Gay RCMP Officer Sues Force Claiming Culture Of Homophobia Ruined His Reputation, New York Times Calls Gay Marriage Basic Human Right, Ali Forney Homeless Center Vandalized, Article Suggests Students Of Same Sex Parents Admitted To Catholic Schools Would Bring Porn to Class, Log Cabin Republican Tea Bag Toss, Lance Bass And His Dogs, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lady Gaga Drama Unfolds At New York Mets Game

Donald Cooke, a senior RCMP investigator stationed in Toronto with 23 years of service, who is openly gay, filed suit in March, 2010 alleging that a “homophobic culture” within the force and unsubstantiated child sexual-assault allegations led to a humiliating public arrest on a British Columbia golf course, and a consequential suspension that effectively ruined his reputation beyond repair. In 2004, four B.C. men came forward, accusing Cooke of having sexually assaulted them when he coached minor hockey in the nineteen-eighties in the province, and, according to the lawsuit, the B.C. Crown reviewed the evidence and recommended against charges. However, in 2005, he was arrested – a parade of officers in golf carts approached Cook on the third green of a private golf course in Aurora, Ontario, “for the purpose of maximizing the embarrassment and humiliation of Cooke.” At that time, the force suspended Cooke while the investigation continued, while Cooke took an extended sick leave. The B.C. Crown reviewed the case a second time, and concluded again there was still not enough evidence to charge him. Inexplicably, the RCMP suspension continued for four years. The RCMP denies the false accusations were in motivated by an anti-gay environment.

An editorial from the New York Times on the federal trial challenging the constitutional validity of the California gay marriage ban – Proposition 8 – writing that while whatever ruling Chief Justice Vaughn Walker renders, the trial, whose closing arguments will be heard next Wednesday, as easily demonstrated that marriage for gay men and women is a basic right. “The testimony made abundantly clear that excluding same-sex couples from marriage exacts a grievous toll on gay people and their families. Domestic partnerships are a woefully inadequate substitute,” the Times editorial reads, concluding by calling for a “repeal of the 1996 law that defines marriage as a union between a man and woman.”

The Ali Forney Center’s newly opened homeless shelter for gay youth in Astoria, Queens, was the target of anti-gay graffiti Wednesday, staffers discovering a number of homophobic slurs on the walls of the building. The shelter was opened in October, 2009. In response to the attack, the Center is working with the New York City Anti-Violence Project, with openly gay City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and Queens’ Councilmember Peter Vallone on devising strategies to protect the residents from any further attacks. Quinn released a statement that read “the act of hate demonstrated outside the Ali Forney Center in Astoria is unacceptable. I was angered and deeply disturbed when I heard someone would go to such great lengths to vandalize a building that acts as a safe space for our youth.”

An article that appeared in the June 4th edition of The Pilot, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston, written by one Michael Pakaluk, has angered gay advocates, Pakaluk stating that he is opposed to Catholic schools admitted the children of same sex parents, because allowing the children of gay parents would create the impression “that there is nothing wrong with same sex relationships” and that the gay parent would act as “an advocate for his lifestyle.” He added that there exists a real threat that the students of same sex couple would bring pornography to school because “along with the same sex lifestyle, which – as not related to procreation – is inherently eroticized and pornographic.” The paper has since apologized to anyone who was upset by the article.

The Log Cabin Republicans of Los Angeles, the largest chapter of the GOP organization in the United States, is hold a Tea Bag Toss at Christopher Street West in Los Angeles this weekend, as a part of LA Pride celebrations. According to an announcement, ‘participants will purchase a tea bag and win a prize if they can successfully throw it through the open mouth of one of three politicians on the game board.” The three politicians: California Attorney General Jerry Brown, Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and failed Alaskan senator Sarah Palin.

Lance Bass poses with his two adorable dogs, Dingo and Foster, while photographed a PETA advertisement.



Earlier Thursday, Cristiano Ronaldo presented South African President Nelson Mandela with his Portugal National team jersey.



Lady Gaga attended the first game of a double-header between the New York Mets and the San Diego Padres Thursday at Citi Field, and, um, things did not go well, Gaga and a group of friends initially sitting near the dugout, before being spotted by the photographers on hand. Objecting to be photographed, she and her entourage headed to a luxury box, where Gaga, who had drunk several beers, displayed her displeasure at being photographed.