August 2008 Archives

'' LATEST UPDATE: AUGUST 31, 2008~2:45pm: All remaining SOUTHERN DECADENCE events have been cancelled. A mandatory evacuation is now in effect.
Only two clubs remain open including JohnPaul's, 940 Elysian Fields Avenue, and the Phoenix, 941 Elysian Fields. They're serving ice cold cocktails and beer.''

Urgent notice from the Southern Decadence website. The New Orleans-based event is the largest gay party that occurs annually in the southern US, and it was expected to draw over one million participants. However, the possibility of a Category 4 or 5 Hurricane Gustav passing over Louisiana is quite high. And the city's Mayor, Ray Nagin, has called for a total evacuation in an attempt to avoid a tragedy similar to what happened 3 years ago with Hurricane Katrina. (Southern Decadence)

''We're open and we're expecting a huge night tonight with DJ Eddie Baez. We are making contingency plans behind the scenes to insure the safety of both our customers and employees, and will certainly close our doors responsibly in order to allow them a safe exit from the city when that time arrives.''

Johnny Chisholm, owner of OZ Nightclub and a circuit party promoter, speaking with JustCircuit magazine on Saturday morning. (Just Circuit)

''Our relationship is hard to define. We're not exactly lesbians, but people might use that word. To us we are just two transgender people who love each other.''

Jenny-Ann Bishop, 62, who met Elen Heart, 65, when both were living as married men with children. They couple currently lives in Wales but neither one is pursuing gender reassignment surgery due to health risks. (Wales Online)

''They were inseparable, they lived together for half a century, effectively like husband and wife. There were repeated allegations during [Newman's] lifetime about his circle of homosexual friends. It is uncertain whether their relationship involved sex. It is quite likely that both men had a gay orientation but chose to abstain from sexual relations. But abstinence does not alter a person's sexual orientation.''

Peter Tatchell, a British gay rights activist, remarking on the life of the late Cardinal John Henry Newman, an influential Catholic thinker, who may be granted full Sainthood by the Catholic Church despite the probability of a homo-relational life spent with his male companion, Ambrose Saint John. (Time)

''We are not going to be like animals . . . or to be like the homosexuals, God save us from that, you understand? We have to take the judgment, the judgment is to kill them.''

Portion of a sermon being delivered by Umm Amira, a female preacher in a woman-only congregation at a British mosque. The mosque is subject of a 2nd investigative news piece called "Undercover Mosque," that seeks to expose religious extremism being taught at certain institutions within the U.K. (Times Online) The news piece is set to air on Britain's Channel 4 of Mon, Sept 1. (Channel 4)

''I am pro-life and I believe that marriage should only be between and man and a woman.''

Selection from the 2006 election website Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who has become John McCain's choice for Vice President even though her political experience appears quite short at both national and international levels. (On The Issues) Her record appears mixed at best. (365 Gay)

''Alaska Governor Sarah Palin can help Sen. McCain win this election by appealing to independent and young voters. She's a mainstream Republican who will unite the Party and serve John McCain well as Vice President. Gov. Palin is an inclusive Republican who will help Sen. McCain appeal to gay and lesbian voters.''

Statement from Patrick Sammon, President of the gay political group Log Cabin Republicans, showing support for Presidential candidate, Senator John McCain [R-AZ], and his newly chosen candidate for Vice President, Governor Sarah Palin, the Republican Governor of Alaska. (Log Cabin)

''America may not know much about Sarah Palin, but based on what our community has seen of her, we know enough. Sarah Palin not only supported the 1998 Alaska constitutional amendment banning marriage equality but, in her less than two years as Governor, even expressed the extreme position of supporting stripping away domestic partner benefits for state workers. When you can't even support giving our community the rights to health insurance and pension benefits, it's a frightening window into where she stands on equality.''

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese responding to the choice of Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin. (HRC)

''It's early in the campaign season, and in the end the vote on this measure ... could be hard to predict. Overall views on gay marriage have not budged.... The burden is always on the yes side to convince people there is good reason to vote for the measure.''

Mark Baldassare of the Public Policy Institute whose new poll of California residents found that only 40% would vote to stop gay marriages, while 54% would allow legal gay marriages to stand in California, however, not all of the latter group approve of the idea of gay marriage. The population is said to be evenly split 47% to 47% in their personal opinion. (Time) A Field poll conducted in May found similar results of 42% opposed to legal gay marriage, and 51% will allow. (San Francisco Chronicle)

''We regret that we missed the opportunity to tell Matthew Mitcham's story. We apologize for this unintentional omission.''

