Scars Run Deep - UPDATED

The Atlanta man seen being viciously beaten in a harrowing viral video today called his attackers “monsters” who left him with scars that “run deeper than anyone will know.” He added that nobody should worry that they will be attacked “for just being a gay male.”

One of White’s assailants, as well as the cameraman and another onlooker, referred to him as a “faggot” on the video (WARNING: Violent content). Atlanta police are hunting for White’s attackers, while FBI agents and federal prosecutors are examining the assault to determine whether a hate crimes prosecution is warranted.

White said that the filming of the assault--and the subsequent uploading of a clip online--was his assailants’s way of trying to draw attention to their barbarism.

However, by coming forward to cooperate with authorities, White remarked, “I’m the brave one.”

FULL STORY ...


UPDATE
Seems that Police are making headway in tracking down the a-holes who attacked Mr. White.

Investigators Release Name, Photo Of Remaining Suspect Sought In Brutal Videotaped Beating Of Atlanta Man

 READ THE STORY UPDATES HERE.

Abracadabra ... Mormons are now gay!

Feb 16, 2012 - The discovery this week of a proposed posthumous baptism for Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel ( Romanian-born Jewish-American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel Laureate, Holocaust survivor and author of 57 books ) - who is alive - has revived a longstanding controversy surrounding the Mormon Church's practice of performing "saving ordinances" on behalf of its members' non-Mormons ancestors.

After The Huffington Post broke the story, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints moved quickly to assure Wiesel that it wouldn't allow a baptism—before or after his death. But the incident had already dragged Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney into an escalating, semi-informed debate that's bobbed in and out of public consciousness for nearly two decades.

The practice of posthumous baptism has been part of the church's theology almost since its founding. But since Jewish leaders first expressed concern in 1995 that the ordinances were being performed for Holocaust victims—a perceived affront to Jewish pride and heritage—the Mormon Church has made efforts to keep those names out of their temples.

READ THE FULL STORY ...

As a response to this revelation - and in the wake of the Mormon Church funding the defeat of Prop 8 which made same-sex marriage illegal again in California - the following website now offers similar rites for Mormons!

Sadly, many Mormons throughout history have died without having known the joys of homosexuality. With your help, these poor souls can be saved. 

Simply enter the name of your favorite dead Mormon* in the form below and click Convert! Presto, they're gay for eternity. There is no undo. 

Don't know any dead Mormons? Click the "Choose-a-Mormon" button and we'll find one for you. 

You're welcome!     

CONVERT A MORMON HERE ...

Living a Gay Life

Zachary Quinto

Long rumored to be gay, the actor, most famous for his roles on "Heroes" and in the recent "Star Trek" film, came out in a October 2011 New York magazine profile, saying:

"In light of Jamey's [Rodemeyer] death -- it became clear to me in an instant that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it -- is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality. Our society needs to recognize the unstoppable momentum toward unequivocal civil equality for every gay lesbian bisexual and transgendered citizen of this country." 

Pro-Choice Protest of the Day

Pro-choice Oklahoma state Senator Constance Johnson (D) introduced an amendment to the Sooner State’s pro-life “personhood” bill (SB 1433) making masturbation illegal.

Oklahoma lawmakers are currently debating legislation that would make it mandatory for women to listen to their fetus’s heartbeat before being allowed to have an abortion.

To protest the bill, Sen. Johnson sought to have an amendment added that would make “any action in which a man ejaculates or otherwise deposits semen anywhere but in a woman’s vagina…an action against an unborn child.”

Infinite Forest

NYC's West Village AIDS Memorial Park competition

Brooklyn architecture firm Studio a+i has nabbed the top prize in a design competition for a public park and memorial on a wedge of land in New York City's West Village.

Called Infinite Forest, it is devoid of statues, sculptures or plaques. Instead, the architects have proposed three separate, 3.6-metre-tall facing mirror walls that frame – and reflect – 20 white birch trees and delineate the triangular block from the surrounding neighbourhood. For the wall's street-facing sides, the design proposes a chalkboard finish that welcomes impromtu chalk-written messages from visitors and passersby.

