25 Bloggers In Central Park

Gay Journalist Michael Luongo Wins Reporting Award

Last night NYC-based gay journo Michael Luongo won the Reporting Award at the Society for Professional Journalist's New York Deadline Club Awards, for his November 2007 story Our Man In Baghdad, which was published in the Gay City News. The story focuses on the hidden gay life in Iraq, with Luongo meeting some of the hundreds of Iraqi men with Gaydar profiles, both to his and their great peril.

Judges called Luongo's story "a riveting read", saying the story "details the harrowing task of survival, not only in a war zone but also as an outsider in one's own culture. A thorough, well-researched and compelling article on a most timely topic."

I thought Luongo's story was fantastic and by chance happened to get to tell him so on the day it was published. Go check it out.

Ellen's Marriage Announcement

Marry The Bear

Via JMG reader Greg, here's a shot of a furry would-be groom at last night's impromptu party in the Castro. From all accounts, it was quite a thrilling night to be out on the street with our people. I wonder how many folks didn't make it to work this morning?

Broadway Friday

-American Idol winner Taylor Hicks will succeed Stephen Buntrock as Teen Angel in Grease, beginning next month. Hicks is slated to be with the show until September 7th. Hicks: "The Soul Patrol's gonna invade Broadway!" Ugh.

-BASH'd, a "gay rap opera" will be an official event of NYC's Heritage of Pride, kicking off June 12th at Off-Broadway's Zipper Theatre. "BASH'd chronicles the tale of Jack and Dillon; two star-crossed lovers who must cope with the reality of hatred when one is brutally beaten. It is told entirely through rap, spoken word and poetry, turning the often-homophobic musical genre on its ear. Even though the topic is serious, the musical is high energy, irreverent, and provocative."

-Actor Adrian Bailey, 51, plans to sue the producers of the Little Mermaid after he fell 30-40 feet through a trap door in an on-stage boat on Sunday, breaking both wrists and his back, sternum, ribs, foot and pelvis. He has undergone four surgeries. Disney Theatrical Productions, one of the defendants, says it is investigating. Bailey has asked for a court order requiring Disney to preserve the boat.

-A Chicago theatre critic gives advice on how to find a cheap hotel on Broadway. Rule #1: "In New York, the chain hotels are your friend."

Mike Daisey's How Theater Failed America begins a limited six-week run at Off-Broadway's Barrow Street Theatre May 16. Extemporaneous monologist Daisey played his final performance at Joe's Pub May 11. You may me posting about a show Daisey played in Cambridge last year in which almost 100 members of a high school choir disrupted his performance by walking out, with one person pouring water on Daisey's notes. They didn't like Daisey's naughty language. Boo hoo.

Cooper, Savage, Idiot Spar On Marriage

Anderson Cooper hosted Dan Savage and Family Research Council spokes-twat Tony Perkins to spar over gay marriage. Cooper lets Dan Savage get the final word.

Wingnuts Ask For Delay In Marriages

A conservative group is already petitioning the California Supreme Court to delay any same-sex marriages until after November's ballot measure vote.

Even as same-sex couples across California begin making plans to tie the knot, opponents are redoubling their efforts to make sure wedding bells never ring for gay couples in the nation's most populous state. A conservative group said it would ask California's Supreme Court to postpone putting its decision legalizing gay marriage into effect until after the fall election. That's when voters will likely have a chance to weigh in on a proposed amendment to California's constitution that would bar same-sex couples from getting married.

If the court does not grant the request, gay marriages could begin in California in as little as 30 days, the time it typically takes for the justices' opinions to become final. "We're obviously very disappointed in the decision," said Glen Lavy, senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, which is pushing for the stay. "The remedy is a constitutional amendment."

From the Alliance Defense Fund's site:

“The ruling from the court today ignores the will of the people of California who approved Proposition 22. The voters realize that defining marriage as one man and one woman is important because the government should not, by design, deny a child both a mother and father,” Lavy explained. “The court’s decision clearly demonstrates that marriage is not ultimately safe from tampering by activists and others in government until the voters have amended the constitution.”

Ellen & Portia To Marry

During a taping of her show yesterday, Ellen Degeneres announced that she would be marrying her partner Portia de Rossi. The announcement came hours after California's Supreme Court issued their ruling. The show will air today. I'll have the clip for you later today.

Kudos to Ellen and Portia for wasting no time. This immediate announcement by America's most popular TV celebrity could sway many voters when they vote in November on whether to overturn the Supreme Court's ruling.

Hurray! Only Five More Years Of War!

Meanwhile:

After a series of disclosures forced the resignation of two McCain campaign aides with ties to unsavory regimes, the campaign has decided to scrutinize the background of the entire staff to ferret out connections to lobbyists. This morning, according to two Republicans with direct knowledge, Rick Davis, the campaign manager, e-mailed to McCain's entire staff a memo entitled "McCain Campaign Conflicts Policy" -- Effective Today" that includes a questionnaire asking about previous professional activities. One of the questions asks: "Have you ever been a registered lobbyist at either the Federal or State level?" Another asks: "Have you ever been a registered foreign agent? A third asks staff members to list all of their previous lobbying or foreign government clients.

Kindle Ignites

Hey, remember last year when we all laughed at the Kindle? Said e-books would never take off? Especially with such a fugly e-reader? Via CNET:

Calling it the iPod of the book business, CitiGroup analyst Mark Mahaney says the Kindle e-book reader will generate three-quarters of a billion dollars for Amazon.com in less than two years.

CNET thinks the analyst is being "more than a little optimistic", but still. Amazon is already selling around 200,000 of the $400 units a year and sales are apparently on track to hit 1 million units a year.

