Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Combined Gay News Headlines (T5T-1)

The way male managers power dress, posture and exercise power is due to humans’ evolutionary biology, according to research from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Prehistoric behaviours, such as male domination, protecting what is perceived as their “turf” and ostracising those who do not agree with the group is more commonplace in everyday work [...]
We just discovered two new loves! First, model Ernestas Juodis, who just signed on to Evolution Management and may very well be one of the finest men we've seen in a long time. The second love? Photographer Z. Burns, who took these shots and sent them over to get a bit of ink. Never underestimate the [...]
San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom has been a tireless crusader for gay rights. It was he who, way back in 2000, began issuing marriage licenses in San Francisco. Though those marriages were later annulled by the state, California's Supreme Court this year ruled that gay folk should, in fact, have the right to marry, a [...]
There are a nauseating number of presidential polls out there, many of which have a margin of error that's astronomical. So, who can you trust in these predictive times? Convenience store chain 7-Eleven. No, seriously. [wowOwow] Permalink | post a comment | Add to del.icio.us | Digg Post tags: 7-Eleven, Culture, News, Politics
South Africa has the world's most progressive constitution. We're talking anti-discrimination, gay marriage - the works. Yet, for some reason, a judge in the Rainbow Nation has decided that being portrayed as gay somehow counts as defamation. You'll recall that a school deputy principal brought three students to court after the juvenile jokesters fabricated photos of [...]
Focus On The Family sure has been busy! In addition to "predicting" a rampantly gay America under Barack Obama, the right-wing group has launched an initiative to infiltrate public schools. From the ever-homophobic OneNewsNow: Focus on the Family is conducting a project in Virginia, using students to try to get the Christian perspective on homosexuality into [...]
South Carolinian state Senate hopeful Mick Mulvaney's trying to smear his Democratic opponent, Mandy Powers Norrell, with a robo-call featuring a fake gay group touting her "progressive" politics. Some people will do anything to win, won't they? [Towleroad] Permalink | post a comment | Add to del.icio.us | Digg Post tags: Gay, Homophobia, Many Powers Norrell, Mick Mulvaney, News, Politics
We pay a lot of lip service here to the idea that magazines and newspapers are a dying breed these days. But how can you not? It's no longer just a conceptual exercise, like "Oh, when the Internet really takes off and everyone buys a Kindle there will be no more need for paper journalism." CONTINUED [...]
We've never been able to resist French musician Martin Solveig, who recently released this track, "I Want You." Like some of his other offerings, this aural features legendary soul singer Lee Fields. Permalink | post a comment | Add to del.icio.us | Digg Post tags: Entertainment, Lee Fields, Martin Solveig, Music, Music Videos
"A Bay Area elementary school got caught in the crossfire of a ballot initiative seeking to outlaw same-sex marriage in California on Tuesday after a kindergarten teacher asked her pupils to sign pledge cards promising not to use anti-gay slurs. ProtectMarriage.com, the coalition of social and religious conservative groups sponsoring Proposition 8, offered the episode [...]
We have grown to love the CW's new version of 90210, so you can bet your bottom dollar we're thrilled at this news: "The CW and CBS Paramount Network Television are “exploring” the possibility of creating a new version of Melrose Place, according to a rep for the studio… There’s been buzz about a possible [...]
California's social conservatives are bringing out the big, ungodly guns in their quest to overturn the state's gay marriage: Backers of California's Proposition 8 invoked a higher authority as they ramped up their television advertising by an additional $1 million and asked for more money. In an e-mail appeal for more cash, campaign strategist Frank Schubert says [...]
"In a fundraising e-mail on behalf of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Mitt Romney referred to 'the very real possibility of an Obama presidency.'" Could Romney be laying the bricks for his alleged 2012 White House run? [HuffPo] Permalink | post a comment | Add to del.icio.us | Digg Post tags: Gossip, John McCain, Mitt Romney, News, Politics, [...]
