Who Wore it Better? Nina Flowers or Eric Bana

World of Wonder's Steven Corfe posts this interesting side-by-side of two out-of-this-world stars.

Eric Bana's hot but nobody out-fierces Denver's Nina Flowers.

Be sure to check out her show Drama Drag every month at Tracks.

Decorated Air Force officer fights Don't Ask, Don't Tell discharge

After 18 years in the Air Force, Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach faces likely removal because his superiors were informed that Fehrenbach is gay. Fehrenbach, who won a medal for heroism in Iraq, was hoping that the Obama administration would bring an end to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network estimates that 200 military personnel have been discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" since Obama took office in January.

Amnesty International creates a worldwide map of human rights

Amnesty International has created a quick interactive online reference map charting human rights concerns around the world -- a country-by-country guide to torture, state terror, political violence, and the suppression of civil, political, social and economic rights in 157 countries worldwide. The map includes reporting on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights so be sure to check it out.

NewNowNext Awards 2009

Logo is premiering its second annual “NewNowNext Awards” 2009, paying homage to the pioneers of today who are transforming and defining tomorrow’s pop culture. The event will be hosted by the world’s most famous drag queen, RuPaul.

“NewNowNext Awards” 2009 premieres Saturday, June 13 at . The awards show will air simultaneously on-air and LOGOonline.com and feature Special Appearances by Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Vanessa Williams, Robert Verdi, Wendy Williams (Radio & TV Host), Lisa Lampanelli, Cheyenne Jackson, Taylor Momsen from “Gossip Girl”, Bethenny Frankel & Jill Zarin from “The Real Housewives of NYC,” Paulina Porizkova, Mary McCormack, Christian Siriano, Selene Luna, Sia, Ongina & Rebecca Glasscock from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Del Marquis, Avenue Q's Kate Monster, Paolo Andino, Stephen Guarino, Kate McKinnon & Nicol Paone from “The Big Gay Sketch Show,” Livvi Franc, Gloria Bigelow, Erin Foley, Jeffery Self and Cole Escola, As Well As Performances By Morningwood, The Fire and Reason, RuPaul, Storm Lee, Paradiso Girls and Eve.

New Hampshire legislature reached marriage equality compromise

On Friday the house and senate committee of conference in the New Hampshire legislature voted in favor of a compromise bill that will advance the freedom to marry while ensuring religious liberties.

HB73 is a bill that will uphold the Constitutional right to freedom of religion, while complimenting previously passed bills that grant marriage equality to same-sex couples. Today’s committee of conference decision treats gay and lesbian people as well as people of faith with dignity and respect. The conference committee report on HB73 is expected to be voted on by the full legislature on June 3rd.

"We remain confident that marriage equality will become law this year, and HB 73 is an important final step in that effort," said Mo Baxley the Executive Director of New Hampshire Freedom to Marry. "Individual equality and religious freedom are New Hampshire values. We expect the House and Senate to now vote for HB 73 as reported out by the committee of conference. This is a very positive step and we remain optimistic that we will see legal protections for thousands of gay and lesbian couples signed into law by the Governor."

The freedom to marry for gay couples, partnered with religious protections in HB73 is supported by Governor Lynch, the State Senate, the committee of conference, and the majority of New Hampshire residents.

Some guys like it smooth and clean

see more Fail Blog

Looking at California's Prop. 8 decision from different perspectives

Newsy.com analyzes the news of the day and presents the issues from a number of different perspectives. In the video above, they take on the subject of the California Supreme Court's recent decision to uphold the anti-gay marriage Proposition 8 and have included views from a number of different sources including the Colorado Springs Gazette.

Is Adam Lambert hurting gay America?

Gawker's Richard Lawson thinks that 'American Idol' runner-up Adam Lambert's coyness regarding his sexuality is hurting gay America. Or, if not actually hurting gay America, then at least coming off as "lame".

What do you think?

We're in kind of strange times for public figures with regards to coming out.