(Photo via Gizmodo)

Morning View - Weehawken Plaque

"Historical Note: Weehawken is the smallest street in Manhattan. Help keep the beauty of it. Do not urinate or litter." I don't know about the "beauty" of Weehawken, which is almost just an alley that runs between the Dugout and a porn shop. But it IS the shortest street on the island.

Jubilation On The Courthouse Steps

The decision comes at the 3:30 mark. Grab a Kleenex.

California Marriage Reactions

Some reactions to the ruling....

Obama campaign:

Barack Obama has always believed that same-sex couples should enjoy equal rights under the law, and he will continue to fight for civil unions as President. He respects the decision of the California Supreme Court, and continues to believe that states should make their own decisions when it comes to the issue of marriage.

Clinton campaign:

Hillary Clinton believes that gay and lesbian couples in committed relationships should have the same rights and responsibilities as all Americans and believes that civil unions are the best way to achieve this goal. As President, Hillary Clinton will work to ensure that same sex couples have access to these rights and responsibilities at the federal level. She has said and continues to believe that the issue of marriage should be left to the states.

McCain campaign:

John McCain supports the right of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution sanctioning the union between a man and a woman, just as he did in his home state of Arizona. John McCain doesn’t believe judges should be making these decisions.

Americans For Truth About Homosexuality:

This will always be immoral. California's highest court has created a "fundamental" marriage right out of behavior - homosexuality - that is fundamentally wrong and destructive. At left is a homosexual male kissing scene as it appeared on the CBS soap "As the World Turns." Everywhere Americans turn - TV, media, schools, in corporations and the courts - this unhealthy and immoral behavior is being promoted.

Andrew Sullivan:

As usual, the lazy critics are uninformed. The California court has not over-ruled the legislature: in fact, the legislature has voted for full marriage equality twice already. And the court has not "created" a right to marriage for gay couples. It has argued that if the state has conceded that domestic partners should have, under state law, all the benefits and responsibilities of married couples, the designation of a separate and distinct category must be suspect, under strict scrutiny, to the inference that the designation is based on a desire to deny gay couples equal dignity and recognition.

Page One Q:

"The Cable News Network (CNN), a few moments after 1pm ET today, reported that the Supreme Court of California ruled against marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples. Just one small problem: They didn't bother to read the whole ruling before reporting the story...." (read the rest and watch the clip).

Los Angeles Times:

Opponents of same-sex marriage in California expressed dismay after the state's Supreme Court ruled in favor of the unions today, but said the decision likely would galvanize supporters of a November ballot measure that would bar such marriages. "This is yet another example of why the people need to go to the polls in November to defend the historic and natural definition of marriage," said Ron Prentice, executive director of the Sacramento- and Riverside-based California Family Council, which opposes same-sex marriage. (read the rest)

Leonard Link:

The 4-3 ruling, embodied in a 121-page decision by Chief Justice Ronald M. George, supplemented by Justice Joyce L. Kennard’s concurring opinion, drew two lengthy dissenting opinions, one by Justice Marvin R. Baxter, which was joined by Justice Ming W. Chin, and the other by Justice Carol A. Corrigan. Both of the dissenting opinions argued that the question of marriage was for the legislature or the people to decide through referendum, but not for the court. While the ruling on marriage was in itself momentous, the ruling on "suspect classification" was potentially even more significant, as it casts into serious question any state law or policy that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation. (Very detailed analysis follows)

Family Research Council:

It's outrageous that the court has overturned not only the historic definition of marriage, but the clear will of the people of California, as expressed in Proposition 22. said FRC President Tony Perkins. The California Supreme Court assumed the powers of a legislative body by imposing same-sex marriage. However, in 2000, the people of California spoke loudly and clearly on the value of marriage when 61 percent of voters approved Proposition 22. The California Supreme Court has taken a jackhammer to the democratic process, and the right of the people to affect change in public policy. Four judges discarded the votes of 4,618,673 Californians who approved the states Defense of Marriage Act. Voters understand that children should not be deprived of a mother or a father, added Perkins.

This Weekend: GB:NYC5

An update via the GB:NYC5 blog:

Friday night. 9PM. HK Lounge. 405 W39th St @ 9th Ave. Password is GB5. Weather forecast for Saturday in Central Park: 70s, but 30% chance of rain. Possible alternative rain plans are under discussion. Stay tuned.

More details for this year's meet-up are on the blog. We're hoping the weather holds for the Saturday picnic in Central Park, but regardless of the weekend's weather, expect excessive drinking and gratuitous blogger-on-blogger action. Just like last year.

Gay Marriage Ban Overturned In California

Via SFGate.com:

The California Supreme Court has overturned a ban on gay marriage, paving the way for California to become the second state where gay and lesbian residents can marry. The case involved a series of lawsuits seeking to overturn a voter-approved law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

With the ruling, California could become the second state after Massachusetts where gay and lesbian residents can marry. "What happens in California, either way, will have a huge impact around the nation. It will set the tone," said Geoffrey Kors, executive director of the gay rights group Equality California.

California already offers same-sex couples who register as domestic partners the same legal rights and responsibilities as married spouses, including the right to divorce and to sue for child support. It's therefore unclear what additional relief state lawmakers could offer short of marriage if the court renders the existing ban unconstitutional.

A coalition of religious and social conservative groups is attempting to put a measure on the November ballot that would enshrine California's current laws banning gay marriage in the state constitution.

The Secretary of State is expected to rule by the end of June whether the sponsors gathered enough signature to qualify the marriage amendment, similar to ones enacted in 26 other states.

There's gonna be some great parties tonight! Congrats to the Golden State!

UPDATE: After the initial announcement, some talking heads are describing the decision as "complex". Not sure what that means, but clearly there's more to be told about this ruling.

