This summer, come to Red Rocks and have the time of your life with ABBA – The Concert Arrival from Sweden performing the chart-topping hits of ABBA, including 'Dancing Queen', 'Waterloo', 'Fernando', 'S.O.S.', 'Mamma Mia', 'Take a Chance on Me', 'The Winner Takes It All', 'Knowing Me, Knowing You', 'Ring Ring', 'The Name of the Game', 'Money Money Money', and many more.
This concert benefits KBDI and is sponsored by DenverPost.com, KOSI 101, Out Front Colorado, Marriott West, Presidential Worldwide Transportation, and Brothers BBQ. Tickets available online at www.kbdi.org/abba_concert.
Monday, July 20, 2009
ABBA - The Concert
NYC Council Speaker to Obama: Do more for LGBT people
New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, in remarks at a fundraiser for the upcoming LGBT-rights march in Washington, D.C., recounted an incident during which she urged President Barack Obama to "do more" for LGBT people. "I'm happy there's something we can organize around in October to send a clear message that we're thrilled that he's the president and we're thrilled that Democrats have control of the House and the Senate, but it's simply not enough," Quinn said.
bare: the musical
Gravity Defied Theatre will present ‘bare: the musical’ on August 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22 at Aurora Fox Arts Center (9900 E.
Colfax Avenue) at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 (advance) and $32 (at door) and are available through the Rocky Mountain Arts Association.
In a pop-opera style reminiscent of ‘Rent’ and ‘Spring Awakening,’ ‘bare: the musical’ centers on the coming-of-age story of a group of high-school seniors at a Catholic boarding school. Knowing that their stay in this insular world is soon ending, they question where they are in their lives and what the future holds in store. Answers are sought in their confessionals and in
less formal venues including the school's stage, a rave, and a well-locked dorm room. At the center of the story are students Peter and Jason, in love yet uncertain of how to respond.
Read more after the jump.
Gravity Defied Theatre is a project of Rocky Mountain Arts Association,
home of the Denver Gay Men's Chorus, Denver Women's Chorus, Out Loud: The
Colorado Springs Men's Chorus, and Mosaic Youth Chorus. Ten members of those
groups help make up the musical's cast of over 25.
Gravity Defied Theatre is Colorado's first all-musicals theatre company
that gives back a portion of proceeds from each production to another Colorado
nonprofit organization; our first beneficiary is the nonprofit group PHAMALy
-- the Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League (
www.phamaly.org).
The play offers music by Damon Intrabartolo, lyrics by Jon Hartmere, with
both co-authoring the book. Intrabartolo is a Los-Angeles-based composer,
orchestrator, and conductor who works in the film industry and attended the
University of Southern California. Jon Hartmere has written screenplays for
Nickelodeon and Disney and is co-author for the Paramount Pictures 2010 remake
of Footloose.
The Denver production is directed by Keith Rabin Jr., with musical staging
and choreography by Danny Harrigan, and music direction by Kendall Bridges.
The musical premiered at Los Angeles's Hudson Mainstage Theater in October
2000 and played off Broadway at the American Theatre of Actors in 2004.
Since then, it has been produced in Baltimore, Cincinnati, Kansas City,
Philadelphia, Seattle and in Canada and Australia.
Experience the West in Gunnison-Crested Butte
American Cowboy just named Gunnison-Crested Butte one of the “20 Best Places to Live the West.” American Cowboy Publisher Bill Garrels notes, “Whether you’re looking for a new place to settle or the perfect place to vacation, these communities deliver top value in the form of adventure, culture, authenticity, natural beauty and frontier history and tradition.”
Read more after the jump.
Trail Rides/Packages
Tenderfoot Outfitters and Water Wheel Inn are teaming up to offer a Western heritage ride on July 26 – 29. Spend the first evening at Water Wheel Inn, where a cowboy dinner will be served to fill your belly before riding out into the West Elk Wilderness on horseback with Tenderfoot on July 27. Spend a night at “cow camp” and learn about the Gunnison Valley’s Western heritage from historian Dr. Duane Vandenbusche over dinner. Return to Gunnison on July 28 for a tasty lunch at 5 B’s Bar-B-Q, an afternoon of exploring the Pioneer Museum and a stay at the Water Wheel Inn. The trip is limited to 10 people at a cost of $499 each, tax not included. All meals are included except dinner on the evening of July 28. Visit www.waterwheelinnatgunnison.com or call (800) 642-1650.
