Sorry for the lack of posts lately, the day after Christmas I felt a strange lack of interest in posting to my blog and than yesterday the power cord gave out so now I'm trying to get a new one. I tried one store (Pierre's) but thought the price was to high. I'm headed over to Best Buy now to see if I can't get a better deal. If this fails I'll probably end up looking on Overstock. In the meantime I plan to start using the computers at the College Library to do my postings. Once I get my new laptop (in a few weeks I hope). I wont even have to worry about cords as I'm looking to go all wireless. Thanks for the patience.
Trevor

Nepal's mystery "Buddha Boy" reappears

Sixteen year old Ram Banjon was spotted by villagers on Sunday near Piluwa village on Sunday. Ram has been wandering the forests living off of little more than herbs since his last sighting near Ratanpuri Village 10 months ago.


Godfather of Soul James Brown dies at 73

James Brown who was looking forward "performing on New Years Eve," passed away from heart failure this morning. The Godfather of soul was one of the greatest musical influences in the last 50 years. His music and dancing influenced the likes of Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, David Bowie and Public Enemy. He will be missed.

Elliot's Gay Party Pictures

Elliot Serjeant, who was discovered by Agent Amanda Belts this past January just wrapped up his photo shoot with gay magazine Jack in an attempt to further his career. The shoot which was done in an outside car park using a chair and a big roll of cardboard is titled Jack-OFF 2007. In it Elliot is shown in his briefs riding a bottle of champagne. This is one photo shoot I'd like to see.


Court rules in favor of straight/gay group

The group Straight and Gays for Equality (SAGE) recently won an important court case that allowed them to have the same rights as several other clubs at the same school. The school system had denied them the rights of other clubs at Maple Grove High School such as the right to advertise in the yearbook, post bulletin boards, or use the loudspeaker for public service announcements. According to the Osseo school district these rights were only granted to school clubs that fit in with curricular activities. Among the other clubs that had these rights were cheer leading and synchronized swimming. The eighth circuit court ruled that the Osseo School District had no legal right to do this as the two clubs listed above were in fact non curricular clubs granted certain rights that SAGE was denied. The School District is planning to appeal in Federal Court.

Christians face harassment

Joe and Helen Roberts were grilled for an hour about their beliefs by police after a member of Wyre Council called the police. The couple had originally asked the council to promote Christianity as well as handing out leaflets promoting gay rights. When the council refused to do this Mr. Roberts lodged a complaint. The next thing they knew the police were at their house.

Although no charges were filed, the couple felt that their rights had been violated and the courts sided with them. It is good to keep in mind that not only gay people but anyone can face discrimination, even those who are the ones most likely to discriminate. If situations like this are tolerated (thankfully in this case it wasn't) than where do you draw the line between who gets harassed and who doesn't? In such a scenario in the end only a minority wins at the expense of everyone else.

ACLU, White County School ready to settle suit

As part of the settlement a program will be set up at school to prevent bullying and harassment on campus grounds. A teacher will also be named to facilitate the program with 90% student participation. The deal is no yet finalized and will be only once all parties involved have signed the agreement. At this time everyone involved is looking to put the conflict behind them and move forward.

Gay Dolls on Display

The Gay Barbie Dolls placed next to the traditional Christmas Nativity Scene has created quite a controversy. Originally placed there in order to promote their call for legislation of same-sex unions in the country. Here's hoping that the two MP's who placed the gay dolls there don't have to do the same thing next December. Politicians from the right and center denounced the action and the Forza Italia Party went so far as to call it Vulgar. I wonder what the Republican party would say on seeing gay dolls in the Rotunda.

The Popes Christmas Address

Among other things the Pope talked about in his yearly Christmas address was the church's commitment to marriage and same-sex partnerships. This year has been a particularly troubling one for Pope Benedict given that marriage, civil rights, and civil unions being granted to gay people across Western Europe and the United States. Italy has also promised to have legislation on all unmarried couples, gay and straight, by the end of January.

Pope Benedict also said in his speech that:

"...joining a man and a woman and two people of the same sex becomes the same. With that, the ominous theories that deny any relevance to the human person’s masculinity and femininity are tacitly confirmed."

Given the Pope's interpretation of the bible it would seem that his stated "ominous theories" are in fact well on the way to being confirmed. Given this fact the church has two choices. It can adapt to except the new reality or it can stay as it is and one day find that it has eroded much of the influence it once had on people around the world. Granted whatever happens will not be a sudden change but a slow evolution. This one will be really interesting to watch.

