AUSTRALIA: Murdered Hero In Sydney Cafe Siege Was Openly Gay Man

The Sydney cafe manager murdered yesterday after being held hostage by a deranged Islamist was an openly gay man in a 14-year relationship.

The manager of the Lindt cafe who was fatally shot in the Martin Place siege is being praised as a hero who helped others trapped in the cafe to escape. Tori Johnson, 34, was wrestling a gun from hostage-taker Man Haron Monis when he was killed. It is understood the cafe manager decided to take action when the gunman began to doze off after the siege had been ongoing for 17 hours. He lunged at the hostage-taker’s weapon, allowing others to flee. He was one of two hostages killed in the siege, with 38-year-old lawyer Katrina Dawson also fatally shot. The family has gathered at the 34-year-old’s apartment as his brother James flies to Sydney from Canada. The cafe manager was in a long-term relationship with his partner of 14 years, Thomas Zinn. It is understood Mr Zinn is being comforted along with the Johnsons at the couple’s home.

Johnson's family has released a statement:

We are so proud of our beautiful boy Tori, gone from this earth but forever in our memories as the most amazing life partner, son and brother we could ever wish for. We feel heartfelt sorrow for the family of Katrina Dawson. We'd like to thank not only our friends and loved ones for their support, but the people of Sydney; Australia and those around the world for reaching out with their thoughts and prayers. Our deepest gratitude to the NSW police, armed forces and paramedics for their tireless efforts. We ask that the media respects our privacy in this difficult time. Let us all pray for peace on earth.

Condolences have poured into Australia from Stephen Harper, David Cameron, President Obama, and other national leaders. (Tipped by JMG readers Wayne and David)

Wonkette: Actor Paul Rudd Was Among Bystanders Who Took Down Homophobe After Assault At Dallas Airport

Wonkette reports today that actor Paul Rudd was among the bystanders that rushed to take down a drunk redneck homophobe who had just assaulted a man after calling him a "faggot." At this writing, it doesn't appear that Rudd has confirmed the story, but after watching the clip again, it does look like him. The original video of the attack now has over 1.7 million views. Dallas police have not yet identified the assailant.

(Tipped by JMG reader Joe)

UPDATE: The tweet below is from the above-linked Wonkette blogger. Some Twitter users remain convinced that it was Rudd.

UPDATE II: The actual hero has identified himself as Dallas marketing guy Ben Kravit.

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today, Edith Windsor emerged from the doors of the Supreme Court to the wild cheers of hundreds of adoring fans following oral arguments in United States Vs Windsor. Three months later the Supreme Court ruled in Windsor's favor, setting off an avalanche of pro-LGBT changes by the federal government and a still unbroken cascade of marriage equality advances across the nation.  The above iconic image made the cover of Pride Magazine and people have told me that their copies are now framed and hanging in a place of honor in their homes. All hail Edith Windsor!

AZ State Rep. Chad Campbell Celebrates

Campbell, you should ALL remember, was a fiery and passionate defender of our people when the bill was being debated on the Arizona House floor. He is being term-limited out of office this year and many thought him to be a top Democratic prospect for governor, but several months ago he said would not run.

AZ Rep. Chad Campbell Reports Death Threat After Epic Defense Of LGBT Rights

If you watched yesterday's Arizona House debate, you'll know that the only bright points of the entire disgusting exercise were the impassioned defenses of the LGBT community delivered by Democratic Minority Leader Rep. Chad Campbell. Apparently some of God's Gentle People didn't like that. Campbell, not incidentally, is straight and married to a woman.

RELATED: Last year the Phoenix Tea Party launched a failed recall drive against Campbell due to his support of new gun control laws proposed in the wake of the shooting of former US Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Campbell, 40, will be term-limited out of office this year and was considered a top 2014 Democratic gubernatorial prospect, but in September he announced on his Facebook page that he will not be running. Let's hope the reaction to yesterday's performance on the House floor causes him to reconsider.

White House: Thank You Edie Windsor

A message of thanks to DOMA champion Edith Windsor was posted today on the White House blog. The statement is attributed to White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett. An excerpt:

When the Court handed down its decision last June, President Obama called Edie from Air Force One to congratulate her on her victory. And earlier this week, the President invited Edie to the France State Dinner and the Oval Office to thank her in person. The thanks expressed by the President that day have been echoed by millions of Americans, including thousands of legally married couples who can now live their lives with greater justice and dignity – thanks to heroes like Edie Windsor who have been willing to stand up and fight for equality under the law.

Quite the lovely Valentine's Day timing. The photo is dated Wednesday, when Windsor was a guest at the White House state dinner honoring French President Francois Hollande, who guided his nation to marriage equality last May.

UPDATE: Windsor's DOMA attorney responds.

Edith Windsor Attends White House State Dinner Honoring French President

DOMA champion Edith Windsor was among the guests attending last night's White House state dinner honoring French President Francois Hollande, who guided his nation to marriage equality last May. 

