Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee Holding Hearing Thursday On Same Sex Civil Unions Bill

The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on Thursday on a proposal to grant gay couples civil unions in Rhode Island, a Senate spokesman has confirmed, The Providence Journal reporting that the proposal, introduced by Representative Peter J. Petrarca (Democrat-Lincoln) was approved by the House earlier this month after negotiations among legislators. There is no Senate version of Petrarca's proposal, as is common with many bills. House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, an openly gay Providence Democrat, had lobbied this year for passage of a bill to allow gay and lesbian couples the right to marry. However he conceded that he ultimately came up short in generating enough support in his chamber for the measure. Senate spokesman Gregory Pare said no vote was expected Thursday on the measure. Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, a Newport Democrat, has been opposed to same sex marriage, but supportive of granting gay and lesbian couples civil unions, saying she believes this approach has "broad support" in the Senate. Supporters of civil union legislation called the House approval of Petrarca's bill a historic victory, providing important rights to same sex couples, despite falling short of full marriage equality. However the measure has been forcefully opposed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence and the National Organization for Marriage's Rhode Island chapter. Both groups say that the proposal does not go far enough to protect the religious beliefs of individuals, professionals and business people opposed to granting rights to gay and lesbian couples. Three states (Hawaii, Illinois and New Jersey) allow civil unions between same sex couples. A fourth state, Delaware, just adopted a civil-union law that will take effect on January 1, 2012.

Christopher Rabideau, Victim Of Gay Bashing In Windsor Ontario, Testifies He Thought Two Attackers Were Going To Kill Him

In Windsor, Ontario, Christopher Rabideau told a court Monday that he thought his assailants would kill him the night he was robbed and assaulted last year, when his attackers repeatedly used homophobic slurs against him. "I was scared," Rabideau testified about why he eventually gave his attackers, who had already beaten him and taken his wallet and his banking PIN number. "I was afraid they were going to kill me." The Windsor Star reports that in fact, Rabideau said the co-accused Stephen Lambert and Michael Allard threatened to kill him a number of times, and used such terms as "homo" and "faggot" -not to mention their fists and feet -to reinforce their point. CIBC banking records show that after an unsuccessful attempt to withdraw money early May 21, 2010, the date of the incident, $1,000 was deposited with what turned out to be an empty envelope. Then $500 was withdrawn followed by another $160, though Rabideau said he did not take out the money nor did he give anyone permission to do so. Rabideau, who is openly gay, described how he at first felt comfortable responding to the two strangers -who approached him while he was walking home along Ouellette Avenue after visiting a friend. "As I walked down Ouellette a gentleman asked me if I had any cigarettes or if I smoked," the 27-year-old social-justice activist said on his first day on the stand of the double robbery and-assault trial, "I said no." But the two strangers, who Rabideau identified in court as Lambert and Allard, persisted. He said that Lambert told him he was bisexual. "I let my guard down," Rabideau said. "I thought it would be OK to talk to these gentlemen." Soon, however, he realized he misjudged the situation and decided to part ways through the parking lot of convenience store. "I got struck in the back of the head," he told the court, under questioning from assistant Crown attorney Roger Dietrich, and briefly lost consciousness. "I went down. I tried to stand up. I got struck again." Rabideau said Lambert and Allard took his wallet, threatening to kill him if he said anything. Allard allegedly stood over him while Lambert went into the convenience store to withdraw cash. But they were unsuccessful because Rabideau originally gave them the wrong PIN number. "Mr. Lambert returned and was very upset that they could not receive any money from my account," said Rabideau, recalling how his assailants pulled him up and told him they were taking him to a bank. "They pulled and pushed and dragged me down” the street. Shortly before 2:00 am, as the group approached the apartment building where Rabideau lived, he attempted to break free from his attackers, running into the vestibule of Ouellette Towers, fumbling with his keys, unable to unlock the door before he was choked by Lambert, who followed closely behind. Rabideau gasped and covered his mouth on the witness stand when he saw security camera video replaying the assault -as Allard sauntered in, knocked him to the ground, and punched, kicked and stomped on his head. He recalled how he told the muggers that they were on camera, and that they then left, leaving him to crawl into his building. He phoned a friend before collapsing to the floor and being taken to the hospital. Rabideau is scheduled to continue testifying Tuesday before Superior Court Justice Scott Campbell.

New Archie Comics Kevin Keller Series Focuses On Growing Up Gay And The Military

Kevin Keller, the Archie Comics character, may find himself dead center in the national debate over gays in the military all because of his father, The Associated Press reporting that the company's first openly gay one in its 70 years of publishing, is loud and proud of his dad, a retired Army colonel which, in the pages of his new four-issue miniseries debuting next week, has Archie, Veronica, Jughead, and the rest of the Riverdale gang puzzled given their friend’s sexual orientation. They are even more perplexed when Kevin's mom calls her son her "future military man,” in particularly Veronica. The miniseries comes out June 8 and will be released monthly over its four-issue run. Writer and artist Dan Parent told The Associated Press that Kevin's relationship with his father is a key plank of the character's identity, just as much as his being gay. "We just wanted to show a healthy father-son relationship where Kevin's sexuality wasn't an issue, similarly to the reaction he got from the gang in Riverdale," Parent said of the events in the second issue. Parent talked to numerous military brats (children whose parents were career military) and found that they all shared the same bond with family because other ties can be temporary and fleeting."There's a certain thing Army brats have in common, and it is that feeling of not getting too comfortable in one spot because you really don't know how long you'll be there," he said. "And, maybe not in all cases, but I think in many, there's a closer family bond because all you have from place to place is that immediate family to rely on." Throughout the story arc, Kevin's homosexuality is not necessarily the main narrative line, but just one of many threads of the tale of a teenager who aspires to be a journalist but only after attending the U.S. Military Academy and being an army officer, too. Jon Goldwater, co-chief executive of Archie Comics, said Kevin is not meant to be a divisive figure in comics or culture. "The way it's presented is done with such a light touch. It's kind of the way Dan introduced Kevin," he said. "We're not trying to come across as preachy or heavy-handed or even political." He also dismissed claims that the character is just a publicity stunt aimed at boosting sales or generating buzz, either."He's going to be part of the Archie world. We have many plans for him, from the licensing side as well," Goldwater said. The first issue outlines Kevin's coming out to his dad, asking him if he should rethink his decision to pursue a military career. "On the contrary! I don't want to stop you," Col. Keller says. "It takes a special person to serve their country. Someone with heart and courage!" Parent said he was writing the story when Congress voted to allow gays to serve openly in the military. "Even though we don't tackle the specific issue of ‘Don't Ask Don' Tell,’ the goal was to show that patriotism knows no specific gender, race or sexual orientation," Parent said. "While it sounds like heavy subject matter, I tried to show it simply that Kevin, like his dad, loves his country. Being gay doesn't effect that in any way."

Blacksburg Virginia High School Elects Openly Gay Jake Boyer Prom Queen

Some Blacksburg, Virginia High School students had a different choice for prom queen this year and the winner was a man, NEWS-7 reporting that Jake Boyer was senior class secretary, a choir member, editor of his school's literary magazine, and now prom queen. "This was as much a social experiment as it was a fun thing to do," explained Boyer. He is a well-known and outgoing student at Blacksburg High School who had a big announcement this past school year. "I came out of the closet this year, and I already knew everyone at school was incredibly open about it," Boyer said. He kept it a secret for a year, but his friends and family were immediately accepting. So, it was not a surprise when friends urged him to run for high school prom queen. "He was like ‘Oh my goodness let's run with that,’" recalled Jake's friend Bailey Steele."This prom queen thing sort of became a manifestation of all right this is who I am. It's time to show it off," Boyer explained. He was crowned Blacksburg High School's 2011 Prom Queen. "Obviously everybody was more than willing to go with an openly gay male prom queen," he said. Boyer dressed in drag as performer Lady Gaga. "I was initially met with some scepticism and I met with them and said I want to do this." Steele explained that "They actually decided about letting Jake being prom queen two weeks before prom, but they didn't tell anyone because they didn't want the media showing up or anything." Boyer will graduate in June and will attend Pace University in New York City this fall for theatre. He says he will always be most proud of how accepting everyone was of him at Blacksburg High School, and the moment he was crowned prom queen."More than anything, this experience just gave me hope for the future. Like, oh my gosh, this little town in the middle of Virginia is able to be this open. Asked about those who do not agree, Boyer said "I would like to paraphrase Lady Gaga when I say this is me. This is who I am. I was born this way." NEWS-7 also contacted Blacksburg High School Principal Michael Hurst, who declined to comment on the story and referred us to Boyer. Hurst said the freshman, sophomore and junior students were busy taking Standards of Learning tests, so it remains unclear if there was much opposition at the school to the selection of Boyer as prom queen.

Asylum Claim Of 22 Year Old Ugandan Lesbian Rejected By United Kingdom Immigration Authority; Branded By Three Men With Hot Iron Before Fleeing To Britain

A Ugandan woman who was branded with a hot iron in her home country as a punishment for her sexuality, is facing forced removal from the United Kingdom, The Guardian reports. Last week, the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, said that the coalition had ended the practice of deporting people to countries where they face persecution because of their sexual orientation, however 22 year old Betty Tibikawa, who is detained in Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre in Bedford, is awaiting removal directions after her asylum claim was refused. Human rights organizations have consistently documented abuses against gay men and lesbians in Uganda and say that it remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for gay people. Tibikawa had just finished high school and was due to go to university in Kampala when she was attacked by three men who taunted her about her sexuality. They pinned her down in a disused building and branded her on her inner thighs with a hot iron. They left her unconscious and when she finally managed to get home she was confined to bed for two months. An independent medical report has confirmed that her scars are consistent with being branded with a hot iron. "I can't sleep and I'm having terrible nightmares about what will happen to me if I'm sent back to Uganda. My family have disowned me because I'm a lesbian and I'm convinced I'd be killed if I'm sent home. I was 'outed' in a Ugandan magazine called Red Pepper in February of this year saying that I'm wanted for being a lesbian," she said. "This has put my life at increased risk." Emma Ginn, co-ordinator of Medical Justice, said that "Despite compelling medical evidence, the UK Border Agency disbelieves Ms Tibikawa's story. UKBA do not dispute that Ms Tibikawa has scars caused by a hot flat iron, but conclude that she did not suffer any ill-treatment in Uganda. We condemn the fact that they intend to deport Ms Tibakawa to a country where being gay is illegal and puts your life at risk." Human Rights Watch spokeswoman Gauri van Gulik said that "Our research has shown that many cases of women like Betty are not taken seriously by the UK Border Agency. Unfortunately women who suffer this kind of violence have serious difficulty claiming asylum." A UK Border Agency spokesperson said "The government has made it clear that it is committed to stopping the removal of asylum seekers who have genuinely had to leave particular countries because of their sexual orientation or gender identification. However, when someone is found not to have a genuine claim we expect them to leave voluntarily." A 34 year old gay man from Uganda was due to be removed from the UK on 17 May. UKBA did not confirm whether or not the removal went ahead.