MassEquality: Larry Should Go

As MassEquality's campaign directory Marc Solomon said:

"If Catholic Citizenship is indeed serious about its roots - that it believes in tolerance even as it works to defeat marriage equality - then it should stand behind those principles and tell Mr. Cirignano to clean out his desk,"

Mr. Solomon added that:

"This action demonstrated the deep, anti-gay sentiment that, unfortunately, seems to permeate through our opponents. Individuals can make mistakes, but movement leaders must respond to a higher standard. In this, Mr. Cirignano clearly failed and he should go."

Larry Cirignano is presently facing criminal assault charges filed with the Worcester Police Department on behalf of Mrs. Loy the woman he attacked last weekend.


Eye on Ohio

Governor-elect Ted Strickland announced Mary Jo Hudson would be appointed insurance director on Thursday. She is the first openly gay person to hold the job of agency director.
This represents a complete 180 degree turn from 2004 when a anti-gay marriage initiative helped deliver Ohio's electoral votes to George W. Bush.

Bo Shuff of Equality Ohio had this to say:

"This is the first concrete demonstration that the tone in the Statehouse has already begun to change. We now know for certain that the conversation about issues that matter to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Ohioans can take place."

The more people get educated, the less ground bigots, zealots, and other people who operate on hate, fear, and mistrust have to stand on. It would seem that maybe now after Ohioans have seen the real face of Republican values they are finally ready to listen to someone with a much different message.


The Donald and Rosie escalate their feud

I guess money isn't everything even for someone like Donald Trump. If it wasn't so entertaining to see such successful and well known people humiliate/embarrass themselves on the national-international stage it would be pathetic. Here I thought that only only children were capable of saying such childish things, well I guess I'm wrong. So here are a few quotes from the latest flare up.


"Maybe she wanted to put the crown back on Miss USA’s head. I think she’s very attracted to Miss USA so she probably wanted to put the crown on her head herself."

"She is a very, very unattractive woman who really is a bully."

"Ultimately, Rosie is a loser, and ultimately ("The View") will fail because of Rosie. ... Barbara (Walters) made a mistake and let me tell you something, Barbara’s a good friend of mine. She cannot stand Rosie O’Donnell."

However it turns out I can think of only one word to describe the whole flare up and that is disgusting.

Gus Van Sant's wild, wild ways.

Gus was recently arrested by Portland Police on a DUI after it was found that his blood alchol level was over twice the legal limit at 0.19. Need I say more....

Gloria Trevi: Gay Ally.

Mexican Pop Singer Gloria Trevi, who was wrongly imprisoned in 2000 on charges of sexual abuse etc. has become a gay icon. Her latest music video Todos me miran (everyone is looking at me) depicts a gay man comming out. She has also become a champion of gay rights. Way to go.



Last Word

Enough About the Process

I'll be the first to admit that how things get done in government are almost as important - and sometimes even more important - than what things get done. However, nothing in life is black and white and there's always a little room for gray. As January 2nd inches ever closer and Massachusetts quickly nears its newest Constitutional Convention, gay marriage is again the heated topic - to everyone's detriment. Never mind the fact that there are far more important - and undecided - issues facing this state, somehow gay marriage has driven a steak through the progressive movement's heart. A large health care lobby and most gay rights supporters just so happen to be on the opposite sides of a bleeding heart.

So, what the heck has gone on here? There are four sides to this story:

1. Team Homophobia - the Vote on Marriage types. They've continually lost ground since Goodridge, but keep on trucking because desperate mice may actually attack the cat. (And lose miserably, becoming a tasty treat.)
2. The Health Care Lobby - for some strange reason, they've bought the idea that the reason their amendment is going to fail has something to do with marriage equality - they even sent an amicus brief in support of Team Homophobia's case. They've forgotten the fact that their bill really died long before marriage equality came up for a vote.
3. The Process People - people who may or may not support gay rights, but think that the most important thing about our government is the "process." Bad laws are okay to pass, so long as they're done in a good way. So it's okay to throw Nana under the bus, just so long as a majority of voters think that should be legal.
4. Gay Rights Activists - be they gay, straight or something in between, gay activists have worked damn hard to gain equal rights in Massachusetts. Most of them don't want to see their rights on the ballot, even if that means their elected representatives need to play hard ball.

Here's what happened: the gay rights activists pushed a petition to ban gay marriage, apparently getting enough signatures to move the process forward. The Health Care folks couldn't have cared less about marriage equality and it wasn't on their radar - until, that is, their amendment was pushed behind marriage. Suddenly, the Health Care folks have jumped aboard Team Homophobia for their own selfish purposes. Which, ultimately, leads to a lot of very angry gay rights activists rabidly doing what they can to protect their rights.

So, who's right? To be clear, if the letter of the law was followed, the State Legislature should have an up or down vote. The constitution implies it.

