At The Box Office: Gay 'Bruno' Takes The Weekend Throne
I, for one, will not degrade myself, my family, my friends or my community by having anything to do with this movie. From what I have seen in advertisements it is nothing more than one negative stereotypical moronic misrepresentation after another.
Ok, I have stated my opinion and will make not further comments regarding this movie.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Gay amendments possible this week for defense bill
Senate could take up 'Don't Ask,' hate crimes provisions
By CHRIS JOHNSON, Washington Blade Jul 13 2009, 10:10 AM
U.S. senators are considering the introduction of LGBT-related amendments to the fiscal year 2010 defense authorization bill if it comes to the Senate floor as planned this week.
The potential amendments could make the legislation a vehicle for the biggest advances to date in LGBT rights at the federal level.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) is considering the introduction of an amendment that would instate an 18-month moratorium on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which would prevent further investigation of gay service members until it expires or Congress can accomplish full repeal, according to Bethany Lesser, a Gillibrand spokesperson.
The Daily Beast first reported that Gillibrand was considering the introduction of the amendment.
But Lesser emphasized that the amendment is still only under consideration and Gillibrand wants ultimately to fully repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” as opposed to instating a moratorium.
“This is still, like, very much in the planning stages,” Lesser said. “[Gillibrand] is looking more big picture. She wants to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ overall, and she’s working with Sen. [Ted] Kennedy’s office and Congressman [Patrick] Murphy’s office to garner support for this through Congress. So that’s more of her focus — this bigger picture.”
Lesser said Gillibrand’s office doesn’t have the specifics yet on what day the senator would introduce the bill if she decides to, nor does she know what would prompt Gillibrand to make a definitive decision on introducing the amendment. The Daily Beast reported that Gillibrand may submit the provision to the floor Tuesday.
Allison Herwitt, legislative director for the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement that HRC believes a moratorium amendment should be introduced only if there is enough votes to fully overturn “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
“HRC believes that this temporary repeal amendment should only be offered and voted on if we are confident that there are sufficient votes to advance the issue of permanent repeal of ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell,’” she said. “It is not yet clear that threshold can be achieved this week. However, we remain committed to exploring every possible option available to stop the discharges of honorable men and women standing on the front lines protecting the safety and security of all Americans.”
A hate crimes provision in the defense bill can be expected, however. Herwitt said the defense legislation will be the likely vehicle for the hate crimes measure, and the amendment should come up sometime in the middle of this week. A senior Democratic leadership aide had earlier confirmed for the Blade that Senate leaders plan to amend the defense bill to include the hate crimes provision.
Herwitt said she thinks Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) will introduce the amendment on the Senate floor. David Carle, spokesperson for Leahy, confirmed the senator would introduce a hate crimes amendment to the defense bill this week, but said the day on which Leahy would introduce the amendment has not yet been set.
Carle said the language would be identical to S. 909, the standalone hate crimes legislation that Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) introduced in the Senate earlier this year.
President Obama has threatened to veto the defense bill because the House version contains funding beyond the administration’s request for F-22 jets. But sources have told the Blade that a Democratic Congress wouldn’t send a defense bill to a Democratic president if he would veto it.
By CHRIS JOHNSON, Washington Blade Jul 13 2009, 10:10 AM
U.S. senators are considering the introduction of LGBT-related amendments to the fiscal year 2010 defense authorization bill if it comes to the Senate floor as planned this week.
The potential amendments could make the legislation a vehicle for the biggest advances to date in LGBT rights at the federal level.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) is considering the introduction of an amendment that would instate an 18-month moratorium on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which would prevent further investigation of gay service members until it expires or Congress can accomplish full repeal, according to Bethany Lesser, a Gillibrand spokesperson.
The Daily Beast first reported that Gillibrand was considering the introduction of the amendment.
But Lesser emphasized that the amendment is still only under consideration and Gillibrand wants ultimately to fully repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” as opposed to instating a moratorium.
“This is still, like, very much in the planning stages,” Lesser said. “[Gillibrand] is looking more big picture. She wants to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ overall, and she’s working with Sen. [Ted] Kennedy’s office and Congressman [Patrick] Murphy’s office to garner support for this through Congress. So that’s more of her focus — this bigger picture.”
Lesser said Gillibrand’s office doesn’t have the specifics yet on what day the senator would introduce the bill if she decides to, nor does she know what would prompt Gillibrand to make a definitive decision on introducing the amendment. The Daily Beast reported that Gillibrand may submit the provision to the floor Tuesday.
