a day care center.

She apologized and told a school district investigator it wouldn't happen again. Williamson, who previously had been reprimanded seven times on charges ranging from making inappropriate comments to failing to follow district procedures, declined comment on her termination.

Eady, 63, was suspended for using inappropriate discipline procedures with misbehaving students after a Champion Elementary kindergartner complained in November the driver hit her.

Eady didn't hit the child, an investigator reported after reviewing the bus videotape. But the tape showed Eady picking up a child to show her face in the driver's rearview mirror and pulling the girl's hands away from her face, saying she'd had enough of her.

Eady also told another child: "If you were mine and someone told me you were acting up, you would never act up again." Eady, who couldn't be reached for comment, was suspended twice in the last two years for failing to discover children left on her bus after completing her route.

Davila, 50, was suspended for bringing a knife with a 6-inch locking blade onto the Galaxy campus in mid-December.

A retired police officer who has a concealed weapons permit, Davila told an investigator he accidentally left the knife in his pants pocket from the day before when he returned to work after recuperating from an injury for three months. He could not be reached for comment.
News Journal

State rep’s proposal would exclude gay-themed productions from tax credit

2010-03-08T17:46:00.000-08:00

TALLAHASSEE - Movie and TV productions with gay characters could be ineligible for a tax credit being considered in the state House.

Current state law grants tax credits on productions considered "family friendly" — with no smoking, sex, nudity or profane language.

The proposal by Republican Rep. Stephen Precourt of Orlando would increase the credit and expand the field of disqualified productions as those that include any "exhibit or implied act" of nontraditional family values and gratuitous violence.

Precourt says he's not targeting the gay community but that shows with gay characters would not be something he'd want "to invest public dollars in."

Florida Together director Ted Howard says "instituting 1950s-style movie censorship does nothing to support real-life families."

Orlando Sentinel

Four teens robbed, forced into sex by two men in Delray Beach, authorities say

2010-03-01T18:07:00.000-08:00

DELRAY BEACH - A 20-year-old Delray Beach man was arrested Tuesday on accusations that he forced four teens to perform sex acts on one another at gunpoint, firing his weapon when they did not obey.

"The brutal nature of this crime, the disgusting nature of this crime has all of us shaking our heads," Delray Beach police spokesman Jeff Messer said Tuesday.

According to police:

Francisco Henry pushed his way into a card game the youths were having in an abandoned, foreclosed home about 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the 2500 block of Angler Drive before pulling out a gun and telling the teens to empty out their pockets. They didn't listen.

He fired a shot into the wall.

"You think I'm playing?" he asked.

The victims — 17, 16 and two younger than 16 — emptied their pockets of posessions, including a BlackBerry, jewelry and hundreds of dollars. Henry then forced the girl in the group to take off her pants. He performed a sex act on her and ordered one of the boys perform a sex act on her.

He made the boys perform acts on each other.

"I should kill you for being gay," Henry shouted.

The attack lasted for an hour, police said.

Henry was not alone, police said, and his accomplice is on the loose. Police say the two worked together molesting the teens but did not say who did what.

It wasn't until later that a third man, whom police called a good Samaritan, showed up. Police said he knew the two men and got them out of the house. He told the victims to quickly get dressed and escape.

Police now are looking for that third man to help identify the second suspect.

During the assault, Henry or the other suspect fired three to four shots in the wall or cabinets, police said. He threatened the teens.

"If you call police, I know where you stay," Henry told the victims. "I'll kill you and your family!"

The victims waited hours before calling police, though police didn't release details about where they initially went when they escaped the house or who called police to report the attack.

One of the victims knew Henry's street name and was able to point out his house. That helped police set up a photo lineup and the victims identified him.

Henry, who a clean criminal record in the state, was arrested early Tuesday at his home in the 500 block of Coral Way. He is charged with armed robbery, kidnapping, sexual battery, promoting the sexual activity of a victim under 16, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, witness tampering and armed burglary with a firearm.

He remains in the Palm Beach County Jail without bond.

Police ask anyone with information about this case to call 561-243-7800 or Crime Stoppers, 800-458-8477.

Staff Researcher Barbara Hijek and The Palm Beach Post contributed to this report.

Jerome Burdi can be reached at jburdi@SunSentinel.com or 561-243-6531.
South Florida Sun Sentinel

Ex-boyfriend accuses Orange deputy of domestic violence

2010-03-01T18:05:00.000-08:00

A sheriff's deputy disciplined for sex acts with another man while working off-duty is under investigation again after his ex-boyfriend accused him of domestic violence.

Orange County Sheriff's Office investigators confirmed Master Deputy Bryan Villella, 46, is the focus of an internal affairs criminal investigation — his third since 2002 — but declined to explain the details until officials conclude their probe.

Angel Joel Carrion, who lived with Villella for four years, filed a petition for a temporary domestic-violence injunction on Feb. 18.

Orange Circuit Judge Sally D.M. Kest denied the request until Carrion and Villella meet before her at a hearing on March 2.

Carrion said in court documents that Villella forced him to "clean the blood, my own blood, at gunpoint" after a beating in 2008.

Villella's anonymous sexual encounters and online conversations in gay sex chat rooms often sparked much of the violence, according to court records.

"He likes to be in control and wants you to be submissive," Carrion said. "He would hit me on the side of the head because he used to say it doesn't leave a mark."

Villella could not be reached for comment.

Carol Wick, the chief executive officer of Harbor House, Orange County's only shelter for victims of domestic abuse, said cases of domestic violence among same-sex couples is on the rise.

"We are seeing quite a few of these cases involving [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] couples," Wick said. "But there is still some hesitancy to report them because law-enforcement officers usually don't categorize it as domestic violence battery unless the victim tells the officer they are gay."

Harbor House does not track cases by sexual orientation. It Harbor House provided outside services to 576 men in 2009 and four of those identified themselves as transgender, Wick said.

Leesa Bainbridge of the Orange County Clerk of Courts said the clerk's office does track domestic-violence injunctions by same sex relationships.

Although Carrion is working with the Sheriff's Office in the investigation, he wants to forget about Villella. "He has cost me so much humiliation among my family and friends," he said.

Villella, a 25-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office, has faced previous allegations of domestic violence and sex.

The first allegation of domestic abuse came to light in 2001. His ex-wife, Helen Mackenzie, served Villella a temporary domestic violence injunction, alleging physical abuse during their five-year marriage.

During the sheriff's office inquiry of that case, they could not sustain her accusations, but confirmed "it is clear Villella and Ms. Mackenzie have a history of domestic disturbances."

In 2002, Sheriff's Office investigators disciplined Villella for "unbecoming conduct" after his wife called the Orlando Police Department to report her ex-husband had deposited more than $500 of her money into his personal account.

Documents from that investigation show his supervisors took 40 hours from his pay and concluded that Villella's actions "clearly brought discredit upon himself and the Orange County Sheriff's Office."

Sheriff's officials docked 150 hours from Villella's pay and placed him on a one-year disciplinary probation in 2009 for having sex with a male guest in a Royal Plaza Resort conference room while working off-duty security during Gay Days. Internal affairs investigators said he violated the moral character of an officer.

Supervisors transferred him in November to Sector 4, which includes S. Orange Blossom Trail up to the Osceola County line, Edgewood, Sand Lake Road and areas west of Semoran Boulevard. He had worked the Walt Disney World beat for nearly three years until the Gay Days incident.
Orlando Sentinel

Decision on Florida’s gay adoption ban imminent

2010-01-24T18:37:00.000-08:00

Florida’s gays and lesbians can expect a decision by the U.S. court of appeals on the constitutionality of the state’s gay adoption ban soon. Martin Gill, a flight attendant who, with his partner, cares for two foster children, brought the case to court trying to overturn the Florida Legislature’s 1977 ban. Florida is the only state that flatly bans gays and lesbians from adopting children; same-sex couples caring for foster children is permissible.

“For the first time in the 30 years of the ban, a court had heard all the scientific evidence on how kids do when they are raised in gay families, and came to the conclusion that there’s no rational basis to believe that kids do better with straight families than gay people,” Robert Rosenwald, Gill’s American Civil Liberties Union attorney, told the newspaper. “The appeals court should uphold the Lederman decision because it is based on evidence, scientific evidence that is largely undisputed by the state.”

Decisions by the U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit, are posted between 10:30 and 10:45 a.m. on the court’s Web site on Wednesdays, according to the story.

Tires Slashed Outside Club, Victims Call It Hate Crime

2010-01-24T18:17:00.000-08:00

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Vandals caused thousands of dollars in damage by slashing the tires on dozens of cars at an Orlando nightclub Tuesday morning. The suspect remained at large Tuesday afternoon.

The victims believe it was a hate crime, since their cars were targeted outside a club called Revolution on Bumby Avenue and South Street (see map), which is a popular gay and lesbian bar.

Revolution night club's parking lot looked more like an auto repair shop Tuesday morning as more than one dozen drivers were still trying to get their cars back on the road.

“I'm just trying to call insurance and see what they can do,” victim Luis Maldinado said.

About 25 drivers found their tires slashed after the bar closed early Tuesday morning. The holes are tiny and were obviously made with a very small, but sharp object. Drivers Eyewitness News talked to estimate the damage to be about $600 per car, plus a tow truck in some cases, with a total of more than $10,000 in damage.

Victims suspect they were targeted because Revolution caters to gay and lesbian customers, but police are not ready to call it a hate crime.

“You know, until we figure out who did this and what the motivation behind it is, right now it's a criminal mischief,” Barbara Jones of the Orlando Police Department said. “The problem is, you don't know. Could it have been someone inside the establishment that maybe was asked to leave and they were angry?”

Rubin DeJesus says he paid to leave his car in a lot with a parking attendant.

“This is where they chose for us to pay and this is where they wanted us to park to attend this club but they won't take responsibility for anything,” DeJesus said. "To come out and have our tires slashed, I mean, that's a bit ridiculous. And 25 cars? That's ... wow."

The club’s customers say they've been told the nightclub will not be helping to pay for the damages. Club managers were not available to explain Tuesday afternoon, meanwhile police say they have very little to go on.

This incident is not the first time there's been trouble at the Revolution nightclub. Three people were arrested in September after a bar fight led to a road rage incident after it closed. Police say a group of people followed 24-year-old Monica Salama when she left the bar and ran her over along Goldenrod Road.
WFTV

AIDS Walk Orlando 2010

2010-01-18T20:23:00.000-08:00

AIDS Walk Orlando 2010- Saturday, April 24

AIDS Walk Orlando is the second largest annual fundraiser for the Hope and Help Center of Central Florida, Inc. Hope and Help's mission is to save lives by treating and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS in Central Florida.

Now in its 15th year, AIDS Walk Orlando continues to raise awareness and funds for the men, women and children infected/affected by HIV/AIDS in the Central Florida Community.

The community’s generous support of last year’s event helped us surpass our goal and we raised $131,561. We want the 2010 walk to be even bigger and better!

This year’s AIDS Walk Orlando will take place on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando. Registration and the starting line will be at the Walt Disney World Amphitheatre located on Robinson Street.

• On-site registration will begin at 8:00am
• Opening remarks will begin at 8:45am
• The walk will commence at 9:00am
• Closing remarks & awards will be given out at 10:00am

Bring your friends, two-legged or four-legged! Yes, your dog can walk and raise money too! Who has Orlando's Top Dog? We have a tiara and trophy for the furry friend who raises the most money!

AIDS Walk Orlando 2010

'The Way Gay Couples Fight': By Beating the Shit Out of Each Other in a Parked Car

2010-01-18T20:20:00.000-08:00

"This was the way gay couples fight," a Florida man told a police officer who found him in a car, covered in blood, after witnessing the man "wildly punching" in the direction of the driver's seat, where his domestic partner was seated. The officer, who discovered the defendant with a bloody hand and the victim with blood on his face, hands, and clothing, noted in his police report the defendant, who was charged with domestic battery, was "adament [sic] that being hit was an acceptable behavior."

Queerty

The Super Bowl Welcomes $2.8 Million Ad Buy From Hate Group Focus on the Family

2010-01-18T20:04:00.000-08:00

Pepsi and FedEx won't be spending $2.5-2.85 million-ish dollars for a 30-second spot at this year's Super Bowl, which is sort of a big deal, because Pepsi spent $33 million on ads for the big game last year alone. But you know who's found the scratch for a publicity-generating ad? Cash-strapped terror Focus on the Family.

Describing the ad only as "life- and family-affirming," the hate group is refusing to release many other details about what will be in the ad — which is smart, because that will drive up interest (and YouTube replays). But expected to be featured in the ad is Florida Gators star quarterback Tim Tebow (pictured with his girlfriend), the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, and his mom Pam, who opted to carry her fifth child to term — despite illness and doctors' recommendations she abort — while in the Philippines with her husband doing missionary work. Aw, what a lovely "don't abort your fetus" message for all mothers wishing to live on the riches of their professional athlete offspring!

We're sure the 275 Focus on the Family workers who lost their jobs over the past few years will be happy to see the organization has enough cash to spend on an ad (and secure a luxury advertiser suite at the big game in Miami).

Queerty

Lady Gaga demands worship — and gets it

2010-01-04T18:17:00.000-08:00

The lady herself calls it "the church of Gaga" and she's not shy about the commandments:

"Tonight you must free yourself as if it were the last night on Earth!" she implored the sold-out crowd of believers on Sunday at the UCF Arena. Since she was sprawled out on her back at the time, it was obvious that Lady Gaga was more than willing to show the way to freedom.

In a visually stunning and solidly musical performance that stretched more than 90 minutes, Lady Gaga pretty much justified the hype that surrounded a show relocated just weeks ago from its original home at Hard Rock Live. Looking at the monstrous stage, with its trio of massive stage-to-ceiling graphics and jumbo video screens, it was hard to imagine how the Hard Rock could've contained it.