Climbing out of his limousine just after 7 p.m., he [Hollande] was greeted by the Obamas, the first lady in a full liberty-blue skirt and black beaded top by Carolina Herrera. The first couple towered over Mr. Hollande for a photo, before the three made their way inside. The guest list for the state dinner, as is traditional, drew from the worlds of politics, business, sports, news media and entertainment, with a nod to Americans of French extraction. Among the most notable guests was Edith Windsor, 83, the New Yorker whose landmark lawsuit against the federal government for denying her tax benefits after the death of her female spouse knocked down the Defense of Marriage Act last year. Among the news media figures invited were Jeff Zucker, the president of CNN, and Jill Abramson, the executive editor of The New York Times.

(Tipped by JMG reader Kyle)

SEATTLE: Two US Soldiers Credited For Dousing Arson Attempt At Gay Nightclub

Seattle's KIRO-TV reports:

In the first few seconds after the fire roared up the back stairway of Neighbours nightclub in Seattle, US Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Bostick [ABOVE] was one of a few New Year’s Eve revelers who reacted immediately. “I’m embarrassed to say, my first move was to go after it with cups of water. Then I quickly realized, this fire is way bigger than that," he said. In the next breath, the Army Intelligence veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan tours sharpens his tone, as if news of impending violence is to follow. “You know, in 30 seconds, if that fire did what the arsonist intended, there’s no telling how many people could have died."

While 750 people counted down to the new year, Bostick rushed to grab a fire extinguisher from behind the bar. He and Air Force member Mike Casey went to work putting out the gasoline-fueled fire. “It was like the Carrie movie,” Bostick recounted, “you see just fire everywhere. And that's all you can see and for a second, that's all you're focused on." Bostick and Casey tamed flames filling the staircase, after an arsonist poured gasoline on the carpeted stairway from a plastic liter gas can, dropped the can on the top step, and lit it ablaze from the bottom. “If we hadn't reacted to it, it would have taken too long for someone to react, and that fire would have become unmanageable in another 30 seconds,’’ Bostick said.

Fittingly, Bostick is a terrorism specialist. My earlier reports on the incident are here and here.

Nelson Mandela Dead At Age 95

Thank A Lesbian Today

One of the most beautiful and moving aspects of the early plague years was the unprecedented response of the lesbian community. Our sisters stepped up when no one else would and became caregivers, companions, and fierce advocates. While the marriage equality movement has certainly united gay men and lesbians, in the early years of HIV/AIDS the two communities were at best politically wary of each other and as this A&U article notes, many lesbians felt deliberately disenfranchised from the then-young gay rights movement. I'll never forget attending a meeting at Fort Lauderdale's AIDS Center One in the mid-80s, looking around in wonder and awe at all the young lesbians in the room, and thinking, "Where did they come from?"

NOTE: The achingly gorgeous photo at the top is this post is by lesbian photographer Gypsy Ray, whose Living With AIDS: Collaborative Portraits book appears to be out of print but is well worth hunting down.

NEBRASKA: Gay-Bashing Of Straight Marine Investigated As Hate Crime

The attack on the straight Marine who was gay-bashed in Omaha after standing up for a friend in drag will be investigated as a hate crime.

Omaha Police said Thursday officers are investigating this incident as a hate crime. Gay rights activists in Omaha want people to know there's nothing scary about a man in a dress. They will be hosting a rally Saturday to take a stand against hate crimes and homophobia. The rally was organized in response to an assault that happened early Sunday in the Old Market. Ryan Langenegger of Omaha, a 22-year-old straight man and Marine, said he was punched in the face after he peacefully defended his two gay friends.

More about Saturday's rally:

The gay community considers Langenegger’s actions heroic, and is hosting a “Drag Out Hate!” rally in his honor on Saturday. “I wanted to show in broad daylight that there is nothing to fear about gay people and there is nothing disgusting about drag,” said Chad Bugge, one of the organizers of the rally. “Drag is fun and it has been the source of entertainment for the gay community for years.” Mayor Jean Stothert said in a statement that she’s been assured the Omaha Police Department is treating the incident with the seriousness it deserves.

(Tipped by JMG reader Paul)

Edith Windsor Celebrates Her Historic Win

At today's press conference at the New York City LGBT Community Center. Windsor will be at the Stonewall celebration this afternoon at 5:30PM.

Edith Windsor: Pride Magazine Cover Gal

The national edition of Pride Magazine 2013 can be found in a gayborhood near you. This year's cover is totally frame-worthy. I'll have details on a digital download of the title soon.

Edith Windsor Gets The News

Via New Yorker:

Everyone at the apartment of Roberta Kaplan, the lawyer who argued Edith Windsor’s successful challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act, exploded in screams and sobs when the ruling came down. Kaplan called her mother and said, “Total victory, Mom: it couldn’t be better.” Windsor said, “I wanna go to Stonewall right now!” Then she called a friend and said, “Please get married right away!”