A lot of famous people have come out with no negative reaction or impact on their careers: Wanda Sykes, Suze Orman, Neil Patrick Harris.

But there are still a lot of famous people generally regarded to be gay who, for one reason or another, have not come out: Queen Latifah, Anderson Cooper.

Adam Lambert's kind of a unique case though because with all the photos of him making out with guys and such I can't imagine there are people out there who perceive him as anything but gay.

Does he owe it to anybody to confirm or deny?

Does anybody think there's a possibility he's straight?

Houston and Miami top the bottom list

Houston, Miami, and San Francisco are big cities for bottoms.

Just in case you needed to plan your vacations.

Anybody have any thoughts on how the percentages for Denver break down? - via Gawker

Sarah Palin's hometown newspaper claims Antichrist will be gay

The title says it all.

You've got to read this bit of nonsense to believe it. The good news is that the author of the piece, the pastor for the Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla, Ron Mamman is getting righteously owned in the comments. Be sure to check them out.

Tiga at Beta

I love me some Tiga and he's going to be in town at Beta this Saturday, May 30. I'm scheduled 24/7 this weekend but maybe I'll try to free up an hour or two to go check it out. And I just found out that my former co-worker and current Queen of Beta, Catherine Nguyen is celebrating her birthday this weekend. Happy Birthday, Catherine!

Via YouTube, America reacts to Adam Lambert's shocking 'American Idol' loss

This collection of 'American Idol' results reaction videos might be a little last week but it's still pretty funny - via Gawker

Levi's supports marriage equality

Levi's supports marriage equality for the gay community. And this week, many Levi's stores across the country will begin taking part in the White Knot project so show that support.

The White Knot, like the red AIDS ribbon or the pink breast cancer ribbon, is a symbol of support for marriage equality.

Stop in and show Levi's that the LGBT community supports the businesses and brands that support us.

Everybody should have the right to tie the knot.

Learn CPR tomorrow for only $5

On May 29, 2009 from 7am to 3pm at the Pepsi Center in Downtown Denver, the American Heart Association will be hosting a Mass CPR training day for the general public. Each training session will last one hour and the first one of the day will begin at 7:30am.

Registration will open at 7am. There is a $5 per person fee to go through the training, and all proceeds from the event will benefit the American Heart Association. Parking is free.

This is a Friends and Family CPR training class. Basic CPR skills will be taught, and those who participate will walk away with the skills to save a life, however, certification will not be provided.

To register and secure your spot in the training session of your choice call 303-369-5433. Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required.

The event is sponsored by HealthONE—Denver’s 2009 Heart Champion, KSE Charities, Fox 31 News, The Deuce and KOSI 101.1 FM.

Courage Campaign: 1 Million for Marriage Equality

The Courage Campaign pledges to repeal Prop 8 and restore marriage equality to California. You can join more than 700,000 Courage Campaign members ready to restore marriage equality to California in 2010. Help the Courage Campaign reach 1 Million for Marriage Equality by clicking here and adding your name.

New Music: Pussycat Dolls - Hush Hush, Hush Hush

Brand new from the PCD - only 73 views on YouTube so far.

Dana White says UFC would welcome gays. MileHighGayGuy says it already has.

MMA Fanhouse reports that UFC president Dana White video blogged that gay fighters would be welcome in the UFC and that not only would he not have a problem with it, the other fighters probably wouldn't either.

"I honestly think it would have no impact whatsoever, with not only our fighters, but our fan base," White said. "The guys in the UFC, everybody's so cool, there's great sportsmanship, everybody's so respectful. It wouldn't be a big deal to me, and most of the guys I know in this sport, it wouldn't be a big deal to them either."

That's a pretty cool thing to say and I can believe it.

UFC fighters are elite athletes with better things to worry about than who's gay and who isn't gay and the very nature of the sport itself engenders mutual respect between the participants because oftentimes, it is only respect and sportsmanship that stand in the way of severe physical injury (well, more than usual).