A larger building also is required for Gaga's sense of grandiose production and raw sexual energy. She's part glittering Cher excess, part limit-bending Madonna attitude and part the craziest woman you've ever met.

At one point, she compared herself with Tinker Bell because she would die without the comfort of her fans. The sweetness of the sentiment was shattered in an instant when she shrieked: "Do you want me to die?? I can't live without you!"

In exchange for such devotion, Lady Gaga offered of sea of special effects that makes other pop concerts look like high-school plays.

"It's been seven minutes and I've done three costume changes," she told the audience in the early going, an accurate reflection of a pace that continued all night, with nary a wardrobe malfunction. There was a lot of glitter, leather and skin, as well as odd fashion statements such an encore outfit that looked as if a car-seat headrest had been stuck to the singer's back.

And, yeah, there was enough pumping and grinding to make Britney Spears blush. Sometimes, when things veered toward performance art – such as the video of a woman vomiting greenish-blue liquid on Gaga's white dress – it was hard to see the point aside from sheer weirdness.

But just try to look away.

Musically, the singer's songs were unleashed with such overwhelming volume and low-end that they bludgeoned listeners into submission rather than engaging them with hooky melodies that are more apparent in the studio versions. "Teeth," with its sludgy beat and formulaic choreography, merely mined terrain that Britney has been excavating for years.

At other points, such as the solo piano rendition of "Speechless," it was apparent that Gaga's voice was strong and flexible, just like her body.

And, amid all the sex and splashy effects, that church image rang strangely true. The singer forged an impressive bond with the audience, which she takes great pains to include in the Lady Gaga mythology.

"My fans are the most important thing to me in the whole world," she said, describing the concert as a place "where all the freaks are outside and we locked the doors, a place where you know you'll always be free."

A demanding, but benevolent, deity of the dance floor.

Orlando Sentinel

Malawi's Married Gay Couple Arrested, Face 14 Years in Jail

2010-01-03T17:51:00.000-08:00

Well that didn't take long: Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, the two Malawian men who got married in a ceremonial wedding have been arrested on charges of gross public indecency. Courtesy a law that criminalizes homosexuality, they face up to 14 years in prison. Raise your hand if you think the State Department will make an attempt to get involved.
Queerty

N.Y. Gay Activists Storm Xmas Party

2009-12-28T20:11:00.001-08:00

Gay activists brazenly crashed the Tuesday night Christmas party of New York state senator Hiram Monserrate, a convicted domestic abuser who voted against a marriage equality bill.

“Hiram believes marriage should be between one man, one woman, and a broken bottle,” screamed an unidentified gay activist at the Queens fete, which coincidentally or not took place on the one-year anniversary of the violent incident in which Monserrate dragged his girlfriend through his apartment building's lobby and was accused of slashing her face, which he contended was an accident. Monserrate still represents portions of Queens in the New York state senate.

“It’s the one-year anniversary of Hiram slashing his girlfriend! Hiram’s a wife beater! He can get married and we can’t!” screamed the same unidentified protester before throwing the event into chaos and being tossed out of the party.

The protesters also took aim at Monserrate’s gay chief of staff, Wayne Mahlke. “Are you proud of yourself, Wayne?” yelled the protester. As Mahlke shoved the activist out the door, he responded, “I have taken my position. The senator’s position is not my position.”

The activists were from a group called THE POWER, an ACT UP–style organization that advocates direct political action. THE POWER captured the pandemonium on a YouTube video (see below) that had a message reading, “Merry Christmas Queens. This is only the beginning!”
Advocate

Why Are D.C.'s Gays Just Fine With The 'Vote on Marriage' Bus Ads?

2009-12-28T19:41:00.000-08:00

Several high profile gays from the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance have signed onto a letter urging the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority "to reject the misguided censorship advocated by Full Equality Now DC" to pull anti-gay advertising from their buses. The ads, purchased by the religiously motivated anti-gay group Stand For Marriage DC, reads "LET THE PEOPLE VOTE ON MARRIAGE." And while we're all for free speech, the opposing sides leave us wondering: Would any other group tolerate these advertisements under the guise of free speech?

The same-sex-marriage advocacy group, Full Equality Now D.C., posted an open letter to the WMATA over the weekend decrying the ads as intimidating for gay riders and asking WMATA to pull the ads, but Full Equality Now DC has since pulled the letter from their website saying that it was only a revised draft that they never actually sent.

But these types of situations always require the "Insert Line Here" theory. As in, if the bus ads read, "LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE ON INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE" or "LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE ON JEWISH RIGHTS," would black and Jewish groups say, "Well, we don't like it, but y'know … free speech." And in the meanwhile, the only group that seems to get that is the Washington DC City Council:

[StandForMarriageDC], group's leaders have been continually denied by the DC Board of Elections and Ethics, the DC Attorney General, and the DC City Council on the grounds that such a referendum directly conflicts with the City's human rights ordinances. Councilmembers have repeated questioned why the members of StandForMarriageDC are insisting on a voter referendum on this particular council action when no referendum has occurred on legislative matters in a very long time. Councilman David Catania noted during a November hearing that the last Advisory Referendum that sought to "diminish the rights of a minority" was in 1865 when a near-unanimous vote opted to block the emerging rights of freed African-American males to vote in the District.

No self-respecting black or Latino-American would tolerate advertisements suggesting their rights should be up for a vote. So why should gays?

The question raises the ugly Prop 8 meme of whether or not gay is really the new black. A lot of gays already see same-sex and interracial marriage as landmarks in the same march towards full civil equality, but the trick is whether we can get consortiums of non-gays — in the black and Latino communities, and religious groups — to accept the analogy, or at least respect its foundation.

And even then, the entire premise of the D.C. bus advertisements still present a contradictory message, effectively arguing, "D.C.'s politicians denied us our civil right to deny civil rights to others." This is grade school banter.

In Austin Cline's essay on entitled, "Gay Marriage & Freedom: Protecting Marriage is No Reason for Discrimination", Cline says:

"Even if one concedes the truth [that gay marriage poses] at least some threat on the margins of marriage, that isn’t enough to justify opposing gay marriage because bans on gay marriage devalue same-sex couples and hold gay citizens in a second-class status. You can't protect a social institution through bigotry, injustice, and discrimination.

The same is true when it comes to arguing that legalizing gay marriage might lead to legalizing polygamy or incestuous marriages. Discrimination against gays is no more a justified means for protecting marriage than discrimination against blacks, atheists, or women would be."

Thus, it's entirely possible to be against hate (or hateful) speech, like the ads on the D.C. buses, and for the First Amendment at the same time. Instead of Full Equality Now pulling their open letter from the web or asking the transit authority to pull Stand For Marriage D.C.'s ads, we'd like both the LGAA and Full Equality Now to join in the First Amendment fun by taking out their own ads — and tying Stand For Marriage D.C.'s position to the same arguments made against interracial marriage. Maybe it'll stir up D.C.'s minority populations to join LGBTs on the same side of bigotry: against it.

Queerty

Can We Forgive the Salvation Army's Gay Hate If It Does So Much Good?

2009-12-21T05:48:00.000-08:00

Despite a public policy denouncing gay marriage, The Salvation Army insists it doesn't hate the gays. It doesn't even blame them for being gay! So is this organization — responsible for serving a reported 33 million Americans — getting a bum rap when it's doing so much good?

Nope.

But the San Francisco Chronicle's Phil Bronstein makes a decent, albeit brief case to say otherwise. Pointing out Sal's contributions to bettering America — raising some $2 billion a year, and spending a whopping 89 percent of that on actual services — there's a case to be made for putting the Army up there with laudable non-profits, given all its HIV and disaster relief work.

Defending the Salvation Army — as much of a Christmas tradition as lighting the tree — is sort of like defending the Catholic Church: They do a helluva lot of good things for society's invisibles, sure, but they do so at the expense of actively endorsing discrimination. That's why we've got little sympathy for the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington D.C., which says passage of marriage equality in the city (which is happening today!) will force it to abandon its social services programs, which help feed thousands of D.C.'s homeless and destitute. (As America struggles to survive a recession, it's not just individuals hurting for cash these days: the Salvation Army is also seeing dwindling donations — though there are still some surprises.)

But if not the Catholic Church or the Salvation Army, who will pick up the slack? Great question. And while there are dozens and dozens of organizations deserving of similar grand funding, the situation remains: Sal's still helps feed and cloth millions of Americans in desperate need of help.

For which they should be commended. But to excuse Sal's faith-based homophobia, or to make the argument that they are somehow morally permitted to do wrong because they do so much right, is both a failed logic exercise and a failed moral one.

Queerty

The North Carolina Commissioner Caught Saying 'Homo' On Tape (And Doesn't Care)

2009-12-21T05:45:00.000-08:00

Bill James, a North Carolina city commissioner, was not among those who voted on Tuesday to grant domestic partnership benefits to Mecklenburg County workers. He was, however, the guy who leaned over in his chair during the hearing to whisper to Commissioner Vilma Leake, who just gave a touching speech about her son who died of AIDS, to ask her, "Your son was a homo, really?." To which she appropriately responded: "I'm going to hit you, don't talk about my son that way." And it was all. caught. on. tape!

Asked for comment by a local news station, James responded in part: "In justifying her position last night in public she used her son's ‘lifestyle' and his death from HIV-AIDS to justify voting for benefits to allow individuals to use tax dollars to engage in the same behavior that resulted in her son's death. It is akin to someone whose son is an alcoholic and died from the disease, using his death from drinking as justification to have the taxpayers pay for more booze. Her position was that her ‘faith' demanded that she do this to support her son and his ‘lifestyle' which she acknowledges killed him. In doing so, it is legitimate to ask her what ‘lifestyle' and in particular whether her son was a homosexual. Her response was to threaten me with physical violence (typical for her). Of course, this isn't the first time she has threatened elected officials. On the School Board she had a long and checkered history threatening to harm those she disagrees with."
Queerty

A Lesbian Public School Teacher Told Her 1st Graders She Was Getting Married

2009-12-21T05:27:00.000-08:00

We all know that homosexual marriage advocates want to institute their radical agenda to brainwash America's school children. But so far, that's just been a theory. Now, evidence!

Margaret C. Hemenway, writing for PFOX, says she's the parent of a first-grader at Horace Mann Elementary, the public school in D.C., whose teacher dared tell the class that she was marrying another woman. And if they had questions, they were free to ask!

SEE?! GAY SEX IN THE CLASSROOM!

Most parents would not consider a Q&A session with first-graders about homosexual marriage as an "age-appropriate" discussion. After our daughter’s revelation, we lodged a complaint with Chancellor Rhee's office, requesting an investigation, and asking what department in the DC Government we can appeal to for restoration of our child's sense of innocence? We are still awaiting feedback from the school on whether there is a Teacher’s “Code of Conduct” and what D.C. policy is on “age appropriate” sexuality education. The only piece of information a D.C. official provided to us was an admission that the principal approved this lesson plan and failed to warn parents in advance. Obviously, the teacher knew this was controversial and sought “top cover” from her supervisor.

[...] When we raised a red flag over another sexuality discussion, "Good Touch, Bad Touch" taught in my son's class at Mann two years ago, this principal pledged that parents would be given notice “way in advance.” This is a principal who does not keep her word, has a callous disregard for parental rights and religion, and has lost our trust and confidence.

Moreover, it's all part of the homosexual conspiracy to queer America!

Our daughter also mentioned a book the teacher read aloud, "Uncle Bobby's Wedding,” about two male “gay” guinea pigs, promoted by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender Lobby for children. Since homosexual activists cannot reproduce their own children, recruitment to their cause (especially at a young age, before parents have raised such sensitive and controversial topics with their children) is essential to the political agenda of promoting homosexuality and “gay” marriage.

There lesbian teachers and their ilk must be stopped at all costs. But letting kids discuss "mommy and daddy" in the classroom? And asking them if they have "brothers and sisters"? Well, those are conversations about family, not sex.

(NB: The only "Margaret C. Hemenway" in D.C. that we turned up? She happens to be a former Congressional staffer for New Hampshire's Sen. Robert Smith before becoming a defense policy analyst. We can't confirm these are the same people.)

Queerty

McDonald’s fires anti-trans manager

2009-12-14T05:50:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week, Zikerria Bellamy filed a complaint against McDonald’s for refusing to hire her because she is transgender.

One of the managers left a detailed voice mail message on Bellamy’s phone in July, saying “It doesn’t matter how many times you go down there, you will not get hired. We do not hire faggots. You lied to me.”

That manager has been fired.

A spokeswoman for McDonald’s told the Orlando Sentinel that the person who left the voice message for Bellamy with antigay slurs was let go. She said that the employee “acted outside the scope of his authority and was not responsible,” adding “[McDonald’s] has a zero tolerance policy prohibiting discrimination or harassment in the restaurant.”

Bellamy, 17, who has been living as a woman for six years, said that on two separate occasions in July, she tried to get an interview at the Orlando McDonald’s. Two separate managers refused to hire her.

The Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF) then filed the complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations on Bellamy’s behalf.

Although one of the managers has been fired as a result of the derogatory statements made in the recording, McDonald’s did not indicate what happened to the second manager.

365 Gay

Lesbian teen guilty of school murder

2009-12-14T05:43:00.000-08:00

A 16-year-old girl from Florida was found guilty of the second-degree murder of a classmate, after the classmate had rejected her advances.

Teah Wimberly made romantic advances toward Amanda Collette at the Miami High School.

Wimberly sent text messages to Collette, 15, declaring her feelings, but Collete rejected Wimberly. Wimberly then shot and killed Collete.