UPDATE II: Here's the ruling, all 172 pages of it. Click on the "Opinion" PDF.

UPDATE III: Gov. Schwarnezegger reacts: "I respect the Court’s decision and as Governor, I will uphold its ruling. Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling."

Poz Man Gets 35 Years For Spitting At Cop

A 42 year-old HIV-positive Texas man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for spitting into the eyes and mouth of the Dallas policeman arresting him for public intoxication in 2006.

"He turns and spits," Officer Waller said. "He hits me in the eye and mouth. Then he told me he has AIDS. I immediately began looking for something to flush my eyes with."

A jury found that the man had used his saliva as a "deadly weapon", and convicted him of harassment of a public servant. He must serve at least half of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Apparently the policeman did not contract HIV from his exposure.

Xbox: No "Gay" User Names

The online game site Xbox LIVE caused some controversy this week after telling a player that he could no longer use his screen name "theGAYERgamer", saying that the player community found his user name offensive.

After receiving complaints, an Xbox rep explained the ruling on his blog:

We recieved [sic] a complaint on the Gamertag and determined that it did indeed contain sexual innuendo. Now granted, there could be an argument that the text is not pejorative to homosexuality and should therefore be allowed. But there is no context to explain that. Gamertags are visible to everyone and it would be hard for me to defend to a parent of a young child who saw it that the name did not contain content of a sexual nature.

We view these situations objectively during our review under the terms of use. To answer the question another way, yes "TheStraighterGamer" or "TheHeterosexualgamer" would have gotten the same treatment and would have been found to be in violation and forced to be changed. We've actually done that to tags like that before.

I can understand that if Xbox allowed screen names that reference sexuality, that could be used to insult gay players. But to say that a child shouldn't see the word "gay" at all seems rather dumb.

(Via - Good As You)

HomoQuotable - RuPaul

"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. 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." - RuPaul announcing her new reality show, Drag Race, in which drag performers will compete to be crowned America's top queen.

Almost-Marriage For DC Gays

Last week Washington DC approved 39 additional provisions to existing domestic partners laws. Provided that Congress doesn't interfere, the new provisions will bring DC's gays "very close" to marriage equality.

Similar to its approval of earlier domestic partner law updates over the past several years, the Council passed the latest measure, the Omnibus Domestic Partnership Equality Amendment Act of 2008, by unanimous voice vote, without discussion or debate.

“I’m not a percentage type person,” said Councilmember Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large), the author and lead sponsor of the legislation. “But I’d say we’re getting very close,” he said, to domestic partners receiving full parity with married couples under local law.

Mendelson and other backers of the domestic partners law are quick to point out that the D.C. legislation cannot provide domestic partners with any of the more than 1,200 federal rights and benefits of marriage, such as Social Security benefits, because those provisions are prohibited under federal law.

Mayor Adrian Fenty was expected to sign the Mendelson bill passed by the Council on May 6. The legislation then goes to Capitol Hill for a congressional review period of 30 legislative days. It becomes law automatically if Congress takes no action on it.

(Via - Washington Blade)

Report: 86 Countries Outlaw Gay Sex

A new report from the ILGA has raised the number of countries that criminalize same-sex act to 86.

The International Lesbian and Gay Association’s 2008 report on state-sponsored homophobia says that being lesbian or gay is risking jail time in 86 countries and death penalty in seven. The figure normally quoted is 77 countries. The research deals only with legislation criminalising consensual sexual acts between persons of the same sex in private above the age of consent.

Laws dealing with such acts in public, with under aged people, with force or by any other reason are not included. In addition to those 86 countries there are six provinces or territorial units which also punish homosexuality with imprisonment, said ILGA. A 30-year-old world federation, ILGA consists of 670 lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex groups from more than 100 countries.

"Although many of the countries listed in the report do not systematically implement those laws, their mere existence reinforces a culture where a significant portion of the citizens needs to hide from the rest of the population out of fear," said Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, co-secretary general of ILGA.

"A culture where hatred and violence are justified by the state and force people into invisibility or into denying who they truly are. Whether exported by colonial empires or the result of legislations culturally shaped by religious beliefs, if not deriving directly from a conservative interpretation of religious texts, homophobic laws are the fruit of a certain time and context in history. Homophobia is cultural. Homophobia, lesbophobia and transphobia are not inborn. People learn them as they grow."

A map of the countries listed by the ILGA is above, but you might find the details hard to read even when you embiggen it.

Kelsey Grammer For Gay Marriage

This clip is actually a promo for the upcoming Kelsey Grammer movie Swing Vote, which also stars Kevin Costner, Nathan Lane, and Dennis Hopper. I suppose some of you will be offended by the nelly gay guys. Shrug.

Morning View - The Duplex

The Duplex is a two-floor piano bar/lounge on Christopher Street in the West Village. I've only been there once, but it seems pretty popular on most nights that I walk by.

The Best Part Of Last Night's Idol...

...was the completely dumbfounded look on Simon's face during Fantasia's strange, shrieky, but oddly compelling and damn funky performance of her single, Bore Me. From the Boston Globe:

I want to say: Fantasia. Whoo. Watching her tonight felt a little like attending a 23rd-century intergalactic circus, but it was also kind of mesmerizing -- almost as fascinating as the look on Simon's face while she did her thing. I know it's easier to perform when you aren't being judged, but nobody this season has put it out there quite like that.

The Fantasia clip is here. And I had to snort when Ryan Seacrest said that David Cook had performed "Chaka Khan's First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". Way to go, Idol fact-checkers.

Open Thread Thursday

Did your parents ever bust you having homo sex?

Edwards Endorses Obama

According to the NY Times, Edwards has told his aides that he would consider being Obama's veep, but would rather be his Attorney General.