Gary Zenkel, President of NBC Olympics, in a brief statement released in regards to the network's lack of coverage of openly gay, Australian diver Matt Mitcham who prevented the Chinese from taking all 8 medals in the diving competition. (AfterElton.com)

''I did it on my show first with Claudia. But you know what? There's not going to be a moment where Tyra's not going to knock me off, so I'm not bothered by her.... I (never got) a note or call (from Tyra) thanking me for helping to put her show on the map. Whatever. She's not my favorite person.''

"Supermodel" Janice Dickinson reacting to Tyra Banks' inclusion of a transgender contestant, Isis, on her long-running reality show, "America's Next Top Model." A MTF transgender, Claudia Charriez, was featured on the first season of "The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency" reality show. (New York Magazine)

''Ever since I met Del 55 years ago, I could never imagine a day would come when she wouldn't be by my side I am so lucky to have known her, loved her and been her partner in all things. I also never imagined there would be a day that we would actually be able to get married... I am devastated, but I take some solace in knowing we were able to enjoy the ultimate rite of love and commitment before she passed.''

Phyllis Lyon in a statement about the death of her wife, Del Martin, who passed away in San Francisco at the age of 87. The two lesbian rights pioneers were twice married by they city's mayor, Gavin Newsom, but only recently was it legally recognized. The couple founded the first lesbian rights organization and published the first lesbian newsletter.(San Francisco Chronicle)

''We're still developing our official policies and procedures for complying with the court ruling. We have never permitted inmates to marry other inmates in the past. We do believe it would pose safety and security concerns at our prisons. We do not expect to permit inmate-to-inmate marriages as a result of this ruling.''

Seth Unger, press secretary for California's corrections department, explaining how gay marriages in that state will affect relationships between prisoners. (Capitol Weekly)

''Somebody might force Scott Peterson to marry them or something? The Department of Corrections can come up with a myriad of reasons in their minds for passing this regulation. Very few of them have anything to do with reality. It's not based on a sound public policy but really on demonizing people in prison and denying them constitutional rights that have nothing to do with why they're in prison.''

Rose Braz of Critical Reistance, an organization that opposes the continued expansion of the current prison system. (Capitol Weekly)

''We did our time. What happened to us after we got out doesn't have anything to do with whether we deserve care. We are aware that times are tough for veterans programs and that it is difficult to get care at some VA facilities. We would just like to be treated just as crappily as everyone else.''

Monica Helms, a Navy veteran and president of the Transgender American Veterans Association, responding to the findings of a poll of 660 transgender vets. According to the poll these vets did not use the VA.. Hospitals because transgender care was not covered and because of the lack of respect that they received when they did go to the V.A. (Air Force Times)

''If Obama wins and we have a Democratic majority in the House and the Senate, we will see legislation that will remove some of the inequalities we face.... McCain is committed to perpetuating all of the legal inequalities.... The 10 percent [of GLBT voters polled who say they support Republican Sen. John McCain], I think, essentially reflects people who are gay [men] mostly, very few lesbians: I think this is one where you are mostly talking about men whose own lives are such that they personally don't experience much gay discrimination. And many of them also tend to be upper income. Obviously not all gay people are rich but, as with any group, we have an element who are wealthy and I think they are voting their pocketbook to a great extent because they are not themselves facing discrimination.''

Excerpts from an interview with Representative Barney Frank [D-MA] about the Democratic National Convention that is occuring in Colorado this week. (PGN Blogs)

''As an African-American and a lesbian, I haven't been through one day without facing some sort of discrimination ... but this is just shocking.''

Lapriss Gilbert, 31, who was getting a Social Security card for her son but was ejected by a guard at the Los Angeles building because of her Lesbian.com t-shirt. After contacting her monther, Tanya Gilbert, who is also a lesbian, they called the police and were then allowed to enter the building. A spokesperson for the security of the building reportedly says they have notified the guard's employers that his actions were inappropriate and unacceptable. (Contra Costa Times)

''Arkansas needs to affirm the importance of married mothers and fathers. We need to publicly affirm the gold standard of rearing children whenever we can. The state standard should be as close to that gold standard of married mom and dad homes as possible.''