So, what do sleazy Hollywood dad Michael Lohan and sleazy Girls Gone Wild honcho Joe Francis have in common? Well, yes, they're both sleazy - that's obvious - but there's more than just that: both men hate DJ Sam Ronson, Lindsay Lohan's lesbian girlfriend. Mr. Lohan lashed out at Ronson earlier this year, calling her [...]
Rocking lesbian mama Melissa Etheridge put virtual pen to paper today to take on California's Proposition 8, which hopes to overturn that state's gay marriage. Writes Etheridge: I believe in our democracy. I believe in our constitution. I believe we live in the greatest country in the world. I believe that we are as strong as [...]
"A qualitative survey just released by the Los Angeles based multicultural market research company New American Dimensions shows that African-American and Hispanic gays and lesbians overwhelmingly consider themselves to be members of at least two minority groups: one defined by sexual orientation and the other defined by race or ethnicity. Lesbians face discrimination on an [...]
While we're on the subject of Harvey Milk biopic, Milk, here are some shots from last night's premiere in San Francisco. Everyone was there - Sean Penn, Gus Van Sant, Gavin Newsom, Josh Brolin, Diane Lane, Diego Luna, Bryan Lourd, TR Knight and so many more that we couldn't even possibly begin to name them [...]
Focus Features is none-too-please with the Hollywood Reporter, which yesterday ran a story about how the production company had eschewed marketing for its latest lavender story, Milk, about slain San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk. The story claimed Focus didn't want to scare off potential audiences by playing up the gay factor and were waiting until [...]
Australian rugby player obviously isn't shy about having men looking him up and down - he recently preened and posed for gay glossy DNA. Who doesn't love a cock sure jock? Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us | Digg Post tags: DNA, Morning Goods, Nick Youngquest
GLAAD Announces $50,000 Contribution to No on Prop 8 in California The Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today announced a recent $50,000 contribution to NO on Prop 8 and urged its members to support NO on Prop 8 – the campaign to defeat Proposition 8, which if passed would eliminate marriage for gay and lesbian couples in California. The contribution, authorized by GLAAD's National Board of Directors, is in addition to a $100,000...
Tips for a More Successful Appraisal (http://nationalgaynews.com/content/view/4226/173/) Real estate appraisals are powerful, particularly in today's nervous market as loan underwriters take a more skeptical approach to approving mortgages for buyers and homeowners have more trouble qualifying for home equity loans. The appraised value of a home is, after all, the benchmark banks use to calculate collateral, so it directly affects sales prices. Even if a buyer offers a higher price the sale will not go...
Connecticut Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled Friday that gay and lesbian couples have the right to get married. The ruling makes Connecticut the third state, after Massachusetts and California, to decide its constitution mandates treating citizens equally when applying for marriage licenses, regardless of their sexual orientation. Interpreting our state constitutional provisions in accordance with firmly established equal protection principles leads inevitably to the conclusion that gay persons are entitled to marry...
Read More... (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hUQWDVi4tGl5uYAaXW7P-fXmk4PQD93LRV000)
Choose a Realtor Wisely to Save Money (http://nationalgaynews.com/content/view/4223/173/) Any time somebody decides to sell their home the cost of hiring a professional real estate agent is one of the biggest bottom line factors, and that is doubly true during a real estate recession like the one faced by Americans at the moment. Real estate brokerage fees contribute a substantial portion of overall costs and may be the most expensive line item charge on a real estate...
Mitcham Saddened by Status as Only Openly Gay Male Olympian Diver Matthew Mitcham says he was very surprised he was the only openly gay man in the Olympic village. In fact, a little sad. The gold medallist who won hearts with his incredible final dive at Beijing is proud of his sexuality but understands it can be a harder wrestle for other gay athletes to come out in the public arena. Mitcham was the only...
Mr Gay UK 'Stabbed Man to Death and Cooked His Thigh With Herbs and Olive Oil' Anthony Morley, 36, then attempted to eat a piece of Damian Oldfield's flesh before walking to a nearby takeaway and telling staff he had killed someone, Leeds Crown Court was told. Morley, who worked as a chef, also cut a piece of 33-year-old Mr Oldfield's chest and nipple and left a bank card over the wound, it was claimed. Andrew Stubbs, prosecuting,...