I Met Duffy Last Night

Late last night I met Welsh pop star Duffy after her in-store performance at the Union Square Virgin Megastore. In the last 24 hours she'd done a sold out show at the Apollo, a couple of the morning talk shows, and then Conan - yet she still chatted sweetly and amiably with every one of the hundreds of fans lined up for autographs. My houseguest, a Universal Music exec, told me that it was her first in-store ever. (He also promised us some great Duffy swag to give away here.)

Duffy's debut album Rockferry came out yesterday in the U.S. and is already #2 on Amazon. It should be interesting to see if she dislodges Madonna at #1 in Billboard next week. One funny bit from last night: Outside the store, people were peering in the window wondering what all the ruckus was. Security Guard: "That's Hillary Duff." College Chick: "Wow! She's looks really different than her pictures."

CA Supes To Rule On Marriage Tomorrow

A bulletin from the Califoria Supreme Court confirms (PDF) that it will issue its ruling on same-sex marriage tomorrow at 10AM PST. The ruling is expected to be favorable and celebrations are already being planned.

You are invited to attend an Interfaith Celebration of Thanksgiving with the Los Angeles plaintiffs in the California Supreme Court marriage case, The Reverend Dr. Troy Perry and his spouse, Phillip Ray De Blieck, and long-time activist Robin Tyler, and her spouse, Diane Olson. The brief celebration will take place at 6 PM at Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles on the day the Court issues its decision, win or lose.

Gay marriage opponents have gathered enough votes to place an amendment on the November ballot that would overturn the Supreme Court's decision. Gov. Schwarzenegger has pledged to oppose the amendment.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

This text message arrived from a friend last night:

Crap. He's been gone long enough that I finally feel like I've found my balls again and ditched my Teen Beat Magazine. Then he texts me "Hello" and I have my first period all over again. Ugh.

Poor guy.

Mad Pride

Calling it "Mad Pride", a group of mentally ill people is copying the tactics of the gay pride movement in order to destigmatize their disease.

About 5.7 million Americans over 18 have bipolar disorder, which is classified as a mood disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Another 2.4 million have schizophrenia, which is considered a thought disorder. The small slice of this disparate population who have chosen to share their experiences with the public liken their efforts to those of the gay-rights and similar movements of a generation ago.

Just as gay-rights activists reclaimed the word queer as a badge of honor rather than a slur, these advocates proudly call themselves mad; they say their conditions do not preclude them from productive lives.

Mad pride events, organized by loosely connected groups in at least seven countries including Australia, South Africa and the United States, draw thousands of participants, said David W. Oaks, the director of MindFreedom International, a nonprofit group in Eugene, Ore., that tracks the events and says it has 10,000 members.

RECENT mad pride activities include a Mad Pride Cabaret in Vancouver, British Columbia; a Mad Pride March in Accra, Ghana; and a Bonkersfest in London that drew 3,000 participants. (A follow-up Bonkersfest is planned next month at the site of the original Bedlam asylum.)

Dubya's Grand Sacrifice

Our ignoble leader has been making the ultimate sacrifice in honor of servicemen killed in Iraq. He has stopped playing golf.

Bush said in an interview out Tuesday that he quit playing golf in 2003 out of respect for the families of US soldiers killed in the conflict in Iraq, now in its sixth year. "I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal," he said in an interview for Yahoo! News and Politico magazine.

"I don't want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander-in-chief playing golf," he said. "I feel I owe it to the families to be in solidarity as best as I can with them."

Uh, I can think of a better way to "show solidarity" with our soldiers.

Sisyphus Rolls On

She's $20M in debt, but after yesterday's win in West Virginia, Hillary still said, "I am more determined than ever to carry on this campaign. I am in this race because I believe I am the strongest candidate. ... I can lead this party to victory in the general election if you lead me to victory now."

Hey, wasn't everybody saying it was over last week?

More Ugly T-Shirt Activism

In Marietta, Georgia, a bar owner is selling a t-shirt depicting Barack Obama as Curious George, but is defending charges of racism by saying that Obama actually looks like the cartoon character.

Marietta bar owner Mike Norman says the T-shirts he's peddling, featuring a look-a-like of cartoon chimp Curious George peeling a banana, with "Obama in '08" underneath, are not meant to offend. Norman acknowledged the imagery's Jim Crow roots but said he sees nothing wrong with depicting a prominent African-American as a monkey. "We're not living in the (19)40's," he said. "Look at him . . . the hairline, the ears — he looks just like Curious George."

About a dozen protestors rallied against the shirts Tuesday afternoon, condemning them as racist and asking Norman, longtime proprietor of Mulligan's Bar and Grill on Roswell Street, to stop selling them. Marietta native Pam Lindley, 47, joined the protest after reading about the controversy online.

"I don't want people to think this is what Marietta is all about," she added, motioning towards the tavern. "This is what some people think the South is still like. Marietta's come a long way but I guess it's still got a little ways to go."

She said she'd like to see the city ban Norman's provocative musings regularly posted on a sign out front of the bar, which is near Marietta's downtown square. The loosely formed coalition of civil rights activists who gathered Tuesday say they will continue their campaign against Norman's "hate speech."

Proceeds from t-shirts sales are being donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I wonder if they'll accept the money? Outside of the obviously racist intent of the shirt, I'm annoyed that somebody is co-opting the left's habit of saying that Bush looks like a chimp. That's OUR schtick! And note this lovely sign this asshat has outside his bar.

Pam Spaulding notes that "racism isn't relegated only to a region south of the Mason-Dixon line. It's more about class and a population that has a base fear of further displacement and denial of their American dream by the "other," a seemingly ascendant population -- blacks -- who are going to somehow exact retribution on them via Barack Obama as president. I hate to break it to them, but white privilege will not be erased with the election of Barack Obama, and the ones who hoodwinked them out of the American dream were BushCo and the GOP."