Another option is to take the scenic drive up Highway 135 to Crested Butte and pay a visit to Lazy F Bar Ranch, located approximately 3 miles out Brush Creek Road just south of town. Breakfast and dinner horseback rides, wagon ride dinners, and general horseback riding for any skill level are available. Winter sleigh ride dinners to a rustic 1950s cabin overlooking the East River are popular during snowy months. For more information, call (970) 641-0193 or visit www.lazyfbarranch.com.
Also check out Fantasy Ranch Horseback Adventures, offering horseback outings and wilderness trail rides from its stables in Almont and Mt. Crested Butte. Fantasy Ranch is well known for its trail ride from the Crested Butte area to Aspen. During winter, Fantasy Ranch offers carriage and sleigh rides in downtown Crested Butte. Contact (970) 349-5425 or visit www.fantasyranchoutfitters.com for more information.
For those who prefer a vacation by Colorado’s largest body of water, horses and their owners are welcome at Ferro’s Blue Mesa Ranch Resort in Sapinero, located on Blue Mesa Lake west of Gunnison. Horse owners pay a corral fee and feed cost for their horses, and horses and guides are available for trail rides. Call (970) 641-4671 for more information.
Dude Ranches
For unforgettable guest ranch experiences, visit Waunita Hot Springs Ranch near Gunnison and Harmel’s Ranch Resort near Almont. To reach Waunita Hot Springs Ranch, call (770) 641-1266 or visit www.waunita.com. To reach Harmel’s, call (800) 235-3402 or visit www.harmels.com.
Events
Gunsmoke-n-Gunnison, July 25 – 26, Aug. 29 – 30, Oct. 3 – 4
The Gunnison Valley Mounted Shooting Association will hold its sixth annual Gunsmoke-n-Gunnison competitions at the Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center on four weekends this summer and fall. Cowboy mounted shooting is one of the fastest growing equestrian sports today, requiring a special form of teamwork between horse and rider and blending disciplines such as reining, barrel racing and horsemanship. Using two .45 caliber single action revolvers and specially prepared ammunition, the rider must accurately shoot 10 balloon targets set in any one of 75 different patterns while controlling the speed and direction of the horse.
Cash and prizes are awarded to winners of each division, and each rider will accumulate points that go toward possibly competing at the world championships. There is no cost to watch the competitions, which typically begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings. For more information, call Dennis at (970) 641-4787.
109th Annual Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days, July 10 – 19
This granddaddy of Colorado rodeos features a county fair, parade, horse show, cowboy poetry, live music and dancing, horse races, and of course rodeo events sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Activities are spread throughout the 10 days of the Cattlemen’s Days festivities, with rodeos scheduled for the evenings of July 16, 17 and 18. Amateurs have the chance to compete at the Watershed Team Roping and Barrel Race for adults and youth on July 15. In addition, the Cattlemen’s Days Open Horse Show on July 12 draws participants from the Gunnison Valley and beyond.
However, the true highlight of this 109-year-old festival is the fact that it recognizes the Western way of life in the Gunnison Valley. For a brochure containing the complete schedule of Cattlemen’s Days events or for more information, contact the Gunnison County Chamber of Commerce at (800) 274-7580. Also, visit www.cattlemensdays.com. Tickets go on sale July 6 at the Cattlemen’s Days ticket booth located at Gunnison Bank and Trust parking lot. Tickets also can be purchased at the door. General admission is $12, and reserved grandstand is $15.
Visitor Information & Personalized Vacation Packages
To find out more about Gunnison-Crested Butte’s calendar of events or to book personalized vacation packages, visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com. During summer and fall, air access to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is provided by United Airlines.
About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado
Gunnison-Crested Butte is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.
Gunnison-Crested Butte is also a haven for outdoor summer activities. In the warmer months, visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding. Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops and stimulating cultural opportunities, and have a wide range of lodging options — from rustic inns to guest cabins and bed-and-breakfasts to full-service resort hotels.