United Press International reported:

“After the on-campus November 2008 shooting, Wimberly called 911 and was arrested at a nearby restaurant.” She confessed to police that she shot her friend ‘so she would feel pain too.’”

Wimberly’s attorney has prepared a case to try and keep his client from receiving life in prison, and instead sent to a mental health facility.

Wimberly has allegedly suffered from physical abuse by her parents and was distressed because they reject her for being a lesbian.

365 Gay

Out of Work? This Homophobic Charity Is Hiring!

2009-12-13T14:28:00.001-08:00

This Christmas, you could be a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, standing outside department stores and big box retailers earning in the range of $7.25 an hour. Or, as the State of Florida calls it, minimum wage. The NYT reports Sal's is seeing a surge in bell ringer job apps, courtesy this blustery economy. Just be sure you are not a homosexual. Actually, that's not right: The Salvation Army makes decisions "without regard to sexual orientation." So, more accurately, just be sure you don't have a problem working for an organization that doesn't want you to get married.

Lesbian priest elected assistant Episcopal bishop in LA; 2nd gay bishop for divided Anglicans

2009-12-07T06:09:00.000-08:00

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has elected a lesbian as assistant bishop, the second openly gay bishop in the global Anglican fellowship, which is already deeply fractured over the first.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, spiritual leader of the world's 77 million Anglicans, said Sunday that the choice raised "very serious questions" for the divided church and urged restraint.

The Rev. Mary Glasspool of Baltimore needs approval from a majority of dioceses across the church before she can be consecrated as assistant bishop in the Los Angeles diocese.

Still, her victory Saturday underscored a continued Episcopal commitment to accepting same-sex relationships despite enormous pressure from other Anglicans to change their stand.

"Any group of people who have been oppressed because of any one, isolated aspect of their persons yearns for justice and equal rights," Glasspool said in a statement, thanking the diocese for choosing her.

The head of the Episcopal Church, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, is scheduled to consecrate Glasspool on May 15 in Los Angeles, if the church accepts the vote.

The Episcopal Church, which is the Anglican body in the United States, caused an uproar in 2003 by consecrating the first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.

Breakaway Episcopal conservatives have formed a rival church, the Anglican Church in North America. Several overseas Anglicans have been pressuring Williams to officially recognize the new conservative entity.

In 2004, Anglican leaders asked the Episcopal Church for a moratorium on electing another gay bishop while they tried to prevent a permanent break in the fellowship.

Since the request was made, some Episcopal gay priests have been nominated for bishop, but none was elected before Glasspool. Last July, the Episcopal General Convention, the U.S. church's top policy making body, affirmed that gay and lesbian priests were eligible to become bishops.

Williams on Sunday reminded Anglicans that church leaders believed "a period of gracious restraint in respect of actions which are contrary to the mind of the Communion is necessary if our bonds of mutual affection are to hold."

He said Glasspool's election "raises very serious questions not just for the Episcopal Church and its place in the Anglican Communion, but for the Communion as a whole." But he noted the election has yet to be confirmed and could still be rejected by U.S. dioceses.

The Anglican Communion is a family of churches that trace their roots to the missionary work of the Church of England. Most overseas Anglicans are Bible conservatives.

The Rev. Kendall Harmon of the traditional Diocese of South Carolina, which recently voted to distance itself from the national church, said Saturday's vote would further damage relations among Episcopalians, their fellow Anglicans and other Christians.

"This decision represents an intransigent embrace of a pattern of life Christians throughout history and the world have rejected as against biblical teaching," said Harmon, an adviser to the diocesan bishop.

Jim Naughton of The Chicago Consultation, a group of Episcopal and Anglican clergy and lay people who advocate on behalf of gays and lesbians, called Glasspool's election "a liberation."

"We've been around this issue for 30 years," said Naughton, an adviser to the bishop of Washington. "It's unreasonable to expect us to refrain from acting on the very prayerful conclusions that we've reached, especially when we think there are issues of justice involved."

Robinson said he told Glasspool before the election that he was grateful she was willing to put herself in the stressful position of running for bishop.

"One of the reasons she is so the right person for this is that she knows who she is and she knows she belongs to God and she knows everything else falls in place when you keep that central," Robinson said in a phone interview. "She's no stranger to people who think she shouldn't be a priest because she's a woman, or think she shouldn't be a priest because she's a lesbian."

Glasspool, 55, an adviser, or canon, for eight years to the Diocese of Maryland's bishop, said in an essay on the Los Angeles diocese Web site that she had an "intense struggle" while in college with her sexuality and the call to become a priest.
"Did God hate me (since I was a homosexual), or did God love me?" she wrote. "Did I hate (or love) myself?"

She said she met her partner, Becki Sander, while working in Massachusetts, and the two have been together since 1988. When a colleague recently asked for permission to submit Glasspool's name as a candidate in Los Angeles, she agreed because she believed it was time "for our wonderful church to move on and be the inclusive church we say we are."

Glasspool was elected on a seventh ballot that included two other candidates. She won 153 clergy votes and 203 lay votes, giving her just enough to emerge as the winner.

The election began Friday with six candidates vying for two vacancies for assistant bishops.

The winner for the first vacancy was the Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce, rector of St. Clement's-By-The-Sea Episcopal Church in San Clemente. As the balloting progressed for the second vacancy, two other candidates eventually withdrew.

A graduate of Dickinson College and Episcopal Divinity School, Glasspool was ordained in 1981, and has led parishes in Annapolis, Md., Boston and Philadelphia.

Los Angeles Bishop Jon Bruno, who leads the diocese, urged Episcopal dioceses to approve Glasspool's election and not base their decision on fear of how other Anglicans will react.

The Los Angeles diocese has 70,000 members and covers six Southern California counties. Jardine and Glasspool, whose titles will be suffragan bishops, are the first women bishops in the Los Angeles diocese.
Orlando Sentinel

Adam Lambert's Dad Thought He Should Apologize

2009-12-02T18:57:00.000-08:00

Orlando may include transgenders in anti-bias law

2009-11-30T05:34:00.000-08:00

Orlando may extend anti-discrimination protection to transgenders, adding a class of people that until now has been left out as too politically controversial.

If ultimately adopted by the City Council, the measure would likely prohibit discrimination against transsexuals and cross-dressers in the workplace, housing and in public accommodations such as restaurants, bars and hotels.

Commissioner Patty Sheehan, who is gay, met with Mayor Buddy Dyer earlier this week to discuss adding gender identity to a list of protected classes that already includes homosexuals under the category of "sexual orientation." Dyer said he will direct city lawyers to study similar ordinances in other jurisdictions.

"I want to see what definitions other cities have used," Dyer said. "I support eradicating all forms of discrimination, and I think my record has been 100 percent on that."

The discussion comes just a week after the Tampa City Council voted to add protection for transgenders to its law. Including Tampa, there are now at least 15 cities and counties in Florida to do so, including Broward, Monroe and Palm Beach counties; and Miami Beach, Gainesville, Lake Worth, West Palm Beach, Gulfport, Key West, Largo, Tequesta, Wilton Manors, Dunedin and Oakland Park, according to Equality Florida.

In 2002, Orlando added sexual orientation to a list of classes specifically protected from discrimination. Included are race, national origin, religion, gender, disability, age and marital status.

It remains the most controversial issue to ever come before the council. Thousands of letters, cards and e-mail from across the country deluged City Hall before the vote. The final public hearing lasted five hours, with some opponents saying gays spread disease and are prone to pedophilia.

Sheehan, who joined local gay activists in pushing for the prohibition against anti-gay bias, predicted another battle to add men who live as women and women who live as men.

"Once they find out, we'll have people imported to speak against it," she said.

The amendment adopted in December 2002 initially included protection for transgenders. But that was dropped at the eleventh hour, Sheehan said, because she thought the measure would fail otherwise. In the end, it passed 4-3 without transgenders.

Only three commissioners from the original vote remain in office — Sheehan, Phil Diamond and Daisy Lynum — and they voted for it. Dyer was elected a few months later. On Wednesday, he said he didn't realize that transgenders had been left out until Sheehan told him.

Dyer could not predict when an amendment might be presented to commissioners, saying he has "to weigh support among council members."

"This specific issue was apparently a swing issue when the previous protections were passed," he said.
Orlando Sentinel

Adam Lambert Performing on the Early Show

2009-11-26T06:24:00.000-08:00

Some Catty Loser Queen Stole Miss Gay Brazil's Crown

2009-11-21T20:16:00.000-08:00

Community center for gays painted with slurs

2009-11-17T19:21:00.000-08:00

Supporters rallied behind an Orlando community center for gays Tuesday after it was spray-painted with slurs.

A swastika and anti-gay graffiti was spotted about 9 a.m. Monday on the walls and doors of The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Community Center of Central Florida in the 900 block of North Mills Avenue, said Micheal Vance, the group's executive director said.

Ritzy Rags, a nearby gay-owned business, was also vandalized.

The American Civil Liberties Union, the Anti-Defamation League and other groups and local leaders have publically condemned the vandalism. Donors have given money to purchase security cameras, and volunteers offered to paint over the slurs, Vance said.

Damage is estimated at about $1,000.
Orlando Sentinel

Ellen and Portia Share Their Lesbian Love Story on Oprah

2009-11-11T18:36:00.000-08:00

Volusia considers domestic-partner registry

2009-11-09T06:05:00.000-08:00

County could be 1st in the area to extend rights to unmarried couples

A proposal in Volusia County to create what could be Central Florida's first domestic-partnership registry survived its first debate Thursday, with some leaders wary about the program's costs and purpose.

Volusia County Council members didn't stop the proposal outright but thoroughly debated the logistics of running such a program. The registry would set up a means for unmarried couples to have guaranteed visitation rights at local hospitals and the jail.

They requested more information before they decide whether to adopt the proposal.

Councilman Josh Wagner proposed the registry after hearing about situations in which someone was denied a visit with their significant other at a local hospital. The registry would be open to same-sex or heterosexual couples and would be modeled after similar registries in south Florida.

Eight cities and counties, including Broward and Miami-Dade, already have the registries, in which people can certify and document their relationship, making visitation easier. Past case law has determined that a domestic partnership is a contractual relationship but is not marriage.

"The problem is there are different procedures for different hospitals, and this unifies the policies themselves, which will make them consistent," Wagner said. "The situations that this could address, like being with someone on their deathbed, are times that you can't get back."

At Thursday's meeting, several speakers backed the idea. Larry Glinzman of Ormond Beach described several problems during an attempt to visit his partner of 27 years when he was hospitalized for weeks.

Gay-rights advocates back the registries, especially in communities with constitutional prohibitions on same-sex marriage or civil unions. A bill to set up a statewide registry in Florida died in the Legislature earlier this year.

"Domestic-partnership registries can provide as many rights as a city or county can provide," said Sarah Warbelow, state legislative director with the D.C.-based Human Rights Campaign. "Most Americans are not OK with the situation of someone not being able to visit a partner who is dying in the hospital."

Wagner found research showing that where such registries exist in Florida, more than half of the couples signed up are heterosexual but aren't married for financial or other reasons.

He also argued that having such a registry could lure new businesses to Volusia County. He cited statistics that 83 of the Fortune 100 companies offer benefits for domestic partners and that having such a registry could be an incentive for those companies.

Council Vice Chairman Joie Alexander worried that the registry would be a burden to staff.

Wagner said the program would charge registrants fees so that it could pay for itself.
Orlando Sentinel

Ellen Pranks Taylor Swift

2009-11-08T21:32:00.000-08:00

Jonathan Escobar Won't Be Wearing Wigs Again in Atlanta. But He Will on Tyra!

2009-10-25T15:14:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Escobar, who withdrew from an Atlanta high school after being told by administrators he needed to come to school not wearing women's clothing, is returning to Miami to graduate and plans to enter beauty school. Sure, the Georgia Safe Schools Coalition was willing to go to bat for him, but then Jonathan began uploading videos to YouTube, and the Internet commenters began calling him a fakeseeking whore! Snap!

So while Jonathan is heading back to live with his parents in Miami, the Georgia Safe Schools Coalition will still meet with school administrators. But even they were anxious after the YouTube clips. SoVo:

Escobar faced negative reactions from commentators at the Marietta Daily Journal, Neal Boortz and other sources who called Escobar’s actions fame seeking. Escobar also posted a YouTube video where he made sexual comments about another student. The YouTube video has since been deleted.

“I think if we would have gone in there and made it all about Jonathan and then there was this YouTube video of him, then that would have made things more difficult,” [Georgia Safe Schools Coalition's Maru Gonzalez] said today.

Escobar posted several videos on YouTube, including one posted on Oct. 18, where Escobar says he “doesn’t have a contract with Disney” and therefore doesn’t have always be polite. At one point Escobar appears to receive a text message and tells the camera, “That was your boyfriend, he said he wants to suck my asshole,” and, “Hopefully you aren’t so stupid as most of you appear to be.”

Escobar said on the YouTube video most of his behavior was sarcastic, and that it shouldn’t be taken seriously because he is a sweet person. He also posted videos about his trip to New York to appear on “The Tyra Banks Show.” That segment has not yet been promoted on the show’s website.

Now let's be sure: Nobody goes on Tyra to get famous. They go so Tyra will give 'em a hug and make them feel good about themselves!

Queerty

Guess who's headlining the Christian Family Coalition's Miami gala next month? It's Crist, oooh, it's Crist Florida's openly heterosexual Gov. Charli

2009-10-25T14:10:00.000-07:00

Guess who's headlining the Christian Family Coalition's Miami gala next month? It's Crist, oooh, it's Crist

Florida's openly heterosexual Gov. Charlie Crist will be the big draw for the CFC's big ticket fundraiser ($60-$1200 to attend) as he works to shore up conservative support for his U.S. Senate run. Of course, CFC is the same group that supported a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and lobbied against Miami-Dade's domestic partnership registry.