And as far as the left goes, I'd add that all this happy happy joy joy that Obama's candidacy is emblematic of a "post-racial" America - well, that's just touchy-feely crapola. We're kidding ourselves of we think this Georgia jerk and the Jews Against Obama fuckwad aren't just the tip of the ugly iceberg approaching this election.

(Via - Pam's House Blend)

Butch Lesbian Wins Suit Against West Village Restaurant

Khadijah Farmer, the butch lesbian who was thrown out of a West Village restaurant after last year's Pride parade when she used the ladies room, has settled her suit against the restaurant. The bouncer had declared that Farmer was too masculine to be in the ladies room and refused to look at her identification, ejecting Farmer and her entire party.

"I was thrown out of the restaurant because of who I am and how I look," Farmer said at the time. "It was humiliating. No one should be subjected to that type of discrimination."

Represented by the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, Farmer's lawsuit stated that Caliente engaged in illegal discrimination on the basis of gender expression in violation of the New York City Human Rights Law. It also alleged that the restaurant engaged in illegal sex stereotyping in violation of the New York State Human Rights Law.

As part of the settlement Caliente Cab Restaurant agreed to add gender, including gender identity and expression, to its corporate non-discrimination policy and to amend its employee handbook to state "persons patronizing or employed at Caliente have the right to use the bathroom facilities consistent with their gender identity and expression."

The company also agreed to institute personnel training programs regarding its new policies; adopt a gender-neutral dress code for its employees; and to pay $35,000 in damages to Farmer. "I'm very happy that the restaurant has taken appropriate steps to ensure that all patrons, regardless of how masculine or feminine they appear, are treated with dignity and respect," Farmer said at a press conference on Tuesday where the settlement was announced. "People come in all shapes and sizes, and they shouldn't be discriminated against because they don't match someone's expectations of how masculine or feminine they should be."

After Farmer's ejection from the restaurant became news, the Queer Justice League and others protested weekly outside the restaurant.

UPDATE: Farmer's victory was due to the work of the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund. Check out their recap of this story here.

ACLU Wins Case Against Florida School

Via press release:

PANAMA CITY, FL – After a two-day trial in which a Florida high school principal testified that he believed clothing or stickers featuring rainbows would make students automatically picture gay people having sex, a federal judge today ruled that the school violated students’ First Amendment rights of students. The case was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a junior at the school who had been forbidden by her principal to wear any sort of clothing, stickers, buttons, or symbols to show her support of equal rights for gay people.

“Standing up to my school was really hard to do, but I’m so happy that I did because the First Amendment is a big deal to everyone,” said Heather Gillman, a junior at Ponce de Leon High School and the plaintiff in the case.

Judge Richard Smoak of the United States District Court, Northern District of Florida, Panama City Division, issued an order that forces the school to stop its unconstitutional censorship of students who want to express their support for the fair and equal treatment of gay people. The judge also warned the district not to retaliate against students over the lawsuit.

“Freedom of speech for every person and every idea is one of the bedrock principles on which America was founded,” said Christine Sun, a staff attorney with the ACLU national Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project. “Censorship reflects a deep lack of faith in the American system, and it teaches students exactly the wrong lesson on what America is about. We are thrilled that the court in this case made the importance of students’ First Amendment rights so completely clear.”

Morning View - Mud Truck

The Mud Truck bills itself as "New York street coffee" and the "anti-establishment coffee of the East Village" and the hipsters I see crowded around it on Astor Place seem to agree. I think they recently added a second Mud Truck, unless I've just never noticed this one (above) parked at Sheridan Square.

To Veep Or Not To Veep

The Hill.com asked all the U.S. Senators if they'd like to be asked to be the running-mate. Some of the best answers:

Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho)
“I would say ‘No, Hillary.’ ”

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.)
“I plan to stick with my current job until I get the hang of it.”

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.)
“Once is enough. I already have the T-shirt and I’m proud of it. I yield to my colleagues.”

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)
“If Hillary’s the nominee, Barack will be the running mate. If Barack’s the nominee, Hillary will be the running mate. That’s my answer.”

Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.)
“No. I don’t cut ribbons well or give eulogies at funerals.”

Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.)
“No. I enjoy life too much.”

Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii)
“If I were asked, I would say, ‘You’re out of your mind.’ ”

Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah)
“Of course. Big house, big car, not much to do. Why not?”

In The Heights Tops Tony Noms

The hip-hop and salsa musical In The Heights led today's Tony Award nominations with 13 nods. The revival of South Pacific at Lincoln Center follows closely with 11 noms. Interestingly, four of the Best Play nominees got their start in London. The Tony Awards take place June 15th at Radio City Music Hall. Some of the major nominations:

Best Play: August: Osage County, The 39 Steps, Rock 'n' Roll, The Seafarer.

Best Musical: Cry-Baby, In The Heights, Passing Strange, Xanadu.

Best Score: Cry-Baby, In The Heights, Passing Strange, The Little Mermaid.

Best Leading Actor (Play): Ben Daniels (Les Liaisons Dangereuses), Laurence Fishburne (Thurgood), Mark Rylance (Boeing-Boeing), Rufus Sewell (Rock 'n' Roll), Patrick Stewart (Macbeth).

Best Leading Actress (Play): Eve Best (The Homecoming), Deanna Dunagan (August: Osage County), Kate Fleetwood (Macbeth), S. Epatha Merkerson (Come Back, Little Sheba), Amy Morton (August: Osage County).

Best Leading Actor (Musical): Daniel Evans (Sunday In The Park With George), Lin-Manuel Miranda (In The Heights), Stew (Passing Strange), Paulo Szot (South Pacific), Tom Wopat (A Catered Affair).

