Conn. bill would update law for same-sex marriages
HARTFORD, Conn. — As Connecticut lawmakers consider updating state law to conform with a court ruling that allows same-sex marriages, opponents of gay marriage fear their effort will go too far to promote homosexuality.
The legislators’ work is being spurred by last year’s state Supreme Court decision that concluded same-sex couples have the right to wed in Connecticut. The state’s 2005 civil union law doesn’t give same-sex couples equal status of married heterosexual couples, the court said.
The General Assembly’s judiciary committee is considering a bill that would remove gender references in current state laws and transform same-sex civil unions into legally recognized marriages as of October 2010. The bill was the subject of a committee hearing Friday.
The measure also would strip language from a 1991 state anti-discrimination law that says Connecticut does not condone gay marriage, will not set quotas for hiring gay workers or encourage teaching in school about same-sex lifestyles. Some lawmakers consider the language outdated and unnecessary.
The proposal to delete that language has upset opponents, who think the court ruling could be used to affect social policy in other matters such as school curricula. See Conn. bill would update law for same-sex marriages * Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Action filed with West Bend Library Board to remove specific gay books
WEST BEND – Concerned with the presence and appropriateness of some materials at the West Bend Community Memorial Library, West Bend residents Ginny and Jim Maziarka are taking action.
The Maziarkas have filed a formal, written complaint with the library. The complaint has been placed on the March agenda and will be heard by the members of the Library Board when they convene for their monthly meeting on Tuesday night.
Due to a large crowd that is expected to attend the proceedings, the meeting has been moved from the library board room to the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
“We find the books for youth on homosexuality to be biased, gay-affirming, promotional and romanticized,” the Maziarkas said in an e-mail sent to the Daily News. “We believe our library should be offering appropriate, wholesome literature to our youth instead of pursuing the illegitimate goals of transforming the views of other people’s children on the contentious issue of homosexuality.”
See
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/03/action-filed-…
Faith forms a bond for a lesbian priest and a Mormon father of three
Who could have foreseen what would happen between the Mormon filmmaker and the lesbian priest?
Not Douglas Hunter, even after he took a leap of faith and trained his camera on the Rev. Susan Russell.
And maybe not even Russell, who had undergone a remarkable transformation from one-time suburban soccer mom to priest and outspoken champion of gay rights.
But the friendship that took root when Hunter asked Russell to play the central role in his documentary about same-sex marriage and theology would lead two people from different worlds to a new understanding of themselves and their faiths.
“We’re all telling the same stories about God’s work in our lives,” said Hunter, 40, a father of three from Pasadena who discovered Russell on the Internet.
Technology may have provided the bridge, but it was an ancient religious calling that drew Hunter to Russell, a senior associate priest at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena.
Hunter felt a religious obligation to cross the same boundary Jesus is said to have traversed 2,000 years ago when he spoke of embracing the outsider.
No group was further outside Mormon circles, Hunter thought, than gays and lesbians. Mormonism, he knew, viewed homosexual acts as sins, and Mormons would become among the most generous supporters of California’s Proposition 8, the ban on same-sex marriage that was approved by voters last fall.
See Faith forms a bond for a lesbian priest and a Mormon father of three
Los Angeles Times – CA,USA
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‘Thank Gays It’s Friday’ Comedy Show Moves to New Venue
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif — The Sunset Strip caters to a young vibrant crowd and while other industries have been laying off workers or going under, live comedy continues to flourish in Southern California, the entertainment capital of the world.
After a 16-week run, the gay and lesbian standup comedy show: ‘Thank Gays It’s Friday,’ moves to its new home: The World Famous Comedy Store, this Friday January 23rd, with its Midnight Show.
As the demand for this LGBT show has grown, the new venue shifts from an 18 and over audience to a 21 and over audience at its new venue: The Comedy Store.
Producer, host and comic, Jerome Cleary remarks, “It’s a natural progression that the response and feedback from audiences the past 4 months has carved out a niche.”
According to ArtistsForce Blog: “Despite the recession, 2008 figures show revenue gains in the live entertainment industry. Pollstar reported North American receipts for 2008 at $4.2 billion, an increase of 7.8 percent over 2007. The revenue growth was not due to increased unit sales, though. Instead, the growth came from higher ticket prices.”
“We continue to have sold out shows at our club over the past six months, says, comic-actor, Pauly Shore, son of Mitzi Shore, owner of The Comedy Store.
In addition to standup comics, the show has featured drag performances, juggling acts along with other non-standup performers.
