Photo Of The Day

The Clintons, the Dubyas, the Obamas, the Bidens, and the Carters sat together at today's memorial for Sen. Ted Kennedy. The elder Bushes elected not to attend, which seems odd.

Obama's Eulogy For Sen. Ted Kennedy

President Obama delivered a moving tribute to Sen. Ted Kennedy at Kennedy's memorial in Massachusetts today.

Ohio Student Wins $121K Settlement After Teacher Burns Cross Image On His Arm

A high school student in Ohio has won a $121K settlement from his school district after his science teacher burned the image of a cross on his arm.

School board members in Mount Vernon agreed Wednesday night to resolve a federal lawsuit by paying $5,500 to the boy and his family and $115,500 to their lawyers. The family still has a similar suit pending against the eighth-grade teacher, John Freshwater. He was fired last year by the school district northeast of Columbus after an internal investigation accused him of using a scientific device to burn the student and found that he had preached his Christian beliefs in class.

Freshwater has filed a $1M suit against the school district saying they violated his freedom of speech and his civil rights. According to another student, Freshwater has told his classes that "Catholics aren't Christians."

Daily Grumble

If you're a stand-up comedian opening for Donna Summer in front of 10,000+ New Yorkers, you probably shouldn't start with jokes about plane crashes. Seriously. When the guy started in on Chesley Sullenberger, the pilot of the "miracle on the Hudson," things got really (but hilariously), ugly, with Brooklynese chants of "Get off da fuhkin' stage!" washing across the crowd. Poor Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz, who was emceeing the event, barely got the comic off the stage with his life, moments after a joke about Mexican firemen pulling away a rescue net with an "Ole'!" Possibly the greatest crash-and-burn (pun intended) in the history of comedy.

80's Flashback

Klaus Nomi, Total Eclipse, 1981. Openly gay German-born opera singer cum East Village avante-gardist Klaus Nomi totally owned the music documentary Urgh! A Music War with this performance. I was reminded of this after JMG reader BStewart23 mentioned the liner notes on Man Parrish's first album (mentioned here on Tuesday), as Nomi also contributed vocals to that release. He was also famed for his strange takes on pop classics such as Lou Christie's Lightning Strikes and Leslie Gore's You Don't Own Me, which Rush Limbaugh mockingly plays these days to introduce his "gay community update" segments. Nomi died of AIDS in 1983, becoming one of the first celebrities to succumb to the disease.

TABC Fires Three Agents Involved In Gay Bar Raid

The Dallas Voice is reporting that the Texas Alcoholic Beverages Commission has fired two agents and their supervising sergeant in the wake of public outrage over their brutal handling of a raid on the Rainbow Lounge. Other agents have been suspended or been issued written reprimands. The TABC is also rewriting its rules for bar inspections and has changed the requirements for writing a "use of force report" after a Rainbow patron suffered a severe head injury during his arrest. The Fort Worth chief of police initially claimed that patrons had sexually groped the officers as the raid began, a ridiculous and outrageous charge that was immediately denied by witnesses.

Coming Soon: SC Gov. Mark Sanford (R) Impeachment Hearings

SC Gov. Mark "Sanctity Of Marriage" Sanford's trip down the Appalachian Trail of an Argentine hottie is probably going to cost him his job. His own lieutenant governor is joining the call for his removal.

South Carolina Republican lawmakers are on the verge of calling a special legislative session that could impeach and remove embattled GOP Gov. Mark Sanford by the end of the year, The Washington Times has learned. GOP lawmakers will use a regularly scheduled annual retreat this weekend to discuss the fate of the governor, whose extramarital affair with an Argentine woman sparked an international scandal earlier this summer. Mr. Sanford has rejected calls to step down voluntarily, included one issued Wednesday by his own Republican lieutenant governor.

Sanford has vowed that he will not step down.

Maine: Casting Call For Homphobic Actors

Are you totally against dirty homos redefining marriage? Can you pull that off on camera? If so, Stand For Marriage wants you.