Besides, there already are gay MMA fighters in the UFC and either Dana White doesn't know about him or he's just not naming names.

When I interviewed ring announcer/comedian/actor Joe Rogan for Out Front Colorado a few years ago we had a really great, really long conversation and one of the topics was about a couple of fairly big-name UFC fighters that were gay.

It was basically an open secret.

I won't name the guys here, because it was off the record, but rest assured, gay guys have fought in the UFC, do fight in the UFC, and will continue to fight in the UFC.

If I weren't so old, I'd probably try to be one of 'em myself.

Celebrating Pride Month: The best in LGBT TV

June is designated lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Pride Month in honor of the historic Stonewall uprising on June 28, 1969. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of this critical date in LGBT history, GLAAD presents this special Pride Month Programming Guide highlighting the best in LGBT television.




Monday, June 1
In the Life (Syndicated)
The GLAAD Media Award-winning LGBT newsmagazine will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of Stonewall with its three-part series Summer of Stonewall. The series examines the evolution and future of the movement, traces the history of the pride flag, and interviews longtime activist Larry Kramer. Multiple airings; check listings

Tuesday, June 2
Different for Girls(Showtime, 11:30 PM ET/PT)
Karl and Paul were best friends in boarding school in the seventies. When they meet again after 16 years, Karl is now Kim and the two begin exploring the possibility of a new kind of relationship. Different for Girls stars Rupert Graves and was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award in 1998. Multiple airings; check listings

Party Monster(IFC, 11:30 PM ET/PT)
Written and directed by GLAAD Media Award winning filmmakers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, Party Monster is the controversial story of glam NY club kids Michael Alig and James St. James.

Wednesday, June 3
Bad Girls(Logo, 8:30 ET/PT) SEASON PREMIERE
Logo begins airing the seventh season of the hit British series that examines the drama, love and betrayal that unfolds between the inmates, correctional officers, and prison administrators of the Larkhall women’s prison facility.

The Walker(Showtime, 6 PM ET/PT)
Woody Harrelson plays Carter Page III, a high society escort to some of Washington, D.C.’s most powerful men. When a lobbyist linked to Carter and one of his clients is found murdered, Carter tries to uncover the truth. Multiple airings; check listings

Thursday, June 4
Hollow Reed (Showtime, 6:15 PM ET/PT)
After coming out and divorcing his wife, Martin Wyatt loses custody of his son. However, when his son shows up bruised on his doorstep, Martin suspects that the boy’s new stepfather has been beating him and begins a long courtroom battle for custody. Multiple airings; check listings

Friday, June 5
Fabulous: The Story of Queer Cinema(IFC, 7 PM ET/PT)
This IFC original documentary offers a chronological exploration of LGBT cinema, from the experimental films of 1940s to the Academy Award winning films of today.

Nowhere (IFC, 8:30 PM ET/PT)
The final installment in out filmmaker Gregg Araki’s self described “teen apocalypse trilogy,” Nowhere follows the crazy lives of a group of young Los Angelenos with fluid sexualities. Multiple airings; check listings

I Just Want to Be Somebody(IFC, 9:55 PM ET/PT)
Filmmaker Jay Rosenblatt explores the connection between the religious right and the LGBT movement in this short film comprised of television news clips, commercials, and the home movies of Anita Bryant.

Sugar(IFC, 10:05 PM ET/PT)
From cult writer Bruce LaBruce comes this story about Cliff, a gay teenager in 1980s Toronto who ventures into the city to discover himself and falls in love with a gorgeous hustler along the way. Multiple airings; check listings

Saturday, June 6
Save Me (Showtime, 12 AM ET/PT)
GLAAD Media Award honoree Chad Allen stars in this moving tale of a drug-addicted man who joins a ministry in an attempt to “cure” his attraction to men. Instead he meets Robert Gant. Multiple airings; check listings

Sunday, June 7
The 63rd Annual Tony Awards (CBS, 8pm ET/PT)
Broadway’s most fabulous night promises to be even better this year with Neil Patrick Harris emceeing the night’s festivities. Tune in to see if Elton John’s Billy Elliot sweeps the musical categories and if any of the out nominated actors take home a Tony!