But Crist needs all the help he can get, even if it means moving away from his self-professed "moderate" stance on social issues: Opponent Marco Rubio has cut Crist's lead in half for the Republican nomination.

Queerty

DOSSIER: Richard Hatch Freed From Jail … Immigration Reform for the Gays?

2009-10-17T14:20:00.001-07:00

ON OUR GAYDAR — News, notes, clicks, and quips from around the web.

• Richard Hatch released from jail after serving a 51-month tax evasion sentence. Now he's got three years of supervised release and can't leave Rhode Island without an official OK.

• NYC mayoral candidate Bill Thompson would like to explain his "yes" answer to whether Obama is doing enough for gay rights.

• Meanwhile, Michael Bloomberg recants on just how much influence he has over New York's Republican State Senators. He is, however, bringing additional attention to the brutal gay bashing of Jack Price.

• Kerry Fletcher, a gay former soldier, scored a £186,895.52 settlement from Britain's Ministry of Defense over accusations she endured sexual harassment after rebuffing advances from male comrades and superiors. So how come that amount was just reduced?

• Gay A Boy's Own Story scribe Ed White, whose new NYC-y memoir City Boy just dropped: "I believe in promiscuity. But you know people are a lot more complicated than they appear to be. I mean, right now I'm in a relationship where I am faithful because my partner wants me to be, and I respect him enough — and it lowers the level of anxiety in our relationship. He's also extraordinarily hot. In the past, when gays were very flamboyant as drag queens or as leather queens or whatever, that just amused people. And most of the people that come and watch the gay Halloween parade, where all those excesses are on display, those are straight families, and they think it's funny. But what people don't think is so funny is when two middle-aged lawyers who are married to each other move in next door to you and your wife and they have adopted a Korean girl and they want to send her to school with your children and they want to socialize with you and share a drink over the backyard fence. That creeps people out, especially Christians. So, I don't think gay marriage is a conservative issue. I think it's a radical issue."

• Will Illinois' Democratic U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez include the gays in his immigration reform bill?

• British man Ian Baynham dead because he stood up to a girl screaming homophobic slurs?

• John Mayer did go to a gay bar. He did not kiss a dude.
Queerty

Why Doesn't Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Want Glee?

2009-10-14T11:22:00.001-07:00

We thought the cast of Fox's buzzworthy Glee would be in high demand. The (A-)gays were all over them in Washington D.C. over the weekend. So how come Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade doesn't want them?

Originally set to perform during the NBC telecast, Glee was just bumped from the parade when the network reportedly asked parade organizers to rescind the offer.

How come? Quite simply, Glee is on the competing network Fox, and NBC doesn't want to promote a competing show. Nevermind, Glee creator Ryan Murphy is taking it in stride: "I completely understand NBC’s position, and look forward to seeing a Jay Leno float." Professional!

Queerty

Estimated 50,000 show up for Orlando gay-pride parade

2009-10-11T22:02:00.000-07:00

At Sunday's Come Out With Pride event in Orlando, Stuart Milk echoed the remarks of President Barack Obama that a new era was under way for the gay community.

The day before, in an address to the nation's largest gay-advocacy group in Washington, D.C., Obama spoke of the day when "we as a nation finally recognize relationships between two men or two women are just as real and admirable as relationships between a man and a woman."

He promised to revoke the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the armed forces, sign the Matthew Shepard anti-hate-crimes bill and work for repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex unions.

"That's a leader who understands us," said Milk, the nephew of slain gay-rights activist Harvey Milk. "This is a president who is committed to change."

An estimated 50,000 or more spectators lined the parade route around Lake Eola Park for the event, which coincided with National Coming Out Day.

Not all the viewers were enjoying the spectacle.

Lorrie Row, a middle-aged woman from Leesburg, stood on the corner of Washington Street and Rosalind Avenue in Orlando watching the parade of gay pride pass by. She had a blank look on her face and a sign that read "Repent or be cast into the lake of fire."

It was her first Come Out With Pride event and she was not amused by the free-to-be-me celebration of equal rights and outlandish attire — all those feathered boas, bikini briefs and rainbow Mohawks.

"I'm thinking about Jesus looking down on them and weeping for them," she said. "I'm here to share the message if they don't repent, they will burn in hell. The Bible says homosexuals won't enter the kingdom."

Behind her, a man held up a banner enumerating all the others who face damnation. Homosexuals were tenth on a list that included fornicators, drunkards, rock-n-rollers, pot smokers, liars, Darwinists, Wiccans and immodest women.

She was one of perhaps a half-dozen silent protesters. They stood largely ignored, but a reminder nonetheless of the legions of people who condemn, hate, abuse or discriminate against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people.

In the amphitheater across the street, the event's organizers and politicians proclaimed all in attendance heroes for living their lives in accordance to their beliefs. Coming out, being seen and — in some cases — flaunting it is an act of courage, a show of strength.

"Being out and being proud is being a superhero as far as I'm concerned," said Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan. "The people of the rainbow deserve their place in the sun."

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer praised his city as one that encourages diversity and practices inclusion.

"Being open about your life choices allows you to live your life the way you want to," Dyer said.

"Sometimes that's not the easy way, but it's the right way."

On an afternoon when the gay community in Orlando was the size of a small city, it was possible to believe that someday, in any American city, gay couples might walk down the street without fear of taunts and violence.

Trish Duncan, facing the stage, her back to where the protesters once stood, hoped so. On this one day, at least, she could feel what it means to be equal and unabashed.

"You can come out like this and be yourself," she said. "We're all here, we're comfortable and we have pride."
Orlando Sentinel

Florida Gay Bashing Victim Craig Cohen Dies 6 Months After Attack

2009-10-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

Craig Cohen, the gay Florida man attacked by four men in April after leaving a diner in Oakland Park outside Ft. Lauderdale, died Wednesday. He was 47. Cohen never regained consciousness after his assailants stamped his head, left him bleeding, and in a coma. Just five minutes after Cohen's attack, another gay man reported being robbed by a group of men, leading police to initially qualify each as a hate crime. Two suspects, Victor Gonzalez, 21, and Pargu Leandro, 25, were arrested. "Investigators determined Cohen and Villanova were targeted not because they were gay, but because they were alone and vulnerable."

He'll be remembered: "Next Thursday, October 15th, friends of Cohen along with members of the Craig Cohen Animal Advocacy Project (CCAAP) and Gay American Heroes will hold a candle light vigil and walk in Wilton Manors beginning at 6:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to participate is asked to meet in the parking lot of Georgie's Alibi 2266 Wilton Drive.

Queerty

Orlando Pride

2009-10-09T12:17:00.000-07:00

Pride festivities have begun! The parade is on Sunday at 3:00 pm. The route goes around Lake Eola. Come out and show your pride!

Nat'l Equality March Attendees Will Get to Wave at Barack Obama's House

2009-10-01T15:19:00.000-07:00

The National Equality March is, in fact, happening on Oct. 11. Yes, despite the naysayers! And organizers just secured their march permits and the route they'll be taking that Sunday. The good news: It goes past the White House, which means marchers will have an opportunity to fling rainbow flags on the lawn (we suggest not doing this, because the Secret Service carry guns). The bad news is the march is only 2.33 miles, which means you're going to have to hit the treadmill beforehand to squeeze in a workout.
Queerty

Orlando Pride Parade

2009-09-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

Orlando Pride parade route and vendor fair participants NOW online.

Stuart Milk as Parade Grand Marshall this year.
He has been a human rights advocate, a youth advocate, and a leader in workforce development for nearly two decades and spends as much as 40 weeks a year traveling to one of the 50 states or several foreign countries addressing critical workforce needs as he consistently strives to bring both equality, recognition, increased funding and dedicated assistance services to a broad range of disenfranchised communities. Most recently Stuart had success in achieving many of these goals for LGBTQ youth organizations in the United States.

Reduced charge explained in gay man's death

2009-09-24T12:41:00.000-07:00

Prosecutors say victim ‘impaired’ by alcohol, witness unreliable

A friend of gay beating death victim Tony Randolph Hunter presented inconsistent and contradictory information to police and prosecutors about events leading to Hunter's death in September 2008, according to a sentencing memorandum.

The 14-page memorandum, filed in D.C. Superior Court on Monday, also says a medical test shows that Hunter was intoxicated at the time of the attack and that Hunter's "inability to break his backward fall" might have been a contributing factor in his death.

The sentencing memorandum marks the first time prosecutors have disclosed information — long sought by gay activists — on why they initially charged defendant Robert Hannah, 19, with manslaughter rather than murder in connection with Hunter's death, and why they presented evidence to a grand jury that led to Hannah's indictment on and guilty plea to one misdemeanor assault charge.

Hunter, who lived in Maryland, died days after police said Hannah, then 18, punched him several times during a Sept. 7, 2008, "altercation" at Eighth and N streets, N.W.

Police said the force of one of Hannah's punches knocked Hunter against a fence before he fell backwards to the ground and hit his bead on the pavement, causing a severe brain injury that led to his death.

At the time of his arrest in October 2008, Hannah told police he punched Hunter after Hunter grabbed his crotch and buttocks in a sexually suggestive way. A friend of Hunter who was with him at the time disputes this account, saying Hunter never touched Hannah and the assault was unprovoked.

But the sentencing memorandum, written by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Flynn, the lead prosecutor in the case, says Hunter's friend emerged as a witness who would have posed problems for the prosecution "at a trial for the defendant on any homicide-related charge."

The memorandum says the friend "gave multiple accounts, sworn and unsworn, to various sources … and these accounts are either inconsistent with each other, internally inconsistent, or contradicted by other credible evidence."

"These inconsistencies and contradictions related to virtually every material fact in the case," says the memorandum.

While pointing to problems it says prevented murder or manslaughter charges against Hannah, the memorandum calls on Judge Rafael Diaz to sentence Hannah to 180 days of incarceration, the maximum penalty for a conviction of misdemeanor simple assault. Hannah's sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 14.

Hannah pleaded guilty to the simple assault charge at a Sept. 17 court hearing after prosecutors agreed to drop an unrelated shoplifting charge against him as part of a plea bargain deal.

Police initially charged him with manslaughter, which has a maximum sentence of 30 years behind bars. But in a development that outraged gay activists, a grand jury in July discarded the manslaughter charge and indicted Hannah for simple assault.

Activists and a local gay attorney said that prosecutors did not appear to pursue the manslaughter charge aggressively enough, noting that grand juries traditionally hand down indictments based on evidence presented by prosecutors.

But the sentencing memorandum explains why prosecutors determined they could not produce sufficient evidence to dispute Hannah's alibi in the case, which LGBT activists said amounts to a "gay panic" defense.

Under questioning at the time of his arrest in October 2008, Hannah claimed he punched Hunter three times in the face and neck after Hunter "grabbed his buttocks and touched his testicles," according to a police affidavit.

Hunter's friend, who is listed in the affidavit as "Witness 1," told the Blade and gay activists that Hunter never touched Hannah. In an interview with the Blade, the friend said Hannah and two or three other men crossed paths with him and Hunter on the street. According to the friend, Hannah and the other men began punching him and Hunter for no apparent reason.

The affidavit says another witness who knew Hannah claimed to have seen Hunter touch Hannah on the buttocks after hearing Hunter say to Hannah, "Oh, I know you."

A third witness, according to the affidavit, told police that he didn't see the assault or any sexually suggestive touching, but saw Hannah and the other men with Hannah standing over an unconscious Hunter immediately after the assault.

Hannah and the second witness, who backed up Hannah's version of the incident, each told police that Hunter and Hunter's friend appeared intoxicated because they were walking "crooked."

The sentencing memorandum says Hunter's friend gave contradictory statements on whether Hunter touched Hannah's groin and buttocks. According to the memorandum, the friend "told the lead detective in a formal interview that the touching 'might have happened.'"

Among other things, the sentencing memorandum also says the friend gave inconsistent or contradictory statements on how much alcohol he and Hunter consumed before the incident.

The friend told activists that he and Hunter had been drinking together at the Dupont Circle gay bar Fireplace before they headed for the bar formerly known as BeBar, a gay bar located on Ninth Street, N.W., around the corner from where the assault took place.

The sentencing memorandum says Hunter's friend also gave conflicting or contradictory accounts of whether Hunter had money in his wallet at the time of the incident and whether money was missing after the assault; whether the friend "actually saw the victim get assaulted;" whether the friend could see the "individual or individuals who allegedly assaulted" him; the appearance of the assaulters; and whether the friend "remained on the scene after the incident or fled from the area."

The memorandum also notes that Hunter's blood alcohol level indicated his drinking could have made him more prone to fall onto the pavement and hit his head, causing the injury that led to his death.

"As revealed in the records of the victims' medical treatment at Howard University Hospital on the night of the incident, which records were provided to the defense in discovery, at the time of the victim's admission his blood-alcohol level was almost twice the legal limit for driving," says the memorandum.

"The medical examiner who autopsied the victim determined that his death was caused solely by the ramifications of blunt force trauma to the back of his head, incurred in the course of falling backward, and was not attributable to any impact to the face.

"At a trial for a homicide-related offense, the medical examiner would also opine that a factor possibly contributing to the victim's death would have been his inability to break his backward fall, due to alcohol impairment.

"Over the 10 months that elapsed between the date of the incident and the date of the indictment in this case, law enforcement undertook strenuous efforts to expand the list of eyewitnesses beyond the three who were described in the affidavit," says the memo. "All such efforts proved unsuccessful."

In calling for the maximum sentence for Hannah on the assault charge, the memorandum says regardless of whether Hunter improperly touched Hannah prior to the assault, Hannah's actions were "unjustified" under the law.