Jerry Cox, President of the Family Council, a group which is reported to have collected over 85,000 signatures to have a ballot measure in place this November that would prevent unmarrieds -- including lesbian and gay people -- from adopting and fostering children. The effort is said to be a second attempt aimed at gays after the state's Supreme Court struck down a law in 2006 that specifically prevented gay people from fostering. (Associated Press)

"'A proposed act providing that a minor may not be adopted or placed in a foster home if the individual seeking to adopt or to serve as a foster parent is cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of a marriage which is valid under the constitution and laws of this state; stating that the foregoing prohibition applies equally to cohabiting opposite-sex and same-sex individuals; stating that the act will not affect the guardianship of minors; defining "minor" to mean an individual under the age of eighteen (18) years; stating that the public policy of the state is to favor marriage, as defined by the constitution and laws of this state, over unmarried cohabitation with regard to adoption and foster care; finding and declaring on behalf of the people of the state that it is in the best interest of children in need of adoption or foster care to be reared in homes in which adoptive or foster parents are not cohabiting outside of marriage; providing that the Director of the Department of Human Services shall promulgate regulations consistent with the act; and providing that the act applies prospectively beginning on January 1, 2009.''

Text of proposed law to ban same-sex adoptions and other adoptions by unmarried partners in the state of Arkansas. (Arkansas.gov)

''I would describe it as 'Take me.' ... My friends say my sense of style is bitch.'' -- Shawn Rachel, 28

''Today is classic and simple, but I'm usually a flashy person with bright colors and labels, and I like to be a little slut in the summer and show some skin.... Sometimes, I'm just randomly throwing stuff on, but other times it takes hours. When I was younger I used to stick to trendier clothing, like what was in for the season, but now I mix and match whatever I want.'' -- Moenae Johnson, 19, of Queens.

On-the-street interviews with some of the TS ladies of New York City's Greenwich Village night scene. (The Villager)

''Our findings support the idea that bondage and discipline and sadomasochism (BDSM) is simply a sexual interest or subculture attractive to a minority.... People with these sexual interests have long been seen by medicine and the law as, at best, damaged and in need of therapy and, at worst, dangerous and in need of legal regulation.''

Professor Juliet Richters as published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Part of her study's findings show that BDSM interests are more common among gay men and lesbians and other sexually adventurous people in general. (The Australian)

[After Clinton lost,] I thought, 'Get over yourself!' I had literally written out a check to the Obama campaign. And then I saw him in front of an evangelical group in Anaheim.... I thought, 'Wow! He just threw the gay community under the bus,' " Colichman said. "My partner looked over at me, and we tore up the check.''

Paul Colichman, die-hard Democrat and owner of the Advocate, Out magazine, GayWired.com and the Here! network, expressing his disappointment in both Hiliary Clinton's loss and Barack Obama's lack of total support for gay relationships. (The New York Post)

''We and our entire lives changed as a result of Anna's death.... After Anna came out, I think I took her spot in the closet.''

TEACH Ministries founders Mary Lou Wallner and husband Bob Wallner, whose estranged lesbian daughter killer herself in 1997, say they have gone from seeing gays and lesbians as having a troubled lifestyle to figthing for their acceptance and strong supporters of P-FLAG. (Missourian)

''When I heard and saw the letter that the church leaders had read in sacrament meetings, I was appalled. So I said, 'That's it.' I want Mormons to know that there are gay people in their congregations, every Sunday.... I really just want people to try and understand and see the pain they are causing gay members of the church who are struggling.''

Carolyn Ball, a lesbian excommunicated in 2002 for refusing to choose the church over her partner, who has started one of a number of gay-supportive websites trying to counteract the Mormon Church's coordinated anti-gay marriage push. (Orlando Sentinel)

"It's going to take a while to sink in. My cheeks hurt from smiling. My face hurts from the chlorine. My legs are sore from jumping up and down. I'm in pain and I'm tired. But I'm so happy."

Matthew Mitcham, a gay diver from Australia, who was brought to tears after winning a gold medal at the Olympics for 10m platform diving. (LA Times)

''This is a rising up over a 5,000-year-old institution that is being hammered right now. What binds us together is one common obsession: . . . marriage.''

Jim Garlow, pastor of Skyline Church, an evangelical congregation in La Mesa and an organizer of an anti-gay marriage movement known as Proposition 8. Mormons, Catholics and evangelical organizations say they are working together to get a state-wide ban passed this November, and in September they plan to have 1 million people leave their congregations and temples (including Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus) to place signs on their yard in support of Proposition 8. (LA Times)

''I will defend to my last breath the right of any of those folks to exercise their religion as they believe they are called to do it. But I'll resist to my last breath, vote, e-mail and blog their right to inflict their religious beliefs on the Constitution of the state of California.''

Susan Russell, a priest at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, saying that gay marriage in no way infringes on people's religious freedom as the proponents of Proposition 8 are claiming. (LA Times)

''The major change is that, there is more information about lesbians now, and more means of communication.''