Monday, June 8
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (Bravo, 10pm ET/PT) SEASON PREMIERE
GLAAD Media Award honoree Kathy Griffin returns with the fifth season of her two-time Emmy Award-winning show. Her first episode has Kathy visiting Bette Midler in Las Vegas! Frequent repeats; new episodes air every Monday at 10 PM

Weeds (Showtime, 10 PM ET/PT) SEASON PREMIERE
Weeds is back for its fifth season! What distress will sharp-tongued teenage lesbian, Isabella, cause for her mother, Celia? And here’s hoping we get to see more of Sanjay now that he’s out and proud! Frequent repeats; new episodes air every Monday at 10 PM

Raising the Bar (TNT, 10 PM ET/PT) SEASON PREMIERE
The second season premiere of TNT’s new hit legal drama finds law clerk Charlie Sagansky facing a new life as an openly gay man, having come out to his colleagues at the end of season one.

Nurse Jackie (Showtime, 10:30 PM ET/PT) SERIES PREMIERE
This brand new series brings the welcome introduction of the only openly gay Middle Eastern character currently on TV. Haaz Sleiman plays Mo-Mo Nurse Jackie’s co-worker and confidant in this darkly comic new show. Frequent repeats; new episodes air every Monday at 10:30PM

Wednesday, June 10
Top Chef Masters (Bravo, 10 PM ET/PT) SERIES PREMIERE
This new unscripted series takes the Top Chef format and flips it by using masters of the culinary world as contestants. 24 chefs, including out chefs Anita Lo and Elizabeth Falkner, will compete to win one hundred thousand dollars to be donated to the charity of their choice. The show will also feature fun and exciting guest judges such as Neil Patrick Harris, Morgan Spurlock and Zooey Deschanel. Frequent repeats; new episodes air every Wednesday at 10 PM

Saturday, June 13
Kings (NBC, 8 PM ET/PT) SERIES RETURN
Kings returns to primetime after a brief hiatus. Will King Silas’ son Jack finally prove worthy of the throne? Or will his secret life and clingy ex-boyfriend continue to prove problematic in his fight for his birthright?

2009 NewNowNext Awards(Logo, 9 PM ET/PT)
The award show that celebrates the best in gay and lesbian pop culture returns. The show, which is hosted by RuPaul, features plenty of special guests and performers, so it promises to be great, unpredictable fun! Multiple airings; check listings

Ellen Degeneres: Here and Now (HBO, 10 PM ET/PT)
HBO re-airs Ellen’s second comedy special, filmed at Broadway’s Beacon Theater in 2003, before she became the reigning queen of daytime talk shows.

John Waters: This Filthy World (Showtime Showcase, 11:45 PM ET/PT)
Comedian and John Waters fan Jeff Garlin directed the cult filmmaker in his one-man stage show, in which Waters delves into the dirty details of his eclectic life.

Sunday, June 14
One Night Stand 09: Paula Poundstone (HBO Comedy, 8:30 PM ET/PT)
Openly gay comic Paula Poundstone returns to stand-up in this all new live concert film.

True Blood (HBO, 9pm ET/PT) SEASON PREMIERE
Season one of Alan Ball’s bloody new vampire series ended with gay chef Lafayette’s fate up in the air. Let’s hope he survives to keep serving up hot plates of sass all season long. Frequent repeats; new episodes air every Sunday at 9PM

Friday, June 19
Jeffrey and Cole Casserole (Logo, 11 PM ET/PT) SERIES PREMIERE
YouTube sensations Jeffrey Self and Cole Escola make their television debut in this new comedy show. Frequent repeats; new episodes air every Friday at 11 PM.

Sunday, June 21
Quinceañera (Logo, 10 PM ET/PT)
This touching film by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland won the 2007 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Limited Release. Jesse Garcia stars as a young Mexican-American in Los Angeles dealing with his sexuality amidst conservative Catholic culture.

