NOM's Hate Bus Is Rolling

NOM's 23-city hate tour kicks off next Wednesday in Augusta, Maine and the bus is on its way from Atlanta. Visit their Flickr page and drop off a sweet comment or two, if you'd like. We haven't heard much about any countering tour appearances by LGBT groups. Email me with your plans and I'll post them here.

UPDATE: ShowMeNoHate will stage an Action Against NOM in St. Louis when the hate bus rolls in on Thursday, August 5th.

NORTH CAROLINA: Atheist Billboard Vandalized, Fundie Website Cheers

Less than one week after it went up, a billboard from the North Carolina Secular Association was vandalized. The Friendly Atheist notes the resulting cheer that went up on World Net Daily, who exulted today in a column titled My Kind Of Vandals.

Just when I start believing there is no hope for our country I get a little reminder from my God that all is not lost. It was reported June 29 that a billboard sign sponsored by a North Carolina atheist organization had been vandalized. The ad reads, "One Nation Indivisible." It seems someone didn't think the sign was an accurate depiction of our Pledge of Allegiance, so the vandals inserted "Under God" with spray paint – and I couldn't be more relieved. It's nice to know that I am not alone in my beliefs and that some people are still willing to stand on the right side of truth. Never would I encourage vandalism, but in this case I think I'll let it slide. Atheists have been vandalizing my beliefs for years, so it's about time the shoe was on the other foot.[snip]

I also need to extend a thank you to some people in Sacramento and Detroit. In February, 10 atheist billboards were defaced in the Golden State and a slew of atheist bus ads were vandalized in Detroit. My dose of honesty this week: I am not happy that vandalism seems to be the only way to get an atheist's attention. I'm happy that I can count on other Christians to stand up for themselves and for Christians everywhere. It gives me hope.

Of course, World Net Daily would be screaming bloody murder if their Where's The Birth Certificate? billboards were vandalized.

Rock Stars Then And Now

Click over for a side-by-side comparison of how the last few decades have treated the world's most famous rock stars. Overall, the women, especially Debbie Harry and Pat Benatar, seem to have fared much better than the men. Sting, Bono, Springsteen, and Bowie all look pretty good too. Most of the others, not so much.

Today In Christian Higher Learning

Pam Spaulding provides the above highly scientific page from a textbook published by Bob Jones University. They are the Christian scientists of the future, people. Chapter 2 delves in the spooooky mystery of the tides: "God moves the water and that's all you need to know."

FINLAND: Three Men Arrested In Pepper Spray Attack On Helsinki Pride

Three men have been arrested and charged with a hate crime for unleashing pepper spray and smoke bombs during Helsinki's pride parade last weekend.

Officers are also looking for three other individuals suspected of participating in the assault. Over 30 people were hit by the spray. No one was seriously injured, however, some of the victims were children. Helsinki police officer Kari Aaltio said that the attack seemed to be meticulously planned. “First the perpetrators released smoke over the parade. Then they went around the block and attacked parade participants with the spray. At least two types of gases were used. The perpetrators were dressed in black.” Police are still looking for several other perpetrators. The suspects come from outside of Helsinki and are Finns. Police are trying to determine if they belong to a larger group.

Finland's President Tarja Halonen denounced the attack.

“This is a very unfortunate situation for those participating in the parade and for Finns. We are accustomed to respecting people's differences, both morally and of course under the law.” “Many countries put on a Pride festival. Finland had a good reputation in the past. Now it’s been delivered a harsh blow. This incident could result in the kind of brand we don't want,” she added. Halonen also expressed concern for the parade’s participants. ”It has taken decades of work for them to believe that we are on the side of human rights, and we value individuals' rights to choose their sexual orientation,” she said.

The assailants were caught on camera by a local television crew as they fled the scene.

(Tipped by JMG reader Roosa)

The Hunt For Lingle's Lady Friends Is ON

JMG reader Josh writes:

I thought your readers might just love this photo of us with Governor Lingle, taken at the Kailua Independence Day parade (held on July 5). This photo was taken just 24 hours before Governor Lingle vetoed the civil unions bill, and at the Independence Day parade, no less. The Governor spent 15 minutes posing for photos with a dozen representatives of PFLAG-Oahu, and treating us like human beings, even though she had decided a week ago to veto the civil rights bill and to call for a statwide vote on whether we should have relationship recognition. This is the new face of evil. Love the smile--she must be "comfortable" with her decision, all right.

Meanwhile the emails have been flying between highly-placed activists today as the hunt for any "lady friends" of the twice-divorced and gaydar-pinging Gov. Lingle heats up. Please email me with any tips or clues at JoeMyGod@gmail.com.

Lingle's term ends in December and her successor may be nutjob Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, seen below being "annointed in the Lord" at a Christianist voodoo ceremony in which they pledge to "break every weapon of the enemy."