Bowing To Pressure From Christian Group, Australian Advertiser Removes HIV Prevention Campaign From Brisbane Bus Shelters

Adshel, the company that provides advertising in bus shelters around Brisbane, has today given in to pressure from the Australian Christian Lobby and removed a safe sex campaign featuring a gay male couple, The Central Telegraph reporting that Adshel, Goa Billboards, and the Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB) have received complaints from a clearly orchestrated campaign from a well organized minority to have the advertisements removed. ACL's State Director for Queensland, Wendy Francis, is calling their campaign to have the ad removed “A massive groundswell of people power" despite only 47 complaints actually being filed. Francis said the health advertisement went "against prevailing community standards to introduce sexuality to young children through forced exposure in public."The advert has been released by the Queensland Association for Healthy Communities as part of their Queensland Government funded HIV prevention and sexual health promotion work with gay men.“We are deeply disappointed by the behaviour of Adshel in removing the advertisements, without even notifying us and without proper reason” said Paul Martin, Executive Director of Healthy Communities. “The advertisement is quite conservative when compared with other public advertisements for a range of commercial products and previous sexual health campaigns by the Australian and Queensland Governments,” he said. “The Australian Christian Lobby has used homophobia dressed up as protecting children to have an important public education campaign removed. Wendy Francis has previously been criticised and forced to apologise for sending out a homophobic tweet likening gay marriage to ‘legalising child abuse’. They are now trying have gay people erased from the public sphere." The ‘Rip & Roll’ advert features a fully clothed gay male couple in an affectionate embrace holding an unopened condom packet. It is accompanied with the strap-line ‘A safe sex message from Healthy Communities’. Michael James, one of the men depicted in the image, is calling the removal of the ads "blatantly homophobic" and has started a Facebook event protesting Adshel's decision, attracting over three thousand members after only three hours. Goa Billboards has said it won’t remove the advertising unless directed by ASB.

Former Turkey Football Federation Referee Seeks Compensation For Being Outed And Fired

A former referee is seeking compensation from the Turkey Football Federation for allegedly outing him and dismissing him for being gay, according to The Associated Press, the Anatolia news agency says referee Halil Ibrahim Dincbag told an Istanbul court on Tuesday that he was unable to find work after documents showing he was exempted from military service because of his homosexuality were leaked to the media two years ago. Dincbag is seeking 110,000 Turkish lira (US$69,000) in compensation from the federation, which sacked him two years ago. He also accuses the federation of leaking the documents to the media. Human rights groups are closely following his case as a test of improvements to gay rights in Turkey.

Florida High School Elects Openly Gay Student Prom King And Transgender Prom Queen

Transgender teen Andrew Viveros was crowned prom queen on Friday at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, reports The Orlando Sentinel. The 17 year old Viveros, a graduating senior at McFatter Technical High School in Davie, said he was not sure he would win. "Then they called my name and I was in complete shock," said Viveros, a Davie resident and president of the school's Gay-Straight Alliance. Viveros said some students campaigned against him but others praised him for his courage."It's a big stepping stone," Viveros said. "People can see it's finally OK to be who you are and do what you want no matter how different you are." Viveros noted that Juan Macias, an openly gay teen and graduating senior at McFatter, was crowned prom king. Macias' running for prom king did not raise near the amount of controversy that Viveros did. Viveros, who also goes by Andii, said he won support from the school's administrators after writing a speech explaining the right he had to run for prom queen and the daily struggle of being transgender.

Insurance Company Sues Tennessee Lesbian Couple Alleging They Burnt Their Own Home Down; September 2010 Fire Thought Set By Former Neighbour In An Anti-Gay Attack; Monroe County Sherriff’s Office Has Yet To Conclude Investigation

The Vonore, Tennessee lesbian couple whose house burned down in an apparent act of arson in September of last year is now being sued by their insurer in federal court, The Daily Times reporting that the American National Property and Casualty Company’s (ANPAC’s) case asserts the fire was started not by an outside party, but by the homeowners themselves. Consequently, the lawsuit Carol Ann Stutte and Laura Jean Stutte filed that alleges their former neighbour, Janice Millsaps, was responsible for the fire will most likely not be heard until the federal case has been decided, said Millsaps’ attorney, Lewis Kinnard. “Now their own insurance company is filing a claim against them,” Kinnard said. “The outcome of the federal case might settle things here in this case.” The Stuttes’ claim against Millsaps, filed on February 4th, seeks compensation for the value of the property, pain and suffering and the loss of the home in the amount of $880,000. But ANPAC’s complaint, which was filed May 13th in Knoxville at U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, claims their own investigation determined the Stuttes to be responsible for the blaze which destroyed the Highway 360 residence and everything inside. Their insurance claim in the amount of $276,275.46 was subsequently denied by the company. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has not filed any charges in regard to the September 4th fire.“I don’t know what their conclusion was,” Kinnard said. “Or if they ever came to a conclusion. They obviously came to the conclusion it wasn’t my client because they never charged her with anything. She was never charged by the TBI, FBI or arson investigators, all of which were involved with this.” Margaret Held, the Stuttes’ attorney in the Millsaps lawsuit, said the Stuttes have 20 days to file an answer from the date ANPAC filed their case. “The Stuttes are owed $264,000 by ANPAC for the loss of their home,” Held said. “That’s how much the property was insured for.” The Stuttes could not be reached for comment.

South African Equality Court Finds Current Ambassador To Uganda Guilty Of Hate Speech For 2008 Anti-Gay Article

The South African ambassador to Uganda, a former columnist for South Africa's Sunday Sun paper, has been found guilty of hate speech for an anti-gay article, the BBC reporting that South Africa's Equality Court fined Jon Qwelane $14,450 (£8,920) and ordered him to apologize for promoting hatred in the column published in 2008. Headlined "Call me names but gay is NOT OKAY,” it caused a controversy at the time. Qwelane, who was appointed last year to Uganda where homosexual acts are illegal, did not mount a defence. Correspondents say the outcome of the case is particularly significant in the light of the recent attacks and rapes of lesbian women in South Africa. Unlike many African countries, homosexual acts are legal in South Africa and discrimination based on sexual orientation is banned, but activists say gay and lesbian people are often attacked in townships. "We are hoping really that this finding will send a message to community members, a message that says gay and lesbian people have an equal right to the protection of their dignity," said Vincent Moaga, spokesman for the South African Human Rights Commission, which initiated the complaint against Qwelane. The Sunday Sun officially apologized for the column following complaints after its publication, but Qwelane refused to make an apology. The court agreed with commission's argument that Qwelane's article, and the cartoon accompanying it, had promoted hatred against homosexuals, causing them emotional suffering. Moaga said the money from the fine would be donated to gay rights organizations. The BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg says Qwelane was appointed as ambassador last year, raising obvious concerns that he would fuel tensions in Uganda which has come under intense international pressure over plans to tighten laws against homosexuality. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill, first introduced in 2009 and yet to be voted on in Uganda's parliament, seeks to increase the penalties for homosexual acts from 14 years in prison to life. It also proposes the death penalty for a new offence of "aggravated homosexuality" - defined as when one of the participants is a minor, HIV-positive, disabled or a "serial offender.”

Thousands Rally Monday Night In Portland Oregon Following Gay Bashing On Hawthorne Bridge, Ireland Introduces New Guidelines For Schools In Fight Against Homophobic Bullying, Halifax Exhibition Examines Sexuality At Sea, Ibrahim Afellay, Male Model Hockey Hotness

In Portland, Oregon, thousands of people turned out Monday evening for Hands Across Hawthorne, an event that was publicized just 72 hours ago with a single Facebook page, the rally to show solidarity for a gay couple who was attacked as they walked hand-in-hand across the Hawthorne Bridge recently, according to a report by KATU. Citizens were standing up against discrimination. Brad Forkner, one of the men attacked, said he knew the rally wasn't just about the violence against him or his boyfriend Christopher Rosevear, telling the crowd "Tonight's event and your presence here is about everyone it has happened to, and everyone it will happen to in the future." The massive group made its way, hand-in-hand, onto the Hawthorne Bridge. They filled it on both sides, crossing the Willamette River, promoting love and decrying hate. "Because Portland isn't that city-it's a city that really supports its citizens," said participant Geri Berg. Fellow participant Brandon Eastman-King said, "I've been married to my partner for a few years now, and to have the support of my community when things are going the way they did a week ago. It's important." The 23 year old Forkner and Rosevear were attacked by five men as they walked over Hawthorne Bridge holding hands. To date, no arrests have been made. "It was terrible there wasn't a more immediate response to the distress and it's really important for people to turn out and show solidarity," said participant Phil Quarterman. The event was supported by the Q-Center, Basic Rights Oregon, local churches and others.