For more information, email: TGIFcomedy@gmail.com
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DC Hotel, Under Pressure, Cancels ‘Pig Sex’ Party EDGE Boston
Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, an organization (apparently run by one man, Peter LaBarbera) dedicated to fighting the “homosexual agenda,” is claiming something it hasn’t been able to do for some time: a victory over the gay menace. AFTAH has announced that the downtown Washington, D.C., hotel has cancelled a ’pig sex orgy’ scheduled during Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend, this weekend (Jan. 16).
“This is a great victory for truth, decency and public health!” LaBarbera wrote on his website. “Americans For Truth is vindicated (lies coming from the hotel had many people confused). A big ’Thanks’ to each of you who called the Doubletree and its parent company, Hilton Hotels, urging them to not allow this unbelievably depraved and unhealthy homosexual event to occur in public conference rooms at the Doubletree, a luxurious hotel just blocks from the White House.”
The contretemps began with the ultra-rightwing “news” site World Net Daily “breaking” the story that a private group of men–unaffiliated with MAL–was planning a private, invitation-only event at the Doubletree, which located at 1515 Rhode Island Avenue NW. The invite, which LaBarbera claimed was emailed to him by a plant in the gay world, told respondents to “go to the Second Floor, which is where all the Convention Rooms are.”
Gay men may be familiar with private hotel parties taking place during such gatherings (whether they admit it not). These are usually spread through email and other private communication, and take place in private hotel suites. But World Net Daily and LaBarbera took the email to signify that somehow the “orgy” would take place in one of the hotel’s meeting rooms.
LaBarbera said he had contacted the Doubletree’s sales director, who confirmed the lease to a group with the name on the email. The employee also told him that he hadn’t heard of any sex parties. He said such events could not be held in the hotel’s conference rooms, because they are a “public space,” LaBarbera said. See DC Hotel, Under Pressure, Cancels ’Pig Sex’ Party EDGE Boston
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The Top 9 Drag Queens In The USA Bring The Drama, Outrageousness And Sheer Fabulosity As They Battle It Out To Become The Next RuPaul
RuPaul has pushed the boundaries of popular culture on an international level as a recording artist (“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” duet with Elton John, “Supermodel: You Better Work”), as a television talk-show host (“The RuPaul Show” on VH1) and as an actor (“The Brady Bunch,” “Too Wong Foo…” “Starrbooty”). As the first-ever spokesperson for M.A.C Cosmetics’ VIVA Glam Campaign, RuPaul contributed to raising millions of dollars to the M.A.C AIDS Fund. Now RuPaul is breaking new ground as the host, mentor and judge of this one-of-a-kind reality competition. Playing a dual role, RuPaul, in full glamazon drag, will reign supreme in all judging and eliminations, while the debonair Mr. RuPaul will help guide the contestants as they prepare for each challenge. Challenges will range from photo shoots, to fashion designing, to real woman makeovers, to performing with RuPaul in the first music video from RuPaul’s upcoming album, “Champion.”
“Tell Tyra that the Queen has returned, and while you’re at it have Heidi clear the runway. I’m going to pump some ‘realness’ into reality,” said RuPaul. “To be a winner on this show the contestants need to be a fashion designer, an American idol, and a top model all rolled up into one. And they definitely have to be smarter than a fifth grader.”
While “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will take a look at the outrageous world of drag, it will also reveal the courage, perseverance and humanity of 9 men who have overcome and endured the hardships of a masculine dominated society that mocks and makes fun of men who act like women. Not only will viewers get a bird’s eye view of what it takes for these chameleons to transform themselves but they will also take away the secrets of the artistry of drag.
The eight, one-hour episode series “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has gathered the next generation of outrageous, up-and-coming drag queens to fight for the title. Each cast member must embody the charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent that made, RuPaul an international drag superstar. Each week, joining RuPaul on the judges panel are fashion journalist and best-selling author Merle Ginsberg and Project Runway breakout star and designer Santino Rice plus a bevy of celebrity guest judges including: Bob Mackie (Designer), Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child), Lucy Lawless (actress), Maria Conchita Alonso (actress/singer), Robin Antin (creator of The Pussycat Dolls), Debra Wilson (Mad TV), Jenny Shimizu (model/actress), Tori Spelling (actress), Dean McDermott (actor), Howard Bragman (Author of, “Where’s My Fifteen Minutes?”) Frank Gatson (choreographer) and Gordon Espinet (M.A.C VP of Makeup Artistry.) The judges will determine the bottom two contestants of the week. Those contestants then compete in a show-stopping battle-royal “lip-synch for your life” performance that will determine if they will “shante” and stay or “sashay” away.