Casting Director James Stiles is putting out the word that he’s looking for two “real Maine” women to appear in a television ad produced by supporters of traditional marriage. Stiles is looking for a “teacher type” and a “working waitress type,” both in the 35-45 age range. If you want to try out, he’s holding auditions from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 2) at the Howard Johnson in South Portland. If you’re hired, it’s a three day gig that pays $500 a day.

If you're in the Portland area and have some time to kill, I suggest working up a fake acting resume and wasting somebody's time. They'll probably figure it out after a couple of dozen really bad takes.

Brandon McInerney Pleads Not Guilty

Teenage killer Brandon McInerney, who last year walked into his 8th grade classroom and shot openly gay classmate Lawrence King in the head, has pleaded not guilty in a Ventura County, California classroom.

Teen murder defendant Brandon McInerney pleaded not guilty Thursday to first-degree murder and other charges in connection with the fatal shooting of classmate Larry King, 15, at an Oxnard school. McInerney, 15, who is being prosecuted as an adult, was accompanied by his attorneys in Ventura County Superior Court as he formally received the criminal charges against him. His arraignment had been postponed repeatedly since the February 2008 shooting. Ventura County Superior Court Superior Court Judge Bruce Young set a pretrial hearing for Oct. 23 and a trial date for Dec. 1. After the arraignment, Senior Deputy District Attorney Maeve Fox said she doesn’t know whether McInerney will be tried in December. “Your guess is as good as mine,” she said.

It's unclear of the basis of the not guilty plea, as dozens of horrified students witnessed the shooting. Defense attorneys want the case moved to juvenile court so McInerney can be "treated and rehabilitated in the juvenile system.” Prosecutors have noted that white supremacist materials were found in McInerney's bedroom.

FL Gov. Charlie Crist Taps Former Chief Of Staff For Vacant U.S. Senate Seat

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has named George LeMieux, his former chief of staff, to fill the vacant seat left by the abruptly resigning GOP Sen. Mel Martinez.

The new senator said it is his love of Florida and his sons' future "that make me relish this honor and relish the work ahead." Calling LeMieux a dedicated public servant and "a great man," Crist said: "He will serve well. He has even argued a case before the United States Supreme Court ... his public service is extraordinary." "I'm happy for my friend and I'm extremely happy for my state," Crist said. The two men embraced as Crist briefly paid tribute to the other contenders for the Senate seat. "I want to thank all the wonderful people who went through this process," Crist said. "This is a grueling thing to do."

LeMieux has never held elected office. Crist himself is expected to run for the seat in 2010. Nice how that works, huh? Appoint your buddy, then replace him. LeMieux was recently paid $150K by the GOP for "consulting fees," but he won't say what he did to earn the money. Hmmm. He also orchestrated almost $1M in donations from the Seminole Indian tribe since Crist won the gubernatorial primary in 2006. Crist supports casino gambling on tribal reservations.

PETA Uses Andy Dick And Martin Short To Attack McDonald's

WaPo Profiles NOM Head Brian Brown

The Washington Post has published a glowing profile of Brian Brown, the executive director of the National Organization for Marriage, whom they describe "ruthlessly sane" and "instantly likeable."

Is it possible, in 2009, to avoid the title of "gay basher" while dedicating your life to preventing a portion of the population from participating in a legal process allowed to other people? Does bashing require blows and slurs? Will those who oppose same-sex marriage eventually be put by their opponents into the same pile as people who think interracial marriage should be banned? Brown worries about that, about being squeezed out of the debate. "The racial bigot comparison is the most troubling part of the argument," Brown says. It's horrible, offensive, deliberately incendiary. He thinks it is "irrational," a word he uses often. It is irrational when the opposition points to polls suggesting that most young people support gay marriage. "People mature," he says. Their views change. It is irrational when people believe that the legalization of same-sex marriage is an inevitability: "We have the people. We have not had such an organized force" before, Brown says.