The site was initially occupied by St. Vincent's Hospital, a facility that once housed the globe's most advanced HIV treatment programs. Below the park, the firm has proposed a wedge-shaped, learning centre, equipped to host exhibitions and performances and accessed by stairs and ramps and lit via skylights. 

"The image is just so captivating. It succeeds as an urban space that is both a neighbourhood park and a memorial. I didn’t see it as an either/or," says Michael Arad, jury chair and designer of the National September 11 Memorial.

... and we welcome Washington State!

Washington state lawmakers voted to approve gay marriage Wednesday, setting the stage for the state to become the seventh in the nation to allow same-sex couples to wed.

The action comes a day after a federal appeals court declared California's ban on gay marriage unconstitutional, saying it was a violation of the civil rights of gay and lesbian couples.

The Washington House passed the bill on a 55-43 vote. The state Senate approved the measure last week, and Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire is expected to sign the measure into law next week.

READ THE FULL STORY ...

California's Prop 8 recinded and Supreme Court may not hear Appeal

I suggest that Obama will resolve this question on a Federal level when he is re-elected in November with a strong mandate.

  Until Tuesday, it looked like California's Proposition 8 gay marriage case would be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. But that looks less certain now.

The narrow California-only approach adopted by the 9th Circuit means the high court might choose to steer clear of the dispute.

If so, that would leave for another day — perhaps several years in the future — a national ruling on same-sex marriage.

READ THE WHOLE STORY ...

Most Admired of All

abcnews.go.com

PRINCETON, NJ - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama continue to be named by Americans as the Most Admired Woman and Most Admired Man living today in any part of the world.

Clinton has been the Most Admired Woman each of the last 10 years, and Obama has been the Most Admired Man four years in a row.

Read more here ...

Stunning data visualization

This video ... and the technology it describes ... is
Blow-Your-Mind COOL !

Dive into the brain, feel electron spin, hear the music of the elements ... and detect previously unseen patterns that could lead to new discoveries.

... to bring together arts. science and engineering into a new age of math, science and art.

JoAnn Kuchera-Morin demos the AlloSphere, a new way to see, hear and interpret scientific data. 

 

OPEN LETTER TO STEPHEN COLBERT

The following letter was posted by me today in the community forum of The Colbert Nation website today:

TV Pundit and Class Clown Stephen Colbert proudly flies the
LGBT Community's Pride Flag UPSIDE-DOWN!

UPSIDE-DOWN Gay Pride Flag ?!? ... SCURRILOUSSSSS
(Colbert Report: July 21, 2011)

Dear Mr. Colbert,

I have watched your show since its inception (ie. idea was planted in the sleeping American Public's mind) for no other reason than to get mad at you for the heterosexist War you continue to wage against the LGBT/Gay community.

You have pissed me off in the past with your turgid tirades against gay rights and the losing battle (Ha Ha!) against gay marriage, but THIS TAKES THE (beautifully decorated) CAKE!

HOW DARE YOU display the LGBT flag upside-down in your recent piece about/against teaching gay history in schools?!? (See the episo)

I cannot believe that this was merely an oversight on the part of your Graphics team. No, rather, I am now convinced that such deep-seated disdain for the LGBT Community are really just pathetic attempts to obfuscate your own same-sex attractions.
Come out of the closet Stephen and stop looking at the Gay Pride Flag as if you were hanging upside-down in a kinky restraint device in your basement!

If you don't stop disrespecting the LGBT Community, we may be forced to organize a fun and colourful march to protest you, your medieval attitudes and perverse propaganda, STEPHEN!

Truculently Yours,
iDouglas
(Ottawa, Canada)


FOLLOW THIS LINK to the correct version of the Internationally accepted LGBT Community Flag

OR HERE FOR THE WIKIPEDIA ARTICLE

VIEW THE OFFENDING EPISODE IN CANADA HERE

This is how the LBGT Pride Flag SHOULD appear!

