REPORT: Actor Leslie Jordan Involved In Anti-Gay Fracas At WeHo Starbucks

West Hollywood police responded to a Starbucks yesterday after actor Leslie Jordan reportedly confronted three young men who had been screaming anti-gay slurs at the customers. WeHoVille reports:

Joseph Daniels, a photographer who was present at Starbucks this morning, said the incident began a little after 11 a.m. when the men were in line waiting to order coffee and began using profane language like “faggots.” Daniels said another customer told them their behavior was rude, and the manager of Starbucks appeared and asked one of the men to leave. As he left, Daniels said, “he was screaming and pointing ‘you will die f–ing faggots’. It was very scary and unexpected." Daniels said Leslie Jordan, the gay actor and screenwriter, yelled at the men to leave, saying “get out of my house.” Jordan, who at 4’11” is known for his diminutive stature as well as his Southern accent, is a regular at that Starbucks. Daniels said Jordan followed the men outside objecting to their language, and he and another customer walked outside to protect Jordan. “The guy lunged at Leslie to hit him,” Daniels said of one of the men. “Then Leslie threw his drink at the guy. Then (another) guy threw his drink to hit me.” Daniels said Sheriff’s deputies showed up quickly and spent about 45 minutes interviewing those present at the altercation. He said deputies urged the gay men not to file charges against the others, saying that if they did the men screaming “faggots” could accuse Jordan of assault for throwing his coffee at one of them and the deputies would have to arrest Jordan.

West Hollywood police says that none of the involved parties wanted to press charges, but Daniels disputes that claim.

Chinese Gays Marry In West Hollywood

Via the Los Angeles Times:

For seven Chinese gay couples, a trip to California offered something that wasn't legal at home: marriage certificates. The couples were among hundreds who entered a high-profile online contest offering an all-expenses-paid American dream wedding. On Tuesday, they wed at the West Hollywood Library — the same place where, two summers ago, gay couples married en masse after same-sex marriage became legal in California. As camera crews surrounded her, Xue Mengyao sneaked a look at her bride-to-be, Xu Na, getting her makeup done and wearing a long white dress with lace and pearls. Asked how Xu looked, Xue couldn't answer. She said if she did, she would start crying and ruin her own makeup. “First sight,” she said, recalling when she first knew she would fall in love with Xu. “First sight.” The women, both in their 20s, met while volunteering at the Beijing LGBT Center. They were in a crowded, noisy room, but there in the middle, Xue spotted a woman who just radiated beauty and confidence.

Hit the link for much more. And get a tissue.

Todrick Hall - Alice In WeHoLand

WEST HOLLYWOOD: Salon Owner Accused Of Trying To Hire Neo-Nazi Hitmen To Kill Her Gay Latino Competitor

Via KTLA-5 in Los Angeles:

A high-profile skin care expert tried to contact a white supremacist group to kill a business rival who was a “double minority, Mexican gay,” a sheriff’s detective testified in a Los Angeles courtroom Monday. Dawn Melody DaLuise, 55, appeared at Airport Courthouse for a preliminary hearing at which a judge determine there was enough evidence to bring her to trial on one count of solicitation of murder. The North Hollywood facial specialist allegedly attempted to hire someone to kill a rival esthetician who opened a skin care business in the same West Hollywood complex as hers, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. She was charged March 7, pleading not guilty about two weeks later. DaLuise’s business, Skin Refinery, claimed multiple Hollywood actresses as clients.

Prosecutors say that DaLuise tried to make it appear that her would-be victim had been stalking her online.

Jury Awards $5.4M To Woman In Sexual Assault Case At LA Gay Nightclub

A California jury has awarded $5.4M to a woman who reported that she was sexually assaulted by a male employee of the West Hollywood gay nightclub Here Lounge.

The 43-year-old woman sued the Here Lounge and club worker Victor Cruz, alleging she was assaulted and raped by him on March 23, 2009. After a 15-day trial in Santa Monica Superior Court, jurors found Cruz committed a sexual offense that harmed the woman and that Here Lounge's negligence was a substantial factor in causing that harm. They found the club was responsible for 40% of the verdict, Cruz 60% and attributed none of the blame to the woman. “This club turned a blind eye to sexual activity that was allowed to occur in the restroom area,” said attorney John Taylor. “Although they had a stated policy of security guards being present in the bathrooms, they weren’t present at the time of the attack. The guards abandoned the place where most problems go on.”