Dr. Hu, a lesbian in China who is part of a growing movement to gain visibility for the lesbian community there, something that would have been unheard of just 9 years ago. (NPR)

''There was the sex change craze that started in Iran, and the fact that it was completely supported by the goverment, the Islamic government. I think it was in the early 1980s that the Ayatolla Khomeini gave a fatwa, legalizing the sex change... A few years later, all these men -- some women as well -- were expressing desire to have a sex change... Most of them tend to come from quite traditional families as well. So, suddenly, their parents, who are very tradtional -- in their eyes, this is an awful thing to happen -- have to deal with this given that their own moral leader has also approved it.... Iran is the rhinoplasty (nose job) capital of the world. America is the fat removal capital of the world. I'm not making this up.''

Mehrdad Seyf, Writer and Director of ''Plastic,'' a unique piece of theatre at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival that explores the sexual reassignment surgery in Iran. (BBC: The Ticket)

''It's our goal to be as relevant as possible to as many people as we can.''

Hallmark spokesperson, Sarah Gronberg Kolell, on the addition of four new cards that the greet card company is releasing this month designed for same-sex weddings. (SF Gate)

''From the day we were founded 126 years ago, strengthening and protecting the family has always been central to the mission of the Knights of Columbus. Preserving marriage as the indispensable institution in which children are conceived, born and raised to adulthood by a loving father and mother is vital to a healthy society. It is also the most favorable environment in which to protect the rights and best interests of children. We are proud to join the Catholic bishops and priests of California, and so many other people of good will, in this effort, on which so much depends.''

Patrick Korten, a spokesman for the Knights of Columbus which is a Catholic fraternal organization that promotes charity and support among member families in need. Their official dress is notable for their fondness of wearing colorful capes and elaborately feathered hats. And it would appear that they are continuing a grudge against same-sex marriage that began in 2003 with a lesbian couple, Tracey Smith and Deborah Chymyshynto, renting a hall that was owned by the British Columbia Knights of Columbus. The Knights were later fined by the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal in 2005 for refusing in an undignified way to honor a paid agreement with the lesbians to hold their wedding reception at the hall. (Knights of Columbus)

''People aren't going to pay the prices for these places and then put up with that.''

Scott Lutz a construction worker helping to develop the Mount Vernon Square neighborhood which until very recently was populated mostly by transgender sex workers, homeless, older buildings and empty lots. (WJLA)

''Safeway is opening on September 12th I'm sure customers coming to Safeway aren't going to want to walk over homeless transgendered people living on the streets.''

Bill McLeod, speaking for the Community Improvement District of the now highly-developed Mount Vernon Square neighborhood, regarding his new neighborhood residents' desire to remove the decades-long population of transgender prostitutes and homeless. It's reported that a number of agencies are looking to assist the needy instead of driving them to a new neighborhood. (WJLA)

''Those people should just watch the show. We're hiring Rachel because she's a smart person. Rachel goes far beyond politics. She's an expert on military affairs. She was a Rhodes scholar.''

Phil Griffin, President of the cable network MSNBC, jumping ahead of Republican critics who may say that the addition of Dr. Rachel Maddow as a regular news show host proves that NBC is leaning toward a liberal bias. Dr. Maddow, who is replacing Dan Abrams' show, is very open about being a lesbian and has contributed to news programs on CNN and MSNBC as well as her own show on Air America Radio. (The New York Times)

''I honestly felt a little surprised and shocked.... Every day, I wish the phone rang and they said, 'We made a mistake....' [After lunch, Charlotte Preece said,] 'you have given me a lot to think about....' [The next day, Preece phoned to say,] 'after a long and sleepless night, I have determined you are not a good fit and not what we want.'''

Diane Schroer, a former Army Special Forces commander, is suing the Library of Congress for changing their decision to hire her after she told her prospective supervisor, Charlotte Preece, that she was going to transition from male-to-female and would not be coming to the office as David Shroer. It is reported that the Library of Congress is expected to argue that transsexuals have no protection under the federal law known as the Civil Rights Act.. (Washington Post)

''They felt they could not have a gay member, because that would make the group look weak, and something had to be done. He was escorted into the woods and beaten and stabbed and left for dead.''