However, is this issue black and white? Or is there gray? There's no mistaking it; the amendment crafted by Vote on Marriage was authored by a bunch of homophobes and would result in massive discrimination. Furthermore, the Health Care folks clearly just care about one thing: themselves. That's why they've asked to push both the gay-ban and health care amendments forward to their next logical conclusions, despite the fact that there's precedent indicating the Supreme Judicial Court has no power or right to do that. So, their remedy to the legislature potentially breaking the Constitution (it hasn't happened yet) is to ask the Supreme Judicial Court to throw it in a shredder. Worst yet, this deplorable amendment only needs 1 in 4 state reps and senators to vote "yes" for hate to gain ground.

Clearly, both Vote on Marriage and the Health Care peeps are morally wrong. Yet, they're following the process. So which wins out? Is this a case where the ends do justify the means? Or is this a situation where Team Homophia & Friends need to be put down - even when hunting's out of season? Where to draw the line?

How about hypocrisy? It would be one thing if what the State Legislature is about to do on January 2nd had never occurred. If Massachusetts ConCons had always followed the rules - and suddenly tried to break them this year - then there'd be major reason to cry process. However, Constitutional Convention after Constitutional Convention, no one has followed the rules. Some may even doubt if most elected officials even knew all the rules. There has almost certainly been a constitutional amendment that didn't receive an "up or down" vote in just about every year there have been ConCons. Sometimes, maybe Beacon Hill just didn't get to finish them because of time constraints. Other years, there's probably a little more malice.

This past year, there was no malice. Parliamentary procedure was used to protect civil rights. The State Leg dodged an "up or down" vote - as they've done hundreds of times before - because they wanted this issue to die. They've decided, over and over again, to protect civil rights now and aren't interested in putting that hard work up to a vote that only requires 25% support to pass.

But is there hypocrisy? Yes. Despite the fact that myriad amendments died before they ever got a vote, it's gay rights being attacked. While many of the people attacking it aren't openly homophobic, it stands to reason that at the very least, being biased, they just don't see gay marriage as an important issue. After all, it doesn't effect them.

I ask: Where were these people when former Mayor of Boston, Ray Flynn, supported the legislature employing parliamentary procedures to block a vote on a constitutional amendment? Now that people are trying to block discrimination against glbt people, Ray Flynn has seen the light and - wait for this - thinks the "process" needs to be protected. Hypocrisy, much? Can't people see it? If this were Clean Elections, sure there would have been a fuss, but it would have gone away pretty soon. After all, Kerry Healey wasn't screaming for Clean Elections even though the legislature tampered with that ballot initiative. She barely mentioned it. Yet, she was very vocal when it came to the Vote on Marriage folks.

Still, some say,

• "We need to vote on this to hear the end."
• "You'll be doing this year after year, Ryan."
• "This will never go away."

You know what? You're right. But I'll be doing this year after year no matter what happens on January Second. If we beat them playing tough, they'll try to come back. If we beat them within the parameter of the rules, they'll come back anyway. As long as there are homophobic people out there, we'll never hear the end of them. As long as people can be hired to collect signatures, we'll be facing homophobic ballot initiatives. The only thing rational people can do is make them lose in a bad way - giving them no hope in the future. At least, that way, only the craziest of crazies will still pursue discrimination.

They probably still won't give up. Just look at them work around the country! In Massachusetts, people are complaining the courts decided marriage equality. In California, when their State House passed gay marriage, Arnold vetoes it because 'the court or voters (by initiative)' should decide. Which is it? You can't win with Team Homophobia, they're like little kids who keep on making up rules until they finally "win." According to Arnold, it's okay for the court to decide who can marry, but not in Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, despite the fact that the legislature votes on almost all issues, it's wrong for a majority of our elected officials to say "enough is enough" when it comes to gay marriage. Hypocrisy is a term the homophobic sadly haven't grasped yet.

So who is right?

To Team Homophobia & Company - whoever says they win.

To people who care about what's right? Our state's courageous politicians, who are willing to take serious heat and take a bold step in ending discrimination. Here is one case where playing tough is worth it, even at the cost of an already deeply flawed process.

posted by Ryan Adams

Edge's Hot Model Chris

SJC Hears Oral Arguments in Romney Suit

The Massachusetts Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday on the suit filed by Peter Sacks and John Hanify on behalf of Governor Romney and 10 other plaintiffs. In a oral statement delivered after the closing arguments, Lee Swislow, the Executive Director of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders said:

"Legally, there is nothing new in this case. The questions asked by the plaintiffs have been answered by the Supreme Judicial Court consistently and repeatedly over the years. We see this action for what it is--an attempt to change the rules and create more onerous burdens just because it is the rights of a minority at issue."