"Either way, his actions had tragic consequences," it says. "Regardless of whether he should be held to bear legal responsibility for the death of victim Tony Hunter, he certainly bears moral responsibility for it. By striking Mr. Hunter, he set in motion the events that ended in this young man's death."

The memorandum also says that in addition to Hannah's arrest on a shoplifting charge while he awaited trial in the Hunter case, he committed "numerous violations" of all three conditions of his release: drug testing, electronic monitoring, and reporting regularly to the court's pre-trial services agency.

Chris Farris, co-chair of Gays & Lesbians Opposing Violence, disputed prosecutors' claims that Hunter's friend lacked credibility and Hunter's alcohol level would pose a problem if the case were to have been brought to trial on murder or manslaughter charges.

Farris, who said he spoke to Hunter's friend, said the government appeared to reach a conclusion that Hunter improperly touched Hannah before prosecutors interviewed Hunter's friend to obtain his version of what happened.

Farris said he's also highly skeptical of the prosecutor's claim that Hunter's friend told a detective that Hunter "might have" touched Hannah in an improper way.

"I have a hundred questions I'd like to [have answered] about that," Farris said. "When did they ask him about that? What were the circumstances? What was his frame of mind? Was it immediately after the attack when he was still confused?"

But local gay attorney Dale Edwin Sanders, who has practiced criminal law for more than 20 years, said the sentencing memorandum was a "persuasive" document explaining why Hunter's friend would have posed serious problems as a witness in a trial.

"The bottom line is the only witness to support any homicide theory looks like he may have been drunk on that night and also looks like he's been, in the prosecutor's words, dissembling or lying or changing his story as the whim of the moment suits him," Sanders said. "That kind of witness not only doesn't help your case, but can seriously hurt your case and lead to a not-guilty verdict in a trial."

Sanders said his only dispute with the prosecutors' action was their decision to drop the shoplifting charge against Hannah.

He said that once the government determined it could only bring an assault charge against Hannah, it should have realized that its case for that charge was strong and it could have obtained a conviction.

Washington Blade

Disneyland's Gay Days Is Quickly Approaching. Quick, Take the Kids to the Bomb Shelter!

2009-09-24T12:11:00.000-07:00

Be warned: The above video "CONTAINS DISTURBING IMAGES." Well, not really. It's just a photo compilation of Gay Days at Disney, but something called The James Hartline Report is working hard to convince you photos of gay persons doing gay things is offensive and not suitable for public consumption. James Hartline, a Christian activist, is burning the midnight KY "to stop Christians from supporting the radical homosexual agenda of the Disney Corporation." Which explains his "WARNING TO PARENTS" about Oct. 2's Gay Days at Disneyland. That is: Keep your family away! Nevermind that Disney doesn't even officially support Gay Days — something that competitor Six Flags, meanwhile, actually does.
Queerty

2 Gay Guys Dance Together on So You Think You Can Dance Last Night

2009-09-17T14:30:00.000-07:00

Suspect in hit-and-run killing weeps during jailhouse interview

2009-09-16T07:47:00.000-07:00

As Orange County deputy sheriffs see it, Justin Stewart committed murder. Stewart, 18, intentionally ran over a woman after an argument at a bar, arrest records show.

But to Stewart, it was an act of self-preservation gone horribly wrong.

In an exclusive interview with the Orlando Sentinel at the Orange County Jail Thursday, Stewart said he tried to back his car away from victim Monica Salama, 24, as she thumped her fist on the hood of his Nissan Altima. But somehow, his car lurched forward, he said.

Salama, 24, died Tuesday after being run over on Goldenrod Road and Valencia College Lane sometime before 4 a.m.

"I hate that it happened," Stewart told the Sentinel In a tearful interview. "I hate that it took an innocent person's life. Over stupidity. Over an argument for no reason."

"If I would have known that it would happen, I would have never went out that night," Stewart said.

Stewart, a bellman at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort and an aspiring hairdresser, is held without bail on a first-degree murder charge. His friends Victor Manuel Vargas, 19, and Shirley Daniels, 16, were arrested on a charge of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.

Investigators think Randi Abrams, Stewart's mother, hid the damaged car and conspired with others to destroy it, according to Stewart's arrest report. She had not been arrested as of Thursday night.

The argument that led to the fatal confrontation began before dawn Tuesday, as Stewart and his friends were at Revolution, a gay nightclub on Bumby Avenue at South Street.

According to a police report, Michelle West, who was with Salama, argued with Stewart and Vargas. Stewart, who is gay, said he did not know what the argument was about, but West used gay slurs about his friends.

The two groups parted. Salama drove West away in her car, and Stewart chased them eastbound on State Road 408, according to an arrest report. Occupants of the two cars threw things at each other, breaking Salama's windshield.

That prompted Salama to cut off Stewart's sedan -- and the final showdown began.

Salama got out of her vehicle, Stewart backed up, then accelerated and crashed into Salama, witness Jessica Gonzalez, who was in the back seat of Stewart's car, told investigators.

In his Thursday interview with the Sentinel, Stewart said he and his friends never intended to hurt anyone. They were messing with people who had messed with them.

"How everything sounds, you could say we were chasing them, but we weren't trying to do anything," Stewart said.

Gonzalez threw a plastic ashtray at Salama's car and cracked her windshield, Stewart said. Salama cut them off on Goldenrod Road and jumped out of her car. Stewart drove in reverse, but Vargas got out and started hitting West, who was sitting in Salama's passenger seat, Stewart said.

"You gonna break my ... windshield?" Salama shouted, thumping her fist on the hood of Stewart's Nissan, he said. He said he tried to drive backward, but drove forward instead.

"That's when I heard two bumps," said Stewart. Vargas jumped back in the car, and Stewart realized he ran someone over. They drove off.

Soon afterward, Stewart and Vargas drove past the scene in Vargas' car and saw police there, he said. Stewart drove home alone, told his mother Abrams about the confrontation and cried, he said.

Hours later, Stewart learned that Salama was dead, and he had a talk with his mother.

"She said, 'What do you want to do?' " Stewart recalled. "I said, 'If things get worse, I'll turn myself in.' "

Abrams told the Sentinel that she didn't learn about Stewart's involvement until police picked up her son for questioning.

That day, Stewart got a ride with Daniels' mother. She didn't know her daughter was involved in Salama's death, and mentioned she heard about the road-rage confrontation on the news.

"What disgusting people would do that? They're going to go to hell. And who would leave somebody for dead?" Daniels' mom said, Stewart recalled. Stewart said he did not reply.

"We didn't want her to know," Stewart said.

Stewart, Vargas, and Daniels hung out together until Wednesday afternoon, talking with friends and wondering what to do next, Stewart said. Vargas, an aspiring Broadway dancer, cried. Stewart cried and was sick.

"I just started throwing up," Stewart said.

Investigators said Stewart and Vargas pressured Gonzalez to keep quiet. A friend who met up with Vargas, Stewart and Daniels at a fast-food restaurant after the incident said the trio planned for Abrams to take the Nissan to Daytona Beach and set it on fire, but didn't think the plan would work, the report states.

At about 5 p.m., Stewart, Vargas and Daniels returned to Stewart's home to eat. Deputies took them into custody soon after they arrived.
Orlando Sentinel

So Who's The Snitch Who Tipped Off the Cops About Atlanta's Eagle Bar?

2009-09-16T07:19:00.000-07:00

Those furious over the Atlanta Police Department's weekend raid of leather bar The Eagle had it out with the City Council yesterday, going on and on about how 62 people who just wanted to get their drink on while looking at cuties walking around in underwear had their civil liberties trampled on. Horrors!

Somewhere between a dozen and twenty hit up the Council's Public Safety Committee for a lovely evening of finger pointing.

It went like this:

Supporters of the bar and its patrons were pissed. Not only because of the raid, but because the cops WERE ABSOLUTE ASSHOLES. Here's Laura Gentle: "The civil liberties of 62 patrons were broke. They [the APD] have failed to make the connection to what led to the raid to what those were arrested for. We need answers as a community.” Said another concerned citizen: "Why can't they do it in a more civil manor? We're the city too busy to hate. Why can't they do it in a different way?"

But the cops were there too. And while cordial, they weren't about to readily take the fall. APD Deputy Chief Carlos Banda was all (and we're paraphrasing), Look, we had reports about illegal activity, we went in to investigate, witnessed the alleged behavior, and decided to raid the place, just like we did to a half dozen other (non-gay, mostly strip) clubs over the past few months.

And then there was The Eagle's co-owner Richard Ramey. His story went like this: The police are lying! They didn't find anything! Liars! Pants on fire!

An attorney for the patron was there: Constitutional rights. Violated!

Well. Then. The cops want six months to investigate. The locals want that timeline shortened.

Meanwhile, the two crime tips that initiated the APD's involvement, reported by the Southern Voice, indicate a spurned customer or employee — or at least someone with intimate knowledge of the goings-on there — was the one hollering to the 5-0 about The Eagle.

According to the July 1 anonymous Crime Stoppers tip sent via the web, the complainant said the club was closing July 5 at 3 a.m. and would reopen at 3:15 a.m. for an after hours party to benefit the Southern Bears.

“They have hired nude dancers to dance on the bars; sex will be permitted as at most circuit parties, drugs will be sold freely. They plan on using the back entrance for admission that is located off the rear patio. They will be running a shuttle bus to and from the host hotel which is the Courtyard Marriott Northlake on Lavista Road in Tucker, GA,” the tipster states. Included in the tip is co-owner Robby Kelley’s alleged profile on Bear411.com.

The other tip, sent May 19 via email to Mayor Shirley Franklin as well as to TV news tip hotlines for WSB-TV, Fox Atlanta news and 11 Alive news, states:

“Mayor Franklin: The Atlanta Eagle, a bar that is situated next to one of your old campaign offices, continues to have sex parties on Thursday nights that spills out into the neighborhood. Witnesses (including myself) in the neighborhood have seen men in various stages of undress performing sexual acts on each other including oral and anal sex. Mayor Franklin, your assistance in this matter is desperately needed as people in this neighborhood are concerned about the neighborhood being turned into a brothel,” the complainant stated.

“Bags of what appears to be drug residue are found strewn around a one block radius of the bar and drunk bar patrons scream and create disturbances. The neighbors that I have spoken to are scared to report anything as the bar owner has been known to retaliate against neighbors by pointing speakers with sounds of men having sex and blasting it to the residential building next to the bar … the neighborhood is extremely fed up with this situation.”

Or maybe it's this guy:

Steve Gower, who is gay and a member of the Midtown Ponce Security Association, is known for policing Midtown and posting videos of alleged transgender prostitutes on YouTube. He stated the MPSA has never had a problem with the Atlanta Eagle as long as he has been a member.

Or maybe it was god, who finally got a Gmail account.

Queerty

Orlando Gay Pages is Sponsoring 2 Softball Teams!

2009-09-14T14:17:00.000-07:00

We sponsored the Orlando Gay Pages Shock during the Spring season this year. During the Fall season we are sponsoring the Shock and the Precious Little Miracles.

Opening day was yesterday at Lake Fairview.

The Precious Little Miracles took home their first win of the season!

The Shock had a double header and won the first of the two games.

Congratulations to both teams on your wins on the first day of the season!

Arrests Made In Fatal Hit-And-Run

2009-09-10T09:07:00.000-07:00

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Three teens have been arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and run that took place after an apparent altercation at a bar, Orange County sheriff's deputies said.

VIDEO: Woman Killed | RAW VIDEO: Crash Scene

Justin Stewart, 18, was charged with first-degree murder, and Victor Vargas, 19, and Shirley Daniels, 16, were charged with accessory after the fact in the death of Monica Salama.Salama, 24, was hit at about 3 a.m. Tuesday near Goldenrod Road and Valencia College Lane. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, a witness came forward on Thursday with information identifying the trio. The suspects, along with the vehicle used in the crime, were located at 2501 Ives Ave. in Orlando, deputies said.According to deputies, Salama and a friend were at Revolution Nightclub, located on Bumby Avenue in Orlando, when they got into an altercation. Salama and her friend drove away but were followed by a black Nissan Altima with two males and three females inside, deputies said.

Monica Salama, 24.

The cars exited state Road 408 at Goldenrod Road, and Salama stopped her car in the middle of Goldenrod Road at about 3 a.m. and got out to confront the people in the other vehicle, deputies said. Salama was then run over, according to deputies.The victim's sister said Salama was a good person and she cannot comprehend why anyone would want to hurt her sister."She didn't deserve this," the sister said. "She loved life. I don't understand who could do this."The sister said she got a text message from Salama around 12:45 a.m., which said everything was fine.Salama had only lived in Central Florida for about eight months after moving from New York.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.

Click Orlando

Ellen DeGeneres Will Take Over Paula Abdul's Idol Chair

2009-09-10T08:04:00.000-07:00

Well even we didn't see this coming! With Paula Abdul failing to take a lesser offer, American Idol's producers 19 Entertainment just signed the one and only Ellen DeGeneres to take over the star's judging chair. (And yes, that does mean Victoria Beckham won't be permanent.)

Don't worry, Ellen is keeping the daytime talk show, which also films in Los Angeles.

Like Abdul, we imagine DeGeneres will prefer to lift contestants up with platitudes than shoot them down with criticism. She'll just be wearing pants (or jeans!) instead of a sparkly number a la Abdul. Also, inside sources tell Queerty Ellen plans to keep her head up without the use of her arms or Simon Cowell..

First Ryan Seacrest. Then Adam Lambert. Now Ellen. American Idol is getting gayer than, well, So You Think You Can Dance.