Bill Toohey of the Baltimore County Police Department discussing the murder of Steven Parrish, 18, found behind his family's Woodlawn home, having been cut more than 50 times and having his back stomped on by two of his fellow Blood gang members, Steven Hollis, 17, and Juan Flythe, 17, who left a red bandana covering his face. (ABC 2 News)

''On the day before Parrish's death, several members of the gang met at his home, according to charging documents. There, Hollis and Flythe discussed finding what they believed to be 'gay' text messages on Parrish's cell phone.... 'As a result, they decided that Steven Parrish 'had to go,' police wrote in charging documents. 'There was no date or time discussed for the killing, but it was made very clear to all those present that Parrish was going to be killed.' Flythe later told his fellow gang members that he and Hollis confronted Parrish, who did not deny that the messages were 'gay' in nature, according to court records.

Portion of a Baltimore Sun article that details the planning and brutal murder of Steven Parris by two fellow gangmembers and Randallstown High classmates just days before Parris was to graduate. (Baltimore Sun)

''It's almost like people who are gay, show up at the baths and say, 'Oh, I didn't know you were gay!''

David Zucker, director of the conservative comedy film ''An American Carol,'' discussing the infrequent meeting of conservatives in Hollywood. (The Weekly Standard)

''In the film, a rotund comedian named Rosie O'Connell makes an appearance on The O'Reilly Factor to promote her documentary, The Truth About Radical Christians. O'Reilly shows a clip, which opens with a pair of priests walking through an airport--as seen from pre-hijacking surveillance video--before boarding the airplane. Once onboard, they storm the cockpit using crucifixes as their weapon of choice. Next the documentary looks at the growing phenomenon of nuns as suicide bombers, seeking 72 virgins in heaven. A dramatization shows two nuns, strapped with explosives, board a bus to the cries of the other passengers. 'Oh, no! Not the Christians!' O'Connell's work ends with a warning about new threats and the particular menace of the "Episcopal suppository bomber."

Selection from the Weekly Standard article about David Zucker, a Hollywood Director who once created comedies like 'Airplane' and 'Naked Gun,' but after 9/11 says he has become a conservative convert, and is determined to influence the political process with his latest projects. His latest film "An American Carol" includes at least one gag about lesbians looking like boys and promises to make fun of politically active actress, Rosie O'Donnell. (The Weekly Standard)

''We expect the kids to accept this readily. They see a man with long hair and ask if he's a girl. But we are aware that this can be a difficult topic for parents. If the kids ask, we suggest telling them that our custodian used to be a man, but is now a woman.''

Norman P. Yvon, Principal of Clara Barton Elementary School in Oxford, MA, which will be sending letter to parents explaining the gender reassignment of the schools custodian, Brianna Bonin. (Worchester Telegram)

''My daughter, 28, has accepted me. My son, 33, is having trouble with this. It's to be expected. Eventually, I'll have my family over to talk. I'm always open. I still love them..... Cathy is divorcing me and moving to Florida. She is a wonderful woman. She is hurt. She lost her wonderful husband Brian, she still loves. Brian no longer exists. She wants a man. I'm not a man..... We are not gay. We want to be who we are. I'm transgending. Maybe when the whole process is over, I will be interested in men, but for now, I'm just interested in becoming a woman.''

Brianna Bonin discussing her two children and former wife, and how she's looking forward to her gender reassignment surgery. (Worchester Telegram)

I believe that marriage is a union between a man and a woman. Now for me as a Christian, it's also a sacred union. You know, God's in the mix. No, I would not [support a Constitutional Amendment], because historically, we have not defined marriage in our Constitution. It's been a matter of state law. That has been our tradition. Let's break it down. The reason that people think that there needs to be a Constitutional Amendment, some people believe, is because of the concern that -- about same sex marriage. I'm not somebody who promotes same sex marriage. But I do believe in Civil Unions. I do believe that we should not -- that for gay partners to want to visit each other in a hospital -- for the state to say, 'You know, that's alright.' -- I don't think, in any way, inhibits my core beliefs about what marriages are. I think my faith is strong enough and my marriage is strong enough, that I can afford those civil rights to others, even if I have a different perspective or a different view."

-- Senator Barack Obama [D-IL]

"'A union between man and woman -- between one man and one woman,' that's my definition of marriage.... I believe they [the Supreme Court of California] were wrong. And I strongly support preserving the status between man and woman. And I'm a federalist: I believe in that states should make those decisions. In my state, I hope we will make that decision -- in other states they have -- to recognize the unique status between man and woman. And that means -- that doesn't mean that people can't enter into legal agreements, that doesn't mean that they don't have the rights of all citizens. I am saying that we should preserve the unique status between one man and one woman. And if a federal court decided that my state of Arizona had to observe what the state of Massachusetts decided, then I would favor a Constitutional amendment. Until then, I believe the states should make the decisions within their own states."