Recognized as the “Official Wildflower Capital of Colorado” by the Colorado Legislature and one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” in 2008, Crested Butte is the site of rich mining, ranching and skiing heritage and home to the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. Only three miles up the road is the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte, home to the ski area, an active base area, the area’s conference center, and outstanding hiking and biking trails.
Gunnison, a real western town located 28 miles from Crested Butte, is home to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison Whitewater Park, Gunnison Valley Observatory, Pioneer Museum and Western State College, a four-year institution offering majors in the liberal arts and sciences and professional fields. Both Crested Butte and Gunnison have thriving historic central business districts packed with shopping and dining opportunities.
In Gunnison County, visitors will find the Curecanti National Recreation Area, where dinosaur fossils were recently discovered; the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water and home to the largest Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States; and The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of our country’s newest national parks. Gunnison County includes the quaint and historic towns of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn, Almont and Crystal, plus the better-known communities of Gunnison, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte. Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.
He's hot, he's gay - and he's aging
How old is old? PlanetOut takes on the topic of "gayging" gracefully.
And in a related topic they ask, "Where would Brian from 'Queer As Folk' be today at the ripe old age of 40?"
Pet of the Week: Roxy
Look at me! Look at me! My name is Roxy and I am a happy and exuberant nine-years-young, 14 lb Jack Russell Terrier.
True to my breed, I am a very energetic and active gal who loves life and loves walks ... in fact, I normally run with one of the volunteers. You should see my four little legs go, heh,heh! Then while we are running, I love to just lie down in the grass with my back legs out and smile! If I roll over, that means I need a tummy rub!
Find out more about Roxy and the other pets available for adoption at MaxFund no-kill shelter.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
L.A. County sued for not regulating porn shoots
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has filed a suit to order condom use on porn shoots in L.A. County. The suit comes after a number of (mostly heterosexual) porn actors were diagnosed with HIV.
“The Department of Public Health has a responsibility to try and control the spread of STDs in LA County—particularly in a commercial venue. Despite this responsibility, 29 days after an outbreak of a potentially lethal virus—HIV—in the porn industry, the County has not taken a single step to address this serious public health threat,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
“As an HIV and STD medical provider, it is our obligation to pursue County action on this issue, which goes beyond just the recent HIV outbreak and includes an epidemic of thousands of STD cases in the porn industry—an epidemic virtually ignored by the County Dept. of Public Health. This is not just about one industry, but about our entire community as the spread of disease among performers endangers themselves as well as their sexual partners outside the industry. There is no firewall between porn performers and the general public.”
What do you think? Should condom usage in porn be legislated? What about in real life?
- via XBIZ (site NSFW)
Lambda Legal - 440 miles for equality
Tomorrow, July 19, 11 brave and fit Lambda Legal staffers and supporters begin the 440-mile, 6-day, RAGBRAI Bike Ride through Iowa. Carrying a message of equality all across the state (and hopefully some water too) — and celebrating Lambda Legal’s marriage equality victory in the Iowa Supreme Court.
Keep them pedaling and keep Lambda Legal ahead of the pack in the race for true equality across the country by showing your support with a small donation.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Rep. Jared Polis appointed to Air Force Academy Board of Visitors
Out U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., has been appointed to the Air Force Academy's Board of Visitors. Although Polis is against the military's gay ban, he doesn't intend to lobby for the policy's repeal through his membership on the board, according to this article on TheDenverChannel.com.
Torchwood accused of homophobia
The new 'Torchwood' mini-series 'Children of Earth' had some viewers up in arms and leveling charges of homophobia against the famously pro-gay show. Read more about it at io9.com but watch out for spoilers!
Enjoy sexy 'Torchwood' kisses below.
Pat Buchanan: In praise of white people
Says Buchanan, "I think white men were 100 percent of the people who wrote the constitution, 100 percent of the people who signed the Declaration of Independence, 100 percent of the people who died at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, probably close 100 percent of the people who died at Normandy. This has been a country basically built by white folks."
Wow. I'm speechless.
In other gay tax news ...
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, praised the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee for voting early this morning to eliminate the unfair taxation of domestic partner benefits as part of the health care reform bill that they voted out of committee. The Committee voted 23-18 to send the full health care reform bill, which includes this provision, to the full House for consideration.
