Lesbians to attempt first gay marriage in Russia
A lesbian couple will try to defy deep-rooted Russian homophobia next week in the first attempt at a gay marriage even though rights activists say it will be rejected outright.
Public relations worker Irina Fyet, 31, and her partner of the same age will apply for a marriage license at a register office on May 12 in Moscow, a city where mayor Yuri Luzhkov once described gay pride marches as “satanic.”
Gay rights activist Nikolai Alekseyev said it was the first time a gay couple would apply for a license.
See Lesbians to attempt first gay marriage in Russia
Reuters – USA
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/05/lesbians-to-a…
Greek Courts Rules Same-Sex Weddings Invalid
A Greek court ruled the country’s first homosexual weddings, celebrated last year despite official warnings, were invalid, the couples’ lawyer said Tuesday.
Last year, a gay and a lesbian couple defied the threat of criminal charges and the wrath of the Greek Orthodox church to tie the knot on a tiny Aegean island, abetted by a local mayor.
The couples had said they took advantage of a loophole in Greek civil law, which does not specify gender in matrimony, and took vows in June at municipal offices on the island of Tilos.
See Greek Courts Rules Same-Sex Weddings Invalid
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/05/greek-courts-…
Is the media ruining Adam Lambert’s chances of winning American Idol?
I don’t know why today it’s the big story, but suddenly everywhere I look there’s another story about Adam Lambert being gay. Or maybe gay. He’s never officially come out one way or the other. And it’s mostly the same story being recycled on every website or news portal imaginable, but while it’s asking the question “Could Adam Lambert become the first gay American Idol?” I’m asking if all these news stories could hurt his chances.
It would be foolish to say that we’re a nation that’s completely beyond caring about sexual orientation, just look at legislation across the country. And while former contestants have come out and admitted they were gay, most notably Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken, nobody has admitted it while competing on Idol. And yet, Lambert has been the most ambiguous about it, which is a step in the right direction. Most people are just kind of assuming he is, I guess. But there is probably just as large a group out there that has no idea. And a lot of them may see these articles.
In a week where Lambert was in the bottom two despite having the greatest vocal range of the remaining finalists, and from what I’m told right here at TV Squad, the largest fan-base, you have to wonder if whether or not he is gay will have an impact on his ultimate finishing place. If he does win, is he going to be able to come out if he is gay? Does the show really care one way or the other any more? Speculation certainly has been that they’ve cared in the past. “Family friendly television” apparently means no gays, just ask Miss California. See Is the media ruining Adam Lambert’s chances of winning American Idol?
TV Squad * Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/05/is-media-ruin…
Tribeca film targets hypocrisy in US gay politics
A documentary called “Outrage” argues that closeted homosexual U.S. politicians who vote against the interests of gays and lesbians should be “outed” because their hypocrisy has slowed the progress of gay rights.
Written and directed by Kirby Dick, the film relies on interviews with people who claim to have had gay relationships with politicians who vote against gay marriage, hate crime legislation, gays in the military, and funding for HIV/AIDS research.
“Outrage” premiered at this week’s Tribeca Film Festival in New York and opens on May 8 in select U.S. cities.
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“Miss California” Nailed on Countdown
Countdown’s Keith Olbermann has reported that Miss California, a Christian college student named Carrie Prejean, had a boob job paid for by the Miss California Competition. Talk about performance enhancing additives! And we thought she was such a good, church going gal.
In a move reminiscent of beauty queen Anita Bryant’s 1970s crusade against gay rights, Prejean has joined in a television ad campaign against gay marriage this week. Her move upset homosexual rights advocates, including a head of the Miss California pageant.
In the 1970s, another beauty queen named Anita Bryant, a former Miss Oklahoma, became a voice against homosexuality after leading a campaign to repeal a Miami-area gay rights ordinance. She was famously quoted as saying, “If gays are granted rights, next we’ll have to give rights to prostitutes and to people who sleep with St. Bernards and to nail-biters.”
Keith Lewis, the co-executive director of the Miss California pageant, said Prejean was attended to by gay beauty experts before the Miss USA contest, and that he always knew her to be friendly to gays like himself.
Maybe it is time to take away her Miss California “crown?”
* Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/04/miss-californ…
New Hampshire Senate passes gay-marriage bill
New Hampshire’s Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that would legalize same-sex marriage after an amendment was added that prohibits polygamy and marriage of family members, among other measures.
Governor John Lynch has not indicated whether he will veto the bill, which passed in a 13-11 vote and would would make New Hampshire the nation’s fifth state where gay marriage is legal. But the Democrat has expressed opposition to the measure.