-- Senator John McCain [R-AZ]

''This seems to be 'The Crying Game 2008' all over the TV.... We call it 'America's Next Top Tranny' a lot of the time anyway.... She doesn't look a lot different than any of the other contestants that have been on there. I mean, they're not exactly like the most high-class group of women usually.''

Ian Drew, Us Weekly Editor-at-Large, yucking it up with Fox News anchor Gregg Jarrett over Isis, a transgender contestant on the new season of 'America's Next Top Model.' (GLAAD Video on YouTube)

''The group GLAAD, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation sent us an e-mail saying it was offensive. That was not our intention. We apologize.''

Fox News anchor Gregg Jarrett apologizing for the previous day's segment that made fun of Isis, a transgender contestant on "America's Next Top Model." (GLAAD Video on YouTube)

For me this is a case about doing the right thing and being fair. Not discriminating against people and doctors not playing the role of God, saying because you are gay, you are not worthy of having a child or a family. I did it not only for me, my partner and my children but for other people coming after me, so they don't have to go through the humiliation and frustration and abandonment as a patient.''

Guadalupe Benitez, a lesbian who was denied fetility treatment back in 1999 because the California clinic that she went to had religious objections. (ABC News)

''Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi were married tonight in an intimate ceremony at their home in Los Angeles.''

A spokesperson for the newly married celebrity couple, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. (People)

''Everyone thinks Samantha is Lindsay's first lesbian love, but we were very passionate until her fear of being found out drove us apart.... At the time she was terrified her career would be over if she revealed her sexual tendencies. But then Samantha came on to the scene and I was dropped.''

Comments attributed to Courtenay Semel by a UK tabloid about her alleged affair with actress Lindsay Lohan. (News of the World)

''It should be known that Jonathan Crutchley's donation to McCain left the entire Board in disbelief. I am disappointed that we have lost some customers, and I understand the anger. It is too bad for the web site if we lose customers, but PLEASE never refer to me as a Republican. I consider it an offense. Earlier today, at the request of the Board, Jonathan has stepped down as Chairman. Sincerely, Larry Basile.''

Portion of e-mail sent to blogger Andy Towle from Larry Basile, the co-creator of the gay dating site ManHunt.net, regarding the other co-creator's status as Chairman of the Board, Jonathan Crutchley, who had donated some $2,300 to the campating of repeatedly anti-gay Presidential Candidate John McCain. (Towleroad.com)

''Politically, it was just off-base, with the whole feeling over here at Manhunt.... Boy, was I embarrassed when I found out he gave $2,300.... He said, 'If John is too good for my money, I'll give it to (presumptive Democratic nominee) Barack (Obama).''

Further remarks from Larry Basile to the Boston Herald. Reportedly Jonathan McCrutchley has been notified that his donation to McCain will be returned, and it is thought that transferring the donation to Obama will likely result in a return as well. (Boston Herald)

During the bridge of the song, when the lyrics quip "I wanna kiss a girl," two extras, one baring a striking resemblance to Jess, are seen in a passionate lip-lock. (Daily Telegraph)

''What has happened with those pictures is obviously completely illegal and there are lawyers getting involved.''

MTV VJ Ruby Rose supporting her gal pal Jess Origliasso of the Australian band The Veronicas reacting to nude photos of her that were sold to gossip magazines and the sex web site Fleshbot. (Adelaide Now)

''I'm by no means crying poverty, but compared to a lot of other friends of mine who are in the pop business who are as well known, I'm not making nearly as much money as they are. I definitely think that that's a kind of glass ceiling.''

Musician Rufus Wainwright speaking about the possibility of hitting a gay glass ceiling, and also what he thought fame would bring him and what the reality has been. (Ottawa Citizen)

''The Legislature and the governor changed our marriage laws to please the well-connected minority and force a social experiment into other states that's very offensive to a majority of the people, at least the way the votes have been going.''

Brian Camenker, of Mass Resistance, an new anti-gay group that is seeking to overturn the recent actions of the Massachusetts legislature and Governor, Deval Patrick, through a ballot initiative for the voters to decide whether non-state residents gays can get married or not in Massachusetts. (Associated Press)

''I've learned that when it comes to equality for gay and lesbian people, the struggle is never over because there are certain people that are just strongly opposed to any rights for gay people. It's never shocking; it is disappointing.''

Marc Solomon of MassEquality, a pro-gay marriage organization in Massachusetts, responding to the efforts of Brian Camenker and his group, Mass Resistance.