“RuPaul made history as drag’s first glamour superstar and will do so once again bringing together a group of exceptionally talented drag artists in the world’s first drag reality series,” said Brian Graden, President, MTV Networks Music Group Entertainment and President, Logo.
“RuPaul is back, and better than ever,” says Barbato. “RuPaul first took the world by storm when Clinton was in the White House. Now, in the new Obama era, the time is right for RuPaul to reign supreme once again.”
In the end, only one will have what it takes to win the coveted title of America’s next drag queen superstar, and a prize package that includes a nationally sponsored ABSOLUT(R) Vodka “Real Fruit” tour, a cash prize of $20,000 courtesy of ABSOLUT(R) Vodka and M.A.C Cosmetics, supply of M.A.C Cosmetics, a feature photo spread in Paper Magazine and a photo taken by renowned photographer Greg Gorman to be used in an l.a. Eyeworks legendary designer eyewear campaign.
Following are the 9 “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestants:
– Akashia — Cleveland, OH
– Bebe Zahara Benet — Minneapolis, MN
– Jade — Chicago, IL
– Nina Flowers — Denver, CO
– Ongina — Los Angeles, CA
– Rebecca Glasscock — Ft. Lauderdale, FL
– Shannel — Las Vegas, NV
– Tammie Brown — Los Angeles, CA
– Victoria Parker — Raleigh, NC
RuPaulsDragRace.com will stream the first episode simultaneous to the series on air premiere Monday, February 2, and will be home to exclusive video content throughout the season. Additionally, each episode will be available on RuPaulsDragRace.com every week following its on-air premiere.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” and its casting website demonstrate Logo’s commitment to reach new levels of engagement with its audience. Examples of this multi-platform approach to entertainment include the site for Logo’s hit animated series, “Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World” at HappiestGayCouple.com and the upcoming “NewNowNext Awards,” airing on-air, online and on mobile devices. Logo continues to be the number one aggregator of content for the LGBT audience with its growing library of online video on LOGOonline.com and its affiliated websites AfterEllen.com, AfterElton.com, Downelink.com and 365gay.com.* Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Tennessee Court order Bars divorced mom’s Partner of 9 years from Staying Overnight When mom Has Custody And Visitation of children
ACLU Urges Tennessee Appeals Court To protect rights of lesbian mom
NASHVILLE – In a brief filed today, the American Civil Liberties Union is urging a Tennessee appeals court to remove a ban preventing a divorced mom from having her partner of nine years and her own children stay at her home at the same time. The trial court unconstitutionally imposed the so-called “paramour restriction” on the lesbian couple even though the psychologist who performed the custodial evaluation in the case found the partner to be a positive influence in the children’s lives.
“Of course I’m willing to do anything to be able to be with my children, but this is really tearing us apart,” said Angel Chandler. “It’s been a huge emotional and financial drain on our family. It forces us to live apart almost every night, and it is denying my children quality time with a positive role model and person they love.”
Chandler and her former spouse, Joseph Barker, have two children, a daughter, 13, and a son, 15. Since they divorced more than 10 years ago, they have shared custody of the two children over the years. They have both entered into new relationships. Chandler has been with her partner since 1999. Barker remarried approximately 5 years ago.
It was not until May 15, 2008, that the court issued the restriction barring Chandler’s partner from her home any nights her children are with her. It was imposed after Chandler and Barker appeared before the Gibson County Chancery Court to modify their parenting plan. Even though a court-ordered psychological evaluation of all the parties noted that Chandler’s partner was a positive influence on the children, the trial judge imposed the restriction under the erroneous belief that he was required to do so under state law.
The restriction has caused a huge strain on Chandler’s relationship. Right after the order was issued, Chandler’s partner was forced to move back to North Carolina, making it virtually impossible for the couple to spend time together. Eventually they both relocated to North Carolina where they now live in a duplex that allows them to abide by the order. But Chandler had to leave her job and has just recently found suitable employment. The restriction has also been harmful to Chandler’s children, especially her daughter, who enjoyed spending time with her mother’s partner and who looked to her for advice and guidance. Living in the duplex, the couple is also losing rental income they relied on before the court imposed the ban.
“By all accounts, this family was succeeding, having gotten through a divorce and introduced a new parent into the home. But nine years on, a Judge has done his best to destroy all that by imposing this impossible restriction,” said Christine Sun, the Southeast regional senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project. “We are hopeful that the appeals court will recognize that it is unfair to tear this family apart.”