In Ireland, new guideline for school principals on measures to counter homophobic bullying and to include lesbian, gay and bisexual students in school policies were launched Monday, The Irish Times reporting that research in Ireland has shown that young students who are or who are perceived to be lesbian or gay experience very significant levels of homophobic abuse in schools. In launching the new guidelines, Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn said that “The 21st century school should be one that is safe and supportive of all students, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people,” adding that “I am considering the establishment of a working group comprising all the relevant sections of my department, along with the NGOs involved in this area and the education partners, to help draft a road map towards the elimination of homophobic bullying from our schools.” Sandra Irwin-Gowran, director of education policy at the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (Glen) said the launch marked the first occasion a Minister for Education has addressed the issue of supporting lesbian, gay and bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students in schools. “It sends out a strong signal of the need to make schools safe and supportive environments for young LGBT students.” Clive Byrne, director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), who jointly developed the guidelines with Glen and the Department of Education and Skills said: “Respect and tolerance must be at the heart of every school. NAPD believes strongly that the school leader sets the tone and must preside over a school climate which recognises and encourages tolerance and diversity and is both a happy and inclusive environment where students can thrive.” Senator Averil Power, Fianna Fáil Seanad spokesperson on education and skills, welcomed the new guidelines, saying “Every young person should feel safe and supported at school. However, the reality is that homophobic bullying is causing many lesbian, gay and bisexual students to feel threatened and undermining their ability to learn.”

The Globe and Mail reports on a new exhibition at the Halifax Maritime Museum of the Atlantic – Hello Sailor: Gay Life on the Ocean Wave - that examines age-old stereotypes of sexuality at sea. The show looks primarily at a gay subculture that flourished aboard British passenger liners of the 1950s and 1960s, many of which docked in Halifax. At a time when homosexuality was illegal, there was a remarkable openness on board. “Homophobia from shipmates was relatively rare,” said Dan Conlin, the museum’s curator of marine history. Unofficial gay marriages were performed at sea, crews would host drag shows and a cabin where lovers cohabited might be known as Balmoral, named for one of the Queen’s residences. Although ritualized cross-dressing is not necessarily a homosexual behaviour, there is a long, storied history of it at sea. Guest curator Jo Stanley, who helped adapt the exhibition Hello Sailor! Gay Life on the Ocean Wave from one mounted at the Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool and is also co-author of the book Hello Sailor! The Hidden History of Gay Life at Sea, suspects that acceptance developed because of the necessary pragmatism of life at sea. “There was a saying, ‘Nothing’s queer once you’ve left the pier,’ ” said Stanley. “Ships are a unique place where you are all having to work together.”The exhibition, which runs until late November, is appearing for the first time in North America. There are disappointingly few artifacts, but a lot of explanatory material and reproduced photographs. Visitors will learn about shore-leave adventures, the realities of life on board and the slang called Polari that helped keep straights in the dark. The show also incorporates the recollections of Canadian mariners. Among them are the stories of a gay navy officer who resigned in 1970 after being confronted with a three-inch thick file on his personal life compiled by investigators, a lesbian who stayed largely closeted aboard a freighter, and a gay man who served in modern times aboard Bluenose II.

Congratulation FC Barcelona, who defeated Manchester United Saturday to earn the UEFA Championship, the very cute Ibrahim Afellay seen hosting the trophy.

In the spirit of the NHL Stanley Cup finals, via YVY magazine, a look at Brazil’s Rockstter label’s hockey themed Fall/Winter 2011 campaign. Hotness abounds.

France Reminds Russia To Respect Right To Freedom Of Assembly And Expression In Light Of Arrests Of Gay Activists, Bermuda Preacher Argues “Homosexuality An Abomination” And Gays Will “Bring Damnation To Bermuda Shores,” Jane Lynch Hints She Is Hosting Emmy Awards, Patrick Schwarzenegger Licks Tootsie Pop, Jake Gyllenhaal Jogs

The French Foreign Ministry Monday called on Russia to respect the right to freedom of expression and assembly, two days after gay activists were attacked and arrested in the centre of Moscow, according to a report by RIA. Over 30 people were arrested on Saturday as gay activists and their opponents clashed. City authorities had earlier rejected an application for a gay parade in the center of Moscow, citing complaints from religious groups, ultra-nationalists and the Moscow City Parent Committee. "After the violence which broke out on May 28 during Moscow's gay parade, France reminds Russia of its adherence to the right to the freedom of speech and peaceful assembly," a statement said. The ministry also pointed out that the European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly ruled illegal Russia's blanket ban on gay pride parades. Leading Russian Orthodox Church official Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin said he welcomed the fact that the gay parade had not been allowed to take place, but expressed concern over reports that several activists had been beaten. "The will of the majority of the Russian people is set against the public promotion of homosexuality, and I hope the authorities will continue to act on the basis of this, and not foreign pressure," he commented. Former Moscow mayor, Yury Luzkhov, who was in power for 18 years before being dismissed by President Dmitry Medvedev in September last year, famously described gay pride parades as "satanic." Moscow’s gay community had expressed the hope that a parade would be permitted by new Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, but in February he said gay parades were unacceptable in city.

A preacher in Bermuda who launched into a tirade against homosexuality at a candlelit vigil for victims of violence admitted Sunday he went too far, Scott Smith telling The Royal Gazette he wanted to publicly apologise to 22 year old student Krystl Assan, who organized a human rights rally at City Hall last week, for ridiculing her, but he said he stood firmly behind his belief that “homosexuality is an abomination” and gay people are “going to bring damnation to Bermuda’s shores.” Smith claimed everyone at the Mothers Against Senseless Killings event at Devil’s Hole clapped and agreed with his remarks. “The people that were there, I know none of them were gay,” he said. Dee-Ann Iris, one of the organizers, said Sunday the aim of the rally was to unite people against gun crime and no one involved was asked to speak on homosexuality. “We just want to get the community to come together,” she said. “We just want to stop what’s going on.” About 100 people attended Assan’s ‘Home Is Where the Hatred Is’ protest outside City Hall on Wednesday, when she called for the Human Rights Act to be swiftly amended to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. Assan told the crowd she organized the rally in “a flash of emotion” after allegedly being discriminated against at a guest house for “sleeping in a bed with another woman”. At the MASK event, Smith referred to her last name and said: “Assan, Ass-an, Ass-an, Ass, what does that tell you?” Sunday, he said that “I owe her a big apology for saying that. That just came out of the blue. I need to apologise and I wish I could retract that. I didn’t want to attack her. I was emotionally upset. I was upset the gays had more support in their rally than people supporting the rally against violence and murder,” adding that “A candlelit vigil probably wasn’t the best place to speak out about that.” Smith went on to say he believed gay people were not born “with that problem” but made a choice about their sexuality. “It’s like saying ‘I was born to be a crack head or a drug addict’,” he claimed. He added that “I’m not trying to beat up on people. I love gay people but I just don’t like the gay act. I’m not coming with hatred.” Asked what homosexuality had to do with gun crime, Smith said “If somebody killed my brother I would be very upset. If someone raped my brother, if a homosexual raped my brother and had sex with my brother against their will, it’s a homosexual act and it’s also a rape.” He said men who had sex with other men could contract AIDS and “paedophiles have a homosexual tendency.”

Jane Lynch, whose memoir Happy Accidents will be published this September, is interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, and asked if the rumours are true she will act as host of this year’s Emmy Awards, answers “I think so. [Big wink.] That’s between you and I and the readers of The Wall Street Journal! It goes no further than that, okay?”

Dreamy Patrick Schwarzenegger (or Shriver) spotted Sunday sucking on a Tootsie Pop outside the Brentwood Country Market, algebra book in hand.

Also Sunday, seen scampering through the mean streets of Los Feliz, Jake Gyllenhaal gone jogging, his glistening biceps gleaming in the sun.

Chilean President Pinera Wants Congress To Pass Civil Unions Law Available To Gay And Lesbian Couples

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said Saturday he wants Congress to legalise de facto civil unions in a bid to “regulate and protect” more than two million unmarried couples, including gays and lesbians, according to a report by the AFP, but Pinera was careful to stress the proposal would not legalise same sex marriage, maintaining that “marriage in its essence and nature is between a man and a woman.” Instead, the bill seeks to “protect and safeguard” the civil rights of couples living outside of marriage, while also “safeguarding the dignity of those couples, whether of the opposite or even the same sex,” he told El Mercurio newspaper. Legalizing domestic partnerships was among Pinera's central campaign proposals, but has stirred debate within his conservative coalition. The Catholic Church, which has great influence in Chile, continues to say it refuses to recognize the “aberration” of same sex marriage. Culture Minister Luciano Cruz-Coke was the first government official to endorse Mr Pinera's gay unions stance, followed by Defence Minister Andres Allamand.

United States Expresses “Concern” That Peaceful March By Russians For Gay Equality “Forcibly Disrupted”

The United States voiced "concern" Sunday over the violent end to a gay rights rally in Moscow, and called on Russian authorities to better safeguard "fundamental freedoms" of assembly, according to the AFP. "We note with concern... that a peaceable demonstration of Russians advocating for the rights of gays and lesbians, joined by international supporters, was forcefully disrupted by counter-protesters, and that Russian security forces then detained people from both groups," US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement. Russian security forces had also detained American citizens at the march, Toner noted."We call on Russian authorities to work with municipal officials to find better ways to safeguard these fundamental freedoms" which members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe are committed to, Toner said. As previously reported Moscow police on Saturday detained three global gay rights leaders, including renowned US gay rights activists Dan Choi and Andy Thayer, and dozens of Russians in a violent end to a rally that activists tried to stage near the Kremlin wall. The small crowd of young marchers was attacked by members of an ultra-Orthodox group who successfully lobbied Moscow to ban the event. An AFP correspondent saw security forces move in and wrestle activists and religious group members to the ground before detaining them. "Freedom of assembly is a fundamental right all members of the OSCE committed to, including in the Moscow declaration and as recently as the Astana summit," said Toner, adding "As nationwide legislative elections approach, constraints on the ability of Russian citizens peacefully to gather and express their views will be closely watched in evaluating the integrity of the electoral process." Organizers said three Westerners -- Choi, Thayer and French activist Louis-George Tin -- and most of 30 Russians were released after a few hours of detention. Human Rights groups have repeatedly condemned Russian police for being more lenient with nationalist forces than with demonstrators supporting minority rights and freedoms.