Queerty

24 Year Old Run Down After Leaving Revolution Nightclub

2009-09-09T10:59:00.000-07:00

A 24-year-old woman was struck and killed in a hit-and-run that took place after an apparent altercation at a bar, Orange County sheriff's deputies said.

Monica Salama was hit at about 3 a.m. near Goldenrod Road and Valencia College Lane. Salama was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

According to deputies, Salama and a friend were at Revolution Nightclub located on Bumby Avenue in Orlando when they got into an altercation with some people. Salama and her friend drove away but were followed by a black Nissan Altima with two males and three females inside, deputies said.

The cars exited state Road 408 at Goldenrod Road, and Salana stopped her car in the middle of Goldenrod Road at about 3 a.m. and got out to confront the people in the other vehicle, deputies said. Salana was then run over, according to deputies.

The victim's sister said Salama was a good person and she cannot comprehend why anyone would want to hurt her sister.

"She didn't deserve this," the sister said. "She loved life. I don't understand who could do this."

The sister said she got a text message from Salama around 12:45 a.m., which said everything was fine.

"Based on the info we have right now, it does not appear to be an accident. It appears to be an intentional act. The investigation is very much ongoing," said Cmdr. Rick Luckey of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators on Tuesday afternoon released composite sketches of three of the people in the Nissan Altima.

A car matching the description of the vehicle sought in the incident was located nearby but has been ruled out as the car involved in the hit-and-run, deputies said.

The Orange County Sheriff' Office said there were apparently several witnesses at the scene of the fatal hit-and-run, and investigators are asking for the individuals to come forward.

Salama had only lived in Central Florida for about eight months after moving from New York.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call the sheriff's office or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information in the case.

Click Orlando

Orlando Pride

2009-09-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

HRC is looking for 50 volunteers to help carry the flag during the Pride parade Sunday, October 11th 2009. If you would like to help please visit their website and sign up!

Check out the calendar of events and start to make your plans now!

Follow Orlando Pride on Twitter. Follow Orlando Gay Pages on Twitter!

Milwaukee ready for record Gay Softball World Series

2009-09-01T07:42:00.000-07:00

Organizers raise $90,000 selling concessions at Brewers games

Enterprising Milwaukee softball players raised $90,000 for the 2009 Gay Softball World Series by manning concession stands at Miller Park during Milwaukee Brewers games.

"Saturday Softball Beer League (SSBL) is the name of our local gay softball league," said Mike Kuharske, one of the organizers of Milwaukee's world series committee.

"Each year the league provides a minimum of 14 volunteers to run a concession stand at each of 40-50 of the home games. The funds are either used for our annual Dairlyland Classic Tournament, or in the case of the funds from last year and this year for the GSWS. Over the years, SSBL has proven itself to be one the best volunteer groups, meaning we are placed in the premier stand on the lower level behind home plate."

This year's GSWS takes place Aug. 31 through Sept. 5, and Milwaukee organizers are expecting it to be the largest ever despite the down economy.

Organizers cite the convenient Midwest location, mid-market affordability, and Milwaukee’s reputation of putting on fun-filled tournaments as the reasons for an expected large turnout. Organizers have had to secure additional field locations to accommodate the expected tournament size.

“Milwaukee’s Midwest location is easy and inexpensive for teams traveling from either coast. Once they get here, they’ll have all the big-city amenities at small-town prices,” said Brian Reinkober, commissioner of the GSWS host committee.

Singer Thelma Houston ("Don't Leave Me This Way") will sing at the opening ceremonies. A three-block stretch of the city will also be closed to accommodate a block party.

Readers interested in more information can visit the official website at www.series2009.org or join the Facebook group.
Out Sports

Gay Days at Disneyland, Oct. 2-4

2009-09-01T07:35:00.000-07:00

The 12th annual unofficial “Gay Days” at Disneyland kicks off on Friday, October 2, with celebrity appearances and performances (including Bruce Vilanch, Alec Mapa, and '80s pop star Stacey Q) and events scheduled throughout the weekend. Gay Days is expected to attract 30,000 LGBT park-hoppers from California and the rest of the country. Park attendees are asked to wear red to show unity and strength in numbers.

Disneyland Resort
1313 S. Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, Calif.

For more information, visit GayDaysAnaheim.com.
Advocate

Florida's New Republican Senator Is A Friend of … The Gays?

2009-08-31T17:45:00.001-07:00

When Florida Gov. Charlie Crist decided to nominate somebody else, besides himself, for the opening U.S. Senate seat, a sigh of relief could be heard 'round the state's bathhouses. Crist opted for George LeMieux (pictured, on left) to fill the vacancy left by Sen. Mel Martinez, the Senate's first Cuban-American. Crist, of course, plans on leaving the governor's mansion to run for a U.S. Senate seat next year, but yesterday announced he's given the temporary opening to LeMieux — Crist's one-time deputy attorney general and chief of staff, and someone who's never held public office. So is this a good thing for the gays?

It could be argued: Yes.

LeMieux, a legal eagle and the former chair of Florida's Broward County Republican Party, is married with three kids. His only stab at holding elected office came in 1998 in a bid for the Florida House; he lost. But it was during the campaign, and at age 29, that LeMieux publicly supported gay adoptions and health benefits for same-sex couples.

That's a terribly interesting position to have once maintained, because LeMieux's former boss Crist has very different feelings on the matter. Then again, it's entirely plausible LeMieux went the gay-friendly route only to steal votes away from his then-competitor, incumbent Tracy Stafford.

So how will the twosome come to terms on the matter? Perhaps it all depends on what strategy the pair worked out when Crist handed LeMieux the Senate seat: Whether LeMieux is there to hold on to the post until Crist makes a full campaign push in 2010 and takes it over, or whether Crist plans on defeating Florida's other U.S. senator, Democrat (C-Street "Family" member and former astronaut) Bill Nelson. Notes the Miami Herald's Beth Reinhard:

Voters should also be asking questions about where LeMieux stands. Will he try to explain away the positions he took during his 1998 campaign — in favor of gay adoption, limits on offshore oil drilling and waiting periods at gun shows? Will he be a seat-warming proxy for Crist or a principled warrior for the people of Florida?

LeMieux will likely heed the lessons he learned in Broward. He'll follow the same politically moderate, occasionally conservative philosophy that's kept Crist popular through a rotten recession. It's also a please-everyone-and-no-one, keep-em'-guessing, say-as-little-as-possible type of politics that rankles Democrats and conservative Republicans to no end.

"I've learned working with this governor that the people want a problem solver," LeMieux told the Fort Lauderdale crowd Friday evening. "And I will seek to be a problem solver in Washington, D.C., and I will do so like this great governor does, with the principle of limited government always on my mind."
Queerty

Florida Not Satisfied Being Told Gay Adoption Ban Is Unconstitutional

2009-08-26T11:18:00.000-07:00

Gov. Charlie Crist, who loves himself some gay adoption banning, will be happy to see the state's legal minions appeal the most recent ruling that labeled the law unconstitutional.

That ruling came in November by a Miami-Dade County judge; the state is appealing the ruling before an appeals court, because the original judge totally legislated from the bench! Judges aren't supposed to make law, you see (but they often do). They are also, apparently, supposed to ignore the United States Constitution, but what do we know?

This means Martin Gill, the original plaintiff, is back in court today, wondering aloud why the F he can't adopt his two foster children. Yes, Florida lets gays and lesbians become foster parents, but full adoption rights are reserves full parental rights for straight couples.

Queerty

If Circumcision Halves Risk of Spreading HIV, Should All Baby Boys Get Cut?

2009-08-25T18:53:00.000-07:00

When researchers in Africa, conducting studies to see if circumcision helps stops the spread of HIV, realized the answer was a resounding "Yes," they called off the experiment — because not doing so was to put uncircumcised men at too great a risk, and that would've been unethical. A simple snip, they found, reduced the risk of men contracting HIV from women by an astonishing fifty percent. With that data in hand, American health officials are thinking about officially recommending all newborn boys get their foreskin removed. Fetishists, for one, are going to be pissed.

If there were a pill available that reduced the chance of spreading HIV by 50 percent, drug makers would be pushing it on us like Adderall. Or at least as heavily as that HPV vaccine. But we're not talking about a pill; we're talking about a simple medical procedure that, at least for men who have sex with women, halves the risk of infection (for HIV-positive women giving it to men).

There are, and will be, critics who already say circumcision is tantamount to torturing young baby boys who cannot give consent to mutilation. There are those who say that while male circumcision doesn't eliminate sexual pleasure — the way, say, female circumcision (the removal of the clitoris) does — it certainly makes things, well, less enjoyable. While an estimated 79 percent of American men are circumcised, the rate for newborns is falling; black and Latino communities, which are disproportionately ravaged by HIV, have even lower circumcision rates.

Except, here's the rub: Circumcision leads to no significant decrease in the spread of HIV between men who have sex with other men. Which means government-sanctioned circumcision of all newborn boys, for the sole reason of reducing the spread of HIV, would be mostly meaningless for those young Williams, Matthews, and Dwaynes that grow up to be gay. Except in their formative years, where they're trying the lady thing. (Circumcision does decrease the risk of urinary tract infections for baby boys, apparently.)

But even Alan Chambers will admit, you can't tell whether a baby boy is going to be gay or straight as soon as he comes out of the womb. And if we go with napkin math estimates that 90 percent of Americans are straight, then there's a good chance the newborn will be sleeping with the opposite gender. If there's a way to cut his risk of contracting HIV by 50 percent down the line, shouldn't we encourage parents to snip things in the bud?

NB: It's all going to be the topic du jour at the first National H.I.V. Prevention Conference in Atlanta this week.
Queerty

If Everyone Over Age 30 Died, 38 States Would Have Gay Marriage

2009-08-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

Not that we're encouraging killing Baby Boomers. "If people over 65 in each state made the laws, 0 states would have gay marriage; if people under 30 made the laws, 38 states would have gay marriage." —So says research from Jefferey Lax and Justin Phillips, who conclude a generational gap is preventing marriage equality. Well, that and Jesus.
Queerty

Britney Spears kicks off celebrity merchandizing on Facebook

2009-08-13T09:33:00.000-07:00

The first celebrity gifts on Facebook are now on sale, and who is at the forefront of this e-commerce revolution? Britney, of course.

The pop star Britney Spears, who is described on her blog as an "international icon," has loaned her likeness or related images to a series of virtual gifts that Facebook users can send to one another.

A couple of them show her singing, a couple others show her on-stage outfits and one perhaps hints at a political message by showing a rainbow-colored balloon labeled "Britney Pride" (Spears has spoken out in support of gay marriage).

According to the Britney blog, all of the gift symbols were designed by Susan Kare. Back in the 1980s, Kare designed some of the original Macintosh computer icons, including the famous one with the smiling computer face.

Except for one of the Britney gifts that is free, the others cost $2, apiece, to obtain and send. All are limited editions, although you probably don't have to rush over to the site right away. The "Happy Birthday" symbol with Britney's signature is available to the first 500,000 buyers.

-- David Colker
LA Times

4 Teens May Have Raped a Teammate With a Hockey Stick. But Everyone Watched

2009-08-12T10:38:00.000-07:00

More sad news from Walker Middle School outside Tampa. April's lockerroom hockey stick raping of a 13-year-old boy has already resulted in four teenagers (pictured) charged with assault, as adults. Now investigators say much of the flag football team watched it happen: "Many members of a Florida middle school's flag football team were in the locker room when a 13-year-old boy was sexually assaulted by some of his teammates with a hockey stick and broomstick, according to court documents released Tuesday. The teen told a detective that two teammates penetrated him with a stick as many as a dozen times while two others held him down. He said 'basically the whole team' was in the room. The boy said the sexual assaults happened over a period of several weeks but it was unclear how many times. … One witness described hearing the victim yelling at the boys to stop. Another said the victim was fighting to get away but laughed when he finally did. Another said there were guys, 'cheering and yelling' during two attacks. … 'It only lasted for about 15-20 seconds then we all stopped and walked away,' one [suspect] wrote [in a statement]. 'After it happened I walked up and said we were just playing around and didn't mean to hurt his feelings.'"

Queerty

Florida Teens Will Get Their Gay-Straight Alliance. Florida Tweens? Nope

2009-08-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

Caving to a lawsuit from the ACLU, Florida's School Board of Nassau County will agree not to discriminate or retaliate against attempts to create a Gay-Straight Alliance at Yulee High School. You'll recall administrators refused to let student Hannah Page form the GSA because it was called, uh, a GSA, so the ACLU sued in February. Still not reconciled: Allowing the district's middle school to form a GSA, which the school board insists it has the right to do. Because it will make young people homosexuals!

Organizers say LGBT online H.S. is unique

2009-08-05T22:38:00.000-07:00

An educator who has launched an online high school catering to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students says he's received applications from across the country.

David Glick says his GLBTQ Online High School removes gay students from potentially hostile school environments and puts them in a "welcoming educational community."

But, others say an online school would further alienate the students. David Johnson teaches social psychology at the University of Minnesota. Johnson says it would be much better to have those students in a regular high school setting.

The International Association for K-12 Online Learning says the Maplewood-based program is the first of its kind for gay students.
Washington Blade

August Provost's Suspected Murderer Kills Himself

2009-08-03T06:40:00.000-07:00

Petty Officer Jonathan Campos, who's been in Navy custody since July 1 on suspicion of shooting fellow seaman August Provost (pictured), took his own life sometime Friday. Cause of death: self-inflicted asphyxiation. He choked himself, apparently, with toilet paper. Sad news, indeed. Even sadder for Provost's family, who may never know why Campos allegedly murdered him. Campos was being held at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton on 16 charges.