Read More... (http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AIDS/story?id=5928089 page=1)
Read More... (http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9140.html)
HeteroQueer Activist Speaks at Southern Comfort Jacob Anderson-Minshall “I’ve been in the family for so long—nearly 30 years—it’s home to me. Straight, to me, is a lifestyle I just can’t relate to even though I present fairly straight.” C. Michael Woodward identifies as heteroqueer; “It means I’m a man who enjoys the company of women—although that has been known to be flexible—but lives almost exclusively in LGBTQ social circles” The forty-five-year-old is...
Gay Community Urges Hate Crime Charges (http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=ac72da16-02a6-4f31-b67f-b56e0b060b60) Members of Vancouver's gay community have joined Vancouver police in urging that hate crime provisions of the Criminal Code be applied in what is alleged to have been an unprovoked attack on a gay man preceded by anti-gay insults. Michael Kandola, 20, of Vancouver, appeared in Vancouver Downtown Community Court Monday accused of assaulting Jordan Smith, 27, of White Rock. Read More... (http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=ac72da16-02a6-4f31-b67f-b56e0b060b60)
Read More... (http://www.gaywired.com/Article.cfm?Section=66 ID=20478)
Read More... (http://www.gaysports.com/page.cfm?typeofsite=snippetdetail id=1265 snippetset=yes)
MP Sets Civil Ceremony Precedent (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/7639581.stm) The Labour MP for Wallasey and Maria Exall, her partner of 18 years, made the commitment at Southwark Register Offices in south London. Ms Eagle, 47, was involved in bringing in the Labour government's Civil Partnerships Act of 2004. Ms Eagle's twin sister Maria said: It's been great, everyone was very pleased and they are very much in love. Read More... (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/7639581.stm)
Model Ben Massing Sues Over Gay Attention (http://www.queerty.com/model-ben-massing-sues-over-gay-attention-20080927/) Ladies and gentleman, meet the new Josh Peters. You remember our former Morning Goods selection, who complained about finding myself on these stupid gay sites ? Now Genre magazine is facing a similar scenario with straight model, aspiring actor, University of Central Florida student, and former Queerty Morning Goods choice Benjamin Massing, who was featured in the magazine's March/April issue and says the cruel and...
Read More... (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3071332/Steven-Spielberg-joins-campaign-to-prevent-gay-marriage-ban.html)
For Gay Father, Adoption Ruling is `a Defining Moment' Two months after the foster child came to live in Wayne LaRue Smith's two-story Key West home, the brown-eyed 5-year-old boy looked up from the kitchen table and, in a plaintive voice, asked what seemed a simple question. ``Will you be my daddy?'' At first, Smith, a foster father who has cared for 33 children in state custody, could not say yes. Read More...
Series TV Showing More Gays, Lesbians (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/tv/sfl-gay-tv-0923,0,5731646.story) Broadcast television will have 16 gay and bisexual regular characters in prime-time series this fall, more than double the seven of a year ago, a new study has found. The Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said it was a positive sign of networks making their shows more representative, although more work needed to be done. These characters accounted for 2.6 percent of all the regular characters in...
Clay Aiken to Reveal He is Gay (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/23/AR2008092302886.html) After years of dodging questions, former American Idol singer Clay Aiken will acknowledge he is a gay man in an interview with People magazine set to run on its Web site Wednesday, according to media reports. Celebrity site Perezhilton.com on Tuesday published a photo of the cover of People magazine's upcoming issue on which Aiken cradles his new son, Parker Foster Aiken, in his arms. Read...
Advocating for Out of Home Youth (http://nationalgaynews.com/content/view/4206/175/) Jacob Anderson-Minshall “It’s a pretty disturbing picture,” Jody Marksamer says of the “very interesting information” revealed in a new study by the Equity Project examining why LGBT youths enter the juvenile justice system and what their experiences inside are like. For the past three years Marksamer—who uses male pronouns but says he doesn’t like to talk about his gender identity to the media—has coordinated the Equity Project,...