The Post notes the advice NOM makes to its supporters:

Avoid the phrase "ban gay marriage," the talking points suggest, adding that opponents "know it causes us to lose about ten percentage points in polls. Don't use it. Say we're against 'redefining marriage' or in favor of 'marriage as the union of husband and wife' NEVER 'banning same-sex marriage.' "

Also in the article, Brown's wife boo-hoos about a neighborhood party thrown by an acquaintance of the Browns' lesbian neighbors. The invite said: "We know what Brian does. If your views are not the same, you can come to the party." She stayed home.

Could It Be Magic? Yes, Yes It Could.

Last night DC blogger Jimbo, Dr. Jeff and I made the 90-minute haul out to Coney Island to watch Donna Summer's free concert at Seaside Park. And holy crap, what an enormous crowd. Easily the largest outdoor show I've ever been to. We couldn't get within a half-mile of the stage and watched much of the show from a sidewalk outside the seating area. Donna, as always, was in superb voice with just as much power and clarity as when she first hit the charts 34 years ago. The set list was almost identical to the one of her Jones Beach 2008 show, with the noted exception of the substitution of her 1975 Barry Manilow cover, Could It Be Magic, for her 1999 smash, Con Te Partiro. I stood there covered in goosebumps, having never heard Could It Be Magic live. The clips below are from YouTube member DJDavis254. Until last year, I hadn't seen Donna Summer in concert since 1979, now I've seen her three times in 14 months. Go me.

Uruguay May Allow Gay Adoption

The march for LGBT rights across South America continues as Uruguay prepares to legalize adoption by gay couples.

The legislation is expected to pass in the Senate, where the ruling party has a majority. The Senate will vote on the bill next month. In December 2007, Uruguay's parliament passed legislation to recognise same-sex civil unions. The country of 3.6m people was the first nation in South America to grant such protections, although some cities and regions throughout the continent have made similar legal provisions. The Congress passed legislation creating a civil union registry for same-sex and unmarried heterosexual couples who have lived together for at least five years. In May Uruguay lifted a ban on gays serving in its military.

The Archbishop of Montevideo opposes the proposed legislation. Of course he does.

The Great White Dope

Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) used the phrase "great white hope" when describing the search for the next GOP superstar. Uh, whooops!

Live Nation Cancels Buju Banton Tour

Congratulations to all those who followed the links to complain about murder music star Buju Banton, as Live Nation has now canceled his national tour of the United States.

Banton was scheduled to perform in October at House of Blues venues in Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas, and Houston, among other dates and locations. However, last week, activists began contacting the Beverly Hills-based Live Nation to express their dismay because of his violent antigay lyrics. In songs such as “Boom, Bye Bye,” from 1988, Banton calls for the torture and murder of gay men. “If a guy comes near me,” he sings, “then his skin must peel. Burn him up bad like an old tire wheel.” Live Nation announced plainly that the concerts by Banton were cancelled, and that refunds would be available to ticket holders. Banton has long been opposed by LGBT activists because of his antigay lyrics and alleged behavior. In 2006, he was acquitted of charges that he assaulted a group of gay men in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. In 2007, he signed the Reggae Compassionate Act, in which artists vow to refrain from singing antigay lyrics or making homophobic statements, but he later denied that he took the pledge.

A very nice win to end this week!

UPDATE: JMG reader Jeff B. points out that another promoter, AEG, is publicizing a second set of Banton shows. Go to the LA LGBT Center's page to put a stop to those too.

UPDATE II: That was fast. AEG has canceled their shows too.

WA: R-71 Donor Names To Go Public

The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission has decided to make public the names of those who donated to Referendum 71, the ballot drive to repeal domestic partners legislation. The Commission decided that the anti-gay group, Protect Marriage, had no proof that people has been threatened for making similar donations.

The request to remove the names was made earlier this month by Protect Marriage Washington, the group backing Referendum 71, which seeks to put newly expanded domestic partnership benefits up to a public vote in November. The group had asked the state to redact and seal the names, addresses and occupations of donors, citing threats of violence against supporters and churches. Donors' information had already been made public, in accordance with state law. The commission said Protect Marriage Washington had not proved that disclosure of donors' names would result in "manifestly unreasonable hardship" to contributors. While Protect Marriage Washington did provide the commission with some threatening e-mails and blog postings, it "provided no evidence from or about donors that have demonstrated that they have received threats of violence against their lives or property," or that they were being targeted for boycotts, PDC assistant director Doug Ellis said during the hearing. Moreover, the commission decided, removing the names would thwart the purpose of the public disclosure law: To avoid secrecy in campaigns.