Several Companies Based In Tennessee Concerned That Overturned Anti-Gay Discrimination Ordinance Will Hinder Efforts To Attract Best Employees

With its headquarters in Knoxville and a strong presence in Nashville, Scripps Networks Interactive has an obvious interest in improving Tennessee's regulatory climate for business, however, according to a report by the Knoxville Sentinel News, when it comes to a new law regarding discrimination, Scripps and other large corporations have expressed deep reservations. Last week, Governor Bill Haslam signed legislation that prohibits local governments from adopting anti-discrimination policies that are stricter than the state's policies, effectively nullifying a Nashville ordinance that required contractors doing business with the city to extend protections to gay and lesbian workers. The state law has been condemned by gay-rights groups and, while it was promoted as a measure to improve the business climate, several large corporations opposed the measure - including FedEx and Alcoa - and even the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry has abandoned its support for the law. For Scripps Networks, a division of Scripps Networks Interactive whose portfolio includes the popular HGTV cable channel, the new law represents an obstacle in its efforts to attract talented employees."Its passage will impede our ability to recruit and retain the best possible work force," company President John Lansing said in a statement. "Most significantly, this legislation sends a signal that Tennessee is unwilling to take a stand against an intolerant employment environment." Tennessee is not the first state to see conservative social values clash with a national corporate culture that takes a different view of gay rights. James Cobb, a professor of Southern history and culture at the University of Georgia, is author of "The South and America since World War II," which highlighted controversies in the Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C., metropolitan areas related to gay rights. The book noted that while organizers of the Atlanta Olympics removed the volleyball competition from Cobb County because of a controversy over gay rights, Atlanta itself has a reputation as a gay-friendly city, with an annual gay pride festival that by 2006 was generating around $20 million for the local economy each year. According to Cobb, money has been an important factor in changing attitudes, writing that "just as economic concerns had ultimately encouraged Southern white leaders to acquiesce to desegregation, so did growing recognition of gay economic clout seem to spur greater tolerance for gay and lesbian lifestyles." In an interview, Cobb indicated that Tennessee's new law could hamper economic development, particularly among companies with a national reach. "(For) the people likely to bring the biggest bucks and the best jobs, I think it's going to be a deterrent," he said. Supporters of the new law, though, describe it as an effort to limit government's reach when it comes to regulating business. Haslam, for example, said he's not in favour of discrimination, but added, "We just think that businesses should get to decide for themselves what they have in their policies." While Republicans often weigh in on behalf of local control as opposed to regulation from Nashville or Washington, D.C., the law signed by Haslam saw state government overturn a local ordinance. But Representative Glen Casada, a Williamson County Republican who co-sponsored the measure in the House, said the one thing a business cannot tolerate is heavy regulation, even if it comes from local government. "Intrusive government is intrusive government no matter the level that it's at," Casada said. And one group that has supported the new state law rejected the notion that it is aimed at preventing gay rights, the Family Action Council of Tennessee said nothing in the bill prevents companies from voluntarily prohibiting discrimination against gay employees, writing on its website "Some companies already have such policies of their own choosing." To date, the state measure has not garnered the kind of widespread attention that accompanied Arizona's controversial new immigration law, which prompted some organizations and governments to announce a boycott of the state. But gay-rights activists argue that the law will have an impact. Sarah Warbelow, state legislative director of the Human Rights Campaign, predicted that a lawsuit will be the eventual result. "And depending on the outcome of that litigation," she said, "I would not at all be surprised to see (similar bills) popping up in other states."

Iowa Republican To Initiate Advocacy Group For Conservatives Who Support Same Sex Marriage

A former Republican senator next week will unveil a new advocacy group for conservatives who support same sex marriage, reports The Des Moines Register. The group, being launched by former Senator Jeff Angelo, is an obvious challenge to the GOP’s standard opposition to same sex marriage. Support of same sex marriage has traditionally been viewed as a ‘liberal’ stand, which Angelo, who calls himself a conservative, rejects. “This debate centers around the devaluation of the lives of a select group of people,” Angelo of Creston told the legislature during a public hearing earlier this year when he first spoke publicly in favour of same sex marriage. “At its worst, we are being asked to believe that our gay friends and neighbours are involved in a nefarious agenda. The outcome of which, supposedly, is the unravelling of society itself.” Five years ago Angelo, who did not seek re-election in 2008, co-sponsored a bill that would have launched a process to amend Iowa’s constitution and prohibit same sex marriage. Angelo has since said his former position on the issue was wrong. He has said his views have evolved because of his friendships with Iowans who have same sex couples in their families. Those families deserve the same protections of marriage as similarly committed opposite sex couples, he has said. “I don’t think this debate reflects the character of Iowans, the culture of Iowa,” he told The Des Moines Register last week. “Iowa is culturally a state that is very welcoming, that celebrates its people, is very protective of its people.” The new group will be called Iowa Republicans for Freedom. The group will formally launch Wednesday at 11:00 am on the west Capitol terrace near the intersection of Locust St. and Pennsylvania Avenue in Des Moines. The group will hold a second event Thursday at Greene Square Park in Cedar Rapids beginning at 10:00 am. A third event at the Davenport Public Library will begin at 3:00 pm, also on Thursday.

New Report Reveals More Countries Accepting Of Homosexuality; Denmark Among Most Accepting; Russia One Of The Least

The vast majority of countries around the world have become more accepting of homosexuality, with the exception of Russia and other former socialist countries, a new study has found, the report, according to The AFP, compiled by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, examined general trends in over 30 countries regarding their attitudes towards homosexuality. Approval of homosexuality increased in 27 countries and decreased in only four: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Latvia and Russia, the study noted. The growth in approval ratings was stronger than the decline. The study rated the top five most tolerant countries regarding homosexuality as the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, and Belgium, according to the survey. The bottom half of the list consisted of seven ex-socialist states, East Asian nations, Latin American countries and Cyprus, South Africa, and Turkey. In Russia, 59 percent of the population felt that homosexual behaviour was wrong in 1991 compared with 64 percent in 2008, the study showed. In Russia on Saturday, Moscow police detained three global gay rights leaders and dozens of Russians in a violent end to a rally that activists tried to stage near the Kremlin wall despite a ban. The small crowd of young marchers was attacked by members of an ultra-Orthodox group who had successfully lobbied Moscow to ban the event. Organisers said the three Westerners and most of 30 Russians were released after a few hours of detention. Radio Free Europe offers a comprehensive report on the clashes, including several disturbing photographs.

Convicted Vancouver Gay Basher Fails To Get Six-Year Prison Sentence Reduced, Los Altos Hills Private School Rejects Student Request To Form Gay-Straight Alliance, Old Navy Gets Pride, Stained Prince Harry, Hot Josh Harnett

British Columbia's highest court has rejected the appeal of a man convicted after sucker-punching a Vancouver bar patron, leaving him severely brain damaged, CBC reporting that Shawn Woodward will have to serve out his six-year prison sentence for an assault on William Dowrey, that occurred in March 2009 at the Fountainhead Pub, a well-known Davie Street gay bar. The attack was classified a hate crime by the court during sentencing. Dowrey, then 61, twice approached Woodward, then 36, in the bar, once to buy him a drink, the next to play pool. Woodward declined on both occasions. The court heard in the original trial that when he later was leaving the bar, Woodward sought Dowrey out and, without warning, punched him in the face with such force that the older man fell unconscious to the ground and hit his head, suffering brain damage. "He's a faggot," Woodward was heard saying after the attack. "He deserved it." Dowrey was left incapable of living without assistance with daily activities like eating and dressing. The original trial judge, Justice Jocelyn Palmer, found Woodward went out of his way to attack Dowrey, and noted that the accused admitted in court that the attack was motivated by the hate of homosexuals. In his appeal, Woodward argued his homophobia was given too much weight in sentencing, that he did not seek out trouble that night and, essentially, that Dowrey ultimately caused the assault. The appeal court disagreed, saying Woodward's sucker punch was premeditated. He could have simply left the bar, but didn't. "The sentence [the trial judge] imposed is a fit one," Justice David Frankel wrote in his decision, released Friday. The two other judges on the appeal court panel concurred with Frankel's conclusion.

A group of Pinewood School students wants to form an officially sanctioned Gay-Straight Alliance on campus, but administrators say it does not fit with the school's philosophy, The San Jose Mercury News reports. Five teens at the Los Altos Hills private school launched an effort in February to create an organization for students to talk about the challenges facing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students. "I think the club is needed at the campus because there is a lot of ... ignorance to what people say," said senior Ben Marks, one of the organizers. There was no single incident that spurred the teens to pursue a Gay-Straight Alliance, but it is not uncommon to hear "homophobic slurs" in the hallways, Marks said. The students took their idea to the school's principal and president, and eventually sat down with its board of directors for more than two hours in March, providing testimonials from parents and former staff. However, the students learned in April that the board had rejected the request. "Making an exception for one club means making exceptions for others," the board said in a written response. "Pinewood would rather have a clear policy that prevents showing preferential treatment to one than having to make decisions each time another request arises." The board of directors determined that the proposed Gay-Straight Alliance did not meet Pinewood's criteria for clubs, which must align with the school's emphasis on academic excellence, provide opportunities for community service, or enrich curricular areas. Principal Mark Gardner says that past efforts to start Christian and Asian clubs have also been rejected, and that Pinewood has a social awareness and multicultural club. Allowing a student organization that caters to specific interests could open the flood gates to more groups, potentially consuming school resources and dividing students, he said. In addition to the social awareness club, the school has a community service group called Interact, a chess club and honours societies."We said, 'You can meet at lunch. You can meet at break on your own. It just won't be a sanctioned club,’” Gardner said. And that is exactly what the teens who want a Gay-Straight Alliance are doing. According to Michael Friedman, a senior who says he's the only openly gay male student on campus, between 40 and 60 students meet a couple times a month to discuss issues such as sexuality, bullying and gender. But there are advantages to being a sanctioned club, such as getting to make morning announcements, putting up posters, and having pictures in the year book, organizers said. "We just want to advocate the Pinewood community and make it an environment that is safer and more friendly to LGBTQ students," Friedman said.