The Legislature’s actions have not only been constitutional, but courageous and correct. They have refused to be bullied or intimidated, and we fully expect them to keep standing up for what’s right. The plaintiffs say they favor citizen input into this matter, but they have ridiculed the idea that the ballot box--that is voting out members who disagree with them--provides them a remedy. Just because they cannot elect a majority in the Legislature that favors taking away rights from gay people doesn't mean the courts should change decades of case law and change the rules of the constitutional convention.

It is simply wrong to put the rights of a minority up for a popular vote. That’s what this is about. Marriage equality is now part of our social and legal landscape in Massachusetts. We cannot and should not turn back the clock, or create a system in which legislators have to leave their common sense or good judgment off the convention floor."

New Jersey's New Law

It is now official. Governor Jon S. Corzine a N.J. Democrat kept his word and signed into law a bill legalizing same sex unions. While some people in the audience felt that it wasn't enough it is a step in the right direction. Veronica Hoff of Mount Laurel summed it up best when she said "It's a step forward, but it's not true equality." Among other things the law grants gay/lesbian couples the right to inherit, adopt, have hospital visitations and not be forced to provide legal testimony against their partner in state court. For those who want nothing less than marriage it would be wise to remember that there is enough controversy and opposition to gay rights in the country right now.

The Governor himself is worried about a revolt among NJ mayors in allowing the unions to be performed in their cities. While marriage remains the ultimate symbol of true gay equality, at this point in time there are to many people opposed to this idea to ever see it happen. Marriage may never be realized but if it is, it is going to be a gradual and lengthy process of educating and changing the mindset of marriage opponents at the grass roots level.

Boston Herald controversy

The Boston Herald screws up story on gay/lesbian condo and creates needless controversy due to poor reporting. According to U.S. Representative Brian Wallace:

"The Boston Herald flat out got it wrong...I had never even heard of Stonewall Communities before the reporter called me. The way I was approached, [Stonewall] was developing condos in Boston where only gay men and lesbians could live. Anytime you're excluding anyone � that's wrong."

In pursuing the story the paper according to Rep. Wallace, failed to tell him that the complex was not GLBT exclusive but inclusive. In simple talk the paper created much ado about nothing. Someone screwed up big time.


State Supreme Court to hear gay marriage challenge

On Wednesday the California State Supreme Court unanimously decided to review an October ruling by the San Francisco Appeals Court upholding the state's ban on gay marriage. Back in 2004 the state supreme court sidestepped rather than take further action for or against it. With the high courts mixed record of gay civil rights rulings it is any one's guess what the court will decide.


Most Troops comfortable with Gays, poll finds

The results of a poll conducted by Zogby International has found that 73% of military members are comfortable with a gay/lesbian member in the armed forces and 23% know for sure that someone in their unit is gay.

According to Dixon Osburn the poll is one more nail in the coffin of the failed policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue. The results will also put additional pressure on the establishment to change the official policy of Gays from exclusion to inclusion. It is unlikely though with the present administration in the white house that this will happen.


PV official offers $10,000 for info in gay-attack case

Paradise Valley Councilman Brian Cooney is offering a $10,000 dollar reward to anyone who has information about the assault outside of a Scottsdale Restaurant. According to Jean Rolland and Andrew Frost there may have been as many as seven people who attacked them outside the restaurant on Sunday.

Mr. Cooney was outraged when he heard of the incident and is quoted as saying

"Scottsdale's businesses and tourism are welcome to everyone except for violent thugs."

Given the number of people who took part in the attack it seems unlikely that someone working in the restaurant didn't see something or know someone who took part in the assault. If this is the case than the next questain is "Would the supposed witness turn in a friend for $10,000. When someone is working a job that only pays a few thousand more than that each year that could be a really tempting. Here's hoping that the people involved in the attack are caught and convicted quickly.


Palm Beach County School district unblocks access to gay supportive web sites

Good for them. To bad more school districts aren't as supportive of all minorities as this one is.


Cops lose 'gay-bashing' appeal

Good for them, to bad the whole department is out $453,000. Still I can't help but think of the cops theme song when I read this article.


Test of HIV drug disappointing, firm says

Panaco Pharmaceuticals recently announced that the new drug it is developing did not work as well in preliminary tests as hoped. The company plans to seek approval for future tests of its drug, bevirimat at greater dosage levels. The drug has previously been tested in a phase IIb study on HIV patients who had previously failed to respond to traditional treatments. The company, which is currently looking into possible reasons for the drugs disappointing clinical trial, is planning on seeking FDA approval to increase the dosage in the IIb trials as soon as possible.


Gay partners of state employees win benefits

It would seem that supporters of a bill allowing partners of gay state employees the same benefits as those of spouses. Given the fact that it is unlikely the Alaskan State Congress can muster enough votes for a 2/3 majority (needed to create a constitutional amendment) it would seem that come April 3rd when a constitutional amendment advisory vote goes to the people that the issue will be decided for good. The only way supporters of a possible amendment could win is if the advisory vote is approved with an overwhelming majority at the polls. With the state court siding with the gay community on this one opponents of the bill have little legal ground on which to outflank it.