The victim called 911 after the attack and later picked Cruz out of a lineup. However his first trial resulted in a hung jury and he was acquitted at a second trial. The victim then filed the above civil lawsuit. (Tipped by JMG reader David)

WeHo Gay Man Brain Dead Of Meningitis

West Hollywood resident Brett Shaad was declared brain dead yesterday afternoon after suffering a fast-moving bacterial meningitis infection, prompting fears that the outbreak currently hitting New York City's gay men has spread to the west coast. Karen Ocamb reports at Frontiers:

The 33 year old West Hollywood resident was a lawyer, a real estate broker and very popular among his friends, many of whom surrounded his bed at Cedar Sinai Hospital in shock and disbelief. “Last weekend I was with him at a local restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard,” said West Hollywood Councilmember John Duran at a news conference about the meningitis scare. “He was tall and muscular, robust, looking as fit as a fiddle and we notified on Wednesday he was at Cedars and then yesterday, he was in a coma. And now he’s going to be removed from life support.”

The city of West Hollywood has issued an "urgent warning."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been alerted about a Los Angeles County case of meningococcal infection. Tests are being conducted to determine the imprint of this strain, which is not a new one. There may be similarities to an especially deadly strain of meningococcal infection found recently in New York that has resulted in twenty-two cases, including ten fatalities since 2010. The outbreak in New York City involved a strain circulating among men who have sex with men and may be transmitted during intimate encounters including sex.

Saying that the Los Angeles Department of Health is "dragging its feet," yesterday West Hollywood Councilman John Duran said that on Monday he will introduce a measure to provide a $20,000 fund for vaccines for the uninsured.

RELATED: Earlier this month the New York State Department of Health issued a statewide call for all gay men to be vaccinated against meningitis.

Gay Nightclub Sued By Two Women Who Claim They Were Raped By Staffers

Popular West Hollywood gay nightclub The Abbey is being sued by two women who claim that they were drugged and raped by club staffers.

According to the lawsuit a gay woman who says she had never had sexual relations with a man was at The Abbey with her girlfriend in November, 2011. She says she and her girlfriend had a fight, which upset the alleged victim. She ordered a drink at the bar and claims it was laced with a date rape drug. The woman then claims she became impaired and a busboy allegedly took her outside and raped her. Another woman -- who is straight -- claims she went to The Abbey in April, 2011, and was served a drink that was also allegedly laced with a date rape drug. She alleges an undocumented worker at The Abbey then took her across the street to his car and raped her.

The owners of The Abbey have declined comment. The two women are each seeking $10M in damages.

WeHo Installs Rainbow Crosswalks

Details.

Gingrich Bus Gets A Flat In WeHo

Details.

SATURDAY: WeHo LGBT 99% March

Detail on the Facebook event page.

Photo Of The Day

A shrine to Elizabeth Taylor has sprung up in the West Hollywood gay bar The Abbey, where Taylor was known to drop in. This weekend the bar will donate proceeds from sales of their Blue Velvet martini to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

(Via - TMZ)

Don't Be A Dick

This kid kills me. Totes.

West Hollywood: We Are Ready To Resume Gay Marriages If We Get The Word

As we all wait on Judge Vaughn Walker's ruling about a stay, West Hollywood City Hall is putting the word out that they are ready to resume officiating same-sex marriages at a moment's notice. Via Karen Ocamb:

West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tem John Duran says he is ready to start officiating again. “As soon as the federal judge lifts the stay, Weho is ready for the sequel ‘Summer of Love II.’ We will marry as many happy couples as we can until another judge tells us we can’t. Like drops of water becoming a mighty torrent…..” West Hollywood City Clerk Tom West says the five city councilmembers have been deputized but because of work schedules, it is imperative that couples call his office to schedule an appointment: 323-848-6409. Dean Logan, the Registrar-Recorder/ County Clerk for Los Angeles County, is prepared to “take immediate action to implement the court’s orders if the stay is lifted and judgment is entered.” That means county offices will issue marriage licenses to same sex couples as soon as they as the judge’s ruling is clear.

Walker's ruling could come at any time. Lambda Legal cautions that there may only be a very short window of legalized same-sex marriages before the Ninth Circuit Court issues a stay of its own.

QueerTracker

Not too crazy about the bit at 3:15. Very NSFW.

(Tipped by JMG reader Bill)

Rock For Equality: Hundreds Rally In CA For Social Security Benefits

Hundreds of activists and politicians rallied in West Hollywood this weekend calling for equality in Social Security benefits. Speakers included Sen. Barbara Boxer and NGLTF head Rea Carey.

State and local officials joined hundreds of people outside the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center in Hollywood on Sunday morning to kick off a national grass-roots campaign demanding equal Social Security benefits for same-sex couples. The rally and march -- dubbed Rock for Equality -- was put together by the center and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in conjunction with the Aids Community Action Foundation, said Jim Key, a spokesman for the center.

At the rally, Rep. Linda T. Sanchez (D-Lakewood), who is a member of the House Subcommittee on Social Security, announced that she would sponsor legislation to provide equal Social Security benefits for same-sex couples. "I don't think it's right that Americans should be treated differently by the country they love because of who they love," she said, triggering thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd. "Right now, same-sex marriage couples pay equally into a system that they don't receive equal benefits from in return," Sanchez told the crowd. "Shame on this country for allowing that to happen." As of now, people in same-sex relationships are denied Social Security survivor benefits from their deceased partners because the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriages or domestic partnerships as valid relationships.