Another great effort to ensure Prop 8 goes down in defeat has launched! Today is Write to Marry Day, a national day for bloggers to join in opposing California's Proposition 8.

The goal for Write to Marry Day is to generate 200 posts about why it's essential to preserve the right to marry for gay and lesbian couples. Dana Rudolph of Mombian leads the charge.

"Prop 8 is an unfair and unnecessary measure that would eliminate equal protections for same-sex couples and write discrimination into the California state Constitution," adds co-organizer Dana Rudolph, founder of LGBT-parenting blog Mombian. "As marriage equality spreads throughout the country, people in all states have a vested interest in making sure this hard-won right is protected."

To participate, bloggers should post on their own blogs against Prop 8 on or before October 29, 2008, then visit www.mombian.com to submit the links to their posts. Links to people's own videos on YouTube or other video sites are also accepted.

All bloggers who are against Prop 8 are welcome to contribute posts, regardless of where they live or whether they are LGBT or not. Mombian will showcase the full list of participants on October 29. All participants who leave a valid e-mail address will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com.
Feel free to post a diary about your feelings about marriage equality and Prop 8 here on the Blend and submit it to Mombian.

For my part, as many of you know, my wife Kate and I married in Canada in 2004. On our anniversary this year, I blogged about the big picture, and those words apply today as well.

As Kate and I take time to celebrate our union, we also celebrate all the recent marriages in California; may the voters in that state turn away the disgusting amendment that will be on the ballot in November and preserve marriage equality in the Golden State. Good luck as well to Arizona and Florida advocates of our right to marry -- may those voters turn away the hate amendments at the polls as well.

Marriage equality continues to thrive in small pockets in our country, and one of the best ways we can cultivate support and effect change is to bring those marriages back home where these commitments are not legally recognized. Not to challenge the legal wrong, mind you (it's going to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in the end), but to become visible married couples in our communities - living marriage out of the closet before our friends, neighbors, and work colleagues.

Visibility challenges assumptions; show willingness to explain to potential allies how your legal-somewhere-else marriage is denied where you live.

The fact is we will prove by example that our relationships will not cause an end to anyone else's marriage or destroy society, and it will move all of us closer to full civil equality.
More things you can do to help the cause of marriage equality are below the fold.

 


 

Community leaders in California are asking that we promote the following three items to blog readers:

  • The greatest need is for money: To move the message, the campaign must push hard in print, radio and television ads. To have your readers support the effort we've set up a special bloggers Write to Marry page for contributions. To have your readers support this effort, please send them to this Act Blue Page (http://www.actblue.com/page/wtm).

  • Remind readers who vote in California: Don't Stop at the Top! (http://dontstopatthetop.org/) - Propositions are at the bottom of the ballot. At Don't Stop at the Top your readers can submit mobile numbers of friends in California so on election day they are reminded to vote down ballot.

  • Volunteer in California: No On 8 is seeking volunteers to help with Get Out The Vote efforts throughout the state. To volunteer, visit the No On 8's Netroots page (http://www.noonprop8.com/action/netroots-gotv).

 

Oh yeah, tell it like it is, Mr. Straight Talk:
John McCain in his own words

"I'm going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues.  I still need to be educated."
Wall Street Journal, 11/26/05

"The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should."
Boston Globe Political Intelligence, 12/18/07

"I might have to rely on a vice president that I select" for expertise on economic issues.
GOP Debate, 11/28/07

His choice?

