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 ... [Read]

Jenny-Anne & Elen are two transgenders in love

Posted by duy
August 31, 2008 7:30 AM |
''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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) ... [Read]

''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.'' ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

Transgender vets face additional discrimination

Posted by duy
August 26, 2008 4:33 PM |
''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, ... [Read]

Barney Frank speaks out on Obama vs. McCain

Posted by duy
August 26, 2008 4:25 PM |
''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 ... [Read]

''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, ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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, ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

[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.'' ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

Some Mormons are gay and they want you to know it

Posted by duy
August 25, 2008 10:34 AM |
''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 ... [Read]

"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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

'Lala' - China's lesbians go public

Posted by duy
August 23, 2008 10:01 AM |
''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) ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

Hallmark adds gay wedding cards

Posted by duy
August 23, 2008 9:27 AM |
''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) ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

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. ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

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 ... [Read]

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi marry [video]

Posted by duy
August 17, 2008 10:30 PM |
''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) ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

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 ... [Read]

Rufus Wainwright wonders where his riches are

Posted by duy
August 16, 2008 7:27 AM |
''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

CRUTCHLEY, JONATHAN MR BROOKLINE,MA 02445ONLINE BUDDIES INC./CHAIRMAN3/12/08$2,300McCain, John (R) 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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

"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) ... [Read]

"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 ... [Read]

"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) ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

Univ. of Nebraska men kicked out of wrestling

Posted by duy
August 13, 2008 5:22 PM |
''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 ... [Read]

''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, ... [Read]

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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''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 ... [Read]

''Especially, in a matter as high profile as this, the court was disappointed that much of the testimony, particularly as it related to public figures within the State of New Jersey, and the dirty laundry associated therewith, needed to be aired in the public and in the press.... The McGreeveys clearly had agendas. As previously addressed, their anger seemed to ... [Read]

''To whom it may concern: Let my record speak for me. I am not homophobic. I am not a gay basher. I didn't say anything that was negative nor derogatory, nor disrespectful, nor malicious. And I would never do a commercial if I thought it was offensive to anyone. Bill, speed walking is an Olympic sport, and that 's the ... [Read]

''This is not a hate crime.... We regret beating them up as badly as we did. But we don't feel bad because what if it (had turned into) another case of murdered children?'' The mother of two "Polynesian" children who were missing and then found in a the next-door home of two gay men, David Bell and his partner ... [Read]

"I ordered the banner, went to check out and entered my desired personalized text: 'A Proud Gay Democrat for John McCain.' The purchase went through like any other online transaction.... ''I was told it could only be personalized with names.'' Craig Brownstein, a gay Democrat who donated $250 to John McCain's campaign explaining why he was not allowed to get ... [Read]

''We had been trying on and off for three years and we were exhausted. We had tried using my eggs and a sperm donor and we had tried using Martha's eggs in me. We had literally tried everything and had spent tens of thousands of pounds on treatment. So when Martha said to me that we should both have ... [Read]

My Lesbian Vampire Movie ... all gone wrong

Posted by duy
August 7, 2008 2:59 PM |
''The Last Sect was the fourth film on Peace Arch's Hamilton schedule. As we approached our production date, it became clear to the people on the ground that the original budget money was dwindling, and some below-the-line costs would be cut. Our film, originally scheduled for a 20-day shoot (the first three films took that long), would have to be ... [Read]

"We also have to do more so to support and strengthen LGBT families. Because equality in relationship, family, and adoption rights is not some abstract principle; it's about whether millions of LGBT Americans can finally life lives mared by dignity and freedom. That's why we have to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. That's why we have to eliminate discrimination ... [Read]

''The police in Ashford said Lewis' family indicated they believed Lewis was using the proceeds from her criminal activities to finance a sex-change operation.'' Sgt. Rick Archer speaking about the guilty verdict of Jimmy Maurice Lewis II who is said to have robbed the Alabama Credit Union of over $9,000. Police say photos at the scene match her drivers ... [Read]

"I'm so excited for the historic potential of someone like Mr. Combs saying to someone like me, a transgender woman, 'I'd like you to come work for me.'" Laverne Cox, a transgender hostess from NYC, who is one of several contestants along with Rob Smith, an gay Iraq War veteran from Akron, OH, who are taking part in a reality ... [Read]

"[A minute] doesn't sound like a long time, but in front of 200 people, it's a long time.... We're sitting on the curb, kissing. You can't deny what's going on. I'm kissing Spicoli [Penn] and it's still going and it's not stopping and it was when he had a beard and the beard is scraping me. Afterwards, we were like, ... [Read]

Cyndi Lauper tears into George Bush

Posted by duy
August 5, 2008 12:38 PM |
This community for me is my beloved community," she says. "This is not a money-making venture. I have been running with this community all my life, and when I hear people like George Bush talk about the gay community being antiAmerican it makes my blood boil. The guy who saved the White House, one of the heroes who crashed that ... [Read]

"We're not sure what the motivation was. It's so random and so violent and so bizarre.... He was ranting about a lot of things and what exactly he was saying I have yet to confirm with investigators." Constable Jana McGuinness explaining what she knows about the nine attacks by hammer-wielding man, Khalid Alzghoul, along the gay-favorite Davie Street in ... [Read]

"Today's arrest is a significant outcome in this investigation however it will never be closed until Matthew's body is recovered.... His parents are enduring the additional, terrible anguish of not knowing their beloved son's fate or whereabouts. His family and friends will continue to grieve and suffer until his remains are located and my detectives will continue to work ... [Read]

Playgirl quits publishing

Posted by duy
August 5, 2008 10:51 AM |
"Playgirl is going all-Web. The last print issue will be the Jan/Feb 2009 magazine, which comes out Nov. 18." Portion of an e-mail from Playgirl magazine's Editor-in-Chief, Nicole Caldwell, to MediaBistro.com The magazine was targeted toward women, but had a gay fan base, too. ... [Read]

"It's not a legally-recognized marriage in the state of Utah. So to run it as such, I find offensive. That's no different than running somebody else who decides to live together without benefit of marriage." Narayne Rougeau, a angry reader of the Logan Herald Journal explaining why she and some others are upset that the local paper ran a wedding ... [Read]

"Police, you shouldn't get involved in everyone else's business when it comes to their personal life. It's inappropriate." Lindsay Lohan reacting to questions from paparazzi regarding LA Police Chief William Bratton. (TMZ) "If you notice, since Britney started wearing clothes and behaving; Paris is out of town not bothering anybody, thank god; and, evidently, Lindsay Lohan has gone gay, we ... [Read]

"The new estimates confirm that a vast majority of new infections in the U.S. occur in gay and bisexual men, and that Blacks are significantly more heavily impacted than other racial/ethnic categories. However, the data fail to clearly link the two, perpetuating a longstanding, damaging polarization.... In fact, the heaviest impact is at the nexus of the two - being ... [Read]

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