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New Hampshire set for divisive gay marriage vote -
New Hampshire moves to the forefront of America’s debate on gay marriage on Wednesday when the state Senate will decide whether to approve a bill to legalize same-sex marriage and send it to the governor.
By a vote of 3-2 on Thursday, New Hampshire’s Senate Judiciary Committee said the bill was “inexpedient” to legislate, recommending the full senate defeat it.
The committee’s chairman, Senator Deborah Reynolds, said New Hampshire took a major step in legalizing civil unions last year — the fourth state in the country to do so — and needs some time to “build consensus on this issue”.
The Democrat joined two Republicans to vote against it.
On Wednesday, the committee’s recommendation will get the first vote. Thirteen of the state’s 24 senators are needed to kill the bill. If the senate splits at 12-12 or if a majority wants to keep it alive, a motion to pass could be entertained.
The bill, which would redefine marriage to include same-sex couples and make New Hampshire the fifth state in the country where gay marriage is legal, could also end up tabled, where it could remain in political limbo. If it passes, a likely veto by the governor could derail any Granite State gay marriage law.
See New Hampshire set for divisive gay marriage vote
Reuters – * Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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U.N.: H.I.V. Spreading Through Prisons Worldwide
H.I.V. is spreading through overcrowded prisons around the world, mostly through rampant drug abuse, according to the head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Reuters reports. The official, Antonio Maria Costa, warned of a “health bomb” that will be set off when infected prisoners are released; overcrowding is particularly bad in Africa and Central America.* Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/04/un-hiv-spread…
Award-winning journalist Kevin Naff to direct both Genre Magazine and Washington Blade’s editorial vision
NEW YORK — Genre Magazine, a division of Window Media LLC, the nation’s largest gay publishing group, today announced the appointment of veteran LGBT journalist Kevin Naff as Editor-in-Chief of Genre Magazine. He will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and strategic planning for the magazine, while continuing his post as Editor of Washington Blade — the nation’s oldest, largest and most respected gay newspaper — celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2009. The announcement was made today by William Kapfer, Genre Publisher and Window Media Co-President.
Naff joins Genre after more than six years with the Washington Blade, including nearly three as editor, where he has overseen a senior team of editors and reporters responsible for covering some of the country’s most historic political events and its leaders. Naff is an award-winning journalist, columnist and blogger known for his provocative approach to analyzing the news. In addition to recurring guest commentator spots on Sirius/XM satellite radio and National Public Radio (NPR), he has been tapped for national appearances on such shows as Fox News’ “O’Reilly Factor,” CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360″ and CBS’ Logo network.
William Kapfer, Genre Vice President & Publisher and Window Media Co-President, says: “Kevin brings a real passion for LGBT journalism, and an appreciation for the vital role Window Media’s collection of print and digital assets bring to the community. Our readers demand flexibility not just in the content they receive, but also in how that content is delivered. This appointment underscores Genre’s mission to continue to produce the top quality magazine in our category–while continuing to provide readers with easily accessible, fresh, original content across our suite of integrated media channels.”
“I’m excited to join the team at Genre and help build on the magazine’s colorful history,” Naff said. “I look forward to advancing Genre’s mission, while also celebrating this year, the Blade’s 40th year as the nation’s leading LGBT news source.”
Prior to joining the Blade, Naff worked for Reuters as a financial journalist in New York, then spent four years at the Baltimore Sun, launching its web site in 1996. He served as vice president of business development for an online startup and as a private consultant before returning to journalism at the Blade. Naff sits on several boards, including the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association D.C. chapter, Live Baltimore and the Pennsylvania State University gay alumni organization. He lives in Baltimore with his partner of 11 years.* Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/03/award-winning…
Gay TV channel saving “Sarah Silverman”
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – “The Sarah Silverman Program” will be back for a third season on Comedy Central, following the resolution of four-day day standoff over planned budget cuts.
The cable channel has ordered a 10-episode season of its signature live-action series, which will now be co-financed with gay-oriented sister cable network Logo.
“We’re happy,” Silverman said. “All we ever wanted was just to make our show. Nothing fancy — just our show.”
It’s a happy ending to a drama that threatened to make “Sarah Silverman” the first major primetime casualty of the economic crisis after the cable network was forced to slash the budget of the series by more that 20% and its executive producers refused to continue at those terms.
See Gay TV channel saving “Sarah Silverman”
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/03/gay-tv-channe…