Queen Lays Wreath At Ground Zero

After her address at the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, Queen Elizabeth II endured the record-breaking heat to lay a wreath at Ground Zero. The New York Times gushes:

The small, white-haired monarch, wearing a flowered suit and white gloves, and with an elegant silk hat on her head, stepped out of her car just past 5:10 p.m., in the still-pulsating heat that had reached 103 degrees in Central Park, a whisper of wind riffling the air. Scores of camera-ready onlookers teetered on the perimeter of the rebuilding site, keen to catch sight of her. Not a bead of sweat on her face, Elizabeth inched her way past an honor guard, before being welcomed by Govs. David A. Paterson of New York and Christopher J. Christie of New Jersey and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Sarah, one of Mr. Christie’s children, handed the queen a bouquet.

Mayor Bloomberg reminded the Queen that New York City is named after her "first cousin, ten times removed." The Queen concluded her visit by cutting the ribbon at British Garden, a memorial to the 67 Brits killed on 9/11, the second-highest toll after Americans.

RUSH LIMBAUGH: Obama Created The Recession As Payback For Racism

TEXAS: Fan Falls From Upper Deck

A spectator miraculously survived a fall from the upper deck at a Texas Rangers game yesterday after he lunged for a foul ball, landing on fans on the field level. The fall wasn't captured on television, but the horrified reactions of the players and umpires tells the story.

PhoboQuotable - Slaggie Gilamonster

"I know something about the founding of NOM -- I was there. And this film and this claim is fantasy. NOM was not founded by Mormons as a secret front group. We have many valued members from the LDS Church since, but no member of the LDS Church hierarchy helped provide seed funding for NOM, or is responsible for NOM or what we did in California to get Prop 8 on the ballot.

"Gay rights activists believe they have the power to determine reality. If they say gay unions are marriages, it must be true. If they repeat the Big Lie that NOM is a Mormon front group, it must be true. I say this as a person who believes deeply that Mormons, like other Americans, have every right to participate in coalitions with others to promote core values in politics. But the relentless religious bigotry by gay activists against a religious minority with a long history of persecution in this country is shameful. The wallowing in fantasy (e.g., the belief that if they say it, it becomes true) is just sad." - Slaggie Gilamonster, responding to the documentary 8: The Mormon Proposition.

Rabid Raccoon Attack In Central Park

A woman was bitten by a presumably rabid raccoon in Central Park and today she tells New York Magazine her story.

I live on the Upper East Side. I was doing a little shopping on the Upper West Side and when I was done, decided to walk back through the park. But it was so gorgeous out, I stopped to enjoy it and read my book. So I'm sitting on a bench right on the 72nd Street Transverse, near the Mall and Bethesda Fountain. I was sitting there maybe 30 minutes ... and suddenly I felt something around my feet, and a sharp pang in my left ankle. I think I felt the presence of something first, because I remember thinking maybe it was a leaf or something, but then I felt the bite. My first thought was: Someone's dog. I looked down at my ankle and it was dripping blood.

When I got bit, it startled me, obviously, so I jumped — which caused two ladies walking by to turn and look. (I still wish I would have gotten their numbers or e-mails or something to thank them for their kindness. They were the ones that made me call 911; I was ready to slap a Band-Aid on it and be on my merry way.) One of them turned as they walked past and said, "Oh, it was a raccoon." She paused for a second and then said, "It didn't bite you, did it?" I stood up and showed them my ankle. Then I turned back to the bench, and sure enough there was the raccoon — sitting behind the bench near a bush.

She was treated with four rounds of rabies shots and is OK. But ZOMG I think she was sitting right where Dr. Jeff and I took a heat-stroke break on Monday. And then we walked home through the Ramble because our Seattle friend Jerry had never seen it. We barely escaped with our lives!

TORONTO: Anti-Israel Apartheid Activists Rile Some At Pride Parade

Queer United Against Israeli Apartheid marched behind their banner in Pride Toronto's parade on Sunday, angering some and forcing the police to intervene when members of the Jewish Defense League left their group and attempted to accost QUAIA.

Hot Chip To Play Central Park

Devo-esque gay favorites Hot Chip will play Central Park's Summerstage on August 4th. I was a little late getting to the Hot Chip party, but 2008's Ready For The Floor did it for me. You're my number one guy!

Headline Of The Day

Yeah, yeah, we're third graders.

Florida Quislings Get All Quislingy

South Florida's gay GOP club, the Sunshine Republicans, has endorsed Gov. Charlie "Closet Case" Crist for the U.S. Senate. But they are being shady about saying so, according to Shark Tank.

The Sunshine Republicans is a club that branched off from the local Log Cabin Republicans and is headed by Dr. Ben Lewis, Ph.D. The Vice President of the group is Nick Stone, and the Treasurer is Dr. Ronald Bullard, M.D. The group has told me a couple of times that they are not endorsing Governor Crist in the Senate race, yet I had to ask myself- what is the definition of an endorsement? When visiting the clubs website the button ‘our candidates’, the club openly promotes 3 Republican candidates, one being Governor Crist. Couple that with yesterday’s sponsoring of the Crist for Senate grassroots meeting, and the club distributing Charlie Crist bumper stickers at their last meeting, I think the case is clearly made as to who the club is effectively backing in the senate race.

Here's a clip from Sunshine Republicans vice president Nick Stone.

Uganda Beheading Story A Hoax

Jim Burroway at Box Turtle Bulletin reports today that yesterday's story about the beheading of a Ugandan LGBT activist was an apparent hoax planted by an anti-gay activist. Hit the BTB link for exhaustive examination of the scam.