On November 4th,
You Get to Make Yours


It never gets old with the McCain campaign, does it? First, John McCain undermines his Obama is inexperienced and lacking in foreign relations meme by picking Sarah "my expertise in foreign relations comes from being able to see Russia from my house" Palin now, it seems, JoeSam the unlicensed plumber's role in the campaign has been expanded beyond domestic issues.
The all-out effort from John McCain's presidential campaign to scare voters into backing the Republican candidate continued apace on Tuesday as McCain surrogate Joe the Plumber agreed that a Barack Obama presidency would mean the "death of Israel" and end democracy in America.

The Ohio plumber, who has no license and is actually named Samuel Wurzelbacher, spoke at a McCain campaign event in Columbus Monday. A McCain supporter asked if "a vote for Obama is a vote for the death of Israel." JTP hardly batted an eye.

"I'll go ahead and agree with you on that," Wurzelbacher said. RAW Story

JoeSam's foray outside his expertise in economics is seen as a way to not only reinforce the foreign relations sentiments McCain surrogates have already rolled out to Jewish voters but also serves to prime the market for the campaign's upcoming ads. While the McCain campaign hesitates to distance itself from the future member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, even Shepard Smith of FOX NEWS felt compelled to push back:

 

x-posted at the disenchanted forest


Since I started blogging, I've taken quite a few hits for being an equal opportunity critic.  I've never hesitated to call out anti-gay politics - no matter what side of the aisle it originates.  IndianaHouseDistrict33.jpgMy standard answer to those who think I should automatically support Democrats over all others is simple.  I'm gay before I'm partisan; in Indiana several Democrats are worse on my issues than some Republicans.  My community ranks higher than my political party.

A recent anti-gay mail piece for Democrat Andy Schemenaur for Indiana House District 33 is a case study in my mantra.  To add that extra special touch, Schemenaur is running to represent my hometown of Winchester.  In an election cycle that has voters fleeing rightwing nutjobs' negative division tactics, Schemenaur decided to run as a social conservative.

The mailing sent to voters in the district features a grinning candidate surrounded by his wife and family in half of the eleven photos.  Two shots are clearly meant to emphasis his church in the background.  It's entitled, "Faith & Family: A Hoosier Way of Life" so you can see where this is going...  Pictures after the jump.  (Click any of them to embiggen.)

SchemenaurComposite.jpg


Like I said, I grew up in Winchester.  I came out as a Junior at Winchester Community High School; I got the beatings to prove it.  When I tried to find out more about being gay, I had to go outside of the county to find more than encyclopedia references in the library.  The area is not overflowing with gay people, African-Americans or non-Christians.

Indiana is not a trend-setting state.  Hoosiers resist change at most levels, granted.  But could someone please tell Andy Schemenaur that it is not 2004 anymore?  "The Sanctity of Marriage" was the Republican boogeyman during the last presidential election.  The Democrats are running on a platform of change and respect for each other now, not desperately denying gay friendly stances.

NEWSFLASH:  We're not the goddamned whipping boy this year.

But the most infuriating part?

SchemenaurCloseup.jpg


It was paid for by the Indiana Democratic State Committee



A state party spokesperson asked to review the mailer before making a statement.  No statement was ever given.  E-mails to the Andy Schemenaur for State Representative campaign were not returned.

The African-American community and the LGBT community were both given seats on the Democrat's State Central Committee at the same time.  I can't imagine the Committee paying for an ad advocating a constitutional amendment to ban interracial marriage without black leaders demanding an immediate apology.

Here's hoping our leaders do the same.

(Crossposted at Bilerico-Indiana)

Kids are really direct -- tonight Barack Obama will air a 30-minute commercial on major networks, and Michelle Obama went on Jay Leno to talk about their daughter Malia's concern that daddy was going to pre-empt her favorite show.