The True North GAY and Free!!!

Obama officially ends ban on gays in military

United States Marines attend a training session to familiarize them with the military's new position regarding gay and lesbian service members and the repeal of the don't ask, don't tell policy at Camp Pendleton. (Lenny Ignelzi/The Associated Press)

Last Friday, President Barack Obama fulfilled a 2008 campaign pledge and formally ended the ban on gays in the military. 

After meeting with Defence Secretary Leon Panetta and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the president certified to Congress that repealing the ban would not jeopardize the military's ability to fight.

"As commander in chief, I have always been confident that our dedicated men and women in uniform would transition to a new policy in an orderly manner that preserves unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and military effectiveness," Obama said in a statement. "Service members will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country."

Obama's action means that effective Sept. 20, gay service members will be able to openly acknowledge their sexual orientation. And it opens the door for those discharged over the past 17 years under Clinton's policy to re-apply to the military and possibly serve again.

OutGames 2011 in Vancouver this week

2nd GLISA North America Outgames
Vancouver 2011 | July 25th - July 31st

This continental event will include multi-sport elements supported by the Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association [ GLISA ]. 

A key component to the games is the Human Rights Conference with workshops on diversity, and an awards ceremony recognizing individuals and corporations that have influenced LGBT rights. Additional elements include Cultural Activities and Opening and Closing ceremonies. 

Come enjoy one of the many events taking place during Pride Week! 

Don’t miss being part of one of the largest events happening in Vancouver this summer. With upwards of 1,000 athletes and participants expected in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, this is definitely going to be a week to remember!

OutGames

OutGames bring together lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) athletes from around the world in unprecedented numbers for a celebration of sport, culture and human rights. In the spirit of true inclusiveness, the OutGames are open to all, regardless of sexual orientation. 

OutGames Core Elements

Sport
Each OutGames has a sport component offering 8-10 sport disciplines at the Continental level and 30-35 sport disciplines at a World OutGames level. OutGames include events for everyone, from seasoned athletes to recreational participants. Which sports are included in an OutGames, is determined by both the Host City and GLISA and can be flexible to include sports that are regional or continental favourites.

Culture/Celebrations
Cultural activities include music, dance and social activities, such as country and western dance, marching bands, concert bands, big bands, colour guard, cheerleading, choral festivals and leather events to name a few. The events range from participatory to observatory and judged and non judged. All OutGames also include Opening and Closing Celebrations featuring dance, music, song, choreography and athleticism.

Human Rights Conference
World OutGames will play host to an International Conference on LGBT Human Rights, where delegates from every continent will come together for workshops and discussions led by internationally respected leaders in human rights, researchers, legal scholars and trade organisations.

Although the specific components of each OutGames vary slightly to reflect the priorities of the Host City’s region or continent, there are similar components to each set of OutGames. We provided a general overview here of the core elements of World and Continental OutGames, to see the specific components of any of the upcoming OutGames we encourage you to view the links on either the World or Continental OutGames pages under OutGames on the menu.

My favourite books set to music

The Tales of the City series are my favourite books of all time! They capture a time that many people who survived the 70's look back at fondly. I loved the PBS mini-series [ IMDB ] as well, so I hope and pray that this musical does it justice.

---

Tales of the City refers to a series of eight novels written by American author Armistead Maupin. The stories from Tales were originally serialized prior to their novelization, with the first four titles appearing as regular installments in the San Francisco Chronicle, while the fifth appeared in the San Francisco Examiner. The last three titles were never serialized, but were instead originally written as novels.

Now, three decades after Armistead Maupin mesmerized millions with his daily column in the city's newspapers, his iconic San Francisco saga comes home as a momentous new musical. Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City unleashes an exuberant celebration of the irrepressible spirit that continues to define our City by the Bay.