HAWAII: Bigots Celebrate Bigotry

BRITAIN: Court Rules Gay Asylum Seekers Have A Right To Stay In The UK

Britain's Supreme Court has ruled that gay people who fear retribution in their home countries have a right to asylum in the UK. The decision involved two men from Iran and Cameroon who say they face physical harm should they be returned to their home countries. Via Pink News:

Lord Hope, who read out the judgment, said: "To compel a homosexual person to pretend that his sexuality does not exist or suppress the behaviour by which to manifest itself is to deny him the fundamental right to be who he is." An earlier Court of Appeal decision said the government could return the pair to their home countries on the basis that they could be discreet, despite homosexuality being illegal in both countries and HT suffering violence from his neighbours. The case was brought on behalf of the men by the London office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The men's lawyer, Iona Harding, of Baker & McKenzie, said: "This is an excellent result which will ensure that lesbian, gay and bisexual people receive the protection they are entitled to as refugees in the UK and are not expected to hide their identity in order to escape execution, long prison sentences or other forms of persecution."

Britain's new coalition government says it will institute new rules to stop the deportations of anybody who fears "imprisonment, torture or execution" in their home countries based on their sexual orientation.

LOUISIANA: Gov. Bobby Jindal Signs Bill Allowing Guns In Church

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has signed a bill allowing people to bring firearms into church. Just in case somebody wants to go crazy during Jeebus-time.

[The] bill would authorize persons who qualified to carry concealed weapons having passed the training and background checks to bring them to churches, mosques, synagogues or other houses of worship as part of a security force. The pastor or head of the religious institution must announce verbally or in weekly newsletters or bulletins that there will be individuals armed on the property as members of he security force. Those chosen have to undergo eight hours of tactical training each year. Burns' original bill was killed by a Senate committee but he tacked its provisions onto a related bill that started out changing the period to have a concealed weapon permit from four years to five years at a cost of $25 a year. Burns contended that religious institutions in crime-ridden or "declining neighborhoods" need the added protection to ward off thieves and muggers.

Jindal also signed a bill requiring women to get an ultrasound before an abortion.

NEW YORK: Wal-Mart Fights OSHA

Wal-Mart has spent over $2M in attorney and court fees fighting a measly $7000 fine for that infamous Thanksgiving Day trampling case in which somebody was killed in a sales-frenzy stampede. The company is concerned that once OSHA starts successfully fining them, then they'll really have to play by the rules.

In fighting the federal fine, Wal-Mart is arguing that the government is improperly trying to define “crowd trampling” as an occupational hazard that retailers must take action to prevent. Wal-Mart’s all-out battle against the relatively minor penalty has mystified and even angered some federal officials. In contesting the penalty, Wal-Mart has filed 20 motions and responses totaling nearly 400 pages and has spent at least $2 million on legal fees, according to OSHA’s calculations. The dispute has become so heated — and Wal-Mart’s defense so vigorous — that officials at OSHA, an arm of the Labor Department, complain that they have had to devote huge numbers of staff time to the case, including 4,725 hours of work by employees in the legal office. The company has made so many demands that Labor Department officials said they would not discuss the case except on condition of anonymity because they feared being subpoenaed about their discussions with a reporter.

Tweet Of The Day - Sarah Palin

VIDEO: Bigotry In Action

BREAKING: NO Civil Unions For Hawaii

Calling it "marriage by another name," Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle has just announced that she will VETO her state's civil unions bill. Adding insult to her bigotry, invited to the announcement was the now-retired Hawaii Supreme Court Justice who first got the state's marriage equality ball rolling in 1993.

Justice Steven H. Levinson's 1993 opinion stated that laws prohibiting same-sex couples the right to marry violated equal protection rights unless the state could show a "compelling reason" for such discrimination. Seventeen years, a Constitutional amendment and many battles later, Levinson, now retired, is among those who were invited to the governor's office to witness her announce her decision on House Bill 444 later today, he told Civil Beat this morning.

Anti-gay groups such as the Catholic nutters Tradition, Values, and Property held vigil outside the state house, saying the rosary in the hopes of warding off gay voodoo. Another group circled the state house seven times, blowing on a shofar. The Maui Time prepared the below two possible covers for tomorrow in advance of Lingle's announcement. Now we know which one goes to press.TAKE ACTION
Hawaii Chamber of Commerce - 808-545-4300
Hawaii Visitors & Conventions Bureau - 800-464-2924

UPDATE: The ACLU and Lambda Legal have announced plans to sue Hawaii.

Lambda Legal and the ACLU had readied a lawsuit after the House tabled HB 444 in January. The Hawai'i Senate had previously approved the bill by a veto-proof 18 to 7 majority and sent it back to the House for a conforming vote. "We're obviously disappointed that Governor Lingle has, once again, used her power to deny the people of Hawai'i their civil rights" said Laurie Temple, Staff Attorney for the ACLU. "Luckily for the people of Hawai'i, however, our constitution prevents discrimination based on sexual orientation. If the Governor won't honor her oath to uphold the constitution, the courts will."

MORE REACTIONS

Equality Hawaii:

“Today is a sad day for the thousands of Hawaii families who remain second class citizens,” said Alan Spector, legislative affairs co-chair for Equality Hawaii. “We fail to see how the Governor’s actions are in the best interest of Hawaii’s future and are nothing more than political maneuvering at the expense of people’s lives. We’re disappointed and outraged that same-sex families will not be treated equally under Hawaii law, but vow to come back and fight this fight another day.”

Human Rights Campaign:

“Americans nationwide share in the disappointment and outrage of thousands of Hawaii’s families who will not receive equal treatment under law,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “Thankfully, there are local advocates as well as leaders in the Hawaii legislature who will continue to further the cause of equality. For decades, we have been a loyal partner in this fight for fairness in the Aloha State and we pledge to stand with them for years to come.”

Pride Alliance Hawaii:

“The members of Pride Alliance Hawaii are greatly disappointed in Governor Lingle's decision to veto the Civil Unions bill and allow the state to continue its discriminatory practices against same-sex couples,” said Tara O’Neill, President of Pride Alliance Hawaii. “Two separate and independent economic studies, a poll conducted by a nationally recognized polling organization, and the thousands of residents who vocalized their support of the bill to the Governor and the Legislature over the past two years makes clear that the passage of HB444 is good economic sense, is socially just, and is supported by the people of Hawaii. The LGBT community's fight for equality in Hawaii will continue.”

National Gay & Lesbian Task Force:

“Governor Lingle’s veto of legislation that would protect and strengthen Hawaii’s families is beyond a disappointment: It is a disgrace. Hawaii’s lawmakers passed this bill because it was about fundamental fairness. The governor’s action today flies in the face of both common sense and common humanity. We urge the Hawaii Legislature to override this veto.”

P-FLAG Oahu:

“Today, on July 6, 2010, Gov. Linda Lingle denied social justice when she vetoed HB444 for Civil Unions,” said Rev. Carolyn M. Golojuch, President of PFLAG-Oahu. “Her denial is a violation of the integrity of her office and a violation of her oath of office. Governor Lingle’s denial of equal rights, benefits and protections for one segment of our citizens is a denial for all of our citizens of Hawaii.”

Sharron Angle's Underground Bunker

Sharron Angle is threatening to sue Harry Reid because his campaign staff has republished some of her own statements on a site called Sharron Angle's Underground Bunker. Because the way to bury something you're embarrassed for having said is to sue somebody for repeating it. A spokesman for Harry Reid notes: "These are Sharron Angle’s positions in Sharron’s own words from Sharron’s own website. What was good enough for Nevada voters to read during the primary should be good enough for them now." Reid's send-up site is both hilarious and frightening, as all things teabagger are.

(Via - AmericaBlog)

SRSLY: Glenn Beck University

The Double Rainbow Song

OK, so back in January a Yosemite camper got a little carried away in his possibly drug-fueled narration of a double rainbow, turning his clip into a highly-mocked viral video. Now the Auto-Tuned News folks have gotten hold of it.

HomoQuotable - Jonathan Rauch

"Ms. Kagan seems to reject both forms of absolutism. Civil rights, she implies, are important, but so is judicial modesty, and a sensible judge balances the two. A sensible judge can say something like, 'Same-sex marriage may indeed be a civil right, but not all civil rights demand immediate judicial intervention, and other important interests militate against imposing this one on the whole country right now.'

"Viewed in that light, the argument for upholding California’s gay marriage ban has merit — not because the policy is fair or wise (it isn’t) but because it represents a reasonable judgment that the people of California are entitled to make. Barring gay marriage but providing civil unions is not the balance I would choose, but it is a defensible balance to strike, one that arguably takes 'a cautious approach to making such a significant change to the institution of marriage' (as the lawyers defending Proposition 8 write in one of their briefs) while going a long way toward meeting gay couples’ needs." - Jonathan Rauch, writing for the New York Times.

Rauch is the vice president of the homocon site Independent Gay Forum. His column for the Times has already been approvingly noted by NOM.

Fight Back NY Targets Buffalo Democrat Sen. Bill Stachowski For Defeat

Fight Back NY, the LGBT action PAC funded by Tim Gill, has announced their latest target.

Our next target: We're going after Buffalo Democrat Bill Stachowski.

Sen. Stachowski's voted against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) New Yorkers at every turn, whether it's nondiscrimination protections or marriage equality. Sen. Stachowski's been part of the dysfunctional New York State Senate for far too long -- 30 years. He does not represent fair-minded New Yorkers, and it's time we hold him accountable. Remember the hard-hitting tactics we used to help keep anti-equality Hiram Monserrate from office this spring? We'll be engaging in similar targeted outreach to voters in Sen. Stachowski's district. It's time our elected officials learned that they can't vote against equality and expect to be voted back into office. Every contribution goes directly toward communicating to voters in Stachowski's district. Help us turn up the volume on why Stachowski should be booted in the September primary. The more money you give, the louder you get to be!

Contribute here.

Scissor Sisters Announce U.S. Tour

Scissor Sisters have just announced a 15-date U.S. tour. Plus two THREE stops in Canadia!

Louis CK Gets Schooled On "Faggot"

Edgy comedian Louis CK is really breaking new ground with the FX show Louie. In the below clip, a group of poker buddies jokingly question their token gay about sex clubs, but things turn a bit more somber towards the end. Language very super NSFW.

(Via - Dan Savage)

NEW YORK: Finally We Get A Beauty Queen That We Can All Love

The just-crowned Miss New York is a winner in a more ways than one.

Miss New York 2010, Claire Buffie, is an outspoken advocate of human rights, opening the dialogue about equality amongst youth, teens and adults alike with her platform "Straight for Equality: Let's Talk." The issues of gay rights make up the civil rights movement of our generation and reach far beyond marriage equality. As Miss New York 2010, Claire aims to break the stigma of marginalized youth, eliminating discriminatory vocabulary and changing the climate in New York schools. She celebrates diversity and the things that make us all unique and strives to instill pride, dignity and respect in developing minds and compassionate hearts. This will be a year of change in New York State and Claire is ready to support this incredible movement.

All Over Albany adds that Buffie is an executive board member of the NYC chapter of P-FLAG. And she works at the Genius Bar at the Fifth Avenue Apple store, where the stream of gay boys is undoubtedly nonstop. She'll be competing for Miss America 2011 in January in Las Vegas. Go Claire!

(Tipped by JMG reader Matt)

Afternoon View - 100 In The Shade

At 1:45pm today it was already 100 degrees on my mostly-shaded fire escape, with record-setting temps being notched around the city, including a 106 degree reading in Central Park. Now excuse me while I try to crawl into the fridge.

President Obama Subpoenaed By Lt. Dan Choi And Capt. Jim Pietrangelo

Here's the subpoena of President Obama as promised last week by Lt. Dan Choi and Capt. Jim Pietrangelo. The pair claims that by chaining themselves to the White House fence, they were only following the instructions of the president when he pledged to overturn DADT. Full size PDF here. (Are subpoenas usually hand-written?)

CONNECTICUT: Catholic Priest Busted For Embezzling $1.3M For RENTBOYS

Father Kevin J. Gray is under arrest in Connecticut for embezzling $1.3M from his parish, money he allegedly spent on luxury vacations and lavishly appointed rentboys.

Police have arrested a well-known Roman Catholic priest in connection with the theft of $1.3 million from the Sacred Heart/Sagrado Corazon parish over a seven-year period. Rev. Kevin J. Gray, 64, was charged today with first-degree larceny. Police said he used church funds to pay for hotels, restaurant meals, clothing and male escorts. Gray turned himself in to authorities this morning and is scheduled to be arraigned in Waterbury Superior Court today. Gray was placed on medical leave by Hartford Archbishop Henry J. Mansell on April 15. The priest had told people in the community he was gravely ill. Gray was described as a popular priest in Waterbury, having served in the city for 26 years, first at St. Margaret's and St. Cecilia's churches before arriving at Sacred Heart/Sagrado Corazon. "We are deeply saddened by the events which have recently had such a profound effect on Sacred Heart/Sagrado Corazon parish," Rev. John P. Gatzak, director of communications for the Hartford Archdiocese, said in a statement today.

In March of this year, Gray presided over 40 couples (photo below) as they renewed their opposite marriage vows in a ceremony created by the Hartford Archdiocese's anti-gay Family Life Office. In January, the Hartford Archdiocese endorsed the anti-gay Manhattan Declaration, which calls on Christians to disobey all LGBT rights laws. The Hartford Archdiocese has also denounced same-sex marriage in DC and in April they claimed that out of all child molestation cases, "less than two per cent [are committed], allegedly, by Catholic clergy," therefore the problem is "societal" and not theirs.

HAWAII: Decision Day For Civil Unions

Today is the deadline for Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle to announce whether she'll veto her state's pending civil unions bill or allow it to become law without her signature. Yesterday Lingle remained coy about her decision: "I really thought about this more than I have thought about any other piece of legislation. It is a subject that has really touched the hearts and minds of everyone in Hawaii." LGBT advocates and Christianist extremists say they will be Hawaii's state house all day today to await the decision. Hawaii's business day begins at 3PM EDT.

National Review: Palin For RNC Chairman

The National Review thinks Sarah Palin would be a great replacement for Michael Steele as chairman of the Republican National Committee.

This is a job for Sarah Palin. Palin would be a much better RNC chairman than presidential candidate or freelance kingmaker. She'd raise tons of money and help recruit good candidates, i.e., she'd excel at doing the things Steele should have been doing instead of appointing himself Republican pundit-at-large. A Chairman Palin would help set the right tone for the Republican party without having to get herself entangled in the minutiae of policy-development, which has not been her forte. Sure, she'd be polarizing, but so is Barack Obama, and these are polarized times

I endorse this idea!

