Autopsy Results Reveal Iowa Attacked In Gang Gay Bashing Died Of Blunt Trauma But Police Still Convinced Incident Constitutes Hate Crime, New Jersey School Apologizes And Removes Gay-Themed Novels From Summer Reading Lists, Cork Bar Apologizes To Two Male Students Asked To Leave After Kissing, Australian Party Says It Will Reject Any Candidate Who Supports Same Sex Marriage And Fails To Follow 21 Core Christian Values

Police in Waterloo Iowa have released the results of an autopsy performed on a teenager who died on Sunday after being found unconscious following a fight on Friday morning. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that according to the Iowa Medical Examiner's Office, the results of the autopsy revealed that Marcellus Andrews, 19, died from blunt force trauma to his head. Witnesses said that people involved in the fight had taunted Andrews with anti-gay slurs, but police said none of the witnesses mentioned the slurs in interviews with detectives. No arrests have been made, and officers are still investigating the incident. Andrews' funeral is scheduled for Saturday.

Summer reading has been a time-honoured tradition at schools across the country, but for one local school in Monroe Township New Jersey it has caused more controversy this year as arguments about content and age-appropriateness have ensued. The Gloucester County Times reports that while students have traditionally reported to the bookstore to pick up their copies of Of Mice and Men, Catcher in the Rye and Great Expectations, Williamstown High School’s students had a new list to choose from — a list that included three books that many parents believe included material not suitable for children. One such selection, Norwegian Wood, which was on the required reading list for incoming tenth-grade honours English students, includes a graphic depiction of a lesbian sex scene between a 31-year-old woman and a 13-year-old girl. “I don’t think that’s relevant for any teenager,” said Robin Myers, whose daughter was assigned the book. “I was just kind of in shock.” Another selection, from the seniors honours class, Tweak(Growing up on Methamphetamines), describes a drug-fuelled, homosexual orgy. The school board received multiple complaints from parents at its board meeting Thursday, and the school’s administration has since removed the books from the list. “Some of the language is inappropriate and we missed it in our committee that scanned the books,” said Superintendent Chuck Earling. “When you have a problem and make a mistake, admit it. I admit we should have screened the reading details more so.” The summer reading curriculum has changed throughout the years at many schools, as the older, “classics” are abandoned for newer, more cutting-edge books that districts hope will interest students more. At Gateway Regional High School, the required reading lists for its students includes a multitude of choices, some of which could possibly include questionable material. But the school details that information in the summer work packet that is sent home and available online. For its tenth grade students, there are 74 books in four categories, some of which are marked with an asterisk to denote that the book could have “mild, non-explicit controversial content to content involving adult situations, drug/alcohol use, excessive violence, and/or vulgar language.” “We let the parents know right from the start. We try to be honest with people and say ‘if you don’t want your son or daughter to read this we understand,’” said Gateway High School’s Principal Steven Hindman. “I think it’s important that kids have some choice sometimes and our list allows them to.” Earling thinks that despite the controversy over this year’s book list, it is still important to switch it up on occasion. “You want to spur interest in kids reading that fits their needs not that of people in the 1930s,” he said. “Interests change.”

A Cork city bar has apologized to two male students who were allegedly asked to leave the licensed premises at the weekend for kissing, the Irish Times reports that the Old Oak live music and late night bar on Oliver Plunkett Street issued a statement last night, after meeting the two customers. “After deliberations and discussions, both parties accepted and conceded that mistakes were made by all involved,” it read. “The Old Oak apologised for any offence which was taken, but stressed that no offence whatsoever was meant or intended as we are not and never have been anti-gay. Equally the couple involved, who wish to remain anonymous, accepted that they could have handled matters in a better way. Both parties look forward to continuing good relations and custom.” The incident took place on Friday night into Saturday morning when it is claimed a member of staff approached the two Cork Institute of Technology students and issued them with a warning. Later, as they kissed on the dance floor, it is alleged the same staff member asked them to leave and escorted them from the premises. The students’ union of University College Cork and Cork Institute of Technology both urged the popular bar and live music venue to make a public apology. CIT students’ union president Chris Scanlon said: “There is no room for this attitude in this day and age.” Ben Honan, president of the UCC union, said: “It is common for many students to address their sexuality while in college and events like this are discouraging for those thinking of coming out.” Singer Billy Bragg, who is due to play in the upstairs venue of the bar in October, also expressed concern. “I am concerned that, in the light of this alleged act of discrimination, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members of my audience and their friends may feel unable to attend the concert. I have asked my agent to contact our Irish promoter to see if this matter can be resolved,” he said. Bragg also supported calls for the management to issue an apology. The Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004 prohibit any discrimination on a premise on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Federal MP Bob Katter’s Australian Party has indicated it will not accept candidates who support same sex marriage or who shun “Christian values,” the Brisbane Times reports. But Katter yesterday cautioned that the party did not have a policy on abortion, after his state ally Aidan McLindon spoke out against pregnancy terminations. The focus on social issues came as a former Queensland Party candidate complained he was dumped by Katter’s Australian Party following the party merger because he asked about its stance on same sex marriage, abortion and surrogacy. McLindon, who earlier this month announced the Queensland Party would be absorbed by Katter’s Australian Party, said yesterday candidates must subscribe to 21 core values and principles. The core values include the statement that marriage should remain the union of a man and a woman, and that Australian society and government should be based on Christian values. “There’s 21 core values and principles in this party and if the candidates don’t agree to those then there’s no point in them joining with a party that they fundamentally disagree with,” McLindon, the party’s state leader, told reporters. Asked about the party’s position on abortion, McLindon said it was guided by a Christian ethos. “There’s a right and wrong,” the Beaudesert MP said. “As far as I’m concerned I’m proud to say that any life should be protected, just like people jump up and down ‘save the whales.’ Well guess what, I’m going to jump up and down and ‘save the humans’ – they have a right to live like you and I.”