Old Navy is certainly not the first retail chain to embrace the gay pride rainbow, but it may well be the largest. Starting Monday, Old Navy is launching a line of gay pride-themed T-shirts sized for men, women, and babies, with 10% of the proceeds going to the It Gets Better Project. The tee shirts, which will be available in four designs, with the words “Love proudly, Old Navy Pride 2011,” will be on sale through till June 30th.

Friday, a sexy and stained Prince Harry was seen departing the Public club in London.

Dreamy Josh Harnett spotted in New York City Saturday.

Palm Springs Police Want Parking Spot Attack Treated As Hate Crime; 24 Russell Bates And 19 Year Old Abigail Sheehy Assault 45 And 63 Year Old Domestic Partners Using Anti-Gay Slurs; Incident Took Place In Front Of Couple’s 4 Year Old Son

The Desert Sun reports that an argument over a parking space in downtown Palm Springs spiralled last weekend into what police call a brutal attack that should be prosecuted as a hate crime, because a man and a woman used gay slurs during the fight that left two men hospitalized, Palm Springs police said. According to police reports, about 4:20 pm, on May 21st, a dispute over a reserved parking spot behind the 100 block of East Tahquitz Canyon Way erupted. The area is home to a popular strip of businesses, including a flower and yogurt shop, and is across the street from the downtown police substation. The unidentified owners of one of the businesses asked a man and a woman to move their car from a spot reserved for the business. That led to an argument, officials said. When the unidentified victims began taking photos of the couple, the man and woman “became enraged and began yelling derogatory slurs,” Sergeant Troy Castillo said. 24 year old Russell Bates and 19 year old Abigail Sheehy began “to punch the gay couple multiple times with closed fists, causing one of the victims to lose some teeth,” Castillo said. The assailants, who had a 4 year old son who witnessed the attack, fled before officers arrived. One of the police officers who responded to the 911 call recognized Bates from the photos snapped before the attack and surveillance video from a nearby business. Bates and Sheehy, both Palm Springs residents, were tracked to Ruth Hardy Park the next day, Castillo said. The couple's son — who was not hurt in the incident — was taken to a relative, and the case was referred to Child Protective Services. The victims — domestic partners who are 45 and 63 years old — were both hospitalized and have since been released, police said. The men suffered bruises and cuts in the attack. Friends say the victim whose teeth were knocked out also suffered a broken jaw and will required reconstructive surgery. Police will recommend three felony charges against Bates and Sheehy — commission of a hate crime and two counts of battery with serious injury — as well as misdemeanour child abuse. Riverside County District Attorney's Office spokesman John Hall said Friday he had yet to see the case, which he called unusual for the Coachella Valley. “It's not common at all for hate crimes to occur out there,” he said. 58 year old Darron Dahle who calls himself an outspoken resident for equal rights, said he was “dumbfounded” to hear police reporting a hate crime in Palm Springs, a city known for its gay-friendly reputation. “I'm just outraged that something like this is still happening,” Dahle said. “This is something that happened 35 years ago. It still happens in this town in daylight? That's really the most outrageous part.” Bates — who could also face an additional charge for a violation of probation — is being held at Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on $50,000 bail. Bates and Sheehy, who was released on bail earlier this week, are both due in court June 6th.

Despite Ban Gay Activists Attempt Rally In Moscow; Police Arrest At Least 30 Including American Dan Choi After Violence Erupts

Moscow police have arrested more than 30 people attempting to hold two unauthorized gay-rights demonstrations in the capital on Saturday, The Associated Press reporting that ultra-Orthodox Christians and anti-gay agitators scuffled with the demonstrators and with police. A police spokesman, Maxim Kolosvetov, told Russian news agencies that 18 gay activists and 14 opponents were arrested. Moscow authorities routinely ban gay rights demonstrations. Although homosexuality was decriminalized in post-Soviet Russia, anti-gay sentiment is high and authorities justify the bans on the grounds of trying to prevent fights. Activists tried to hold a demonstration at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside the Kremlin and later outside the mayor's office. The attempted demonstration at the first site appeared aimed at connecting gay rights with the Soviet Union's stand against Germany in World War II, which remains a cornerstone of Russian national pride. The demonstration ban "is particularly shocking because during the Second World War, Muscovites stood against the Nazis who thought to exterminate Jews, homosexuals and Communists, but now the mayor of Moscow is colluding with new-Nazis," said Peter Tatchell, a British gay rights activist who has taken part in several demonstration attempts in Moscow. Among those arrested were American activist Dan Choi and Andy Thayer, as well as French gay rights advocate Louis-Georges Tin. Nikolai Alexeyev, the leader of Russia’s gay rights movement, did not attend, having suffered an injury to his foot during a television debate Thursday.

Four Members Of Wisconsin State Championship Wrestling Team Accused Of Assaulting Teammate With Their Genitals

Four members of Lincoln High School's state championship-winning wrestling team face disorderly conduct charges for alleged misconduct in the team locker room, The Wisconsin Rapids Tribune reporting that a freshman member of the team said four juniors sexually harassed him (dancing naked in front of him and touching him inappropriately) during the season, according to a criminal complaint filed in Wood County Circuit Court. "These are things we take very seriously," said Principal Ryan Christianson, who added that school officials cooperated with police and are conducting a "full school investigation." This week, the Wood County district attorney's office filed charges of disorderly conduct against 18 year old Zachary S. Benitz, 17 year old Kasey D. Einerson, 17 year old Rylan L. Lubeck, and 17 year old Devin L. Peterson. Three of the four are from Wisconsin Rapids, except for Lubeck who is from Vesper. All are charged as adults and are scheduled to make initial appearances in court June 20th. The disorderly conduct charge carries a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and a 90-day jail sentence. Wrestling coach Scott Benitz, father of Zachary Benitz, did not return a voice mail message left on his cellphone Thursday night. Wisconsin Rapids police investigators requested the disorderly conduct charges, treating the case as one involving allegations against four people rather than against four members of the wrestling team, Police Chief Kurt Heuer said. The wrestling squad won its 20th team state championship this year. During the individual tournament, Benitz won a state title, and Einerson and Lubeck finished second in their weight classes. Peterson was injured during the individual tournament and took sixth place. According to the criminal complaints, on March 18th, the mother of a ninth-grade student who was on the wrestling team contacted the Wisconsin Junior High School principal about inappropriate behaviour by members of the wrestling team. The mother said she became aware of the situation when the boy did not want to go to the team's annual banquet. When the woman pressed her son for an explanation, he said "it was because of sexual harassment he was receiving," according to the criminal complaint. The 15 year old said the wrestlers would dance around the Lincoln High School locker room naked, touch their genitals to the younger boy's leg and hold their genitals close to his face, according to the complaint, adding that he had to climb into his locker to avoid contact with one wrestler's genitals. When Wisconsin Rapids Officer Andy Dewitt spoke with other ninth-grade members of the wrestling team, they confirmed that Benitz, Lubeck, Peterson and Einerson had danced naked around the 15-year-old and hit his leg with their genitals, according to the complaint. Another 17-year-old member of the team told Dewitt that some of the wrestlers were "grabbing guys in the privates as they came out of the shower and that they are hitting the guys in the privates with towels." The main wrestlers involved were Benitz, Einerson, Lubeck and Peterson, the complaint said. Now that the law enforcement investigation is complete, the school is conducting its own investigation, Christianson said. School officials will determine what needs to happen to address the situation. "We need to ensure that we have a safe learning environment for all our students, whether in academics or conducting athletic programs," Christianson said. He asked the community to understand that the teenagers involved still are students, regardless of the allegations. "They need to be treated accordingly and have the rights as students within our building," he said. Lincoln High School Athletic Director Bill Vickroy did not return calls left at his office Thursday.

Americans For Truth Peter LaBarbera Leads Anti-Gay Protestors In Chicago; Wants Voter Referendum On Soon To Be Law Same Sex Civil Unions Act

Opponents of the new law that will allow same sex civil unions rallied at the Thompson Center today demanding that Illinois voters be allowed to decide the fate of the issue through referendum, The Chicago Tribune reporting that days before the measure that afford gay and lesbian couples the same state rights as a married man and wife is set to take effect, opponents and proponents faced off. “There’s a battle between gay rights and religious freedom,” said Peter LaBarbera, president of the hysterical anti-gay group Americans for Truth, as he coached people on how to correctly complete the signature sheets on which opponents hope to collect the required 300,000 signatures. “We want to give Illinois votes the same opportunity other states have had.”On Wednesday the state will begin issuing licenses for civil union, and the following day, friends and family of about 30 same-sex couples will gather in Millennium Park for a ceremony in their honour. Some members of the gay community at the counter protest said while the new law represents a milestone, there is still work to be done. “The idea that we just gained this little right, civil unions ... it’s the minimal, basic protection, and we find out that a group of people are marching against that, it outraged the community,” said 20 year old Ryne Poelker, who issued a call Sunday on Facebook for a counter protest and led the assembled group. Jim Finnegan, an organizer with the Illinois Defense of Marriage Initiative, was among the first to arrive at the church Friday morning. “We are here to protect marriage as we’ve known it for 2,000 years,” said Finnegan, a Barrington resident and grandfather to 27. “The most important reason is our children. Children need the advantage of both a mother and a father.” Across the street, Anne Jordan-Baker of the Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church of Oak Park took exception to his argument. “I have a partner, and we have a child,” she said, asserting that the civil unions bill will strengthen her family. “Children benefit from stable families.” Just before noon, the two groups began the short march to the Thompson Center. At the Americans for Life Rally that followed, Rev. Hiram Crawford, pastor of Israel Methodist Community Church on Chicago's South Side, evoked Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King while saying marriage must be restricted to between a man and a woman. “Dr. King was a family man, and he understood the value of the family,” Crawford said. Some onlookers and passersby at the Thompson Center expressed fatigue over the civil unions debate. “I think everyone should just get over it and go back to work,” said William Schultz. “To each his own. Who is to say my opinions and beliefs are more right than yours.”

Gay Bashing Trial Of Windsor Ontario Man Begins, Two Stanford Maine Gay Students Named King And Queen Of Prom, Miley Cyrus Attacks Rick Santorum And Urban Outfitters Over Anti-Same Sex Marriage Stance

One of the two men accused of beating and robbing a man in downtown Windsor, Ontario has pleaded guilty to one charge, the CBC reports. Chris Rabideau, known for the play he wrote and produced called Waking Up Blue about the real life experiences of gay teens, was attacked at his apartment building on Ouellette Avenue last year. One of his attackers, Michael Allard was in court on Friday and pleaded guilty to assaulting Rabideau in the lobby of his building on May 21, 2010. The attack was captured on a security camera in the apartment’s lobby, was played in court Friday, showing Allard kicking the victim while he was on the ground. "It was pretty significant evidence," said defence lawyer John Liddle. Rabideau's doctor also testified to the extent of his facial injuries from the assault. There are more charges against Allard, and his co-accused Steven Lambert. Lambert is on trial for assault causing bodily harm and choking, and both men are facing robbery charges. The charge of forcible confinement was withdrawn. Both accused pleaded not guilty to the remaining charges. Rabideau, a gay man, alleged the men yelled homophobic slurs when they assaulted him. He was scheduled to take the stand on Monday afternoon in Superior Court.


What began as an effort to get people talking about acceptance at Sanford High School in Maine led to the crowning of the school's first gay prom king and queen, WMTW-8 reporting that senior Christian Nelsen was crowned queen and his boyfriend Caleb Jett won the title as king. Both received enough write-in votes to win. They said they decided to run to break high school stereotypes and initiate a conversation about tolerance and gay rights. "When I went for it, I was like this could change who wins for the rest of the year. It doesn't matter if it's a guy or a girl who wins prom queen. Anyone can win, and on that same notion any type of person could win," said Nelsen. Though the two are proud of their win, not everyone is happy about having a gay prom king and queen. News 8 talked with several people in Sanford who did not support the win, but surprisingly none of them wanted to comment on camera. WMTW-8 also contacted the superintendent's office, which declined to comment other than to confirm Christian Nelsen was prom queen.

Miley Cyrus took to Twitter Thursday, and in condemning Urban Outfitters, vivisected former Pennsylvania Governor Rick Santorum and presumptive Republican presidential candidate, Politico.com reports. Cyrus was upset at Urban Outfitters after stories emerged alleging that the store has copied the jewellery designs of Chicago-based artist Stevie Koerner, so she pointed out that the company's president had contributed to Santorum.“IF WE ALLOW GAY MARRIAGE NEXT THING U KNOW PEOPLE WILL BE MARRYING GOLD FISH’ – Rick Santorum UO contributed $13,000 to this mans (sic) campaign” tweeted Cyrus, mocking Santorum for some earlier remarks regarding same sex marriage. She also added about Urban Outfitters and Santorum: “Not only do they steal from artists but every time you give them money you help finance a campaign against gay equality.”

Denying Allegations On Improper Conduct, Georgia Representative Rashad Taylor Comes Out; First Openly Gay Man In General Assembly; “I Make No Apologies For Who I Am”

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that State Representative Rashad Taylor (Democrat-Atlanta), on Friday announced that he is gay, becoming the third openly gay member of the General Assembly. Taylor, in a news conference at the offices of Georgia Equality, said he felt compelled to make the announcement after an e-mail was circulated to state lawmakers this week accusing Taylor of being gay and of using his position in the Legislature to solicit sexual relationships. Taylor denied the allegations of improper conduct. The author of the e-mail, who signed his name as "J. Callahan," hung up on a reporter from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and would not provide proof of his claims. Callahan asked for and received instructions from state officials on how to file an official ethics complaint against Taylor, but no complaint has been filed, House Ethics Committee Chairman Joe Wilkinson (Republican-Sandy Springs), said. Taylor said that the man who sent the e-mail is the former partner of the person Taylor is now dating. "Although this is not the time or the way that I wanted to come out, I feel actually very lucky, thanks to all the support I've received," Taylor said, surrounded by fellow lawmakers, friends and family. "As a black man, it can be a struggle to find acceptance within the community and at times with myself as well. I'm proud of the man my mother has raised, and I make no apologies for who I am." Taylor said he has "denied for so long an essential part of who I am," but said making the announcement is a relief. He acknowledged that had it not been for the e-mail, he would not have come out publicly. "My heart is at ease," he said. "I'm really at peace with it. Tonight's sleep will probably be the best sleep I've had in 12 or 13 years." As for Callahan's allegations, written in a rambling message, Taylor said he was dumbfounded. "While I don't pretend to understand what he's talking about, I have nothing to hide," he said. "These allegations are absolutely false." Told that he is now the first openly gay man in the General Assembly, Taylor smiled. "I guess I'll put that in my bio now," he said.

Russian Gay Activist Alexeyev To Lead March Defying Moscow Ban

Making a dramatic entrance at a press conference at the Ritz Carlton on Friday Nikolai Alexeyev, Moscow Gay Pride’s leader, came hobbling in after storming off stage from a TV debate the night before, The Moscow Times reporting that assembled ranks of Russian and foreign gay luminaries sat beside Alexeyev as they underlined their beliefs and set the time and place for Moscow Gay Pride 2011. Daniel Choi, a leading campaigner to repeal the American military’s ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ policy, Andy Thayer of the Gay Liberation Network and home-grown Slavic Pride, Gay Pride organiser Nikolai Bayev, and transgender activist Anna Komorova were all in attendance as a show of support. “All responsibility for tomorrow rests with the Moscow Government,” warned Alexeyev. The march has been banned, despite rulings from Strasbourg decrying previous bans, on the grounds that the authorities cannot maintain safety, and fear public disorder. It is to begin at 1:00 pm at the gates of Alexandrovsky Sad, head to the iconic victim of fascism at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and then reconvene at 1:30 outside City Hall. “We thought the arrival of a new mayor and the European Court of Human Rights’ ruling would have moved things on,” Alexeyev said. “But after six years we did not think we would be in nearly the same position as five years ago.” It had appeared that this march was going to get official approval: within 10 days of the initial application for Saturday’s rally no response had been received from City Hall, and by the letter of the law the authorities were out of time to raise objections. “The state and its methods are straight out of the middle ages,” Tima Magomedova, Gay Russia’s youngest activist, told The Moscow News after the conference. “I want the myths in people’s heads to be dispersed that sexual minorities are the same as paedophiles or necrophiles,” she said. Thayer was quick to draw parallels between gay activism in Russia and the civil rights movement in America, citing the court rulings that were ignored by the two governments in both instances. “The failure is not just of the Russian judicial system but of the European system,” he declared, adding that history gives cause for hope: “The civil rights movement shook the system to its core.”Both Alexeyev and Louis Georgestin, founder of International Day Against Homophobia and Trandphobia called for Russia to be stripped of its voting rights in the Council of Europe, whose rulings at Strasbourg Moscow has ignored. Alexeyev warned anyone thinking about attending that they must seriously consider the consequences, that they could be arrested or beaten up by right wing protestors. Not all gay activists support Alexeyev. Ed Mishin, the publisher of the gay magazine Kvir.ru. telling The Moscow Times “First of all, stop calling it a ‘gay pride march.’ It is a meeting organized by one person, not widely supported by the gay community. In St Petersburg last week there was another successful gay meeting. With rainbow flags and balloons, everybody was happy. A few years ago St Petersburg even had the real gay parade with no hatred from townspeople. And Alexeyev’s problem is a lack of will to speak with the authorities and negotiate, not the problem of Russian society in general,” he added.

Fourth Suspect Arrested In Connection To Mob Beating Of 22 Year Old Man Outside Popular El Paso Gay Club; Police And FBI Continue To Investigate Attack As Civil-Rights Violation; Anti-Hate Rally Planned

A fourth man is in custody in connection with the brutal beating of a man outside the Old Plantation nightclub earlier this month, reports The El Paso Times. 19 year old Manny Portillo was in the Doña Ana County Jail on unrelated charges and Thursday was booked on an aggravated assault warrant from El Paso, police spokesman Darrel Petry said. Portillo, of the 9300 block of Luna Vista Road in Las Cruces, is awaiting extradition to El Paso. Portillo is accused of taking part in the beating of 22 year old Lionel Martinez, who was assaulted by a group of men on May th7 while waiting for a ride outside the Old Plantation nightclub in Downtown El Paso. Martinez remained in critical condition Thursday in the intensive care unit at University Medical Center of El Paso nearly 20 days since he was repeatedly punched, kicked and hit on the head with a baseball bat by assailants allegedly yelling anti-gay slurs. Members of the gay and lesbian community feel that the attack was a hate crime and that Martinez was targeted because he was outside a club popular with the gay customers. Gang members, according to multiple sources, including club management and police, had reportedly been harassing customers for months. Police officials said the assailants are thought to be members of a street gang and described the crime as gang-related. Martinez's sister said her brother was not gay and not a gang member. The police Intelligence Unit had previously arrested a 16-year-old boy, 17 year old Ivan Gallardo, and 19 year old Roman Garcia. Petry said those arrested are all the suspects involved in the assault. However, an investigation continues by police and FBI agents, looking at possible civil-rights violations. "There is a lot of concern the chief will prosecute this as just another gang case and not a hate crime," said Daniel Rollings, chairman of the El Paso chapter of PFLAG. Police promised that patrols near the club would be ramped up "but that doesn't mean people are any safer," Rollings said. An "anti-hate" rally in response to the beating is scheduled for 11:00 am Friday in front of the El Paso County Courthouse.