The brief filed by the ACLU charges that the court was wrong to interpret state law as requiring it to impose the partner ban. The brief points out that while there is no evidence in the record to support the imposition of the restriction, there is ample evidence showing that the children were doing fine the first nine years when there were no restrictions on the children’s contact with the partner. The psychological report concluded that the children had a positive parent-like relationship with the partner and that children who grow up in homes headed by same-sex couples tend to develop normal social relationships. The brief also charges that the restriction is unconstitutional. It unconstitutionally interferes with Chandler’s ability to raise her children as she sees fit, and it places an impossible burden on gay and lesbian parents. The brief notes that unlike straight couples, who have the option of marrying, lesbians and gay men are barred from marrying in the state and would never be able to live with their partners under these restrictions.
“Unfortunately, this case is an all too familiar example of how unfairly lesbian and gay parents are treated in custody and visitation proceedings,” said Hedy Weinberg, Executive Director of the ACLU of Tennessee. “All the children’s health and welfare organization have long recognized that lesbian and gay parents are just as capable of being good parents as straight couples and their children are just as well adjusted. We’re hopeful the Tennessee courts will come to that realization too.”
In addition to Sun, Chandler is being represented by Lucian Pera and Brian Faughnan of Adams and Reese, LLP, Tricia Herzfeld of the ACLU of Tennessee, and Gregory Minton. A copy of the brief filed today in the Court of Appeals of Tennessee, Western Division is available at http://www.aclu.org/lgbt/parenting/38168res20081223.html.
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“Shrek” a family musical with gay-pride element
Not as transformative as the landmark in the genre, “The Lion King” (to which this production pays playful homage), or as reductive as the mediocre “The Little Mermaid,” “Shrek the Musical” is a fun, largely successful musical version of the first installment of the hugely successful film franchise. Only the daunting economic climate could get in the way of this show becoming a family audience Broadway hit.
Plenty of impressive theatrical talent has been assembled here, including director Jason Moore (“Avenue Q”), composer Jeanine Tesori (“Caroline, or Change”) and lyricist/book writer David Lindsey Abaire (“Rabbit Hole”).
After an opening scene depicting a 7-year-old Shrek being sent off by his parents to fend on his own, the show stays largely faithful to the movie’s plot, depicting the love that blossoms between the giant green ogre (Brian d’Arcy James) and the beautiful Princess Fiona (Sutton Foster) while he and his sidekick Donkey (Daniel Breaker) escort her to her impending nuptials with the villainous and very diminutive Lord Farquaad (Christopher Sieber).
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American Idol Contestant Turns Gay Porn Star
Some American Idol cast-offs have gone on to record solo albums, host television series, star on Broadway and one has even won an Oscar. Well now a former Idol wannabe has scored a new first by transforming himself from a reality reject into a popular new face in gay porn.
Working under the name Kirk Cummings, Zachary Travis has been showing off his God-given talents in a range of adult titles for studios including Falcon, Channel 1, Hot House and Studio 2000.
See American Idol Contestant Turns Gay Porn Star
Gay Wired, CA
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Eight Years After Coming Out as Gay, Hong Suk-chon Is Thriving
“I wanted to publish a book like this to celebrate 10th anniversary of my coming out, but it came a bit earlier than expected,” says actor Hong Suk-chon, celebrating the publication of his book “Design Your Own Restaurant” at “My Song Bar” in Itaewon.
In fact, it has only been eight years since Hong shocked the establishment by becoming the first celebrity to come out as a gay man.
The book, however, celebrates his successful transformation form suddenly-out-of-work actor to restaurateur. “I tried to write about how to make fewer mistakes rather than how to succeed. Because people had misconceptions about me, I endured the tough years with sheer determination.”
Hong, who found himself in a small rented room costing W350,000 (US$1=W1,375) per month eight years ago, has become the owner of restaurants worth W4 billion. First came Italian restaurant “Our Place,” then Thai restaurant “My Thai,” then Thai-Chinese fusion restaurant “My China” and then karaoke and wine place “My Song Bar.”
Hong says he turned to restaurants when his future as an actor began to look insecure. “To me, my restaurants are people. After I came out, I had to endure so much hostility. I missed seeing my friends and my supporters so much at the time. I thought if I open a restaurant, they could come and visit me. That is how I came to open my first restaurant, ‘Our Place.’”
What has it been like for him? “After I set my foot in the entertainment business, I only thought about popularity, money and fame. But I changed a lot after I came out in 2000. I still think it was the right thing to do. I had many difficulties since then, but because I’m an optimistic person, I didn’t run away but squarely faced the world. If I had run away at the time, I don’t think I’d be as happy as I am right now.”
See Eight Years After Coming Out as Gay, Hong Suk-chon Is Thriving
조선일보(영문판), South Korea
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