Mens Briefs

When Push Comes to Shove

Larry Ciriginano may be facing jail time for his actions over the weekend. The Massachusetts gay rights group equality now has filed an assault and battery complaint on behalf of Sarah Loy who says that he assaulted her. For more click here.

A defiant Larry had this to say in reply:

"I did not push anyone to the ground. I had a portfolio in one hand and escorted the lady back into the crowd and left. I never touched her shoulders and she apparently thought that she could draw a foul like it was a basketball game by falling down. Great theater, not Academy Award material. She was not in the crowd, she was out in front of the crowd facing them with her sign raised in the air blocking their view of the speakers. I was not debating her, just getting her out from in front of the podium."

Right, than who had his hands on both of her shoulders as Chris Robarge says he saw just before she fell? Maybe god was in the crowd to. For more on Larry click here.



Republican Bigot

Senator Sam Brownback is at it again. As the good Senator is aligning himself with social conservatives for a possible run at the presidential nomination in 2008 he is also obsessing about Judge Janet Neff's decision to attend the commitment ceremony of a longtime neighbor.

While the Senator is obsessing about people he most likely will never meet there are a dozen or so other nominations that are stalled in the Senate in part due to Brownback's questions regarding Judge Neffs private life. It would seem that he is more interested in discrimination that just doing his job which is looking after the needs of his district.

Among other things he is asking Judge Neff is that she agree to withdraw herself from any court case involving same sex unions as well as recusing herself from cases involving gay marriage in return for his lifting the hold he has placed on her nomination. While this would be a clear infringement on the separation of the judicial and the legislative branches Senator Brownback argues that that was the only option he had left. If people like Senator Brownback succeed in getting everything they want than bigotry and extremism will know no bounds.


Tango Gets the Boot

And Tango Makes Three was recently banned from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District after Parent inquiries. On Tuesday Superintendent Peter Gorman acknowledged that his staff failed to follow district policy and banned the book following a miscommunication between him and his chief of staff Robert Avossa. Under normal district policy in order for a book to be banned there has to be a written complaint and an advisory committee review. Peter Gorman is quoted as saying to the Charlotte Observer "I screwed this one up," Hopefully the book will soon be back on the shelves. For more click here.



Conservative Party Official Backs Gay Unions

Recently elected DLP party member Peter Kavanagh was quoted as saying

"I'm not anti-gay, particularly ..... provided we retain a special place for traditional marriage... if it is necessary to change the law to avoid exploitation in a gay relationship, or to help with superannuation or to end unfair discrimination, then I would support it."

Mr. Kavanagh is the firs member of DLP to be elected to Victoria's Upper House of Parliament in the last 50 years. It would seem based on what he has said so far that some people here in the U.S. would do well to take note of his viewpoints as they could learn much about humanity.
For more click here.


Going on Two

John Mauire and Laurence Scott-Mackay who were married last year will be celebrating their one year anniversary today. They became the first couple in Scotland to have a wedding after spending the last 14 years of their lives together. With such a long period of time spent together even before their union it seems unlikely that they will not be celebrating number two in another year. For more click here.

HIV Drug Gets Production Axe

On December 18 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that GlaxoSmithKilen would no longer be helping the company develop the experimental HIV drug the experimental HIV drug brecanavir.

The reason given was that GlaxoSmithKilen belived it would be too difficult to develop an appropriate formulation for the drug. Brecanavir had previously been selected bay GlaxoSmithKline for clinical development as part of a collaboration with Vertex that began in 1993. For more click here.


Medical Researcher Denies Existence of HIV

Eleni Papadopulos Eleopulos testified in court today that HIV and the AIDS epidemic in Africa do not exist. She also told that court that

I am a scientist, I look for science - I do not look for consensus,''

"There is no massive epidemic of HIV infections because no one has proven it.''

Ms. Papadopulos-Eleopulo under cross examination also dismissed WHO and UN reports outlining the world AIDS epidemic. She is also the head of the Perth Group which believes there is no link between HIV and Aids. Wonder if she denies the existence of the holocaust as well long some other people do. In addition to her being a scientist it seems she is also an idiot. For the complete story click here.


NJ Mayors Could Refuse Civil Unions

Governor Jon Corzine of N.J. hopes to sign a bill making civil unions state law on Thursday but worries that state mayors may refuse to conduct the ceremonies. Governor Corzine added

"That would not be equal treatment under the law, but I would like to understand what the rights and obligations are,"

Under state law Mayors are not required to perform marriages and the civil unions bill is written the same way. Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan has refused to perform the ceremonies and vows to not back down. He was quoted as saying

"This is the first time in history an American is being told to perform a ritualistic ceremony no matter what you believe in... I'm not doing it. I'm daring them to make me do it."