Under current law, although employer-provided health coverage for different-sex spouses is excluded from an employee’s gross income, domestic partner benefits and coverage for same-sex spouses are not. As a result, an employee who elects to cover her domestic partner or same-sex spouse pays more income and payroll tax than a similarly-situated employee with a different-sex spouse. Moreover, because of this inequitable treatment, employers who offer benefits to domestic partners face the administrative burden of calculating taxes separately, and they also pay additional payroll taxes.
"This measure embodies responsible care reform because it eliminates a barrier to securing affordable family health insurance,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “When we are talking about overhauling the system to ensure that insurance is affordable and available to all, it is simple common sense not to maintain a completely separate tax policy—one that makes health care cost as much as $1700 more per year—for certain working families,” he added.
The provision included in the bill, which eliminates taxation of employer-provided coverage for any eligible beneficiary under a health plan, is based upon The Tax Equity for Health Plan Beneficiaries Act (H.R. 2625). This legislation was introduced in the 111th Congress by Representatives Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL). “HRC thanks Representative McDermott for his long-standing leadership on this important provision,” said Solmonese. A companion bill in the Senate (S. 1153), was introduced by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY). Further background information on the bill can be read here: http://www.hrc.org/laws_and_elections/5671.htm
Increasingly, major employers are providing family benefits for domestic partners. In fact, over 57% of Fortune 500 companies provide these benefits. That is why a coalition of top employers like Microsoft, Corning, Chubb, IBM and dozens more support ending the taxation of these benefits, and endorse H.R. 2625 and S. 1153. To see a full listing of businesses who have publicly stated their support for this legislation, go to: http://www.hrc.org/issues/workplace/benefits/business_coalition_benefits_tax_equity.htm
“Because employers must pay payroll tax on these benefits, they are actually penalized for making a sound business decision to offer competitive health benefits plans,” continued Solmonese. “Today the House Ways and Means Committee agreed that the tax code should not be second-guessing these employers’ decision to cover all of their employees’ families.”
The Human Rights Campaign has been aggressively lobbying Members of Congress to support the inclusion of this provision in the health care reform bill. Also, on July 16th, 2009, HRC President Joe Solmonese sent House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) a letter thanking the Chairman for his leadership and for including the domestic partner tax fix in the bill. In the letter, Solmonese wrote, “Removing the current tax penalties clearly advances the goal of expanding health insurance coverage. It also achieves equity in the availability of that coverage.” To read the entire text of the letter, go to: http://www.hrc.org//documents/07-17-09_bcbte_full.pdf
Bisexual tax activist could face prison time
A United States Tax Court has denied gay rights activist, author and artist Charles Merrill his joint filing status, effective July 2009. The determination concludes that Merrill owes the federal government nearly a million dollars for not paying taxes in 2004 and 2005, a time during which he and his partner were publicly committed and residing in North Carolina. While living in that state, Merrill was prohibited from filing jointly due to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), yet he couldn't legally marry due to North Carolina law.
"When the court recognizes the legality of same-sex marriage and the unconstitutionality of DOMA, and removes any possibility for persecution of what is my right, then I will gladly pay toward the system -- but not until then," Merrill says. "I'm pleased to receive the support and recognition of so many people who grasp the seriousness of this fundamental flaw within our country's laws. Their great attention to this issue gives me hope for change. I've committed no crime here, but the laws that have been placed against me and so many other gay couples nationwide are most certainly a crime against humanity."
Merrill, who is bisexual, moved with his partner Kevin Boyle to California, where they married and have lived since 2008. He was also married for 23 years to Evangeline Johnson, the only daughter of Johnson & Johnson founder Robert Wood Johnson. Having experienced the tax-code benefits afforded to straight, married couples, he realized firsthand exactly how unfair the laws were when applied to same-sex couples.
As a consequence of not paying the taxes deemed owed by the U.S. Tax Courts in this case, Merrill could face prison time. Failure to fork over the money is a misdemeanor, whereas filing jointly under DOMA is a felony (1996, Mueller vs. Commissioner). While Merrill does have tax attorneys interested in pursing the case, the activist says the courts move slowly and that time is on his side. His age, 75, is to his advantage, he says, and that's yet another reason to remain hopeful about and true to his mission, and ignore government intimidation.