UGANDA: Gay Activist Found Beheaded

The severed head of LGBT activist Pasikali Kashusbe has been found in a Uganda latrine. Via Box Turtle Bulletin:

Judith Nabakooba, a police spokesperson, identified the head as that of Pasikali Kashusbe, one of the workers on Kigggundu’s farm and a member of Integrity Uganda. Pasikali and his partner Abbey are youth workers with Integrity Uganda charged with the responsibility of mobilising young LGBT people in activities which build community capacity to face up to the challenge of homophobia, especially in the area of attitude change and care through drama and sports activities. According to the police, a mutilated torso which was earlier in the week discovered in Kabuuma Zone, about half a kilometre away from Kiggundu’s farm was probably Pasikali’s The torso was described as belonging to a young man and had no genitals. Pasikali went missing over three and half weeks ago when the country was celebrating Uganda Martyrs Day. All efforts by his partner Abbey and other family members to find him had been fruitless.

While the motive for this slaying is unclear at the moment, it should be again pointed out that American evangelists have spent the last few years fostering hatred and violence against LGBT people in Uganda.

New From Sharron Angle

Dinner At The Movies

Days after two NYC clothing retailers temporarily closed due to bedbug infestations, the New York Daily News quotes city exterminators who say they've recently been called out to treat movie theaters for the bloodsuckers.

Experts warned Sunday that cushy theater seats pose a far bigger bedbug threat than racks in clothing stores - despite last week's news of bedbug infestations at two Manhattan shops. "In a movie theater, you are sitting in one spot for two hours. They have the opportunity to feed on you," said Jennifer Erdogan, director of Bell Environmental Services, a pest control company that fumigates movie theaters, offices and stores. "Bedbugs need people to stop moving to get a blood meal." Shoppers are still scratching from reports that bedbugs shut down Hollister in SoHo and its sister store Abercrombie & Fitch in the South Street Seaport. To moviegoers, the mere mention of flesh-hungry insects noshing on audiences was worse than any horror film playing Sunday in Manhattan. "That's sick," said Cassandre Augustine, 18, of Flatbush, Brooklyn, who was headed to see "Get Him To The Greek" in midtown. "It makes me extra germophobic. Now I have to wear long pants all the time."

Exterminators refuse to identify the theaters with the problem, citing confidentiality agreements signed with the owners.

Miss A - Bad Girl, Good Girl

I seem to be undergoing a (probably fleeting) fascination with Korean pop music, although two of these girls are actually from China.

ISRAEL: Jerusalem Police Reverse Ban On Gay Pride March To Knesset

Jerusalem police have reversed their ban on a planned gay pride parade route that is scheduled to conclude at the Knesset.

A number of weeks ago, the police recommended that the parade be held on the same route as it was last year, citing security concerns. This year, the Jerusalem pride parade will mark the one-year anniversary of the slaying at the gay youth center in Tel Aviv and will be billed as Israel's national gay pride parade. For this reason, the organizers insisted that the parade conclude at the doorsteps of Israel's legislative branch. Jerusalem Open House Executive Director Yonatan Gher said, "The parade route to the Knesset, on the anniversary of the murder, is the proper route to symbolize what the parade is demanding – full equal rights for the gay community in Israel and an end to the incitement, violence, and silencing that we experience everyday."

Marching in the Jerusalem parade will be the mother of one of the young people murdered during the attack on the Tel Aviv LGBT youth center.

George Michael Arrested Again

George Michael was arrested early Sunday morning after he crashed his car into a photo shop outside London. He is thought to have been on his way home from London Pride.

He was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive, taken to a nearby police station and released on bail to return next month. Police confirmed they were called to the shop at 3.45am on Sunday following reports of a collision. Michael is said to have climbed out of his car after the crash and waited for police to arrive. A police spokesperson said: "A man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive." He was reportedly not breathalysed because he said he had not been drinking. According to the Daily Mirror, he was tested for drugs but none were recovered.

Michael has several previous arrests for DUI, cottaging, and possession of crack cocaine.

Cougars And Cubs

I caught this ad on television last night and visited the Cougar Life site where I learned that their name for young men who pursue older women is "cubs." Hmmph. Their definition:

To snare a true Cougar a man needs to be youthful, fit, unintimidated and of course sexually driven! These men can range from athletes to intellectuals, and from technologists to entrepreneurs and all points in between; they can come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing they have in common is the desire to possess a sexually charged older woman.

Triple-Digits In NYC Today

Record energy demands may cause blackouts or brownouts around NYC today and Con Ed is asking folks to unplug nonessential electronics, set their A/C at 78 degrees or higher, and avoid using dishwashers and washing machines. Small scattered power outages are already being seen in some parts of the city. Emergency cooling centers for people without A/C are open in all five boroughs.

ARGENTINA: Marriage Equality Ad

Argentina's Senate will debate a marriage equality bill next week, following its approval by the country's lower legislative chamber several weeks ago. The below clip was subtitled by Andres Duque at Blabbeando.

Swag Tuesday

Courtesy of the Karpel Group, this week's swag booty is Kylie Minogue's 11th studio album, Aphrodite, which is being released today in North America.

Executive-produced by studio genius Stuart Price (musical director for Madonna, producer of the last Killers album and the artist known as Les Rhythmes Digitales), this new collection of songs sees Kylie further celebrating her dancefl oor roots with an amazing array of collaborations with the likes of UK electro upstart Calvin Harris, Australian producers NERVO (who co-wrote David Guetta's hit "When Love Takes Over"), and acclaimed British songwriter Nerina Pallot. Since the release of Kylie's acclaimed 2008 album "X", electronic pop has been storming the US airwaves and charts, as evidenced by the success of Lady Gaga, Kesha and David Guetta, all of whom would surely acknowledge Kylie's place in the pop music pantheon.