Whatever the outcome if the bill is passed into law if will be a step in the right direction as well as to further clarify those people who would rather choose to discriminate against a minority as oppose to those who wouldn't and may leave them open to legal actions for possible violations of anti discrimination laws. Jon Corzine with National Gaurdsman. For the complete story click here.



Quickies

Dominic Purcell on Manhunt.net? You can check it out here. Robbie Williams in drag here. Richard Hovey I.D'd. For more click here. First steel column of Freedom Tower placed at ground zero. FBI informant in Iraq loses his.

Mens Briefs

Nashi or Nazi?

Thousands of Nashi celebrate the Russian equivalent of Christmas. Nashi, also known as the Pro-Kremlin Youth Group were dressed not as Santa but as Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden. Hmmmm, I can't help but think of another fringe group mentioned here that is gaining support in Russia. Every April 20th on the eve of Hitler's Birthday sees an increase in interest in Neo Nazism. It would seem that Fascism is alive and well in Russia. With Putin's Presidential term set to expire in 2008, assuming that he does step down who knows what direction the next President of Russia will steer the country.



Marjorie Hill's New Job

Psychologist Marjorie Hill of Gay Men's Health Crisis has a long history of dealing with AIDS. Back in 1983 when AIDS was just beginning to be recognized and discussed by mainstream America Marjorie watched a close friend die from the epidemic. Later when she was the director of Mayor David Dinkins Office for the Lesbian and Gay Community she stopped going to the funerals of those who had died of AIDS. The reason was that at one point she was attending about one a week and had to out of concern for her "own mental health." While she has her work cut out for her she is also well qualified for the job having done outreach with the community in the past and having experience with the epidemic going back over two decades.
For more click here.


Mitt Romney: Flip Flopper?

Patrick Sammon of the Log Cabin Republicans is asking Governor Romney to explain his apparent about face on gay rights if he is planning on seeking the Republican Presidential Nomination. When Mitt Romney was elected Governor of Massachusetts back in 1994 he made the promise to "make gay and lesbian rights a mainstream concern" in a letter he wrote to the Log Cabin Republicans. Back than he was running against Sen. Kennedy which may explain in part why he wrote the letter.

At the same time he claims he supports gay rights he is also against gay marriage for the reason that he wants to preserve marriage as a union between man and woman. If Mr. Romney is really serious about this he could better preserve marriage by doing away with divorce all together instead of spending his time opposing gay marriage. What Mitt's real views are remain unknown and it will be left up to Republican voters to decide if his political platform is right for them in the next Presidential race.





Houston Rapist Still At Large

Police are still searching for a suspected serial rapist in the Houston area who last struck November 30th. On Monday the department said that there may be even more victims but none have been willing to come forward up to this point. The rapist is described as being a clean shaven black man, about 5-6 to 6 feet tall, in his late twenties.

Police have so far been unable to establish any link between the victims and it is believed that the rapist is striking at random when he sees someone he likes. If anyone has any information or if they live in the Dallas area and see the guy below they are urged to contact Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS as soon as possible. Hopefully the rapist is picked up before he has a chance to strike again but that seems unlikely as the police still have little evidence to go on. For more information check here.


Gay Marriage in Europe

A recent poll indicates that Europeans are sharply divided over gay marriage. For more info check here. Good to know that the issue is being debated over there. Gay marriage will never be legal anywhere without education to counter religious arguments and ignorance. This must be done at the grass roots level as that is the only way to make any long term/permanent changes in any society. Here's hoping it happens.


Bad Principal

A decision will be made soon involving the lawsuit filed by Charlene Nguon against her former Principle Ben Wolf who outed her to her mother after he suspended her for showing affection to her girlfriend on school grounds. Mrs. Nguon is seeking between 300,000 and 1.3 million dollars in damages for her treatment. I guess Mr. Wolf decided not to leave his personal views at home when he came to work. Hopefully Mr. Wolf decides to act in a more professional and tolerant manner in the future whatever the outcome of the lawsuit.


The Last Word

The New Gay Epidemic?

According to the most recent study up to 42% or homeless and runaway youth are from the glbt community. Sooner or later (if the government doesn't act now) America will have to pay a price for neglecting the needs of homeless youth from the glbt community. If later the financial cost will become greater and this will force the government to increase taxes in order to pay for programs to combat this. If this doesn't happen than the epidemic will continue to worsen and could lead to a greater human tragedy that would haunt many people for a long, long time to come. Hopefully this situation corrects itself and does not become a classic lesson in the evils of hate and intolerance. For more you can go here.

