Retired New York City detective Kevin Czartoryski has died. He was 46. The New York Daily News reports although no official cause of death has been issued, Czartoryski had suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disorder usually associated with a prolonged exposure to asbestos. The NYPD had determined that his ailment was a result of an extensive amount of time spent at Ground Zero searching for remains and staffing an improvised morgue. The youngest of six children, he was a member of the NYPD cadet program at St. John’s University, joining the force in 1988. Following 9.11, he worked in the public information office, and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said that Czartoryski served “with great distinction” in that office and while acting as the commissioner’s liaison to the city’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community, calling him a “cheerful bridge for understanding who will be missed terribly.” City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said that Czartoryski’s legacy will be bridging the gap between the NYPD and the city’s GLBT community.
Reuters is reporting that Defense Secretary Robert Gates, during an address Monday morning aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, said he is not “particularly optimistic” that Congress will repeal the military policy prohibiting openly gay service members soon, even though “I would hope that they would.” He added that the slow stance adopted by Congress will likely mean that the federal courts will intervene and according to Gates, that scenario would afford the military little time to prepare for change. Speaking to reporters later, Gates said that if Congress were to lift the ban, he would consider what the chiefs of the branches of military thought in terms of when to certify the military was ready to implement repeal. “We're not going to dawdle, and the president will not want us to delay," he said."But I also want to do it carefully and the service chiefs are in the best position to know. I agree with the service chiefs. A change in this law is inevitable," he added. "Their concern is whether it ought to be done now, while the force is under such stress, with such continuing rotations, or deployments, still having the war in Afghanistan, and still having 50,000 troops in Iraq.”
Amber Herd came out this weekend at an event marking the 25th anniversary of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, which is odd, since she seemed to have come out this past summer, as Movieline.com points out.
Matthew Mitcham, named GQ Australia's Sportsman of the Year, is interviewed in the newest issue of the magazine and says he did not expect to win the award, Mitcham saying “I’m surprised I won because I’m a homo! It’s hard to shake the ideas and stereotypes of what straight guys might think of gay guys. But that (the award) was a good example of a change in how people think behave. I think the world is starting to move forward.” The Olympic gold medal winning diver is then asked whether he wonders if being out has had an effect on sponsorships deals, Mitcham answering “I was a bit worried at first. Before the Games, people advised me not to come out to the media because it might hinder sponsors’ interest. But while they didn’t come very quickly, I don’t know if that was because I came out or because of the GFC. Either way, I’ve got all these sponsors now so it doesn’t seem to be an issue.” Asked is if he ever considered not coming out during his career Mitcham says “I would have hesitated for about five seconds. The way I deal with life is to be honest and to deal with the consequences of that afterwards, should there be any. It’s much harder for me to lie or deceive or be in denial. Before the Olympics, I wanted Australia to know exactly who they were supporting.”
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