Allison Herwitt, legislative director for the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement that HRC believes a moratorium amendment should be introduced only if there is enough votes to fully overturn “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
“HRC believes that this temporary repeal amendment should only be offered and voted on if we are confident that there are sufficient votes to advance the issue of permanent repeal of ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell,’” she said. “It is not yet clear that threshold can be achieved this week. However, we remain committed to exploring every possible option available to stop the discharges of honorable men and women standing on the front lines protecting the safety and security of all Americans.”
A hate crimes provision in the defense bill can be expected, however. Herwitt said the defense legislation will be the likely vehicle for the hate crimes measure, and the amendment should come up sometime in the middle of this week. A senior Democratic leadership aide had earlier confirmed for the Blade that Senate leaders plan to amend the defense bill to include the hate crimes provision.
Herwitt said she thinks Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) will introduce the amendment on the Senate floor. David Carle, spokesperson for Leahy, confirmed the senator would introduce a hate crimes amendment to the defense bill this week, but said the day on which Leahy would introduce the amendment has not yet been set.
Carle said the language would be identical to S. 909, the standalone hate crimes legislation that Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) introduced in the Senate earlier this year.
President Obama has threatened to veto the defense bill because the House version contains funding beyond the administration’s request for F-22 jets. But sources have told the Blade that a Democratic Congress wouldn’t send a defense bill to a Democratic president if he would veto it.
Cleveland in final running for 2014 Gay Games
Posted by Laura Johnston / Plain Dealer Reporter July 12, 2009 21:13PM
Wednesday,March 18, 2009Edition: Final, Section: Metro, Page B3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In 2014, the international Gay Games will land in Boston, Washington, D.C., or Cleveland.
Fourteen cities originally expressed interest in hosting the event, which had its beginning in San Francisco in 1982 and draws about 12,000 participants.
But only three submitted detailed bids by this past weekend's deadline.
Cleveland's bid for "My Games Rock 2014" includes opening and closing ceremonies at Cleveland Browns Stadium and 34 sports -- 24 required events, including swimming, basketball, figure skating and softball, as well as nontraditional events, such as beach volleyball and, in a first for the games, rodeo -- that would take place downtown and in Akron.
"Certainly because Cleveland is smaller, it probably has less of a global reputation in general," Federation of Gay Games spokesman Kevin Boyer said.
"But I've been very impressed with the efforts of the local organization."
Leading the Cleveland effort are Brian Tavolier and W. Doug Anderson, organizers of North Coast Athletics Volleyball and past Cleveland Pride parades. They flew to South Africa in October to plug Cleveland.
"The message that's being sent out is Cleveland is a tolerant, open, viable city to come to," Anderson said.
Working with Cleveland, Anderson's group, the Cleveland Synergy Foundation, submitted a 416-page bid with letters of support from Mayor Frank Jackson, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic, Gov. Ted Strickland, Sen. Sherrod Brown and U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich.
The region stands to gain $50 million to $80 million in economic development, as well as publicity as a tourist destination, Boyer said.
Games organizers will visit Northeast Ohio this summer and choose a host city in September at the federation's annual meeting in Cologne, Germany -- host of the 2010 games.
Ken Silliman, the mayor's chief of staff, is confident Cleveland will win the honor.
After all, Cleveland hosted the NBC Gravity Games in 2002 and 2004, the International Children's Games in 2004, the NCAA Women's Final Four and the AST Dew Tour in 2007, and the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January.
It will host the National Senior Games in 2013.
"Cleveland gets tremendous international goodwill, name recognition," Silliman said, "a signal across the world that we have successfully handled these events."
Wednesday,March 18, 2009Edition: Final, Section: Metro, Page B3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In 2014, the international Gay Games will land in Boston, Washington, D.C., or Cleveland.
Fourteen cities originally expressed interest in hosting the event, which had its beginning in San Francisco in 1982 and draws about 12,000 participants.
But only three submitted detailed bids by this past weekend's deadline.
Cleveland's bid for "My Games Rock 2014" includes opening and closing ceremonies at Cleveland Browns Stadium and 34 sports -- 24 required events, including swimming, basketball, figure skating and softball, as well as nontraditional events, such as beach volleyball and, in a first for the games, rodeo -- that would take place downtown and in Akron.
"Certainly because Cleveland is smaller, it probably has less of a global reputation in general," Federation of Gay Games spokesman Kevin Boyer said.
"But I've been very impressed with the efforts of the local organization."
Leading the Cleveland effort are Brian Tavolier and W. Doug Anderson, organizers of North Coast Athletics Volleyball and past Cleveland Pride parades. They flew to South Africa in October to plug Cleveland.
"The message that's being sent out is Cleveland is a tolerant, open, viable city to come to," Anderson said.
Working with Cleveland, Anderson's group, the Cleveland Synergy Foundation, submitted a 416-page bid with letters of support from Mayor Frank Jackson, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic, Gov. Ted Strickland, Sen. Sherrod Brown and U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich.