Possible setback in search for site of Bush Library

The faculty, staff, and administrators at Perkins School of Theology all are opposed to interest in the fact that the school is one of the forerunners for the future home of the George W. Bush Library. Among the objections that were cited in a letter to the President of the university the school colleagues had this to say.

"We count ourselves among those who would regret to see SMU enshrine attitudes and actions widely deemed as ethically egregious: degradation of habeas corpus, outright denial of global warming, flagrant disregard for international treaties, alienation of long-term U.S. allies, environmental predation, shameful disrespect for gay persons and their rights, a pre-emptive war based on false and misleading premises, and a host of other erosions of respect for the global human community and for this good Earth on which our flourishing depends....[T]hese violations are antithetical to the teaching, scholarship, and ethical thinking that best represents Southern Methodist University."

Whatever happens it will be interesting. Given Bush's continual and slow fall from grace it is questionable if he would be able to force the library on anyone if they chose not to house it. As for W. himself, if he was capable of change and growth he what not be in the mess he is now.

Mens Briefs

Santa and his Reindeer

To bad that I was tied up with school other wise I might have been here enjoying the holiday spirit. There's always next year... So if anyone is in Boston next December check out Santa's Speedo Run. Lot of hot guys wearing swimwear and not much else. The annual run now in its six year helps support the fight against breast cancer. Photos courtesy of Violentz. For more hot guys in speedos check this out.

New Log Cabin President Named

Patrick Sammon named to replace outgoing President Patrick Guerriero. Patrick is quoted as saying that he will " provide a strong voice for those in our Party who believe the GOP can return to power by pursuing a unifying and inclusive conservative agenda that attracts voters from both the center and the right..."

I know a few Republicans (including relatives who live in the Midwest) and they are good people. Not at all like some of the party leaders (and former party leaders) in Washington. I agree that the Republican party is in need of fresh ideas and political views that are closer to the political and social center. Here's hopping that Mr. Sammon is successful in achieving his goals.


Wedding Bells

Matt Lucas of Little Britain fame and Kevin McGee married in London over the weekend. For more click here.



Just in time for Christmas.

Lewis Peyton's latest spread for DNA featuring Todd Sanfield. I know what I'm going to be getting with my next paycheck. For additional pictures click here.


Murder in Atlanta

New lead on Atlanta Transsexual slaying ties Atlanta Resident to the murder scene of transsexual Precious Armani. Armani was shot to death on February 29, 2004 and her killer remains at large. For more y0u can visit SOVO.com here.

Back Again

For those who have been here now and than and have noticed that there have been no posts of late it is because I've been busy with my other blog Man 2 Man and with schoolwork. Being that I started both blogs while still in the school year I haven't had the time to spend on both of them. Hopefully, now that I'm on winter break I can change that. I'm going to try to get enough stuff for my other blog (and get every thing everything organized) so that all I need to do come next semester is go in once a day to moderate comments and post the days spreads. This will allow me more time to spend on this blog posting articles, etc. So be looking for a lot more changes in the coming days. If anyone out there knows of anything going on in the gay world that is news feel free to let me know. Thanks
Trevor

Walking Around

I went out looking for a copy of In Newsweekly earlier tonight but the store that usually has them (they've always had them in the past whenever I've gone in to grab one) had none left. I would have gone up the street to another place I know where I can grab one but I didn't really want to go into the local Porn Palace tonight. Besides the last time I was in there looking for the paper I didn't see it there. Hmmmm. I guess I'm going to have to visit InNewsweekly's homepage and see what is going on. Well I've still got some other stuff I can read and comment on, that is once I'm done with school on Friday.
Trevor

Russia's War on Gays

I recently finished reading the article in DNA Magazine titled "The War On Gays." It was an eye opener in a couple different ways. Here in the United States the social/political problems of post communist Russia are not big news (as far as I can see). Watching the latest on CBS, NBC, etc. all I hear about is President Bush, Iraq, Trouble on the Home Front, etc.

I'm told little about what's going down in Russia except when it impacts America at the moment. Some good examples are when the U.S. is focused on problems in Eastern Europe are other areas around the world that modern day Russia and Vladimir Putin have a vested interest in. After reading the article I have come to the conclusion that this is not a good thing.

When I was in the Seventh Grade I did a report on JFK's life. During my research of the paper I came across a book that he published as a thesis while still in college called Why England Slept. The book deals with England looking the other way while Hitler and the Nazi party were rising to power, rearming and transforming the political theater of Germany from a nation all but bankrupt and without hope to a nation ruled by one party and one man.