Friday, June 26 – Sunday, June 28
Pride Party Weekend (Logo)
Logo celebrates Pride Weekend with a host of great party programming, such as the films Psycho Beach Party, The Gymnast, and A Four Letter Wordas well as marathons of some of your favorite Logo shows, like Shirts & Skins, Gimme Sugar, and Rick & Steve.

Saturday, June 27
k.d. lang Live in London (Logo, 9 PM ET/PT)
k.d. lang’s 2008 concert at St. Luke’s Church in London chronicles her successful career as a sing/songwriter. Backed by the BBC Orchestra this concert solidifies lang’s place among the great performers of her time.



Kate Burns explains the Denver Prop. 8 protest

Kate Burns was arrested in 2007 along with her partner Sheila Schroeder when they applied for a marriage license and sat in protest when they were refused.

Hurray for people like Kate and Sheila and all of yesterday's protesters, they are true heroes of the GLBT rights movement.

Denver Prop. 8 protesters arrested yesterday

Protesters taking part in yesterday's Denver Day of Decision civil disobedience action are arrested for blocking access to the Denver Clerk & Recorder's office.

Jerry O'Connell looks miiiiighty fine in his Speedo

I loooooove me some Jerry O'Connell. Especially when he's in a tiny, sopping wet bathing suit. - via OMGBlog

New Music: Little Boots - New in Town

I like this one. It's a jolly romp and I always appreciate a good gang dance battle.

More unintentional gay rap lyrics from Cracked.com

Yeah, I'm on a Cracked.com bender today.

So check out their list of the 14 Most Unintentionally Gay Rap Lyrics.

Such salty language!

Pancakes!

I dunno about you but I can eat a lot of pancakes.

Save the date for the Colorado Anti-Violence Program's 2nd annual All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast.

It's scheduled for Saturday, July 11.

In addition to all-you-can-eat pancakes the event will feature celebrity chefs from Denver's gay community.

Hmm, like who, I wonder?

Stay tuned for more info.

Clay Aiken versus Adam Lambert (bonus: Cracked.com versions of events)

La Daily Musto reports on an 'American Idol' runner-up dust up between 2003's Clay Aiken and 2009's Adam Lambert.

Aiken said Lambert made his ears bleed.

Musto loves it for the jealous cattiness of it all.

I don't watch the show but I like Cracked.com's imaginary version of a bitchy email battle between the two.

ACLU 'deeply disapointed' by Prop. 8 decision

- via Towleroad

University of Colorado student pleads 'not guilty' to gay bashing

20-year-old University of Colorado student Eric Patten pleaded 'not guilty' to charges of assaulting two lesbians over Memorial Day weekend.

He thought they were a couple of gay guys.

It does my heart good to see that mugshot. From the looks of it, the two gals whupped his ass real good.

Nice job, ladies!

'Beautiful People' premieres tonight on Logo

Based on the life of fashion maven Simon Doonan, 'Beautiful Peopl'e follows young Simon as he desperately seeks out the beautiful things in dreary suburban London.

Don't miss the series premiere tonight at 10:30 p.m. on Logo, but first check out a sneak peak of tonight's premiere and scenes from upcoming episodes.

New York Times: Gay marriage is inevitable

The gay marriage movement has youth on its side, and is therefore inevitable.

So sayeth the New York Times.

Free stickers: I support gay marriage

CREDO Action is giving away awesome free stickers to help you show your support for gay marriage (even the shipping is free). Hurry before they run out!

Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center responds to Prop. 8 decision

Pikes Peak Gay & Lesbian Community Center today denounced the California Supreme Court's decision to uphold Proposition 8.

"Our families do matter. Our rights are important. Our freedom and our equality are worth fighting for," said Ryan Acker, the Center's Executive Director. "Today we witness a terribly sad moment in which the court has allowed an influential group to misguide voters and strip away the constitutional and human rights of our community and our families."