Go here for many more photos of the event. In the clip below, West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land addresses the crowd.

The WeHo Effigy Guys Are Back

You may recall the gay couple from West Hollywood who last Halloween raised the ire of the right wing with an effigy of Sarah Palin, which they later took down after complaints from neighbors. Well, they're back - this time with a nude Maggie Gallagher with her arm raised in a Hitler salute. Via Curbed LA:

More about what’s on the roof this year, according to the pair, who work in the window display business: As noted, there’s a mannequin with a photo of Gallager, President of the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy, an organization that opposes gay marriage. She’s also has the word liar written on her stomach. “The reason that she is naked is that we are exposing her lies,” says Morrissette, who calls her a hypocrite for statements he says that she made about educating children about gay marriage. Glinda, the good witch, is also on the roof, standing next to a Mormon missionary (he's stuck in a chimney and on fire). Glinda is there to counteract all the evil of the rest of the characters....including Carrie Prejean, the Miss USA 2009 contestant. She's the gal who said she believed that marriage should be between a man and a woman--and she's shown chopped in half and bloodied.

Rick Warren Does Damage Control

In a transparent move to bolster his image with LGBT people, Rick Warren visited an AIDS thrift shop in West Hollywood yesterday to pose for photos and buy some books (two of which were his own). TMZ reports:

We got this pic, taken yesterday at Out of the Closet thrift store. That's Warren on the right (naturally), his arm around Erol Sarabi, who is openly gay. Warren, who supports the ban on gay marriage which has not sat real well with some Obama supporters, bought 8 to 10 books, two of which were his own (that doesn't help with his Amazon ranking). Warren told Sarabi not to believe everything he reads, that he does a lot for AIDS research and was happy that Out of the Closet does free AIDS testing. Warren also said he met with Melissa Etheridge recently and the two planned to have dinner together -- go figure. By the way, Warren gave a signed copy of his book to Sarabi. The inscription from the Bible, Proverbs 19:21: "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

And then they went down to the Abbey for appletinis.

Video: Last Night's Arrests At Prop 8 Protest In West Hollywood

The WOW Report provides this 2-minute clip of the LAPD beating and arresting protesters at last night's Prop 8 march in West Hollywood. Police clubbed one protester repeatedly on his legs after he broke through their barrier. It's unclear exactly what was to be gained by breaching the barrier, but clearly the police overreacted.

WeHo Prop 8 Protest Photos

Japhy Grant has photos from last night's Prop 8 protest in West Hollywood, where the LAPD responded in riot gear and roughed up at least one protester who wouldn't leave the street.

After a group of 1000 protesters left a planned West Hollywood rally to protest Prop 8., they headed eat along Sunset to the CNN building and later to Hollywood and Highland. I was among the people at the front of the group and the march was peaceful and protesters were communicating and working with Sheriff’s Department, which allowed the protesters to police themselves.

Then the Los Angeles Police Department showed up, issuing a “tactical alert” calling all available officers to the scene. Things went downhill and tonight the Hollywood area is awash in SWAT teams, police helicopters and scattered reports of protesters being arrested and beaten. For the most part, what I observed was peaceful and it wasn’t until the L.A.P.D. showed up that any protesters started to get belligerent– even then, the man in the first photo below was attacked for crossing the police line formed at Hollywood & Highland. Whether the police crossed a line is a question to be asked tomorrow.

Turmoil At WeHo Prop 8 Protests

I'm getting reader emails reporting after the Prop 8 rally in WeHo ended tonight, protesters moved onto Santa Monica Boulevard and blocked traffic. At this writing, police are on the scene and according to one JMG reader, the scene is "escalating and getting ugly." More on this once news reports emerge.

UPDATE: The situation appears to have resolved without notable incident.

UPDATE II: Some protesters were detained by the LAPD, who called a "tactical alert" after the crowd proved too large to handle.

The Los Angeles Police Department declared a tactical alert Wednesday night in an attempt to handle opponents of Proposition 8, who marched from West Hollywood to Hollywood to protest the passage of the initiative defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Protesters marched together on streets in West Hollywood and Hollywood. Several protesters stopped at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, blocking traffic in the busy intersection. An additional group of about 500 protesters gathered in the 6400 block of Sunset Boulevard, near CNN's Los Angeles Bureau, prompting the LAPD to declare a tactical alert because of the need for additional officers, some of whom were brought in from other stations, Officer Jason Lee of the LAPD Media Relations Section said. Some of them were detained, but "the overall indication is that the demonstrators and marchers are peaceful," Lee said.