According to the latest predictions, Referendum 71 will make the ballot. However a pro-gay group is contesting the manner in which the petition signatures have been counted.

Texas: 75 Years For Gay Bashing

A man in Dallas just got 75 years for a gay bashing that took place in 2008.

Bobby Singleton, 30, was convicted of aggravated robbery earlier this week, according to The Dallas Morning News. He was found guilty of assaulting and robbing Jimmy Dean (pictured) at gunpoint in the Oak Lawn section of Dallas. Singleton said he and his friend Jonathan Gunter did not attack Dean because he was gay, but in his police confession, he said they went to the area to specifically target gays. He also said using the word "faggot" was not homophobic but fair game for anyone in a fight.

The basher apologized to his victim during sentencing, blaming his actions on alcohol and drugs.

Maddow: RNC Chairman Gives "Fact Free" Health Care Statement

RNC chairman Michael Steele doesn't want a government-run health care program. He wants to protect Medicare. Which is a....anyone?

Morning View - Third & 60th

UT Gov. Gary Herbert: It Should Be Perfectly Legal To Discriminate Against Gays

I should have blogged about it at the time, but there was a lot of concern a few weeks ago when President Obama appointed Utah's gay-friendly Gov. Jon Huntsman to be his ambassador to China. It turns out that fears about Huntsman's successor were well founded.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said Thursday that discriminating against gay people shouldn't be illegal, although he would prefer it if everyone were treated with respect. In his most definitive comments yet on gay rights, Herbert told reporters he doesn't believe sexual orientation should be a protected class in the way that race, gender and religion are. "We don't have to have a rule for everybody to do the right thing. We ought to just do the right thing because it's the right thing to do and we don't have to have a law that punishes us if we don't," Herbert said in his first monthly KUED news conference. In Utah, it is legal to fire someone for being gay or transgender. The gay rights advocacy group Equality Utah has been trying to change state law for several years but has always been rebuffed by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

First of all, Herbert's asshattery is precisely why we need ENDA. Secondly, I'm not too pleased with the way the AP headlined this story as "Utah Governor: No Special Rights For Gay People." Maybe the people at the Associated Press think the right not to be fired from your job because of who you are is "special."

80's Flashback

Fred Schneider & The Shake Society, Monster, 1984. Fred's only solo hit, Monster includes B-girl Kate Pierson on vocals and P-Funk legend Bernie Worrell on keyboards. Talking Heads/Tom Tom Club member Tina Weymouth and artist Keith Haring both do cameo appearances in this clip. (Can anybody ID the drag queen?) The rest of this album wasn't so great, other than the duet with Patti Labelle, It's Time To Kiss. But it was a nice interruption of the long dry spell between Whammy and Bouncing Off The Satellites.

Teabagger: I'm A Proud Right Wing Terrorist! GOP Rep: God Bless You!!

GOP Rep. Wally Herger (R-CA) is going to have some explaining to do after praising a man who bragged that he was a "proud right-wing terrorist." Herger: "Amen. God bless you. There's a great American!" Democrats are demanding that Herger apologize for endorsing terrorism.

(Via - Americablog)

Christian Athletic Group: Keep Trans People Out Of Competitive Sports

Well, you knew the Christian right just had to weigh on the situation faced by South African sprinter Caster Semenya. Some Jeebus-based track and field organization named 4 WINDS bleats:

The liberal San Francisco-based National Sexuality Resource Center (NSRC) says the IAAF should "stay out of Caster Semenya's pants". "Your efforts to make champion Caster Semenya 'prove' she is a woman are shameful and unnecessary, and undermine the integrity and dignity of women athletes." 4 WINDS commends the IAAF for conducting future tests on Caster Semenya. In 2003, 4 WINDS was the only Christian organization protesting the International Olympic Committee's decision to allow transgender athletes in the Olympics after sexual reassignment surgery. 4 WINDS is not implying that Semenya is an athlete who is purposely cheating, but may be a victim of circumstances. We believe compassion is important, however, chromosome make-up should be the determining factor in these situations. When an athlete enters the international level, some rights are lost.