Center leaders today call upon activists in Colorado Springs to stand in solidarity with the LGBT community in California and across the nation at the Day of Decision Rally and March planned for 5:15p this afternoon. In addition, the Center urges activists from across Colorado to reinvorgorate their committment to achieving full marriage equality at the Colorado State level.

"For far too long we have allowed legislative and constitutional bans on marriage equality in Colorado to go relatively unchallenged," says Acker. "Today we must recommit ourselves to achieving full equality here at home. The California decision cannot and will not derail our movement for freedom and equality."

For more information about the Center, or today's Rally, please contact the media line at 719.233.3760.

Prop. 8: It is wrong

GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano responds to the California Supreme Court decision to uphold Prop. 8 saying, ”It is wrong to stand in the way of giving committed couples the legal protections they need to take care of and be responsible for each other and their families. We thank the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the City of San Francisco and the other counsel and plaintiff couples for their steadfast advocacy and commitment to fairness and opportunity for all Californians.”

Don't Back Down - repeal Prop. 8

International Pride Celebration Calendar 2009

Boo to the California Supreme Court for upholding Prop. 8 but hurray to the more than 300 Pride events scheduled around the world and to Passport for collecting them all in one handy-dandy online calendar.

Check it out here.

The Center responds to Prop. 8 decision

From Mindy Barton:

The California Supreme Court today issued a decision that upheld Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage in the state.

Although the decision is extremely disappointing to the GLBT community, other states are moving in the opposite direction of California. Most recently both Vermont and Maine have legalized equal marriage.

The decision doesn't directly affect Coloradan GLBT couples, who don't yet have the legal right to marry here.

"A tremendous number of Colorado couples traveled to California from May to November last year while the state recognized same sex marriage," said Mindy Barton, legal director of the GLBT Community Center of Colorado. "We continue to encourage those couples here in Colorado to use their marriage as an opportunity to educate others about the importance of having the government, not just friends and family, recognize their relationship."

Still, Colorado has enacted a number of laws that are beneficial to the GLBT community: an amended hate crimes law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity; second-parent adoption; antidiscrimination in the workplace; and expanded antidiscrimination to include housing public accommodations. In April, Gov. Bill Ritter signed a bill allowing for two unmarried adults to file as designated beneficiaries. This estate planning tool, which enables a person to choose another to be entitled to certain financial protections and decision-making powers, becomes effective on July 1.

"Our state has made significant progress in the fight for GLBT equality," said Carlos Martinez, executive director of the GLBT Community Center of Colorado. "Although this decision is disappointing, it goes against the national trend toward rejecting discrimination based on sexual orientation."

California upholds anti-gay Prop. 8

GayCityNews is reporting that at 10 a.m. today the California Supreme Court voted to uphold Proposition 8 banning gay marriages in California.

Bummer. I was really hoping it wouldn't go down that way.

“Today’s ruling is a huge blow to Americans everywhere who care about equality. The court has allowed a bare majority of voters to write same-sex couples out of basic constitutional protections,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “This ruling is painful, but it represents a temporary setback. There will be a groundswell to restore marriage equality in our nation's largest state, and HRC will not give up until marriage equality is restored in California.”

One significant effort already underway is a strategic partnership between HRC and California Faith for Equality (CFE), a statewide group established to educate, support and mobilize faith communities on LGBT equality. The partnership joins CFE and its 6,000 supporting faith leaders with both HRC's Religion and Faith Program expertise as well as HRC's National Field Department to broaden, diversify and deepen religious support for marriage equality in California.

“This ruling couldn't be more out of step with what's happening across the country,” said Solmonese, pointing to recent marriage victories in Iowa, Vermont and Maine. “We have no choice but to return this basic question of fairness for the estimated 1 million LGBT Californians back to the voters.”

“While we are relieved that the 18,000 couples who married before the Prop 8 vote will still have valid marriages, it does not in any way remove the sting of this ruling,” added Solmonese.