This one man/one party rule was part of the reason that there was a holocaust, that is almost no one dared to speak out against him, his supporters or the atrocities the party perpetrated. Not all but many of the citizens bought into the Nazi party teachings. Than there was the Hitler youth and Aryan Pride factors as well. After all was said and done over 6 million Jews were systematically murdered as well as many gays, blacks, gypsies and other political undesirables. I could go on and on about the horrors and human rights abuses of Nazi Germany but I would be getting off track.

The point I'm driving at is that firstly, the Nazi party did many terrible things to its own citizens and secondly, that England choose to look the other way while the Nazi party was setting the stage for these things to happen. From my understanding and from the way the story in DNA is written I'm lead to believe that a similar thing may be in the works today in Russia.

You have all the key ingredients (if for slightly different reasons) such as a nation that is for all intents and purposes a big mess: unemployment rates continue to be a problem across Russia, the country has slid back into a dictatorship pretending to be a democracy, a orthodox church that acquired enough power and influence to force Boris Yeltsin to sign a law making it the state religion; even as he was forced to do so and against his own wishes (he previously signed a bill that would have more closely modeled the US Constitution and the bill of rights separating church and state).

This all leads up to last May when gays, lesbians, their European allies and allies from around the world decided to have a Pride Parade to celebrate the 13th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Russia. Instead of tolerance they were met with opposition from all sides. The Neo Nazis attacked them while the police stood by and did nothing (the only people arrested were the marchers themselves not the Neo Nazis), Yuri Luzhkov, the mayor of Moscow said that homosexuality was the "affliction of a depraved and decadent minority," that "we may have a democratic country, we live in an organized country and an organized city," and "Our way of life, our morals and our traditions are cleaner in all ways...the West has something to learn from us and should not race along this mad licentiousness."

If Yuri Luzhkov actually believes what he is saying (which I think may be the case) than he is clearly unfit to hold the public office and powers that have been given him. On the other hand if he is referring to the ideals of hate and intolerance being able to coexist side by side in a democratic country than Yuri Luzhkov is selecting a very weak argument for justifying oppression, intolerance, persecution, and hatred. It seems that this is the direction Russia is deciding to go in when the President, the state church, the mayor, the chief of police and even the Grand Mufti, Talgat Tajuddin of Russia's Muslim community and Russia's Chief Rabbi Berl Lazar were against the celebration as well.

With all these people against the march it is no wonder the Neo Nazis were emboldened enough to show up and attack the people celebrating the anniversary. In the aftermath of the attacks the London Mayor Ken Livingston condemned the violence and the MP in Russia's Bashkortostan region Edward Murzin brought a lawsuit against Vladimir Putin for falling to protect the rights of the citizens that were celebrating Pride Day. Some fast facts to consider are:

• Every year on the eve of Adolf Hitler's Birthday (April 20th) there is a surge in interest in Neo Nazism and an increase in intolerance/attacks against minority groups.
• There are more than 150 extremist publications (many of them being Neo Nazi publications) in Russia today.
• 31% of respondents to a poll taken by The All Russian Centre for the Study of Public Opinion in January 2006 believed that homosexuals "should be isolated from society."
• The same poll taken in 1990 found that 48% of citizens felt the same way as opposed to now.
• The Russian Orthodox Church has over 23,000 parishes, 635 monasteries, 102 clerical schools, and a well established presence in other countries.

With Vladimir Putin, the Russian Orthodox church, and the Neo Nazis on one side and gays/lesbians and their allies on the other unless one side gives way there will continue to be clashes and sporadic violence for a long time to come. The good news is that the situation is ripe for change. The attitudes of the citizens at the grass roots level is slowly changing and Vladamir Putin may soon be held financially responsible for his passivity and silent consensus for the continued oppression of gays/lesbians in Russia.

Another good factor (not for the Russian Orthodox Church) is that it emphasizes a strict adherence to doctrine and its practices rather than evolving or adapting to meet the needs of modern day worshippers and their changing ideals. Given the political stance of the church and its refusal thus far to adapt it is running the high chance of going extinct and with it many of its beliefs and practices. This can't be a bad thing as far as Gay and Lesbian Russians are concerned (as it would mean the end of one of their main opponents).

Nikolai Alexseyev the organizer of last years march called it a success despite the violence and has promised to make the march an annual event. So come next May 27th keep an eye out for Russian Pride. I know I will. For more you can go here.

Adsense coming soon

I haven't really had a chance to do very much with this blog before I decided that between the two I was spending to much time on line and not enough time studying. So I put it on hold and now I've got it back up and going (temporarily at least). So be on the lookout for more additions in the coming days.
Trevor

It's good to be back. With school all but over (just two more tests and a little studying which I plan to do tomorrow) I figure it's time to start paying some attention to this blog again. If you haven't already feel free to check out my other one by clicking here (provided you are of legal age and wish to view this material).
Trevor