"Steve McConkey is the President of 4 WINDS, a Christian apologetics and track and field ministry. Steve and his wife have been in track and field ministries since 1981."

Friendly Voices - Linda Ronstadt

"I had moved back to Tucson with my kids because I just thought it was quieter, and my family was there. But Tucson has turned out to be a very conservative place, and I didn’t want my kids coming home from school saying things like ‘That’s so gay.’ So we moved back to San Francisco, and I sent my kids to a school that actively taught that homophobic remarks are just… not OK, and my kids’ attitudes have changed as a result of it.

"Look, my kids are going to be able to form their own ideas, but at least I wanted them to be able to question things. My son is super pro-gay rights, and even though he has a girlfriend, I wanted him to know that as he emerged sexually, he’d be able to do whatever he wanted to do. You know, that it’s not something you have a choice over." - Pop and country music legend Linda Ronstadt, talking to Planet Out. It's a great interview.

Who's Paying To Kill Health Reform?

Embiggen the chart to follow the money.

(Via - Slog)

Pastor Steven Anderson: All Gays Are Predators And Molesters

Pastor Steven Anderson gets his head handed to him by radio host Alan Colmes in this clip, but the good reverend clearly thinks he won, because he just posted this to his own YouTube channel. It looks like Anderson is turning into the latest Fred Phelps, doesn't it?

(Via - Good As You)

Bash Back "Queer Anarchist" Busted For Smashing Denver Democratic Offices

This a confusing story that I've been following for a couple of days, but it looks like a transgender activist from Bash Back, who once canvassed for the Democratic party, has been busted for smashing the windows of the Denver offices for the Dems. Initially a Democratic spokesman blamed GOP sympathizers for the vandalism. This story is all over Free Republic, where members accuse the Bash Back member of "false flag" criminal activity. Whatever is going on here, it seems like more "queer anarchist" nonsense from Back Back.

Unions Join Whole Foods Boycott

Two employee unions representing six million workers have joined in the call to boycott Whole Foods.

Change To Win Investment Group and United Food And Commercial Workers Union -- both a part of the Change To Win federation of unions representing six million workers -- have put out statements criticizing Mackey and encouraging a boycott of the store. CtW called for Mackey's removal as chairman of the board and CEO. "Mr. Mackey attempted to capitalize on the brand reputation of Whole Foods to champion his personal political views, but has instead deeply offended a key segment of Whole Foods consumer base," the group's executive director Bill Patterson said in a statement. UFCW has begun handing out pamphlets to Whole Food shoppers. The group said Mackey's op-ed was an "attempt to undermine Obama's health-care reform." (Whole Foods is not unionized.)

Whole Foods has remained relatively quiet on the boycott movement, only saying that their CEO's opinions on health care reform are his own.

No Veto Override In Anchorage

Last week the mayor of Anchorage vetoed a gay rights bill that had passed the city's assembly by one vote. And now it looks like there will be no attempt to override his veto.

The Anchorage Assembly has less than two weeks left to override the mayor's veto of the gay rights ordinance. But the ordinance's author says it likely will not be done. Patrick Flynn says the Assembly would have to start all over if it wants to pass the ordinance. According to Flynn, it simply does not have the support -- it would take eight votes to override the mayor's veto and the ordinance only passed seven votes. Flynn says the ordinance was an attempt to get rid of discrimination against gays, lesbians and transgender people. Critics say it would intrude on freedom of religion.

Over 30 years ago the current Anchorage mayor's father vetoed similar legislation.