And Still They Danced

At tonight's gala fundraiser marking the 30th anniversary of the NYC LGBT Community Center, the headlining honoree was DOMA plaintiff Edie Windsor. Upon taking the stage, Edie led us through her 42-year relationship with her late wife, Thea Spyer, starting with their closeted courtship and through the decades until their 2007 wedding in Toronto.

During her speech, Edie spoke of how even though her late wife's MS progressively got worse, they continued to go dancing. When Thea first needed a cane, they danced.  When Thea worsened and needed a walker, they danced. Then came the day that Thea needed a wheelchair. And still they danced. The first time they wheelchair-danced was at a women's party at the Limelight in 1982. That first wheelchair-dance song? Edie smiled. "It was a disco version of If My Friends Could See Me Now."

For Edie and Thea.

Passengers Applaud When Gay Man Stands Up To Homophobic Subway Preacher

(Tipped by JMG reader David)

Late PFLAG Founder Jeanne Manford To Receive Presidential Citizens Medal

PFLAG founder Jeanne Manford, who died last month at the age of 92, will be posthumously honored with the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest honor the government gives a civilian. Twelve others will receive the medal at an upcoming White House ceremony. Paul Schindler reports at Gay City News:

When Manford died last month at the age of 92, Jody Huckaby, PFLAG’s national executive director, said, “Jeanne Manford proved the power of a single person to transform the world. She paved the way for us to speak out for what is right, uniting the unique parent, family, and ally voice with the voice of LGBT people everywhere.” President Barack Obama will honor the Medal winners at a White House ceremony on February 15. The recipients were announced on February 8. Manford is only the second Citizens Medal recipient honored for her work on LGBT causes. A 2011 Medal went to Janice K. Langbehn, a lesbian who sued a Miami hospital after she and her three young children were denied the right to visit her partner of 18 years, Lisa Marie Pond, as she lay dying after suffering a brain aneurysm while on vacation there in 2007. Despite having been told that they were in “an anti-gay city and state” by a hospital official, Langbehn’s suit was dismissed.

Others to receive the Presidential Citizens Medal have included Elizabeth Taylor, Colin Powell, and AIDS researcher David Ho.

UPDATE: PFLAG has issued a statement.

“When Jeanne Manford publicly stood up for her gay son in 1972, she had no idea that her actions would spark a movement that would change the lives of so many individuals and families,” said PFLAG National Executive Director Jody M. Huckaby. “It started out as a simple act of love, but Jeanne’s legacy lives on, as straight allies continue to stand alongside their LGBT loved ones, united by their collective belief in a better—and more equal—tomorrow. Her voice has been joined by millions of others who have raised their voices and will continue to do so in support of acceptance, fairness, and equality.” “I was able to share the news of this honor with my mom before she left us and I only wish the President could have seen the amazing smile that spread across her face,” said Suzanne Manford Swan, daughter of the late Jeanne Manford. “My family is deeply touched by this honor and to represent the PFLAG family values of love and acceptance.”

Rachel Maddow On Jeanne Manford

You'll need a tissue for this.

Oscar Nomination For AIDS Documentary How To Survive A Plague

The critically-raved AIDS documentary How To Survive A Plague was among the Oscar nominations today in the Best Documentary category. The film's star, activist Peter Staley, issued a one-word response this morning on his Facebook page: "YAY!!"

AIDS Activist Spencer Cox Dies At 44

Groundbreaking AIDS activist Spencer Cox, who was profiled in the documentary How To Stop A Plague, has died of HIV-related complications at the age of 44. Cox is widely credited with helping create the drug testing protocols that rushed life-saving medications to a desperate community.  ACT UP sends us his obituary:

From 1994 to 1999, he was Director of the HIV Project for TAG, where he did his groundbreaking work in drug trials designs. He designed the drug trial adopted in part by Abbott as they were developing Norvir, the first Protease Inhibitor to head into human trials. It had an “open standard-of-care arm,” allowing people on the control arm to take any other anti-AIDS drugs their doctors prescribed, versus the arm taking any other anti-AIDS drugs plus Norvir. It was this study that showed a 50% drop in mortality in 6 months. Norvir was approved in late 1995. Though the results were positive, the proposal sharply divided the community, many of whom thought it was cruel to withhold Norvir on the control arm. Spencer defended himself in a controversial BARON’S coverstory that made him, briefly, the most-hated AIDS activist in America. Ultimately he was vindicated.  “Spencer single-handedly sped up the development and marketing of the protease inhibitors, which currently are saving 8 million lives,” says TAG executive director Mark Harrington. “He was absolutely brilliant, just off the charts brilliant."

The above-linked article was written by Plague director David France, who notes that Cox first began to experience resistance to HIV medications in 2000.