Barney Frank says, "the government should mind its own business on marijuana"
A new article in Esquire details Barney Frank's plan to decriminalize marijuana. - via Boing Boing
Texas officials apologize for raid of gay bar
A raid on a Fort Worth gay bar by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission that left one man seriously injured was done in violation of several of the agency's policies, according to TABC Administrator Alan Steen. "I don't think you have to dig very deep to figure out that TABC has violated some of their policies," Steen said. "We know that, and I apologize for that."
Meanwhile, the city is requesting that federal prosecutors take on additional oversight responsibilities for the investigation of what transpired at the Rainbow Lounge.
Episcopal Church takes stand on gay issues
Newsy presents some news and views on the recent move by the Episcopal Church to allow gay bishops and same-sex marriage blessings.
HRC endorses Sotomayor
Today, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, issued a formal endorsement of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. On May 26th, the day President Obama announced his selection of Judge Sotomayor as his nominee to the United States Supreme Court, the Human Rights Campaign hailed the selection but decided to wait until after the Senate confirmation hearing before announcing today’s formal endorsement.
The Human Rights Campaign is encouraged by Judge Sotomayor’s responses to questioning from the Senate Judiciary Committee and her record of fair-minded decisions. Judge Sotomayor has consistently recognized the constitutional right to privacy, first articulated in Griswold, that lays the foundation for recognizing fundamental rights for LGBT people.
“Judge Sotomayor has demonstrated her understanding and commitment to protecting the liberty and equality of all Americans,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “We are particular impressed with her promise to approach questions of equality with an open mind. We are confident that Judge Sotomayor is well qualified to become our nation’s next U.S. Supreme Court Justice.”
Thursday marked the end of the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. A Committee vote is expected sometime next week. Throughout the hearing, Judge Sotomayor was asked by Republican Senators about her stance on marriage equality. Although not able to answer directly to most of the questions because of the pending litigation around marriage equality and the Defense of Marriage Act, Judge Sotomayor vowed to look at the issue in the context of the case that came before her with a “completely open mind.”
Learn more about federal judicial nominations and follow HRC's work on these crucial issues at HRC’s Equality in the Courts.
Tonight at Tracks: The Britney Experience
The Britney Experience tonight at Tracks features DJ Riley and performances by Ginger Sexton and Blade Matthews.
How long will you live?
Created by the curly-headed and cute Dr. Thomas Perls (author of a book by the same name), LivingTo100.com utilizes the latest scientific and medical information to determine how long you’ll live based upon 40 questions.
The online examination covers everything from gym time to cholesterol levels, and once completed, gives a rather comprehensive-for-its-price (free) tailored report with advice on how to extend whatever magic number one ends up with.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
US Senate invokes motion of cloture for Matthew Shepard Act
The U.S. Senate today invoked a motion for cloture to proceed to the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 909) Amendment, which would provide local police and sheriff’s departments with federal resources to combat hate violence. The cloture motion to consider the Amendment to the FY 2010 Department of Defense Authorization bill was adopted on a vote of 63 to 28.
Clearing the 60 vote threshold stops any Republican filibuster and allows the Matthew Shepard Act Amendment to proceed to final passage, which is expected on Monday. Cloture is a procedural tool to allow debate, and eventually passage, to occur. It requires 60 votes instead of a simple majority.
More after the jump.
“Once again, we have demonstrated that more than 60 Senators support the Matthew Shepard Act, legislation that will provide police and sheriffs’ departments with the tools and resources they need to ensure that entire communities are not terrorized by hate violence,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Today’s key vote move this legislation one step closer to the President’s desk. With the support of an overwhelming majority of the American people, including more than 300 law enforcement, civil rights, civic and religious organizations, it is past time we take this important step toward combating hate in our country.”
The legislation was introduced on April 28 in the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), and Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA), among others. On June 25, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the Matthew Shepard Act (S. 909) that included an appearance by Attorney General Eric Holder, the first time an Attorney General has testified in favor of this legislation, and written testimony from Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.
Before today’s vote, there have been nine previous, successful votes on federal hate crimes legislation in the House and Senate. This past April, a bipartisan companion bill, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 249-175.