Best Leading Actress (Musical): Kerry Butler (Xanadu), Patti LuPone (Gypsy), Kelli O'Hara (South Pacific), Faith Prince (A Catered Affair), Jenna Russell (Sunday in the Park With George).

The gays are well represented as usual, with Douglas Carter Bean getting a nom for his book for Xanadu and the late Howard Ashman getting a posthumous nomination for The Little Mermaid. And this year there will be a special Lifetime Achievement Tony for Stephen Sondheim. There are doubtless more mo's on the list, point them out if you know them. But nothing this year for Cheyenne Jackson or Harvey Fierstein. Complete list of nominations.

King Of The Hill

The New York Times has posted a few of Barney Frank's best bon mots in a column describing him as Capitol Hill's "master of the one-liner."

Representative Barney Frank, Democrat of Massachusetts, is a master of the one-liner — a self-described “left-handed, gay Jew” who is not accustomed to being in the majority on anything and yet is one of the most powerful members of Congress. Here are some examples, customarily delivered rapid-fire in his trademark accent, a New Jersey-Boston blend.

MARCH 11 “Mr. Speaker, a parliamentary inquiry. Mr. Speaker, is blatant hypocrisy a violation of the rules of the House?”

Responding to Republican complaints that Democrats had extended the voting period for 15 minutes to win approval of a bill creating an independent House ethics office. In 2003, the Republicans once extended the voting period for three hours to get their desired outcome.

NOV. 7, 2007 “I am grateful for the obscurity of the opposition’s argument.”

In a debate over the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, a bill to prohibit discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation.

JULY 18, 2006 “So, apparently, same-sex marriage is the V8 juice of America.”

During a debate over a “marriage protection” amendment, Mr. Frank said he did not understand Republican arguments that gay marriages would undermine traditional marriages, as if happily married men in Indiana, Nebraska, Kansas and Mississippi, learning that same-sex marriage was legal in Massachusetts, would smack themselves in the head and declare, “Wow, I could have married a guy.”

SEPT. 11, 1986 “I am afraid that this bill is becoming the legislative equivalent to crack. It’s going to give people a short-term high, but it is going to be dangerous in the long run to the system and expensive to boot.”

During debate on a bill authorizing $4 billion for the war on drugs, and allowing the military to protect the nation’s borders from drug traffickers.

MARCH 6, 1984 “Well, if this is a Christian nation, how come some poor Jew has to get up at 5:30 in the morning to preside over the House of Representatives?”

Mr. Frank, in an interview describing his reaction when Representative Marjorie S. Holt, Republican of Maryland, declared America to be a Christian nation during an all-night debate over school prayer. Mr. Frank, who is Jewish, was presiding as the speaker pro tem.

Proposed: Gun Cams For NY Cops

A New York state Senator has proposed providing cops with miniatures cameras attached to their guns which would turn on whenever the gun is unholstered. The technology has been around for awhile, but recent cases like NYC's Sean "50 Shot" Bell shooting have renewed calls for its implementation.

In a flash, a police officer draws a handgun from its holster. Less than two seconds later, a red laser and bright light shine at whatever is in the gun barrel's path while a mini-camera records it all.

That's how mini-cams on police handguns would work under a proposal gaining support in New York, which would be the first state in the nation to require the technology. State police were briefed on the technology and are reviewing it for a possible pilot program, said Michael Balboni, the state's deputy secretary for public safety. The device could create a critical visual and audio record of police shootings for use in court, said state Sen. Eric Adams, a Brooklyn Democrat and former police officer. He is drumming up support for testing the cameras with the state police SWAT squad.

Adams said recordings from the $695 cameras couldn't be altered by a police officer and would quell many questions after controversial police shootings, like the deaths in New York City of Amadou Diallo in 1999 and Sean Bell in 2006.

$695 per camera versus how many hundreds of millions paid in wrongful death suits? Although I can see some cops arguing that the presence of the cameras might cause them to fatally hesitate.

Project Dumbway

NYC-based fashion designer Doron Braunschtein has launched a line of "Jews Against Obama" shirts. From his press release:

“I am a true anti-Obama New York Jew. The word on the street is that New York Jews will vote for McCain anyhow. The majority of the Jews - at least the ones that are proud of their religion and practice it - like me, don’t want to see Obama- a man who’s middle name is Hussein, and his family from his Kenyan father’s side is Muslim, as the leader of this great country. More than that, after Obama’s pastor, Jeremiah Wright, honored Louis Farrakhan- definitely one of the most racist and anti-Semitic people alive - Obama lost us Jews totally. That made me start this political movement in the first place.”

According to Braunschtein, the shirts are doing "brisk business."

(Via - JMG reader Christian)

ACLU Opens Case Against Florida School

In a case that I first mentioned here in February, the ACLU has made its opening arguments in its challenge of a Florida high school that prevented a student from wearing items in support of gay rights.

A Florida high school is "trampling the First Amendment rights of students who support equal rights for gay people", a federal judge was told on Monday. Heather Gillman, a 16-year-old junior at Ponce de Leon High School, is suing the school after she was told she could not wear buttons, stickers or cl0thing that supported LGBT civil rights.

After she received the warning the ACLU last November sent a letter in November to the school board’s attorney on behalf of Gillman, asking for clarification as to whether a variety of symbols and slogans, such as the rainbow flag or “I support my gay friends,” would be allowed at the school.

The school district replied that it would not allow any expressions of support for gay rights at all because such speech would "likely be disruptive." The district then said that such symbols and slogans were signs that students were part of a "secret/illegal organization." according to the ACLU.