MORE:

Petty Officer Jonathan Campos, 32, of Lancaster, Calif. was found unresponsive Friday afternoon in his brig cot at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

Campos was alive when he was checked at 11:45 a.m. local time, but was unresponsive when found about 35 minutes later, a military news release said. The apparent cause of death was self-inflicted asphyxiation. He was pronounced dead at 1:15 p.m. Friday.

Queerty

New College of Florida - 3rd Most Gay Friendliest College in the Nation

2009-07-29T12:16:00.000-07:00

Ever heard of the New College of Florida? If not, and you're approaching high school graduation (or your kid is), add it to your list. Because if you can't get into New York University or Stanford, New College is the third most gay-friendly school in the nation.

It shouldn't be terribly surprising that the Princeton Review ranks NYU as its gay friendliest school: The university is plopped down in the middle of the most gay-friendly district in one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world. Of course, that doesn't mean the school has to foster an environment of acceptance for students, but word is, it does!

But good luck getting in. Stanford, at No. 2, is also an academic long shot unless your SAT score is 2400, you've got extracurriculars and volunteer work out the azz, and the past three generations of your family attended. And if you don't have that going for you?

Check out New College, a school of just 785 students in Sarasota.

Maybe not so shocking is that, among its accolades — which, in addition to gay-friendly, include "Great Financial Aid" and "Nobody Plays Intramural Sports" — are "Least Religious Students," "Most Liberal Students," and "Birkenstock-Wearing, Tree-Hugging, Clove-Smoking Vegetarians."

And if that weren't enough, just check out that campus.
Queerty

A Brutal Gay-Bashing In PTown

2009-07-27T19:26:00.000-07:00

I just returned from Ptown earlier this month. I spent 5 nights there over the 4th of July. I found it to be a very gay friendly town, I was very surprised to read about this bashing.

I was shocked tonight to bump into a new friend, Mark, hobbling down the street. I was about to make a joke as I rode up behind him on my bike and then saw his face. It was a blur of blood and bruises. Friday night, he was leaving the Atlantic House - an historic gay pub in Ptown - when a group of three local kids hiding in an alley-way to target gays threw a bottle at his face and called him a faggot. He threw the bottle back and then they set upon him. He's not a slight guy, he's strong and built and bearded. But he was clearly reeling from the assault and will return to the hospital tomorrow. The cops apparently responded heroically and after a chase captured the assailants.

This has been a bust of a summer this year on the Cape: almost no sun, an economic depression that is killing businesses and crippling real estate, and vicious hate crimes from some locals. Oh, and the sewer broke over July 4, with poo coming up out of the drains and showers and toilets. Good times.
The Atlantic

Pat Buchanan Is Furious the Lesbians Won't Put Him in Charge

2009-07-23T10:10:00.000-07:00

Racist cable news commentator Pat Buchanan must've been delighted to learn he'd been nominated to lead the executive board of the Lesbian Coalition of America. Except that only happened when board member Alexandra Tillman mistook him for a lesbian.

After seeing Buchanan on the teevee a few times, Tillman submitted his name for consideration. Now, Tillman suffers from dementia, which is being used to explain her move — which the board quickly shot down. But Buchanan is "upset," and thinks the LCA is just discriminating against him! He tells Rachel Maddow, "No one is more qualified to head this lesbian group than me. I'd enliven the LCA and help them move in a new direction."

Among Buchanan's self-professed qualifications? He watches The L Word. For the cinematography, we're sure.
Queerty

Openly Straight Florida Gov. Crist Proudly Announces Gay Adoption Ban Is Working!

2009-07-22T21:37:00.000-07:00

Republican Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who is not an open homosexual, is running for the U.S. Senate. And part of his giant crusade to bring civility and order back to politics? Defending his state's storied ban on gay adoption!

While you can argue putting Crist in a Senate seat is actually good for Democrats, that's less true for gays.

To be sure, Crist's position on the ban isn't new: He's backed keeping kids out of gay homes for some time now. (He's also backed a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, though he's come out in support of civil unions.) But now that he's facing a Senate election campaign, he's got to drum up that social conservative base.

Which is why he's using his power as a sitting governor to take to the courts to defend the 1977 adoption ban. Making the issue more sensitive is that Crist's sitting lieutenant governor, Jeff Kottkamp, is launching his own campaign for attorney general; Kottkamp also now heads Crist's Office of Adoption, which will tout an increase in Florida's annual adoption rate. And of course, it looks like Team Crist already got a jump start on defending the ban: "Mysteriously" the judge who ruled it unconstitutional was demoted this month.

Crist will be seen around Florida today promoting "Explore Adoption Day," where he'll show off the latest data that shows Florida's adoptions increased from last year. Let's hope he stays out of Ft. Lauderdale.

UPDATE: Reports from Crist's tour today suggest he's "softening" his stance on the gay adoption ban.
Queerty

Florida Judge Who Struck Down Gay Adoption Ban? She's Been Demoted

2009-07-16T08:46:00.000-07:00

"Judge Cindy Lederman has been removed from her 15-year post as top administrative judge over Miami-Dade's juvenile courts. The new chief justice over Miami courts says he wanted new perspectives and leadership. Lederman ruled in November 2008 that Florida's gay adoption ban was unconstitutional, a case now on appeal. She also oversaw numerous juvenile justice programs in Miami and publicly scolded state officials in 2002 following the disappearance of 5-year-old foster child Rilya Wilson. The new top judge in Miami's juvenile courts is Orlando Prescott. Lederman will remain a juvenile court judge and says she respects the decision."
Queerty

The View Review Bruno

2009-07-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

Police arrest 26 AIDS activists in the Capitol for unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct

2009-07-10T11:52:00.000-07:00

Activists rallied in support of needle exchange programs

A group of AIDS activists was arrested Thursday for unlawfully demonstrating in the Capitol rotunda, a Capitol Police spokeswoman said.

Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said 11 men and 15 women each face a charge of unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct and loud and boisterous behavior. Their names and ages were not immediately released.

Schneider said the group entered the rotunda, located beneath the Capitol dome, and linked themselves together with a white chain at about 10 a.m. The area is usually crowded with tourists, but police restricted the traffic while they made arrests.

The activists carried signs in support of funding for needle exchange, HIV/AIDS housing and programs aimed at fighting AIDS. They chanted, "Fight global AIDS now," and, "Clean needles save lives." They marched in a circle before lying down on the floor.

Police bound the activists hands together and dragged some of the demonstrators to their feet as they arrested them.

The arrests came one day before President Barack Obama is to arrive in Ghana, where 320,000 people are HIV positive, according to the United Nations' AIDS fighting agency, UNAIDS.

The activists were part of a coalition of five AIDS groups from Washington, Philadelphia and New York. They included ACT UP Philadelphia, DC Fights Back, Health GAP, New York City AIDS Network and Housing Works.

Omolola Adele-Oso of DC Fights Back questioned why lawmakers were bailing out financial institutions instead of devoting more dollars to AIDS programs.

"HIV is not in a recession," Adele-Oso said in a written statement from the coalition about the demonstration.

Washington Blade

Candidate Paul Congemi upset over St. Pete Pride coverage

2009-07-01T08:34:00.000-07:00

ST. PETERSBURG -- Mayoral hopeful Paul Congemi said he was upset about the coverage the St.Petersburg Times gave to the St. Pete Pride festival this weekend.

"It is not pride, it's shame," said Congemi, who pledged to follow in Mayor Rick Baker's footsteps if elected and not attend the event or sign the City Council's proclamation making June St. Pete Pride month.

"Homosexuality is an abomination, according to the Bible," Congemi said. "In my opinion, it's a perverted event, by perverted people. And something like that shouldn't be in the newspaper."

Three mayoral candidates participated in Saturday's Pride parade along Central Avenue: City Council member Jamie Bennett, former City Council member Kathleen Ford and real estate investor Scott Wagman.

To read about all the candidates and their positions, go to tampabay.com/mayor.
Tampa Bay

St. Petersburg streets joyfully swamped by gay pride parade

2009-06-30T08:27:00.000-07:00

ST. PETERSBURG — Kevin Clifford arrived on the corner of Third Avenue and 30th Street N early Saturday morning determined, despite occasional showers, to let no rain fall on his parade.

Wearing a large-brimmed hat adorned with black-and-white ostrich feathers, Clifford carried a jumbo umbrella studded with rhinestones and iridescent stickers. Atop the umbrella was an American flag, its white stripes brightened with rainbow colors.

"I'm here to show my support for the gay community," said Clifford, 47. "I'm out and I'm open. I have nothing to hide, and I don't care what people think."

He and his partner of 29 years, Tom Hlinko, 48, were attending their seventh St. Pete Pride Promenade and Street Festival. Together, they've watched what began as a modest effort to showcase gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses blossom into a colorful, raucous event billed as the largest celebration of gay pride in the state.

Saturday's festivities came at the end of a monthlong party that included a comedy festival, a cruise and an auction. Parade co-chairman Jeff Klein said he expected this year's turnout, estimated at 80,000, to top last year's, since the event coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City's Greenwich Village.

In June 1969, police raided a gay bar, and patrons fought back. The next year, about 5,000 people marched in New York City, marking the first pride celebration.

"This goes to show that we all can get along for one day," Klein said, eyeing the floats as they lined up along the parade route. "It gives you a glimpse of what could be."

More than 120 entries took off from the staging area just after 10 a.m. and headed east on Third Avenue N through the city's Kenwood neighborhood. Among them: the Florida Gay Rodeo Association, a group of lasso-wielding men wearing Stetson hats and cowboy boots, and the Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps, a platoon of flag-twirling men dressed in red sleeveless shirts, camouflage-patterned shorts and black, high-top sneakers.

The Florida Gulf Coast Couples also marched, supporting a big balloon arch in hues from lavender to red. Same-sex couples carried signs indicating how many years they've been together: 3 years, 20 years, 32 years.

Along the parade route, Danielle Winkler cheered and held her hands out for beads. Winkler, 18, wearing sunglasses with rainbow-colored frames, said she was there to support her friends who are gay.

Noah Johnson, 17, said he had come to show his pride for St. Petersburg and the gay community. And Jordan Krakik, 17, who shattered his heel last week in a swimming accident, said he worried that he might have to miss this year's event.

"It would have been sad because this is really fun," said Krakik, who sported a rainbow-colored bandana on the cast on his left leg.

The parade turned right onto 31st Street, then left onto Central Avenue, passing vendors selling T-shirts, jewelry and artwork, and crowds of people four rows deep.

Off to one side, a group of protesters waved signs and screamed through bullhorns. Paradegoers ignored them.

"Everyone has the right to express their feelings," said Clifford, still carrying his big umbrella. "You just can't please everyone all the time. But you know what? Knowing that makes life easier sometimes."
Tampa Bay

Sacha Baron Cohen poses nude on cover of GQ

2009-06-19T09:53:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK - Sacha Baron Cohen strips down as his naked alter ego -- the flamboyantly gay Austrian fashionista Bruno -- for the July cover of GQ magazine.

He sports a tanned glow and a shaggy head of highlighted hair, and is artfully posed.

The actor-comedian's 2006 movie, "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan," was a surprise box-office hit.

His new film, "Bruno," is scheduled for release July 10.

Baron Cohen staged an elaborate prank at the MTV Movie Awards. In character as Bruno, he descended from the ceiling on a wire in a fake mishap that ended with his bare hindquarters in rapper Eminem's face. Eminem stormed off in a huff, but later said he was in on the joke.

By: Associated Press

Obama grants partner benefits for gay federal employees

2009-06-18T08:35:00.001-07:00

With gay leaders, government officials, and Vice President Joe Biden standing beside him in the White House Oval Office, President Obama Wednesday signed a presidential memorandum granting a limited number of federal employee benefits to same-sex partners of federal workers.

Noting that his action provided as many employee related benefits to LGBT federal workers as possible under the constraints of existing laws, the president said the memorandum "marks a historic step towards the changes we seek" for LGBT federal workers through legislation pending in Congress.

"Many of our government's hard-working, dedicated, and patriotic public servants have long been denied basic rights that their colleagues enjoy for one simple reason – the people that they love are of the same sex," Obama said.

"In consultation with Secretary of State Clinton, as well as [U.S. Office of Personnel Management] Director John Berry, my administration has completed a long and thorough review to identify a number of areas where we can extend federal benefits to the same-sex partners of Foreign Service and executive branch government employees," the president said.

"I'm requesting that Secretary Clinton and Director Berry do so where possible under existing law – and that the heads of all executive departments and agencies conduct reviews to determine where they may do the same," he said.

The president gave the pen he used to sign the memorandum to veteran D.C. gay rights leader Frank Kameny, who stood at his side during the ceremony. Standing on Obama's opposite side was Vice President Biden.

Others standing nearby were gay U.S. Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.); Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), the lead Senate sponsor of a bill that would provide full federal employee benefits to partners of gay federal workers; and Berry, considered the administration's highest ranking gay appointee.

Others standing behind the president during the ceremony were Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign; Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force; Leonard Hirsch, president of Federal GLOBE, an LGBT federal employees association; Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of Family Equality Council, which advocates for LGBT families; Lorilyn 'Candy' Holmes, a lesbian career federal employee; and Fred Hochberg, president of the Export-Import Bank of the United States and another of the president's high-ranking gay appointees.

Prior to the president's Oval Office ceremony, the White House released a statement listing the benefits the administration has identified as those that can be offered to partners of gay or lesbian federal workers under existing law. Among those identified for civil service employees are long-term care insurance and the use of sick leave to care for a domestic partner and non-biological, non-adopted child.

According to the White House statement, a separate set of benefits has been identified for same-sex partners of U.S. Foreign Service workers, including use of medical facilities at overseas posts, medical evacuation privileges from such posts, and inclusion of same-sex families in overseas housing allocations.

Noticeably absent from the list is health insurance benefits, something that White House officials said the administration is prohibited from providing to same-sex partners of federal workers without a change in both the civil service personnel statute and the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA.

"Among the steps we have not yet taken is to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act," the president said at the Oval Office ceremony. "I believe it's discriminatory, I think it interferes with states' rights, and we will work with Congress to overturn it," he said.

DOMA, which President Bill Clinton signed, defines marriage under federal law as the union only between one man and one woman and allows states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. The law also bars the federal government from providing any federal rights and benefits to couples joined in same-sex marriages or other relationships similar to marriage such as civil unions or domestic partnerships.

In addition to calling for the repeal of DOMA, Obama told the Oval Office gathering Wednesday that he strongly supports the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, a bill currently pending in the House and Senate. The measure would provide the same employee benefits to same-sex partners of federal workers that married spouses of federal employees currently receive.

Lieberman is the bill's lead sponsor in the Senate and Baldwin is the lead sponsor in the House.

Gay rights attorney Evan Wolfson, who heads the same-sex marriage advocacy group Freedom To Marry, said congressional passage of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act would take precedent over DOMA in the area of federal employee benefits. Thus approval of that measure would enable the Obama administration to provide full federal personnel benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees without the repeal of DOMA.

"A more recent bill would undo or at least limit the other one," Wolfson said.

Hirsch of Federal GLOBE said White House officials kept his group informed of the administration's efforts to prepare the presidential memorandum during the past several months. He said the plan all along was to issue the memorandum during LGBT Pride Month in June. He said the memorandum's signing shortly after the administration issued its controversial defense of DOMA in federal court, in response to a lawsuit challenging DOMA, was coincidental.

Hirsch and Solmonese of HRC each called the presidential memorandum a small but important first step in the ongoing effort to provide equal rights and treatment of LGBT people who work for the federal government.

According to Hirsch, a presidential memorandum has the same force of law as a presidential executive order, with the memorandum used more often in federal personnel matters. Hirsch and White House officials noted that some news accounts claiming that a presidential memorandum expires at the end of a president's term in office are incorrect. A presidential memorandum remains in effect indefinitely unless another president rescinds it, just as presidents can rescind executive orders issued by their predecessors.

Solmonese pointed to a statement by Berry in a phone conference for reporters, in which the gay OPM director said the president's memorandum would give him greater authority to prohibit workplace discrimination against LGBT employees.

"Although today's actions are only the beginning in what will be a multi-step process towards achieving real and tangible equality for our community, it is no doubt an important first step," Solmonese said. " We commend President Obama and his administration for taking this action to provide some basic benefits for same-sex partners of federal employees and his endorsement of legislation that would provide domestic partner health benefits."

Kameny is the first known gay person to challenge the federal government after he was fired for being gay from his job as a civilian astronomer with the Army the late 1950s, He called Obama's presidential memorandum an important development.

"There's been a great deal of adverse criticism of the president in recent weeks because people got the feeling that things they wanted to see weren't happening," Kameny said. "My feeling is he made clear that he's on the right side, he's with us, things are moving as fast as he can get them to move, and I feel very satisfied."

Washington Blade

Wanda Sykes finds the funny in politics, motherhood

2009-06-08T11:37:00.000-07:00

Those who know Wanda Sykes solely from her role on CBS' The New Adventures of Old Christine may have been surprised by her too risque-for-network-TV standup show Friday night at Orlando's Hard Rock Live.

But they would not have been surprised by how genuinely funny she is.

The Hard Rock, at Universal Orlando's CityWalk entertainment district, was sold out, and many in the audience were participants in Orlando's Gay Days festivities. Sykes, a lesbian who married while same-sex marriages were permitted in California, and her wife recently gave birth to twins.

The affection the audience felt for Sykes was obvious, as she could garner minutes of applause just by flashing a smile at the crowd, and grown men and women were yelling, "Wanda, I love you," as if they were pre-teen girls at a Jonas Brothers concert. "I love y'all, too," she would faithfully respond.

Sykes mined her family life for bits about the joys and pains of living with newborns. And even if this is familiar territory for comedians — the decreased sex life after children come along, for example — her deadpan delivery kept the monologue snappy: "I told my wife, if she ever finds me in another woman's bed, it will just be so I can take a nap."

She played to the gay crowd during the 80-minute show with stories of her experiences on a gay cruise — "I was the only person on the ship with a shirt on" — and a vivid description and re-enactment of the thumping disco music that haunted her the entire voyage, complete with lasers, lights, smoke, "and that was just the cabin next to mine."

Much of what she said can't be repeated in a family-friendly newspaper, but her genuine smile and gleam in her eyes made the tasteless comical, not prurient.

Politically incorrect
Sykes crossed into definitely non-PC territory. On the recession: "It's so bad, the [illegal immigrants] are complaining Americans are taking all their jobs."

But her most biting moments were reserved for politics and politicians, whether decrying Vice President Joe Biden's loose lips, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's plan to rise to the top, or the Obamas' bedroom antics (two words: stimulus package).

There was some politicking of her own — in support of gay marriage, of course — but it was friendly preaching to the choir. And it never got in the way of the night's main event: laugh after laugh after laugh.

Orlando Sentinel

Nigel Lythgoe Is (Suddenly) Sorry for Every Possibly Anti-Gay Comment He's Ever Made

2009-05-26T11:49:00.000-07:00

On the heels of Clay Aiken apologizing to Adam Lambert, just like we predicted Fox forced So You Think You Can Dance judge (and executive producer) Nigel Lythgoe to apologize for his remarks aimed at the pair of male dancers (one straight, one gay), who he told, "You probably alienate a lot of our audience." Not just that, but he also apologized for one of his Twitter messages that tried making a joke out of Brokeback Mountain. DAMAGE CONTROL!

Here's his apology to Misha Belfer and Mitchel Kibel:

I sincerely regret the fact that I have upset people with the poor word choices and comments I made both during the taping of the ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ audition and on my personal status update. I am not homophobic and it was extremely upsetting for me to be classed as such.

I have been forthright and consistent with my opinion, as a judge, that professional male dancers should move with strength and agility — like Gene Kelly and Rudolph Nureyev. I now realize how this could be misconstrued.

I have been a dancer, and involved in the dance world, for nearly 50 years. Professionally and personally, I believe the sexual orientation of an auditioner or contestant is irrelevant. All that said, the fact that I have unintentionally upset people is distressing to me and it is obvious I have made mistakes that I must learn from. I trust that my humor will be more sensitive and mindful moving forward.

But don't forget — after the program aired and sites like Queerty erupted with criticism, Lythgoe took to Twitter to defend his comments. That's when he tweeted, "The same sex ballroom guys did remind me of "Blades of Glory." However, I'm not a fan of 'Brokeback' Ballroom." Guess who's apologizing for that one now?

Via Twitter: "I wholeheartedly apologize for my Brokeback Ballroom Tweet. It was insensitive, ignorant and stupid. I have upset a number of dear friends."

Forgiven?
Queerty

Proposition 8 Upheld... 18,000 Same-Sex Marriages Valid

2009-05-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

So You Think You Can … Deal With 2 Dudes Dancing Together?

2009-05-22T07:18:00.000-07:00

Scene: Two dancers. Both male. One straight, the other gay. Dancing. Together. That was the scene on last night's fifth season premiere of Fox's So You Think You Can Dance — and the first time any of the three judges saw two men dancing together. Who's the man and who's the woman? Who's leading, and who's following? And, most importantly, are Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy's comments rooted in traditional dance roles … or blatant homophobia?

We're gonna go with the latter. (Scroll first video to the 5:00 mark. Segment continues on second clip.)Said Lythgoe: "I think you probably alienate a lot of our audience. I mean, we've always hadthe guys dance together on this show, but they've never really done it in each other's arms before. I'm certainly one of those people that really like to see guys be guys and girls be girls on the stage. I don't think I liked it."

Later, said Murphy: "It would've been easier for me, in other words, if one person was playing a female role and one was playing a male role." Added Lythgoe: "I don't think you want to see two guys there and think male-female."

Even in the era of Adam Lambert, we've still got folks like Lythgoe, who last year described why he didn't like effeminate male dancers: "Because they need to be very strong. Dancing is role-playing most of the time. And you need to be strong and lift girls. You need to look stronger than the girl you’re dancing with. You control the dance, especially in ballroom. So if you mince about the stage, you’re not doing what the choreographer is asking you to do. He’s asking you to be strong. If your choreographer then wants to do an effeminate routine, then that’s fine, but most of the time we don’t do effeminate routines so straight or gay doesn’t come into it for me."

mishamitchell

Is it time to open up dancing to new ideas of gender roles? Not according to Nigel. Following last night's episode, Misha Belfer and Mitchel Kibel shared what went down. It was worse than viewers saw:

It was more offensive than what they showed. Nigel said that he's not sure that the fathers watching this at home would be encouraged to take their sons to allow them to learn to dance. Nigel told me that they [the show] has spent all these seasons trying to build up the idea that a male can dance and make it more acceptable, and we didn't really help the cause.

I told him that I have a father, too, and I went through that. I told him that the country is already going through a lot of changes and could handle some more. Nigel didn't say anything to that.

The judges kept going on about a man and a woman and I kept correcting them that it was a leader and a follower.

Nigel asked me after the choreography round, how I liked dancing with a girl and I said, "I've been ballroom dancing since I was twelve, so I've been dancing with girls my whole life." It was very inappropriate and the only reason they advanced us wasn't to see if we could improve or be versatile, but was to make us dance with girls.

More:

We're fighting for equality in this country and the right to marry and the right to adopt, so why the f–k can't we dance together?

I told them ballroom dancing is very popular in the gay community and is a sport. It's part of the World Outgames and Mitchel and I are going to compete in Copenhagen in July.

As a British citizen, Nigel totally put this country down by saying we're not ready for this.

Fox owes me an apology for how they treated me as a gay man. I've never been so proud and offended at the same time as I was that night. Mitchel said he's never been so offended either and didn't know how to react to that kind of bigotry. He'd never been oppressed like a minority. He felt very angry.

But should we target all of SYTYCD?

The judges were mean, but the producers and the staff were super supportive. Cat Deely was great. Did a long interview with her that she didn't show.

One woman told us we had broken a glass ceiling.
Queerty

Kris Allen Wins American Idol... Adam Lambert - Runner Up!

2009-05-21T09:43:00.001-07:00

No matter who won, they both have a bright future!

Gays Kicked Out of the Military

2009-05-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

It's not that gay people in the military want to serve their country any more than straight folks. It's that they want to serve just as badly. Whatever it is that drives a person to make so many personal sacrifices to defend our nation, one thing is certain: It can hook us as much as anyone else. Which explains why U.S. Army First Lieutenant Dan Choi — despite being kicked out of the military for being gay, and despite his own commander-in-chief turning his back on him — says, "All I know is that when they do get their act together and get this all corrected, I'll be in line at the recruiting station. I'll be right there." It also explains why Second Lt. Sandy Tsao, who's also being kicked out even after receiving a personal letter from Obama, remains committed to serving.

Though she's going to take a breather from media attention, Tsao says, "I have strong feelings to contribute to society by being a part of a profession that will welcome my services without hindering my ability to love someone openly."

She'll be officially discharged on Tuesday.

Queerty

OVERTURNED: Florida Court Declares Out-of-State Gay Adoptions Legal

2009-05-13T17:38:00.000-07:00

Adoptions by gays and lesbians is prohibited in Florida, the only state that explicitly targets homos (other states ban gay adoption by limited it to married couples). But what about same-sex couples who adopt children in other states, then move to Florida — are those legal adoptions no longer recognized? As of today's ruling, they will be.

NCLR: "Today, the Florida Court of Appeals unanimously reversed a lower court ruling and held that Florida must give full faith and credit to adoptions granted to same-sex couples by other states, holding that Lara Embry, the plaintiff in the case, 'must be given the same rights as any other adoptive parent in Florida.' The court based its decision on the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the federal constitution and a Florida statute requiring Florida to honor adoption decrees from other states. Noting that 'there are no public policy exceptions to the full faith and credit which is due to judgments entered in another state,' the court concluded that 'regardless of whether the trial court believed that the Washington adoption violated a clearly established public policy in Florida, it was improper for the trial court to refuse to give the Washington judgment full faith and credit.' A concurring opinion further noted that Embry’s 'same-sex relationship with [the other parent] is irrelevant for the purpose of enforcing her rights and obligations as an adoptive parent.'"

So how'd we even get here? "The case arose when Lara Embry filed a petition seeking shared custody of a child she had raised with her former partner, Kimberly Ryan. The couple had two children together. Each gave birth to one child, and each adopted her non-biological child through a second-parent adoption in the state of Washington, where the family lived. The couple moved to Florida, and their relationship ended several years later. They agreed to share custody of both children and did so successfully until Ryan unilaterally decided to separate the children, who are deeply bonded as siblings, and cut off all contact between Embry and one of the children."

Meanwhile, another court case is working its way through the system that addresses Florida's in-state adoption ban — which has more hope of yielding a favorable outcome than the bills snaking through the legislature right now — and many expect it to make its way to the Florida Supreme Court.
Queerty

Let's Go Play at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon

2009-05-11T07:36:00.000-07:00

After One Mighty Weekend canceled Gay Days celebrations at the Disney Parks there were a lot of unhappy guests that had been planning their trip to Orlando for nearly a year. It looks like Lets Go Play has stepped up and organized a night at Typhoon Lagoon set for the Friday June 5th during Gay Days. Tickets are $69.00, which is cheaper than the $95.00 One Mighty Weekend was originally selling the event for.

Gay Marriage Topic on Oprah

2009-05-05T00:58:00.000-07:00