Anti-Gay Nutjob Peter LaBarbera Sues Hotel Over Canceled Event

Peter LaBarbera has filed a federal religious discrimination lawsuit against a Chicago-area Holiday Inn because they canceled a 2007 event for the Americans For Truth About Homosexuality over fears of bad publicity. Porno Pete didn't have a contract with the hotel, but he's suing.

The Carol Stream-based group alleges its Oct. 6, 2007 fundraiser was canceled by the hotel six weeks earlier because of the group's religious beliefs against homosexuality. LaBarbera did not have a written contract, and no money was exchanged, but he said organizers verbally worked out details of the 100-person event, including the menu, during two meetings. LaBarbera said hotel management told him the reservation was canceled due to "potential negative publicity." AFTAH filed its discrimination suit Aug. 21. "It's always easy to come up with excuses," said LaBarbera, AFTAH's executive director, "but the real truth is they didn't like our message. If you allow this sort of hecklers' veto, you're sanctioning discrimination." The banquet was planned at the hotel on the same night as a couple's wedding. The Naperville Holiday Inn Select is independently owned and operated. Managers there said they had not been served with the lawsuit, and could not comment.

LaBarbera had warned the hotel to expect protesters at his event. So the hotel decided that a planned wedding party, one that likely was under contract, would probably be ruined by two hotly opposed political groups getting in each other's faces. Where's the religious discrimination here?

Hot Pocket

She's no longer a tiny scrawny shelter kitty, but she still squeezes into the little bed that came home with her two years ago.

Straight Guy Goes "Ex-Gay" Undercover

Ted Cox, a straight formerly Mormon reporter, thought it would an interesting story to go undercover at Journey Into Manhood, a "recovery from homosexuality" event in Salt Lake City. But Cox was unable to publish his story because the event's organizer convinced his employer that to do so would violate the confidentiality agreement he'd signed. But he can talk about why he went.

Granted, I do not understand what it’s like to be a gay man with a Christian background who is trying desperately to change who he is because he believes if he acts on these desires, he is committing some horrible sin. But, I went through the process. And the reason you have to go undercover is because there is no other way to find out what’s going on. These organizations cloud themselves with secrecy; everything is hidden—it’s blocked; it’s behind confidentiality agreements. How do we know if what [organizer] Wyler is doing is ethical unless someone can take a look at it and critique it?

The confidentiality agreement is a hoot:"Non-sexual healing touch." Yeah.

Arizona Assault Rifle Guy Is A Parisioner Of Baptist Rev. Steven Anderson

OK, now this is getting scary. It turns out that the loon who showed up at President Obama's speech with a machine gun is a parishioner of Rev. Steven L. Anderson, the nutjob who made national news for saying he prays every night for the death of the president. We better hope the Secret Service has these guys under 24/7 surveillance.

Daily Grumble

Seriously, Lincoln Center?

Preservationists who have voiced concern over the changes being made to Lincoln Center in its redevelopment may be alarmed to learn about one in particular: The centerpiece of the performing arts complex, its plaza fountain, is not only being replaced, but its water effects are now being “choreographed” as well. The firm doing it is also responsible for a water extravaganza set to Broadway, pop and operatic tunes at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas and the nearby volcano of water, fire and light outside the MGM Mirage.

The original fountain was designed by Philip Johnson, no less. And the mallification of NYC continues.

Limbaugh & Beck: Obama Plans To Seize Control Of The Media

Glenn Beck: "If you watch MSNBC, I contend that you will see the future because they are laying the ground for a horrible event ... anything from the right, there's some awful event and I fear this government, this administration has so much framework already prepared, that they will seize power overnight before anybody even gives it a second thought."

Morning View - 1-2-3 Platform

Open Thread Thursday

Four months ago I asked if you were considering attending the National Equality March. Since then we've seen the plans become more concrete, with some significant figures and groups emerging to endorse the event. What's your plan as of today?

Ellie Greenwich, 68

Classic girl group songwriter Ellie Greenwich died of a heart attack in Manhattan today at the age of 68. Greenwich and her husband Jeff Barry worked in Time Square's Brill Building, home to an astounding number of hit songwriters of the era. You'll know every one of Greenwich's songs below.