ACLU attorney Benjamin James Stevenson: "Because the Supreme Court has held that students have a right to free speech at school unless that speech disrupts the educational process, many administrators think they can just slap the label ‘disruptive’ on anything they don’t like and get away with stomping on students’ First Amendment rights." The ACLU is requesting an injunction to stop the school from suppressing free speech in the future.

Preventing Puberty In Transgender Kids

Via NPR:

A small group of doctors around the world have introduced a controversial approach to the treatment of preteens and teenagers who believe they are the opposite sex. Right before puberty begins, they prescribe children hormone-blocking medication. This allows the child to continue growing without developing physical characteristics such as breasts, facial hair or Adam's apples. Later, the child can elect to resume their natural puberty development or can begin a gender transition by taking the sex hormones of the opposite sex.

Researchers in the Netherlands pioneered this treatment. Its prevalence in the United States is unclear, because most physicians using this approach keep it secretive. NPR talked with two doctors about the treatment's benefits and risks: one who practices it in the United States and another from the United Kingdom, where the treatment is not practiced by the National Health Service.

According to a study quoted in the article, 80% of the children who did not take part in the puberty-delaying program did not pursue sexual reassignment surgery as adults.

Swag Winners

Here are some of our recent swag winners:

David (left) in Boston won the tickets to the Boy George concert at Terminal 5, saying, "Great excuse to get back to NYC after leaving the Bronx a year ago...thanks."

Monique in Chicago won the tickets to the True Colors Tour, saying, "Suffice to say I'm SO excited to go to the Chicago show (even though it's in the middle of my fucking midterm exams), and thank you."

Ian in Napa, CA won Joel Derfner's new book, Swish, saying, "Total score! I'm excited, thanks for randomly choosing me. "

Marriage Ban Heads To Arizona Senate

After being approved yesterday by Arizona's House of Representatives, an anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment is headed for the the state Senate. If approved there, the amendment will become a ballot measure in the general election in November.

The proposed amendment defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman. The measure has had a roller coaster ride in House. Earlier this month, just before the House was to vote Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D) added a clause to the bill that would grant unmarried couples, both same and opposite-sex, many of the rights of marriage but without the name. With the additional clause in place the House voted 28-27 to give the measure preliminary approval. The bill's chief sponsor in the House, Jim Weiers (R), angrily denounced the maneuver and dropped the bill from a final vote saying the change in the bill made the ban on gay marriage meaningless. Weiers then re-introduced his original bill. The House approved it last Tuesday on a voice vote without discussion.

A much broader amendment that would have banned not only gay marriage but civil unions and all governmental domestic partners benefits was defeated at the polls in Arizona in 2006. Arizona's Supreme Court has already upheld its current law limiting marriage to one man and one woman.

Private Idaho

Via the Idaho Press-Tribune:

Homosexual and heterosexual students should have separate bathrooms and showers in Idaho schools, a Wilder Republican running for the Idaho House said Friday. Walt Bayes, who gained notoriety two years ago by going on an anti-abortion hunger strike that lasted 59 days, said he wasn’t sure how the issue could be handled other than providing different facilities for gay and straight students in schools.

The topic came up after Bayes mentioned it in his campaign literature, where he wrote, “It is absolutely wrong to force any student to share the same bathrooms and showers with homosexual teachers or students.” Bayes is a 70-year-old retired blue-collar worker and farmer. None of the three Republicans running in the Tuesday, May 27 primary against him agrees with his position.

Beware of the pool, Walt.

Morning View - The Keller Hotel

At the corner of Barrow and West in the West Village, the Keller Hotel opened in 1898 as lodging for sailors moored on Manhattan's west side. Closed for almost a couple of decades, last year it was declared a landmark by the city in response to the "Campaign To Save The Far West Village." The Keller is among over 100 west side properties owned by the late Richard Gottlieb, whose habit of never renovating his buildings is considered to have inadvertently aided preservation efforts.

A reader tipped me that this was the site of Keller's Bar, reputed to have been NYC's first leather bar. Image via History Of Gay Bars In NYC. My buddy Superdaddy Mark has a great remembrance of Keller's on his blog. Here's an excerpt:

It was a small, rather plain room, shaped like a shoebox. A door, with a window on each side. A rough wooden bar that ran the length of the room on the left. A pool table and jukebox on the right. A few strings of Christmas lights and dozens of handsome men crammed inside. The jukebox featured a mix of current soul and rock, along with the Ronettes singing "Walking In The Rain" and the Shirelles essaying "Chains". Later "Shame, Shame, Shame" would play incessantly, as the patrons danced in place, and the bartender hollered in faux-annoyance.

Swag Tuesday

Courtesy of the promoters, today's Swag Tuesday giveaway is 37 Notebooks, the new album from Jeremy Schonfeld and a supporting cast of Broadway stars.

37 Notebooks is Jeremy Schonfeld's follow-up recording to Drift and Blue Skies & All. Compared to Billy Joel and Jonathan Larson by the New York Times, Jeremy pulls together a veritable who's who of Broadway performers on this album.

Guest artists lending their vocal talents include: Shoshana Bean (Wicked), Luther Creek (Flight of the Conchords), Julie Danao-Salkin(Lennon), Jarrod Emick (Tony Award Winner for Damn Yankees), Donnie Kehr (Jersey Boys), Lauren Kennedy (Spamalot ); Julia Murney (Wicked), Adam Pascal (Rent), Kate Shindle (Legally Blonde), Amy Spanger (Kiss Me, Kate), and Tracie Thoms (Rent: The Movie).

A graduate of the Berklee College of Music and BMI Lehman-Engel Musical Theater Workshop, Schonfeld’s recent performances include B.B. King’s; Lincoln Center; CBGBs; Joe’s Pub; and as an opening act for James Taylor.