The series opens with the arrival of Mary Ann Singleton, a naive young woman from Cleveland, Ohio, who went on vacation to San Francisco and impulsively decides to stay. She finds an apartment at 28 Barbary Lane, the domain of the eccentric marijuana-growing landlady Anna Madrigal. Mary Ann becomes friends with other tenants of the building: the hippyish bisexual Mona Ramsey; heterosexual lothario Brian Hawkins; the sinister and cagey roof tenant Norman Neal Williams; and Michael Tolliver, a sweet and personable gay man known to friends as Mouse (as in Mickey Mouse).

Beyond the house, lovers and friends guide Mary Ann through her San Franciscan adventures: Edgar Halcyon, Mary Ann's and Mona's boss; Edgar's socialite daughter DeDe Halcyon-Day; and DeDe's scheming bisexual husband Beauchamp Day all provide a glimpse into a more affluent Californian class, while Mrs. Madrigal's mother and owner of the Blue Moon Lodge brothel, Mother Mucca, brings mystery and comic relief. Mona's ex-lover, D'orothea Wilson, returns from a modelling assignment in New York, while Michael's lover and DeDe's gynecologist, Jon Fielding, becomes part of the social group. Michael's lovers later in the series include Thack Sweeney and the significantly younger Ben.

Here is the first part of the PBS series on YouTube

15 Things That Are Way Bigger Than You Thought

This page brings together a number of comparisons that put many things into perspective. Click on the post title to see the other 14 examples.

The True size of Africa

Sometimes a kiss is NOT just a kiss

Anyone who thinks same-sex couples in the United States should be allowed to marry was invited to Lush outlets across North America to pucker up and smack lips on June 18th. The smoochers were then invited to sign postcards telling the U.S. government to allow gay marriage.


This campaign took place on June 18 at the Byward Market location of Lush Cosmetics in Ottawa.

Photo by Abder

Same-sex marriage is allowed in Canada. In the United States, however, same-sex couples cannot get married under federal law, so they are not covered by the federal rights provided for married couples.

United Nations condemns gay discrimination

The United Nations issued its first condemnation of discrimination against gays, lesbians and transgender people on Friday in a cautiously worded declaration hailed by supporters including the United States as an historic moment.

Members of the UN Human Rights Council narrowly voted in favour of the resolution put forward by South Africa, against strong opposition from African and Islamic countries.

"You just witnessed a historic moment at the Human Rights Council and within the UN system with a landmark resolution protecting human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people," U.S. ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe told reporters after the vote.Members of the UN Human Rights Council narrowly voted in favour of the resolution put forward by South Africa, against strong opposition from African and Islamic countries.

Homophobic hate crimes on the rise, UN human rights chief warns

Beyoncé Live at Billboard Music Awards 2011

Run The World (Girls) 

Be sure to watch the performance after the testimonials about Beyoncé - at the 3:00 minute mark. It is an incredible combination of live performance and LED staging.

New relations between the US and UK

Ok, so this obviously isn't a real pic, but it is certainly well done, funny, and even a bit HOT!

Learn where modern Gay Pride started

When police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in the Greenwich Village section of New York City on June 28, 1969, the street erupted into violent protests that lasted for the next six days. The Stonewall riots, as they came to be known, marked a major turning point in the modern gay civil rights movement in the United States and around the world.

This documentary on PBS' American Experience beautifully outlines the history and the context that changed attitudes in America and many other parts of the world.

Watch the full episode. See more American Experience.

Gaga gaga over 'Peg girl

Maria Aragon, 10, of Winnipeg is getting a lot of attention on YouTube thanks to an endorsement by pop superstar Lady Gaga.

Maria posted a YouTube video of herself playing keyboard and singing a cover of Lady Gaga's latest song, Born This Way. It was posted on Feb. 16 but was pushed into the spotlight on Thursday when Gaga herself mentioned it on her Twitter page.

"Can't stop crying watching this. This is why I make music. She is the future," Gaga's posting stated.

As of this post, the number of Views is: 12,747,000
... you're amazing!
Here is the original post on YouTube: