Monthly Archives: August 2009

ACLU Leader And LGBT Rights Activist Larry Frankel Found Dead In DC Park

The body of longtime LGBT activist and ACLU attorney Larry Frankel was found in a stream in Washington, DC’s Rock Creek Park on Friday. Lez Get Real reports: A Metro DC Police spokesman confirmed this morning that the body was indeed that of Frankel and said that homicide detectives are continuing to investigate his death, but would offer no cause …

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Who Will Replace Ted?

Sen. Orrin Hatch thinks it should be his wife.

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“TeddyCare For All”

As Sen. Ted Kennedy was being memorialized in Massachusetts yesterday, about 1000 New Yorkers rallied in his name in Times Square for health care reform. Will Kennedy’s death help move the battle forward? (Via – Gothamist)

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Photo Of The Day

The Clintons, the Dubyas, the Obamas, the Bidens, and the Carters sat together at today’s memorial for Sen. Ted Kennedy. The elder Bushes elected not to attend, which seems odd.

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Obama’s Eulogy For Sen. Ted Kennedy

President Obama delivered a moving tribute to Sen. Ted Kennedy at Kennedy’s memorial in Massachusetts today.

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Ohio Student Wins $121K Settlement After Teacher Burns Cross Image On His Arm

A high school student in Ohio has won a $121K settlement from his school district after his science teacher burned the image of a cross on his arm. School board members in Mount Vernon agreed Wednesday night to resolve a federal lawsuit by paying $5,500 to the boy and his family and $115,500 to their lawyers. The family still has …

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Daily Grumble

If you’re a stand-up comedian opening for Donna Summer in front of 10,000+ New Yorkers, you probably shouldn’t start with jokes about plane crashes. Seriously. When the guy started in on Chesley Sullenberger, the pilot of the “miracle on the Hudson,” things got really (but hilariously), ugly, with Brooklynese chants of “Get off da fuhkin’ stage!” washing across the crowd. …

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80’s Flashback

Klaus Nomi, Total Eclipse, 1981. Openly gay German-born opera singer cum East Village avante-gardist Klaus Nomi totally owned the music documentary Urgh! A Music War with this performance. I was reminded of this after JMG reader BStewart23 mentioned the liner notes on Man Parrish’s first album (mentioned here on Tuesday), as Nomi also contributed vocals to that release. He was …

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TABC Fires Three Agents Involved In Gay Bar Raid

The Dallas Voice is reporting that the Texas Alcoholic Beverages Commission has fired two agents and their supervising sergeant in the wake of public outrage over their brutal handling of a raid on the Rainbow Lounge. Other agents have been suspended or been issued written reprimands. The TABC is also rewriting its rules for bar inspections and has changed the …

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Coming Soon: SC Gov. Mark Sanford (R) Impeachment Hearings

SC Gov. Mark “Sanctity Of Marriage” Sanford’s trip down the Appalachian Trail of an Argentine hottie is probably going to cost him his job. His own lieutenant governor is joining the call for his removal. South Carolina Republican lawmakers are on the verge of calling a special legislative session that could impeach and remove embattled GOP Gov. Mark Sanford by …

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Maine: Casting Call For Homphobic Actors

Are you totally against dirty homos redefining marriage? Can you pull that off on camera? If so, Stand For Marriage wants you. Casting Director James Stiles is putting out the word that he’s looking for two “real Maine” women to appear in a television ad produced by supporters of traditional marriage. Stiles is looking for a “teacher type” and a …

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Brandon McInerney Pleads Not Guilty

Teenage killer Brandon McInerney, who last year walked into his 8th grade classroom and shot openly gay classmate Lawrence King in the head, has pleaded not guilty in a Ventura County, California classroom. Teen murder defendant Brandon McInerney pleaded not guilty Thursday to first-degree murder and other charges in connection with the fatal shooting of classmate Larry King, 15, at …

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FL Gov. Charlie Crist Taps Former Chief Of Staff For Vacant U.S. Senate Seat

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has named George LeMieux, his former chief of staff, to fill the vacant seat left by the abruptly resigning GOP Sen. Mel Martinez. The new senator said it is his love of Florida and his sons’ future “that make me relish this honor and relish the work ahead.” Calling LeMieux a dedicated public servant and “a …

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PETA Uses Andy Dick And Martin Short To Attack McDonald’s

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WaPo Profiles NOM Head Brian Brown

The Washington Post has published a glowing profile of Brian Brown, the executive director of the National Organization for Marriage, whom they describe “ruthlessly sane” and “instantly likeable.” Is it possible, in 2009, to avoid the title of “gay basher” while dedicating your life to preventing a portion of the population from participating in a legal process allowed to other …

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Could It Be Magic? Yes, Yes It Could.

Last night DC blogger Jimbo, Dr. Jeff and I made the 90-minute haul out to Coney Island to watch Donna Summer’s free concert at Seaside Park. And holy crap, what an enormous crowd. Easily the largest outdoor show I’ve ever been to. We couldn’t get within a half-mile of the stage and watched much of the show from a sidewalk …

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Uruguay May Allow Gay Adoption

The march for LGBT rights across South America continues as Uruguay prepares to legalize adoption by gay couples. The legislation is expected to pass in the Senate, where the ruling party has a majority. The Senate will vote on the bill next month. In December 2007, Uruguay’s parliament passed legislation to recognise same-sex civil unions. The country of 3.6m people …

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The Great White Dope

Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) used the phrase “great white hope” when describing the search for the next GOP superstar. Uh, whooops!

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Live Nation Cancels Buju Banton Tour

Congratulations to all those who followed the links to complain about murder music star Buju Banton, as Live Nation has now canceled his national tour of the United States. Banton was scheduled to perform in October at House of Blues venues in Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas, and Houston, among other dates and locations. However, last week, activists began contacting the …

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WA: R-71 Donor Names To Go Public

The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission has decided to make public the names of those who donated to Referendum 71, the ballot drive to repeal domestic partners legislation. The Commission decided that the anti-gay group, Protect Marriage, had no proof that people has been threatened for making similar donations. The request to remove the names was made earlier this month …

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