Bishop Eddie Long Sexual Misconduct Lawsuits Settled; Case Expected To Be Dismissed “With Prejudice”

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that the sexual misconduct lawsuits brought by some current and former members of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church against the church and its prominent leader, Bishop Eddie Long, have been resolved. Attorneys involved in the four lawsuits against Long, the LongFellows Youth Academy and the 25,000-member Lithonia, Georgia mega-church said the case had been settled but declined to comment further. The case is expected to be dismissed "with prejudice" -- meaning the defendant cannot be sued by the plaintiffs again in the same alleged offense -- by close of business Friday, said Barbara Marschalk, who represents New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and LongFellows Youth Academy. B.J. Bernstein, who represents the four men who sued Long, New Birth and the academy, also confirmed the lawsuits had been settled. The academy was named in three of the suits. Long, pastor of the Lithonia mega-church, which has an international following, had denied the men's allegations through a spokesman shortly after they first became public in September and told his congregation he planned to "vigorously" fight them. The accusations made against Long by Anthony Flagg, Spencer LeGrande, Jamal Parris and Maurice Robinson alleged that the bishop used his influence, trips, gifts and jobs to coerce them into sexual relations. In one lawsuit, LeGrande said when he was 15 he and his mother were among the early members of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte. When he was 16, he said, he went to Kenya with Long. Then when he was 17, they went on another trip to Kenya, and it was then that they had intimate relations, one of the suits alleged. Rasheedah Oliver of DeKalb County, a member of New Birth for about a dozen years said the settlement means "we can move forward and continue to do what God would have us do," adding that it does not bother her that she may never know the terms of the settlement. "I'm still steadfast," she said. "I know what he's done in my life, and I know what he has done in the lives of others." Kamelya Hinson, a Web content editor who lives in Decatur, said the settlement has not shaken her faith. "It doesn't make me think he's guilty or anything," she said. "I decided when this came out that I loved my pastor unconditionally. Even if he came out and grabbed the mike and said ‘I'm guilty,' it wouldn't change the way I feel about him. I wouldn't be angry like a lot of people are. You can't walk away after 15 years of being a member of a church." Hinson said it doesn't bother her that she may never know whether the allegations are true. "He's done 1,000 good things," she said, "and he may or may not have done four really bad things." New Birth issued a statement saying the decision was made "to bring closure to this matter and to allow us to move forward with the plans God has for this ministry," and that "This resolution is the most reasonable road for everyone to travel." Neither side would comment further. Settlement terms were unknown. According to Bernstein's office, neither she nor the plaintiffs would be available for an interview "on this matter, now or in the future.” Mediation between the plaintiffs and Long, one of Atlanta's best-known religious leaders, began in February and has often been contentious. Exactly one month ago, DeKalb Judge Johnny Panos said a settlement was within "field goal range," acknowledging the discussions had been "benevolently intense," likening them to a tennis match, "with a lot of back and forth." Some of the mediation sessions lasted through the night. Without a settlement, the case would have likely gone to trial this summer or fall. After the charges first surfaced in September, 2010, Bishop Long vowed to "vigorously" defend himself against the charges, saying at the time "This thing I'm gonna fight."

Fired For Removing Gay Awareness Sign From Break Room, Former Safeway Employee Sues

Safeway is facing a lawsuit after a former employee at the company's Merced, California distribution center claims he was fired for removing a gay and lesbian awareness poster from the facility's break room, The Merced Sun-Star reports. Citing personnel issues, officials from the giant grocery chain declined to go into detail about the case, but did say the company supports work force diversity, including gays and lesbians. Juan Nava, a forklift driver, claims he was wrongfully terminated by Safeway on June 10th, 2009, for removing the poster from an easel in the break room earlier that month, according to the complaint filed with the Merced County Superior Court on May 16th. The incident took place after California voters passed Proposition 8, which aimed to define marriage in the state constitution as between a man and a woman. The fallout and legal challenges related to the proposition created controversy and protests throughout the state. Nava, claiming he removed the poster because he was offended by the political message, was called into a meeting with a corporate human resources representative June 4th, 2009, according to the lawsuit. The representative told Nava he had been seen in a surveillance video removing the poster, according to the complaint. "Plaintiff stated that, while he realized that certain individuals engage in homosexual activities, he did not share their views and beliefs and that he did not wish to have political propaganda supporting the gay awareness message in the Safeway break room," the complaint reads. During a meeting with the human resources representative and plant manager, they explained that Nava had destroyed company property by removing the poster, according to the complaint, which also stated that Nava got along with openly gay co-workers while employed with Safeway. Furthermore, other employees had moved the same poster out of view before, but were given three-day suspensions instead of being fired, said Walter Whelan, Nava's Fresno-based attorney. Nava was fired on his first offense, Whelan added. "When it comes to political issues, particularly highly charged political issues, employers really ought not to take sides and, more importantly, ought not to take actions to influence the political beliefs of the employees," Whelan said. Regardless of what side of the matter people fall on, it's against the law to fire or retaliate against an employee because of his political beliefs, he said. "I have gladly represented people on the other side of this issue with respect to gay rights," Whelan said. "That's not the point — we're not attacking gays or lesbians. We're just taking issue with the unlawful treatment of my client." Susan Houghton, director of public affairs for Safeway, declined to comment on what posters were on display in the break room, saying only that her company identifies diversity "very broadly." Since being fired, Nava has not been able to find other employment and has lost his home to foreclosure, Whelan said. The lawsuit is in the initial stages, and Whelan said he his client has not decided on a particular amount of money to seek. The lawsuit is listed as unlimited, meaning it will be in excess of $25,000.

Citing Historic Accomplishments For LGBT Community, Human Rights Campaign Endorses President Obama For Re-Election

The Hill reports that the nation's largest gay-rights group endorsed President Obama for re-election, praising him for historic accomplishments for the LGBT community, the Human Rights Campaign posted a page on its website Thursday (flagged on Twitter by Obama's campaign press secretary) offering its endorsement of the president. "From signature achievements like passage of the law to end 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' to administrative changes throughout government, President Obama has done more to improve the lives of LGBT people than any President in history," the group said. "The following is a compilation of many of the actions taken by the Administration on LGBT issues." Obama had for some time faced criticism over the extent of his administration's promises on gay rights but won a significant amount of praise for delivering on its promise to repeal "Don't ask, don't tell," the military's ban on openly gay and lesbian service members, late last year. HRC's endorsement, which comes at an especially early point in the cycle, should go some lengths to quieting criticism of Obama, who's on the record as being against same sex marriage but has acknowledged his viewpoints are "evolving." Obama's would-be Republican challengers are not seen as especially more inclined to support gay rights; save for former Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman signed a bill into law during his time as governor of Utah that allowed same sex couples to enter into civil unions, though he has said he believes in "traditional" marriage.

Adding Two Anti-Gay Provisions, United States House Passes $690 Billion Defense Budget

The House passed its version of the fiscal 2012 defense authorization bill on Thursday, laying out plans for $690 billion defense plan next year and defying a presidential veto threat over rules limiting the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, according to Stars and Stripes. The bill, which was approved by a 322-96 vote, includes $119 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, a 1.6-percent pay raise for troops, and a host of military policy updates and family support initiatives. It also includes a number of controversial provisions, including the new detainee transfer rules that have prompted a veto threat from President Barack Obama. House Republicans said that measure, which prohibits the transfer of detainees to the U.S. even for trial, is a necessary step to preserve national security. Conservatives also included language requiring new rules for finalizing the looming “don’t ask, don’t tell” repeal and prohibiting same sex marriages at military facilities. Neither provision is expected to be supported by the Senate, but both drew criticism from gay rights groups who called them an attempt to limit the rights of gays in the military, and hostile.

Invoking Stonewall, Susan B. Anthony, And Frederick Douglass New York City Mayor Bloomberg Calls For Marriage Equality; “It’s Just None of The Government’s Business Who You Love”

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, citing the riot at the city's Stonewall Inn in 1969 that led to the gay-rights movement, called for state lawmakers to approve a bill allowing same sex marriage, Bloomberg News (which the Mayor founded) reports. “The time has come for us to fulfill the dreams that exploded into Sheridan Square 42 years ago: to allow thousands of men and women to become full members of the American family, and to take the next step on the inspiring journey our founding fathers first began,” Bloomberg said today in a speech at Manhattan’s Cooper Union college. Governor Andrew Cuomo is making the issue a central tenet of his state-wide tour to prompt legislators to approve the measure alongside a property tax cap and tighter rules on ethics. The Senate defeated a bill that would have allowed same sex marriage in 2009. Bloomberg traveled to Albany this month to lobby lawmakers on the issue before their session ends June 20th. Citing the June 1969 police raid on the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, which resulted in a spontaneous revolt, Bloomberg said that at that time same sex relationships were a crime under New York law. “Today, a majority of Americans support marriage equality and young people increasingly view marriage equality in much the same way as young people in the 1960s viewed civil rights,” Bloomberg said. “The next great barrier standing before our generation is the prohibition on marriage for same sex couples. “It is not a matter of if -- but when,” he said. Scott Reif, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, a Republican who voted against the 2009 bill, declined to comment on the specifics of Bloomberg’s remarks. “We’re going to discuss this issue over the next couple weeks and will make a decision about whether a bill on this will be brought to the floor,” Reif said by telephone from Albany. Skelos, of Rockville Centre in suburban Long Island, won’t prevent a vote if desired by the members of the Republican caucus, which controls the Senate 32-30, he said. Bloomberg invoked historical figures in the speech including abolitionist Frederick Douglass and women’s suffrage champion Susan B. Anthony to urge legislators to stand up for equality. Failure to pass the measure will harm New York’s competitive edge and reputation as a bastion of freedom, he said. “The question for every New York state lawmaker is: Do you want to be remembered as a leader on civil rights? Or an obstructionist?” he said. “Conservatives believe that government should not intrude into people’s personal lives -- and it’s just none of the government’s business who you love.” The mayor’s remarks will help set the national agenda toward granting same sex marriage rights, said Richard Socarides, president of Equality Matters, a Washington-based advocacy group. “We have the mayor, we have the governor, we have our two U.S. senators fighting passionately for this,” Socarides, a former special assistant and senior adviser to President Bill Clinton, said in an interview following the speech. “This event this afternoon is evidence that all the stops are being pulled out.”

