Viral Video Of The Day

A time lapse of Buffalo weather.

(Tipped by JMG reader Blair)

NEW YORK: Flyer Attacks GOP State Senator For Same-Sex Marriage Vote

New York state Sen. Mark Grisanti was one of the four Republicans who pushed same-sex marriage into the win column. Since then he's been the subject of relentless attacks by NOM, who has vowed to unseat him this fall. The source of the above flyer is not yet clear, but Buzzfeed reporter Chris Geidner is chasing down rumors that it may have come from a failed Buffalo mayoral candidate. Buzzfeed calls the above "the most anti-gay piece of political mail this year." (Via Back2Stonewall)

BUFFALO: School Suspends Students Who Bullied Suicide Victim Jamie Rodemeyer

The Buffalo News reports that the students who literally bullied Jamie Rodemeyer to death are getting off light.

"[The police] shared some information with us, and we followed up," Superintendent Scott Martzloff said. "We made the determination to take disciplinary action." He declined to say how many students were suspended. Though based on Amherst police findings, it's likely that several of Jamey's classmates were sanctioned. Regarding the severity of punishments these students received, Martzloff said only that the students face "a minimum of suspensions." That implies at least short-term suspensions of up to five days, with the possibility of long-term suspensions subject to a hearing. Expulsion is not an option for students of this age.

Buffalo police announced in October that there would be no criminal charges against the students.

BUFFALO: School Suspends Student Who Taunted Sister Of Gay Suicide Victim

As we learned last month, the sister of 14 year-old bullying victim Jamey Rodemeyer was taunted with chants of "We're glad he's dead!" at a school event on the day of her brother's wake. The school has finally taken action.

School district superintendent Scott Martzloff confirmed that the student had been suspended and would be punished “to the fullest extent allowed under education law.” “We will not let the actions of any student threaten the emotional well-being of others,” he said. Police are considering charging a number of students in relation to Jamey’s death. Meanwhile, state legislation has been proposed to curb the problem of anti-gay and other forms of bullying. State Senator Jeffrey Klein’s bill is designed to “modernise New York State’s harassment laws and crack down on the emerging cyberbullying epidemic”.

BUFFALO: Hundreds Attend Funeral For Gay Teen Bullying Victim

BUFFALO: Cops Consider Criminal Charges In Bullying-Related Suicide Of Gay Teen

Buffalo-area police are considering filing criminal charges against the students who allegedly bullied 14 year-old gay teen Jamey Rodemeyer into killing himself.

No bullying laws exist in New York State, according to Camilleri, so police would have to determine whether aggravated harassment charges fit this case. Whether suspects would be tried in juvenile court would depend on whether the alleged bully was 16 or older, he said. Police said they had spoken with Williamsville School Superintendent Scott G. Martzloff, who has pledged the district's cooperation. "We've heard that there were some specific students, an identifiable group of students, that had specifically targeted Jamey, or had been picking on him for a period of time," Police Chief John C. Askey told the Buffalo News.

VIDEO: A tribute to Jamey from DepFox.

Parents Of Gay Teen Suicide Victim Speak To Anderson Cooper

NEW YORK: Buffalo Teen Kills Himself After Years Of Anti-Gay Bullying

Heartbroken Buffalo parents Tracy and Tim Rodemeyer say they found their 14 year-old son Jamey dead yesterday morning in a presumed suicide. Jamey had long complained of vicious homophobic bullying at the hands of his classmates.

Jamey Rodemeyer needed help. At 14, he was grappling with adolescent demons that could torment grown men. And when he was online, he wrote about it. "I always say how bullied I am, but no one listens," he wrote Sept. 9. "What do I have to do so people will listen to me?" Just over one week later, Jamey was found dead outside his home of an apparent suicide. In the months prior, he routinely blogged about school bullying and thoughts of suicide in between upbeat posts about his pop star idol Lady Gaga and the ordinary types of teen rants typical for kids his age. On Sept. 8, he wrote: "No one in my school cares about preventing suicide, while you're the ones calling me [gay slur] and tearing me down."

Much of Jamey's tormenting came via cyber-bullying. His parents, who say they discussed and supported Jamey's questioning of his sexuality, intend to carry on his campaign against bullies.

VIDEO: Jamey actually recorded an "It Get Better" clip back in May.

Freep This NY Radio Poll

From Buffalo's wingnut talk radio station. Already launched: a complaint campaign against the station.

Buffalo: Strangers Marry After Denial Of Same-Sex Marriage License

Denied a license to marry her partner Cheryl, Buffalo, New York lesbian Kitty Lambert turned to ask if any random man would marry her. Here's how it went down.

In an act of civil-sorta-disobedience, local LGBT activist Kitty Lambert received a marriage license to a stranger named Ed at Buffalo’s City Hall today, after being denied a license to marry her same-sex partner. A small group gathered in the lobby before proceeding to the 13th floor. Entering the City Clerk’s office, Kitty and long-time partner Cheryl attempted to apply for a marriage license. Armed with the appropriate documents City employees informed them due to New York State law, they would be unable to grant them a license. As the clerk’s office employees gathered to watch, a tearful Lambert explained the benefits only available to straight couples with a marriage license. With news cameras rolling, Kitty then turned to the crowd and asked for any male who would be willing to get married to her. A gay man named Ed stepped forward and volunteered. They briefly exchanged information and presented the appropriate documents along with $40. City staff verified the information, and proceeded to give them a marriage license.

Buffalo: Hate Crime Beating Victim Threatened Not To Testify

Last week a young man (who says he is not gay) was beaten, pepper-sprayed, and robbed by two women who followed him outside a Buffalo, New York mall while shouting anti-gay epithets. Yesterday the victim reported that one of his assailant's boyfriend threatened him with another beating if he testified. This threat came in the courthouse itself, where its maker was promptly arrested. Rod McCullom has more.

(Via - Rod 2.0)

Westboro Pickets Buffalo Funerals

Lead by the local gay activism group OUTSpoken For Equality, hundreds of Buffalo's citizens blocked Westboro Baptist Church picketers from the view of mourners attending the funerals of residents killed in last week's horrific plane crash. Westboro's "Planes Crash, God Laughs" signs were blocked by the now-traditional angel wings invented by Romaine Patterson at Matthew Shepard's funeral.