We have five copies of Aphrodite to give away. Enter to win by commenting on this post and please remember to leave your email address in the text of your comment. Entries close at midnight on Thursday, west coast time. Publicists: If you'd like to take part in Swag Tuesday on JMG, please email me.

Nixon's Grandson Is A Teabagger

Richard Nixon's grandson Chris Cox is an oil industry lobbyist running for Congress against Long Island incumbent Rep. Tim Bishop (D). Cox recently moved into Tricky Dickie's old mansion in the Hamptons in order to establish himself as a resident. But he's a man of the people, as you'll see in the below address to the Conservative Society for Action.

iHand For The iPhone

(Source)

Invasion Of The Pines 2010

Yesterday my pals Jerry, Chris and Little David accompanied me to the Invasion Of The Pines, the 34th annual marking of the day in 1976 when a drag queen was denied service at a restaurant in Fire Island Pines. Every Fourth of July since then, hundreds of drag queens board a chartered ferry in Cherry Grove and "invade" the Pines for a day exploding with fireworks, feathers, and lots and lots of drinking. I don't know if there was an official theme this year, but we saw lots of Star Trek/Star Wars costumes as well as some angry takes on the BP oil spill. Slideshow below, full size photos here. We started the morning at Cherry Grove's Ice Palace, from where the queens promenaded to the ferry to the Pines. Later we made stops at Jumpin' Jacks, Sip N Twirl, the Blue Whale, and the Pavilion before staggering back onto the ferry. World Of Wonder's Wayne Anderson has a great slideshow too.

Homocon Tweet Of The Day - GOProud

Like Miss Ladyfingers USA, GOProud is happy to patronize the hotel of the man who donated $125,000 to Protect Marriage.

Tap Tap Tap

Is this thing on? Anybody working today?

Happy Independence Day! (But Only If You Know Who We're Independent FROM)

(Source)

This Week In Holy Crimes

Over the last seven days...

Florida: Pastor Shelly Hall arrested for stalking his replacement. It is his second stalking arrest.
Indiana: Pastor William Lee Porter charged with five felony counts of child seduction. Porter, 53, is his church's youth pastor.
New York: Rabbi Michoel Streicher sentenced to three years in prison for stealing $36K from a woman he told he would buy a rare Torah scroll.
Colorado: Pastor Bradley Boda sentenced to 20 years in prison for child molestation.
Florida: Pastor Jermel Manns arrested for sending sexually explicit text messages to a minor. Manns has a previous child molestation conviction.
Massachusetts: Rabbi Stanley Z. Levitt charged with sexual assault on a child. Last year Levitt was charged with assaulting two other children.
New Mexico: Pastor Matthew Nichols charged with multiple counts of possessing and distributing child pornography.
France: Father Antoine Videau sentenced to three years in prison for embezzling $3M from his parish to fund casino trips to Vegas and Monte Carlo.
New York: Rabbi Ephraim Bryks resigns in face of child molestation accusations.
Louisiana: Pastors Jason Cooper and Victor Mitchell lose child molestation appeal after being convicted of having a three-way with a minor.
Texas: Father Robert Crisp placed on leave after numerous women and girls complain of inappropriate touching.
Ontario: Father William Marshall accused of molestation by three more students after his May arrest on the same charge.

This Week's Winner
Australia: Father John Sidney Denham has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after confessing to molesting 39 boys at a school where his abuses were so well known, students dropped out rather than suffer his "attentions." Authorities say that more victims probably have not come forward.

HIV Researchers Make Immune Cell Breakthrough With Mice

Scientists at the University of Southern California say they succeeded in creating immune cells that ward off HIV in mice.

The researchers tinkered with human stem cells and then inserted them into mice where they multiplied into immune system cells that provided protection against infection with HIV, according to a study released online July 2 in Nature Biotechnology. The results are unlike typical research in animals because the mice have been "humanized": They have human immune systems and resisted a human disease. Still, until research is conducted on humans, there's no way to know if the treatment will work in people. And it may be years until that happens. But there are high hopes. "It's a one-shot treatment if it works," noted study co-author Paula Cannon, associate professor of molecular microbiology at the University of Southern California.

One researcher estimates the cost of this procedure in humans to be around $100,000. Which is still far less than the cost of a lifetime of HAART therapy.

BRITAIN: Two Gay Men Attacked By Mob

British police are seeking up to fifteen men and women who chased and brutally attacked two gay men in West Yorkshire.

The victims needed hospital treatment for head injuries after being repeatedly struck with make-shift weapons their attackers had pulled from a skip in Heap Lane, Barkerend. The gang chased and set upon the men, aged 21 and 37, as they walked towards Bradford city centre to catch a train home to Keighley. They were verbally abused by the group as they emerged from a shop on the corner of Heap Lane, having visited a friend in Undercliffe. Detective Inspector Ian Bryar, of Bradford South Police, who is leading the investigation into the attack, said: “This was an unprovoked attack on two men walking towards the city centre. “Because of the language used by the group towards the victims I believe that this attack was based on the men’s sexuality and is therefore being treated as a homophobic hate crime.