The region stands to gain $50 million to $80 million in economic development, as well as publicity as a tourist destination, Boyer said.
Games organizers will visit Northeast Ohio this summer and choose a host city in September at the federation's annual meeting in Cologne, Germany -- host of the 2010 games.
Ken Silliman, the mayor's chief of staff, is confident Cleveland will win the honor.
After all, Cleveland hosted the NBC Gravity Games in 2002 and 2004, the International Children's Games in 2004, the NCAA Women's Final Four and the AST Dew Tour in 2007, and the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January.
It will host the National Senior Games in 2013.
"Cleveland gets tremendous international goodwill, name recognition," Silliman said, "a signal across the world that we have successfully handled these events."
Episcopal Church Ready To Bless Gay Marriage
By Carlos Santoscoy Published: July 16, 2009
Episcopal bishops meeting in Anaheim, California approved Wednesday a resolution that looks at developing an official blessing for gay unions and gives bishops in states where gay marriage is legal the discretion to offer a blessing, the AP reported.
The resolution recognizes the growing number of states that allow gay unions – either marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships – and grants bishops in those states the discretion to offer a blessing.
While the measure does not fully back the blessing of gay unions, it authorizes the church to begin drafting an official prayer for the denomination's Book of Prayer, which would be considered in 2012. The vote to “collect and develop theological resources and liturgies” for blessing gay couples was approved by an overwhelming majority (104 to 30) of the Bishops. The measure now goes to the church's other legislative body, the House of Deputies, which is made up of clergy and lay people. The House is generally considered more liberal and the measure is expected to be approved.
“If a same-sex couple comes to me and they want a marriage rite, they would go through the same premarital counseling, and have to show the same quality of relationship that I would want to see in any couple,” the Rev. Raisin Horn, the priest of Trinity Episcopal Church in Iowa City told the New York Times. “I will not have to say to them, all the right things are in place except for your sexuality.”
On Tuesday, the church voted in favor of lifting their three-year moratorium on the consecration of gay bishops. A decision certain to increase the mounting pressure from other Anglican Communion churches – of which the Episcopal Church is the American branch – to strike out on their own over the issue.
The Episcopal Church first opened the row with its decision to consecrate the first openly gay bishop, Rev. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, in 2003. Robinson, 61, lives in Weare, New Hampshire with his husband.
Last month, over the loud objections of conservatives the Church of Scotland, a Presbyterian denomination, approved the appointment of an openly gay minister, Rev. Scott Rennie. The church then backtracked a bit and placed a two-year moratorium on the ordination of gay clergy.
Other religious denominations bless gay unions, including the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ. But the Episcopal Church will be the largest with over 77 million members worldwide, behind only the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Christian Church.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, who as leader of the Church of England is the symbolic head of the Anglican Communion, said he was disappointed by the vote. Williams has struggled to impede dioceses from defecting over the issue of gay clergy.
Several mostly African churches have broken off over the issue already. A few U.S. dioceses have joined in the defection but their protests have grown louder over recent events.
Calif. removed from federal gay marriage case
(AP) – 57 minutes ago
SANTA ANA, Calif. — A judge has agreed to remove the state of California as a defendant in a lawsuit challenging the 1996 law that prevents the U.S. government from recognizing same-sex marriages.
U.S. District Judge David Carter says the state is no longer an appropriate target in the case because the gay couple who brought it got married in California last year before voters approved a ban on same-sex unions.
Carter issued the order Thursday acting on a request from California's attorney general.
The U.S. government remains a defendant. The U.S. Department of Justice is arguing to uphold the Defense of Marriage Act.
The department's position has angered gay rights activists, who see it as a betrayal of President Obama's campaign pledge to work for the act's repeal.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
SANTA ANA, Calif. — A judge has agreed to remove the state of California as a defendant in a lawsuit challenging the 1996 law that prevents the U.S. government from recognizing same-sex marriages.
U.S. District Judge David Carter says the state is no longer an appropriate target in the case because the gay couple who brought it got married in California last year before voters approved a ban on same-sex unions.
Carter issued the order Thursday acting on a request from California's attorney general.
The U.S. government remains a defendant. The U.S. Department of Justice is arguing to uphold the Defense of Marriage Act.
The department's position has angered gay rights activists, who see it as a betrayal of President Obama's campaign pledge to work for the act's repeal.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Poll
I have added a poll to the top of the right hand column.
Would you rather that I post.....
1. Larger post once or twice a week?
or
2. Smaller post every day or two?
Every one's feed back on this will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
G
Would you rather that I post.....
1. Larger post once or twice a week?
or
2. Smaller post every day or two?
Every one's feed back on this will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
G
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