In A Blatant Act Of Bigotry, An Illinois Catholic Diocese Ends State-Funded Adoption And Foster Care Program Rather Than Comply With New Law Requiring Them To Place Children With Gay Couples

A Catholic diocese in northern Illinois said Thursday that it will end its state-funded adoption and foster-care program rather than comply with a new law that would require it to place children with gay or unmarried couples, and officials said other dioceses would decide quickly whether to follow suit, The Associated Press reporting that officials from the Rockford Diocese said they were forced to terminate state contracts worth $7.5 million after lawmakers failed to pass an amendment exempting religious groups from provisions of the state's new civil unions law, which will let gay and lesbian couples form civil unions, akin to marriage. The law takes effect June 1st. Catholic Charities wanted to be allowed to refer unmarried or gay couples to other agencies, as it has for years. Diocese officials said Thursday that allowing such adoptions or foster placements would violate teachings of the Catholic faith. "The law of our land has always guaranteed its people freedom of religion," diocese spokeswoman Penny Wiegert said. "Denying this exemption to faith-based agencies leads one to believe that our lawmakers prefer laws that guarantee freedom from religion." The Civil Rights Agenda, a gay rights advocacy group, issued a statement calling the diocese's decision "a sad display of bigotry" and said religious freedom "is granted only when the religious agency is not funded by taxpayer dollars,” TCRA Executive Director Anthony Martinez adding that "I am mindful that this is a sad day for the many foster families and parents involved and the children who are in the care of Catholic Charities." Illinois Department of Children and Family Services officials said there are enough private child welfare agencies to take over foster placement and adoptions for the roughly 300 children in the Rockford Diocese's foster-care program when it ends June 1st. "Catholic Charities in Rockford has served children and families with compassion for many years, and we thank them for their service," DCFS Director Erwin McEwen said in a written statement. "We will take every step necessary to ensure that the children are well cared for and the foster families are well supported during this transition." Rockford and four other Catholic dioceses in Illinois are among 45 private agencies that provide state-funded adoption and foster-care services, DCFS spokesman Kendall Marlowe said. The dioceses provide services to about 2,300 of the 15,000 children in the foster-care system, while two other religious groups provide care to about 1,000 children, Marlowe said. He said some of the 42 caseworkers in the Rockford Diocese could be hired by new agencies. Catholic charity groups place children only with married couples or single people — not with couples living together. They consider couples in civil unions to be unmarried and therefore not eligible to adopt or provide foster care through their programs. But refusing to place children with gay couples could open the charities to lawsuits or lead state government to cut off funding. Leaders of the Catholic groups have said they are not trying to keep gay couples from adopting or taking in foster children — just that it is a matter of having those couples work with other groups. Catholic officials said they hope the Rockford Diocese's decision will persuade the General Assembly to reconsider such an exemption. But if it does not, other dioceses could decide to withdraw from the state program, said Bob Gilligan, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois. "We're not bluffing. This is a serious issue," said Gilligan, who said other dioceses will decide on the fate of their programs within a week to 10 days after the new state law takes effect. "No diocese is going to willingly put a child in a same-sex household."

Police Arrest Second Suspect In Connection To Murder Of Dallas Gay Couple

A 23 year old homeless man was taken into custody Wednesday night in San Antonio, Texas in connection with the murders of two Far East Dallas men in April whose apartment was set on fire in an apparent attempt to cover up the killings, The Dallas Morning News reporting that Danny Dews was being held in San Antonio pending extradition back to Dallas County. He faces a charge of capital murder. His accused accomplice, 23 Oscar Mirelez Young, was arrested Saturday in Uvalde, about 80 miles west of San Antonio, while driving a stolen vehicle. Young told Dallas police that one of the men had picked him up for sex and that he and an accomplice planned to rob the victims, 59 year old Mike Humphrey, and 61 year old Clayton Capshaw. Humphrey and Capshaw were discovered dead in their first-floor apartment after firefighters responded to an early morning fire April 27th . The men died from stab wounds and blunt force trauma. Their apartment had been ransacked, and a 2002 Saturn L200 sedan was missing, authorities said. That car has not been located. Police got a tip that a homeless person might have been involved in the killings. They also learned that Humphrey would sometimes go to The Bridge, the city's homeless assistance center. Young told police during questioning that Humphrey picked him up along with another man downtown near The Bridge and took them to his apartment for sex. Once they entered the apartment, he told investigators, he and the other suspect killed Humphrey and Capshaw. After Young’s capture, police were able to identify Dews as their second suspect. They then received information that he might be in San Antonio and that he frequented a homeless shelter there, Dallas police officials said. When police caught up with him, Dews had shaved his head and beard, said Lieutenant David Pughes, commander of the Dallas police homicide unit. Police believe he may have been attempting to change his appearance. “We have reason to believe that when Oscar Young went down to Uvalde, Danny Dews was with him and they separated at some point,” Pughes said. Detectives drove to San Antonio to question Dews. He has denied having any involvement in the slayings, authorities said. The case is not being investigated as hate crime.

Hundreds Rally In St. Cloud Minnesota Following Attack On Gay Man Sunday; Three Suspects In Bias Crime Released From Jail Pending Investigation

An update on a previous post, more than 100 people gathered in downtown St. Cloud, Minnesota Wednesday night to demonstrate against an apparent hate crime, reports The Associated Press. Three men were arrested for beating a 22 year old St. Louis Park man early Monday in an alley near a bar. Police say the man was attacked because his assailants believed he was gay. Organizer Janet Cleland-Dullinger says the rally came together quickly through the use of social media. She says demonstrators wanted to show hate crimes won't be tolerated in St. Cloud, and told WJON that everyone has a right to feel safe in their own community and those they visit. The rally was in response to the beating of a 22-year-old St. Louis Park man early Monday in an alley near D.B. Searle's, 18 Fifth Ave. South. St. Cloud police said the man was beaten because he is gay. Three men were arrested and taken to Stearns County Jail. "It's not just about that one boy," McDonald said. "It's just not OK. It's a hate crime." The three suspects in the alleged assault had to be charged and appear in court by noon Wednesday or they had to be released. "The individuals were released pending further investigation, and a charging decision will be made in the future," said Shan Wang, assistant chief of the criminal division in the Stearns County Attorney's Office. The women posted a Facebook event announcing the rally at 8:30 am Wednesday. Word spread via Facebook, Twitter and e-mail. People still joined the crowd long after its 8:00 pm start time. Some people displayed signs with slogans such as "Love Prevails" and "Not in Our Town." Vehicles honked in support as they drove down the street. 22 year old Ariel Hakala joined her roommate, 20 year old Veronica Mora, and their friend, 21 year old Katie Carter, at the rally. The women said the rally helped show that everyone is affected by hate. "I think my first instinct was to be scared," Hakala said. "I'm 22, and I come down here. You aren't the norm, and they're going to target you." Carter is a LGBT ally, and wanted to speak out against the attack. "It feels better to come out, rather than sit at home and watch TV and read about it in the paper," Carter said. "This is very powerful." Such attacks are ridiculous, said 20 year old Ben Blachard of St. Cloud, who added that this attack was too close to home. His friend, 20 year old Breanna Bellrichard of St. Cloud agreed. "It's different when it strikes here," she said. "It gets personal."

Portland Oregon Gay Couple Says “It’s Clear We Were Attacked Because We Were Holding Hands”

A gay couple who was attacked on Sunday night in Portland, Oregon said it is clear they were targeted because they were holding hands, reports KATU. “They attacked us from behind, shoved me into the railing and I got several blows to the head,” said Brad Forkner. Forkner and Christopher Rosevear were holding hands as they walked from Waterfront Park to the Eastbank Esplanade on Sunday evening. They said a group of five guys followed them the entire time, laughing and talking behind their backs. When they came down a ramp off the Hawthorne Bridge, three of the men attacked them. Rosevear took the brunt of the attack and had to get stitches in his lip and has a bruise under his eye. Forkner has been having headaches and has swelling on his face. “The first thing that came to my mind after we were attacked was that my phone was going to be gone, my wallet gone and all of that. I had everything with me, my sunglasses were here,” Rosevear said. “It was obvious the only reason we were attacked is because we were holding hands.” Both men said their attackers said nothing directly to them before or after the assault. “It wasn’t anger but sadness to know that somebody would do that,” Rosevear said. The couple is also disturbed that despite the fact other people were nearby, nobody yelled out or called 911 for help, the attack only stopping when Forkner managed to get free and call police. “Not that I expect anyone to jump in and put themselves in harm’s way, but no one yelled stop, no one else called police after it happened,” Forkner said. “We were standing under the bridge literally covered in blood.” They hope by speaking out the attack will start a public conversation about acceptance. “Which is why I at least am so adamant we’re not going to stop holding hands and hope other people will join us even if you’re not gay. Grab someone of the same genders hand and hold hands because it’s not going to end,” Forkner said. In response to the attack, the Cascade AIDS Project has launched a campaign on their Facebook page for people to hold hands in public. Portland’s mayor and police chief have both spoken out after the attacks saying there is no place for these kinds of attacks in Portland. "Portland is an open and welcoming city where everyone should feel safe," Police Chief Mike Reese said. The police bureau assigned a detective from their bias crime unit to the case.