The two victims were treated at a local hospital for head wounds. One had to have his injuries closed with surgical glue.

LONDON: Mayor Boris Johnson Endorses Same-Sex Marriage

London's Mayor Boris Johnson has become the highest ranking Tory to support marriage equality. Johnson made the comments during the city's gay pride parade yesterday.

Kicking off the parade with members of the Gay Liberation Front, Mr Johnson said: “If the Conservatives and Liberals can get together in a national coalition and settle their differences, I don't see why you can't have gay marriage”. Mr Johnson is the highest-ranking Tory figure yet to support full marriage equality. His stance indicates his feelings on the subject may have progressed somewhat, as he once wrote that gay marriage "can only ever be a ludicrous parody of the real thing". He added: “Pride shows that London is the most generous, open, diverse city, whatever your background”. He said that London’s Worldpride celebration in 2012 would be “the biggest ever”. When asked whether he wanted to run again as mayor to run the city for the event, he said: “I hope so. I'd be pretty mad not to.” Mr Johnson made his pro-gay marriage declaration in response to a placard being carried by gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.

Civil partnerships became legal in the UK in 2005.

Christianity Debate

SAN FRANCISCO: Police Launch Investigation Of Brawl At Gay Pride

San Francisco police have launched an investigation after officers were recorded beating back a crowd of brawling women at last Sunday's gay pride celebration. According to some, the police responded with excessive force. It is unknown if the brawling women are lesbians.

The incident took place about 7:30 p.m. Sunday on Hyde Street near United Nations Plaza, according to police. A video of the altercation, which has been posted on YouTube, shows several people gathered in a narrow sidewalk area, yelling and then being pushed back by police officers. At a certain point, an officer is seen beating someone with a baton. Later, several more officers, including some from the California Highway Patrol, come to assist and several people are detained. Two women are later seen grabbing at a CHP officer's baton, prompting cheering from the crowd gathered to watch. At various times, people can be heard yelling, "F--- the police!" A male voice can then be heard saying, "They're just doing their job, man!" and "You don't punch a cop."

Police spokeswoman Lt. Lyn Tomioka said police initially responded to break up a fight between two women, and then the officers were surrounded and attempted to disperse the crowd. Six women were taken into custody; another was cited and released. Tomioka said the department's internal affairs division is investigating the use of force by the officers. "It's an ongoing investigation, but use of force ... it's why we try to talk to people, but when we have no other option, use of force is required, unfortunately," Tomioka said. "But to the public, it never looks pretty.

Five women were charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. All have been released and are due in court on August 5th. From watching the tape, it appears to me that the cops performed as well as could be hoped in an outnumbered and out of control situation. Again folks, you do not put your hands on a cop, no matter what the situation. Take that bad arrest (if it IS one) to civil court and get your satisfaction there.

Michael Steele: Afghanistan Is A War Of Obama's Choosing

RNC chairman Michael Steele told a crowd at a Connecticut GOP fundraiser that Afghanistan was a "war of Obama's choosing" and "is not something that the United States has actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in." That may be the final straw for Steele as even Liz Cheney is now calling for his resignation. Not for lying about how the war started, of course, but for suggesting that we can't win.

Obama Vs. Reagan

Thou Shall Not Diss Apple

Remember the iPhone 4 Vs. HTC Evo video? Best Buy wants to fire the kid that made it. Even though it never mentions where he works.

A Best Buy employee has been suspended and may be fired after he created a satirical video and posted it on YouTube. Brian Maupin of Kansas City, Missouri, created the cartoon video about the iPhone 4 versus the HTC EVO phone. The video portrays an electronics store employee trying to convince a customer wanting an iPhone 4 to purchase an HTC EVO 4G phone instead. The video became so popular, more than 1. 3 million views on YouTube as of Thursday, that someone at Best Buy saw it. While most people find the video funny, Best Buy corporate did not. When they realized the creator worked for them, they asked him to take the video down. When Maupin refused to take the video down because it didn't mention Best Buy, he was suspended.

Gadgets site Gizmodo has offered the kid a job.

Silence=Filth

Four mimes teach you about sex. Possibly NSFW.

COSTA RICA: High Court Suspends Gay Marriage Referendum

Costa Rica's highest court has orderd that an upcoming vote on same-sex marriage be suspended because it might violate the nation's constitution.

The Sala Constitucional (Constitutional Court) has ordered the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE) to suspend the process of the referendum on same sex marriages that was to have been included in the December 2010 municipal elections. The court order was based on an appeal filed against the referendum. The Recurso Amparo (appeal) was presented by an individual identified only by the last names, Quirós Salazar, alleging that the referendum violates the rights and freedoms of individuals. The referendum was to have let the population decide the fate of a proposal for law that would allow same sex marriages in Costa Rica. Opponents to the referendum have argued that leaving the allowing the majority of the population (93%) which is heterosexual would be a constitutional violation of the 7% of the homosexual population.

Hurray for not allowing votes on minority rights!