You can preview the tracks of the album on Schonfeld's MySpace page. Enter to win your copy of 37 Notebooks by commenting on this post. Enter only once and please remember to leave an email address that you check frequently. Publicists: if you'd like to take part in Swag Tuesday on JMG, please email me.

Cativersary

I am a bad daddy because I totally forgot to mention that the one year anniversary of Shelley's adoption was two weeks ago. Bad daddy, bad!

Daily Ungrumble

Perhaps it's not very bloggerish of me to mention a good experience with a business, but I was quite pleased with 1-800-Flowers yesterday. The bouquet I sent my mother actually looked nicer than in the online photo and when the local florist making the delivery didn't find her at home, they tracked her down by phone and made the delivery at my sister's house. Maybe the good service was more the work of the Orlando florist than 1-800-Flowers, but everybody is happy.

SNL Spoofs Hillary Again

Almost too easy.

It's Only A Flesh Wound

University Official Canned For Anti-Gay Column

On April 18th, University of Toledo vice president of human resources Crystal Dixon penned an opinion piece in the Toledo Free Press in which she said:

As a Black woman who happens to be an alumnus of the University of Toledo's Graduate School, an employee and business owner, I take great umbrage at the notion that those choosing the homosexual lifestyle are "civil rights victims." Here's why. I cannot wake up tomorrow and not be a Black woman. I am genetically and biologically a Black woman and very pleased to be so as my Creator intended. Daily, thousands of homosexuals make a life decision to leave the gay lifestyle evidenced by the growing population of PFOX (Parents and Friends of Ex Gays) and Exodus International just to name a few. Frequently, the individuals report that the impetus to their change of heart and lifestyle was a transformative experience with God; a realization that their choice of same-sex practices wreaked havoc in their psychological and physical lives.

On Friday Dixon was fired from her job, much to the outcry of her supporters who claim that Dixon's right to free speech has been violated. Dixon claims that she was speaking as a private citizen, even though she referenced the school in her column.

A commenter on Pam's House Blend says:

I just watched Ms. Dixon on local television. Very interesting. She most certainly does NOT need education on lgbt issues. Ms. Dixon felt a "Divine Mandate" to write the column she wrote in the Toledo Free Press. She says she wrote it as a private citizen, in no way as a representative of the university. That certainly appears to be true.

She has worked in Human Resources for 23 years. She has hired both straight and gay people. The university could find no instance of her being prejudiced against glbt people on the job! That is significant. She has a good legal team and is suing on three bases: Freedom of speech, religious prejudice, and racial prejudice! Wish I could get a hold of that law suit ... should be fascinating reading.

She is receiving "hold on and stand tall" emails from all over the USA and Iceland. Emails in the 1,000's. This woman has no intention of backing down, learning about lgbt people, or changing her mind. She has God on her side.

What the case will rest on is the appearance of impropriety and prejudice in the University and the appearance that she will not uphold the University's values. It certainly appears that she will not uphold the University's values ... she wrote so. We'll see what the Court will say.

Opinions?

Wingnutters Go After McDonalds

Via Good As You, here's the flyer produced by the Family Research Council in their attack on McDonald's for joining the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.The FRC wants the flyer printed up and handed to managers at McDonalds outlets because:

Apparently, serving McFlurries and Big Macs to the public is no longer enough to satisfy the hunger of McDonald's to make a cultural impact on the United States. Sadly, McDonald's is now financing attacks on marriage and the family as a new Corporate Partner of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).

The NGLCC promotes businesses owned by homosexuals, but it also pushes the homosexual political agenda in statehouses, courthouses, and the halls of Congress. Thought crime ("hate crime") laws, homosexual and transgender "civil rights" preferences, and domestic partner benefits are top-priority issues of the NGLCC.

Richard Ellis, Vice President of Communications for McDonald's, was recently named to the Board of Directors of the NGLCC. In a press release, the NGLCC praised Ellis for his "vast Board experience with LGBT and advocacy related organizations." It's alarming that the overseer of McDonald's advertising campaigns directly geared toward families will now be a leader in the NGLCC's campaign to weaken traditional values. The NGLCC's efforts on behalf of homosexuality threaten the family, the definition of marriage and the very religious freedom we hold so dear.

Kevin & Scotty's Wedding

Last night's gay wedding on Brother's & Sisters is considered by some to be the first on-air marriage of major characters in television history. However, I'd always thought that Pedro Zemora and Sean Sasser's 1994 commitment ceremony on MTV's Real World was the first. But I can see the argument made that MTV wasn't/isn't a "major" network or that Pedro and Sean weren't "characters" but an actual real life couple.

Fascists Block Moldovan Pride

In Moldova's capital of Chisinau:

Lesbian and gay activists in Moldova have begged the European Union and the Council of Europe to intervene after their attempt to hold a Pride event at the weekend was banned and then blocked by police inaction and violence. In the capital Chisinau yesterday a bus with 60 Pride marchers was surrounded by hundreds of members of co-ordinated groups, including extremist religious groups and members of the neo-fascist movement.

GenderDoc-M, the country’s gay rights group, reported: “200 to 400 people had surrounded the bus. The core of the crowd was teenagers, some dressed military-style, some wearing black masks and others skinhead-like, carrying posters with derogatory messages and signs.

“The outer ring of the crowd was mostly middle-aged men wearing black clothes encouraging the former. Six traffic police cars stood approximately 100 metres away without taking any action whatsoever.” Pride organisers said that the gay-hate crowds entered the bus and grabbed flags and banners, while their companions shouted “Beat them to death” and “Don’t let them escape.”

There were reportedly nine attempts to call the police during this incident, with no response.

Moldovan police have banned Pride events for the last four years.