Data retrieved from OpenSecrets.org that appears to confirm a $2,300 donation from Jonathan Crutchley, an owner of the highly-visited, gay male personals site Manhunt.net. (Open Secrets)

''Dear Sir, We are always happy to hear from our members, thank you for taking the time to express your concerns. The subject that you have brought to our attention is a personal matter and is not representative of MANHUNT. We thank you for your understanding. Sincerely, Team MANHUNT''

A reply allegedly received from operators at Manhunt.net by the gay blog Towleroad. (Towleroad.com)

''I think it's a fundamental tenet of our party to be pro-life but that does not mean we exclude people from our party that are pro-choice. We just have a--albeit strong--but just it's a disagreement. And I think Ridge is a great example of that. Far moreso than Bloomberg, because Bloomberg is pro-gay rights, pro, you know, a number of other issues.''

Presidential candidate Senator John McCain stating that he'd prefer a candidate for Vice President who's pro-choice for abortion, Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania, above Michael Bloomberg of NYC, who supports equal rights for gay people. (The Weekly Standard)

"My cards were dealt differently.... I like to help people, but I'm here to follow my dreams."

Isis, a 22-year-old contestant on the upcoming Cycle 11 of the reality TV series America's Next Top Model. She is ''a woman born physically male,'' and has reportedly worked for a non-profit organization and is from Prince Georges County, Maryland. (US Magazine)

"After some members of the organization complained about the video, which was supposed to be humorous, the organization took it off their website."

Jake Tapper of ABC News reporting on a video that was pulled from the Focus on the Family website that asked members to pray for torrential rain to drown out Obama's nomination at the Democratic Convention that is to be held at Invesco Field at Mile High, Colorado on August 24, 2008.

"Would it be wrong to ask people pray for rain? Okay, not just rain -- abundant rain, torrential rain.... 'Why would I pray for that?' Well, I'm still pro life, and I'm still in favor of marriage as being between one man and one woman. And I would like the next president who will select justices for the next Supreme Court to agree. So, I'm praying for unexpected, unanticipated, unforecasted rain that starts two minutes before the speech is set to begin.''

Stuart Shepard, appearing in a video on the Focus on the Family web site.

"I think this sends a signal to young gays and lesbians across the country that they can consider a career in public service and they shouldn't be scared away from that merely because of their sexual orientation."

Jared Polis, a gay Democrat who won the primary election for a Congressional House seat from Colorado. (New York Times)

''Zero, Jabba's uncle, originally spoke in Hutt-ese, like Jabba and then he had a different sluggish voice just like Jabba, and then George [Lucas] one day was watching it and said 'I want him to sound like Truman Capote.' He actually said that and we were like 'Wow!... He's of questionable [sexuality] at least as a slug. They tell me that these slugs can be either male or female depending. That's something I guess that slugs and snails do.''

Dave Filoni, director of "The Clone Wars" speaking about a new character who is being touted as the first gay character on Star Wars, and said to be a favorite among the new animated series' crew. (MTV Movies)

''Dealing with gay tourism has to be done in an intelligent and sensitive way. It is wanted -- it's just tricky. Like so many things in Israel.... You will not find [Israeli Foreign Minister] Zippi Livni talking about this - but you will see promotional spots for such tourism, supported by the ministry, but not attributed to them, on, say YouTube.''

Yaniv Poria, a professor in the department of hotel and tourism management at Ben Gurion University in the Negev region and an expert on the subject. (Christian Science Monitor)

''Paul Donahoe and Kenny Jordan have been permanently dismissed from our wrestling program. The history of behavior of these men, including the current matter, does not reflect the standard of excellence we aspire to on and off the mat.''

Mark Manning, wrestling coach at the University of Nebraska, speaking about the decision to dismiss two wrestlers, Paul Donahoe and Kenny Jordan for receiving payment from the gay, nude model site, Fratmen.tv. (ABC News)

''If Nebraska is going to be pigheaded and kick [Donahoe] off unreasonably, there has to be another wrestling program that's going to want him.... It's not money that they would be making working as a waiter. They get well-compensated. It's better than beer money.''