"So he's describing this to my mother.  We're at the kitchen table.  And Malia sort of overhears it.  She's 10.  And she says, 'You're going to be on all the TV?' She said, 'Are you going to interrupt my TV'...He said, 'No, we didn't buy time on Disney and Nick.'  And she said, 'Oh, good.'  And she got up and walked away. She was just like, 'Don't mess with my TV.'"

A couple of noteworthy and newsworthy videos to consume...

Dianne Feinstein's video opposing Prop 8 Our Greatest Fear - President Sarah Palin

"In my lifetime, I've seen discrimination. And I see it again in Proposition 8. Proposition 8 would be a terrible mistake for California. It changes our Constitution. Eliminates fundamental rights. And treats people differently under the law. Proposition 8 is not about schools or our kids. It's about discrimination and we must always say NO to that. No matter how you feel about marriage, vote against discrimination.

And vote NO on 8."


He writes music for films that tap into some of our greatest nightmares, but what is acclaimed composer Danny Elfman's greatest fear? President Sarah Palin. And that is the heart of a powerful new TV ad airing today, produced by Elfman's newly formed political action committee (PAC), OurGreatestFear.org.

"Undecided voters need to think about the fact that John McCain's advanced age and his continuing battle with cancer mean that the probability of him not completing his term simply too high. And the very real possibility of Sarah Palin at as Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful military force in the world is unacceptable-- even unimaginable."

Elfman, who has never participated in politics before, believes the ad's message will resonate with millions of voters who understand that a vote for McCain is far too likely to deal America an unpredictable wildcard at time of national crisis.


After being subjected to all the ads and news items about the California ballot for next Tuesday,  I decided I wanted to make my decisions and cast my ballot early. It was very easy.  I went to the county clerks office with my sample ballot in hand and 10 minutes later it was all over with.  The [...]
Corky and I have been together for more than twelve years… and still I worry every time she walks out that door.  For years it wasn’t just that I was afraid she would get into an accident.  It was more than that.  I was afraid that she would get into an accident, and I wouldn’t [...]
I’ve been asked where one can find yard signs and stickers for No on Prop 8. They are still available and can be picked up from the GSA Network office located at 928 N. Van Ness Fresno, CA 93728. You can also call the campaign at 559.862.4559. They are always looking for volunteers and are [...]
NO ON PROP 8 RALLY AT CITY HALLTY HALL November 2, 2008 2:00pm - 4:00pm Fresno City Hall Plaza 2600 Fresno St. Featured Speaker: Father Geoffrey Farrow More information: (559)862-4559       
Good thing this is just fiction. Wait…       
This was sent to me by Jay Hubbell of the Fresno Stonewall Democrats: Hi, all,   We are doing a NO on Proposition 8 door hanger project on Saturday and Sunday. This is an easy way to get some exercise and spread the word toword to help defeat this assault on equal rights.   Call Matt at 862-4559 to sign [...]
From: http://www.apple.com/startpage/ No on Prop 8 Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights â€" including the right to marry [...]
Marriage ban supporters threaten to ‘out’ firms Group seeks equal donation or it will publish names. By Lisa Leff Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO â€" Leaders of the campai campaign to outlaw same-sex marriage in California are warning businesses that have given money to the state’s largest gay rights group they will be publicly identified as opponents of traditional unions [...]
This was a comment made regarding the posting on the story of Fr. Geoffrey Farrow. As a Catholic, I took great comfort from the stance Rebecca and her husband have tahave taken in support of Fr. Geoff and of their stance against Prop. 8. This is a wonderful example of how much support we do have [...]
After a long hiatus, the North Tower Circle has reopened.  Although the reviews and the buzz has been varied and mixed about the Tower mainstay trying to revive itself, this one thing is clear:  Our community is yearning for other outlets and venues to gather, socialize, and get to know their local community.  The Circle [...]

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