The Matthew Shepard Act gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. It provides the Justice Department with the authority to aid state and local jurisdictions either by lending assistance or, where local authorities are unwilling or unable, by taking the lead in investigations and prosecutions of violent crime resulting in death or serious bodily injury that were motivated by bias. It also makes grants available to state and local communities to combat violent crimes committed by juveniles, train law enforcement officers, or to assist in state and local investigations and prosecutions of bias-motivated crimes.
Hate crimes are underreported for a variety of reasons, including that victims often live in communities where coming out to report the crime would itself be unsafe. However, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s own statistics, based on voluntary reporting, show that since 1991 over 100,000 hate crime offenses have been reported to the FBI, with 7,624 reported in 2007, the FBI’s most recent reporting period. Violent crimes based on sexual orientation constituted 16.6 percent of all hate crimes in 2007, with 1,265 reported for the year. In addition, although anti-transgender hate crimes are not captured in the federal statistics, we know that transgender Americans too often live in fear of violence.
Working in coalition with the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the Human Rights Campaign continues to mobilize its members and educate the public. Online users have the opportunity to contact their member of Congress, watch video testimonials on hate crimes and learn the truth about the legislation at www.FightHateNow.org.
here! has podcasts
I listened to a couple of episodes of here! with Josh and Sara last year and it didn't really tickle my pickle but I'll give 'em another try because I am really in dire need of some new podcasts to listen to. Gay Pimpin' with Jonny McGovern once a week is awesome but it only comes out once a week and I need more. More, I tell you!
Check here! with Josh and Sara here.
Misdemeanor indictment for murder of gay man
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today expressed outrage at the indictment of Robert Hannah on a charge of misdemeanor assault for the attack and death of Tony Randolph Hunter during a September 2008 crime in the District of Columbia. Hunter, a gay man, died from injuries he sustained after being punched in the face by Hannah. HRC also reiterated its pledge to support Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV), a local DC based organization organized after Hunter's death, to bring awareness and advocate against hate motivated violence in DC.
“The witness accounts of the crime indicate that Hunter was violently attacked for no other reason than his sexual orientation. Yet the alleged perpetrator stands indicted for only misdemeanor assault. Today's indictment is nothing short of outrageous. The maximum penalty this individual will be able to receive, if convicted of the charge of misdemeanor assault, is 180 days in jail. There is no justice in an indictment that has a maximum penalty of six months in jail for taking another person's life,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “As we have in the past, we will continue to support the efforts of Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence (“GLOV”) to push for an open and transparent investigation into this case. The public has a right to know how this happened."
More after the jump.
On September 7th, 2008, Tony Randolph Hunter was brutally attacked in downtown Washington, DC while out with friends. The attack left Hunter lying unconscious on the street. He was taken to the Howard University Hospital by police where he died ten days later without regaining consciousness.
The primary mission of Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV) is to work to reduce violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals (and those perceived as LGBT) through community outreach, education, and monitoring cases to ensure that the rights and dignity of LGBT victims are respected and protected. GLOV also seeks to assist victims of anti-LGBT violence by advocating on their behalf, encouraging reporting, and providing a community of support. For more information, e-mail info@glovdc.org or visit their website at: http://www.thedccenter.org/programs_glov.html
Justice Department releases occupational fact sheet about HIV/AIDS
The Justice Department today released a new technical assistance fact sheet on legal requirements relating to admitting individuals with HIV or AIDS to occupational training schools and granting state licensure in occupations such as barbering, massage therapy and home health care assistance.
Persons with HIV and AIDS unfortunately still face obstacles in obtaining training and state licensure in these occupations because of overly broad state licensure requirements that applicants be free of communicable diseases. Because HIV disease is not communicated through casual contact, excluding individuals with HIV under these licensure requirements is unnecessary and discriminates against these individuals in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This publication is intended to provide guidance for state licensing agencies and occupational training schools so that individuals with HIV or AIDS have an equal opportunity to pursue these occupations.
More after the jump.
“People with HIV or AIDS should not be denied access to their chosen profession because of outdated laws or unfounded stereotypes and fears. The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice is committed to the full and fair enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Loretta King, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.
The Americans with Disabilities Act protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in all activities of state and local government entities and by public accommodations. This publication and additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available at the Department’s ADA Web site at http://www.ada.gov.
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