John Marsh, the Los Angeles-based operator of Fratmentv.com, reacting to the news that two men featured on his site were kicked out of the wrestling program, and questions about how much the students were paid for modeling. (Associated Press)

''PlanetOut Inc. [LGBT], a leading media and entertainment company exclusively focused on the gay and lesbian market, announced today that it received a notice from the Nasdaq ... for the previous 30 consecutive trading days, PlanetOut has not maintained a minimum market value of $5,000,000 of publicly held shares.... If PlanetOut cannot demonstrate compliance with the Rule by October 30, 2008, the Nasdaq staff will provide written notification that PlanetOut's securities will be delisted....'' (Marketwatch.com)

''In its most recent quarterly filing PlanetOut Inc. reported an accumulated deficit -- that's how much money it's lost since it started -- of nearly $100 million.'' (San Francisco Business Times)

Financial news articles reporting on the current state of PlanetOut, Inc -- the parent company of Gay.com and PlanetOut.com, and former owner of RSVP cruise lines and the national glossy magazines The Advocate and Out which they reportedly sold for $6 million in April (San Francisco Business Times). The NASDAQ symbol for the company is LGBT and the price as of August 12 ended at $2.65 per share, which is down from an approximate high of $136 per share back at the end of December 2004 (including a reverse 1:10 split that occurred last October 2, 2007).

For 11 years, we were at a bar called Club 55 over in Southeast, and unfortunately, they lost their lease because the ballpark was coming in. And the building got torn down and we had to look for another home.... I honestly feel the ballpark was needed. The city needed a ballpark, and unfortunately, they chose the place where so many of our bars were. And I'm okay with that. But I'm not okay with them not helping these people relocate.

Carl Rizzi (a/k/a Mame Dennis) of The Academy speaking to the Washington Post. (Washington Post)

''There's varying levels of resentment. But you have to keep in mind, displacement is a very old narrative for gays and drags in Washington. There was the old gay bar area along 9th street that fell to redevelopment, there were bars downtown near the bus stations that were closed, a number of historic African American clubs that allowed drag were closed due to the riots. It's a fact of life that fuels some of their drama. As to why they didn't take the potential for redevelopment into account, I think many see their lack of planning as a tragic mistake. Mame Dennis makes the point that it was such an undesirable area, they thought they were safe and just never came up with a Plan B.''

Washington Post Writer, Lonnae O'Neal Parker, answering questions during a live online discussion (Washington Post)

''The problem is girls now keep asking for a kiss. After every gig on my tour I stay behind to do an autograph signing. But about a dozen women will want a snog. I just sweetly say, 'No, thank you'. If I kissed everybody who asked I'd probably go away with something I don't really want!''

Former gospel singer Katy Perry whose summer pop song, ''I Kissed a Girl,'' has hit #1 in the US, Britain and Australia, but remains somewhat controversial with gay listeners because of the song's gimmicky approach to same-sex experimentation. (TheSun.co.uk)

''Suze Orman is someone whose commonsense financial advice has been heard by people across the nation and the globe--both LGBT and straight. That this advice comes from an open lesbian bridges the divide between LGBT and heterosexual communities and proves that, no matter our sexual orientation or gender identity, we all share the same concerns about paying our bills, feeding and clothing our children, and buying homes. HRC is pleased to recognize her achievements by presenting her with the 2008 National Equality Award.''

Joe Solmonese, President of Human Rights Campaign which will be honoring financial advice writer and lecturer Suze Orman, who came out publicly as a lesbian a little more than a year ago. The HRC National Gala Dinneris set to happen on October 4, 2008. (HRC)

''2004 Platform: We support full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of our nation and seek equal responsibilities, benefits, and protections for these families.''

2008 Platform (Draft): We support the full inclusion of all families in the life of our nation, and support equal responsibility, benefits, and protections.

Comparison of statements from 2004 and proposed draft of 2008 Democratic National Platforms (pg 47) (Jake Tapper at ABC News)

''Sometimes people are together for 10 or 20 years and then get married and there is a different feeling.... There is no longer a relationship based on trust, but based on a piece of paper.''

Norm Flethcer, a Fresno, CA family lawyer reacting to the news that Theresa Ramirez reportedly filed for divorce from her lesbian wife, Adelita Guajardo, after just 3 days of marriage citing "irreconcilable differences." Ramirez says she did not want comment. (Sacramento Bee)

''We're working with the school in terms of maintaining the guys' eligibility in the NCAA.''

John Marsh, Los Angeles-based owner of Fratmen.TV, a site that features adult, male models, saying he has spoken with University of Nebraska athletic department officials. Marsh reportedly says that it would be a shame if the appearance of two wrestlers on his site made them ineligible to participate further because their pictures would have been used for commercial purposes which is not allowed by the NCAA. (Husker Extra)

"We're investigating the situation now, and until we find out further information we're not going to make a statement into regards to Paul and Kenny being in our program.''

Mark Manning, Wrestling Coach at the University of Nebraska, looking into the possible violations of a team code of conduct among two wrestling champions, Paul and Kenny,