Over the past decade, public acceptance of marriage equality for same-sex couples has changed dramatically. For the first time, more Americans say they support marriage for same-sex couples (49%) than oppose it (46%), according to the latest Washington Post/ABC poll released in late April.

Be sure to attend the Denver Day of Decision event sponsored by Soulforce. This Nonviolent Civil Disobedience action is scheduled for 3 p.m. today. The action will take place along the north side of Colfax Avenue between 14th and 15th streets, in front of the Webb Administration Building.

American Foreign Service officers to receive domestic partner benefits

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today lauded State Department plans, reported in multiple media outlets, to extend a number of important benefits to the domestic partners of Foreign Service officers. According to press reports, among the benefits that will be extended to partners of Foreign Service officers are travel to and from overseas posts, shipments of household effects, visas and diplomatic passports, emergency travel to visit ill or injured partners, and evacuation in case of a security emergency or medical necessity. This action does not, however, make health insurance, retirement and numerous other benefits available to domestic partners of Foreign Service officers or any other federal workers.

“This is a remedy that is long overdue. For too many years, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Foreign Service officers have been forced to choose between serving their country and protecting their families,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We thank President Obama and Secretary Clinton for their leadership in taking this important step and look forward to working with the Administration to extend further protections and benefits to LGBT Americans. In addition, we thank the members of Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies (GLIFAA) for their tireless efforts within the State Department and other agencies on behalf of LGBT people. We particularly thank former Ambassador Michael Guest, who left the Foreign Service after 26 years to protest these inequalities, for his service to our country and his tremendous leadership in advocating for equality.”

Alongside other organizations, Human Rights Campaign has been advocating for the extension of these important benefits for Foreign Service officers. After the November election, HRC issued its “Blueprint for Positive Change,” a series of more than 70 recommendations to the Obama Administration on how to improve the lives of LGBT people through executive action, which included extending the travel, training and other benefits described in the memorandum. Working with GLIFFA and the Council for Global Equality, HRC lobbied congressional committees to ask State Department officials about the extension of these benefits and to include them in key legislation governing the State Department.

In addition, alongside other Council members, HRC met with State Department representatives earlier this year and emphasized the importance of treating the partners of Foreign Service officers equally. On behalf of all federal workers, HRC continues to advocate for the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act (DPBO), legislation that would extend health, retirement and other benefits to the domestic partners of federal employees; DPBO was reintroduced in the House and Senate last week.

Graphic Novel: No Girls Allowed

I'm gonna order my copy today!

'No Girls Allowed' is an awesome new graphic novel about women in history who dressed as men for fortune, fame, and love. - via Boing Boing

Become a fan of Marriage Equality

The Marriage Equality page on Facebook hit their goal of 10,000 fans and they say their next order of business is to get another fan for each of the 18,000 California marriages whose fate will be decided by the CA Supreme Court in just a few hours.

Become a fan today.

Denver Broncos Fan Fair 2009

Tickets for the Denver Broncos Fan Fair are on sale now. Click here for tickets.

Pat Steadman becomes first openly gay man to serve in Colorado State Senate

Congratulations to Pat Steadman. He's a heck of a guy and is going to do a wonderful job as Colorado's newest Senator.

Denver Democrat Pat Steadman won the race to fill a vacancy in the State Senate seat from Senate District 31 Wednesday night, rising from a field of 10 candidates to claim victory by a margin of 20 percent over his closest rival.

A passionate fighter for Civil Rights and justice in his capacity as a lobbyist at the State Capitol, Steadman united one of Colorado’s most diverse senate districts, covering parts of both Denver and Adams Counties.

“It is an awesome responsibility to represent all of you and to carry our values forward and make sure that we remain Democrats, we remain true to our Party platform, and we do things that we can all be proud of the next day,” Steadman told the crowd of Democratic Party activists at Morey Middle School Wednesday night. “I hope I can count on all of you to be part of my team going forward, because this is one Senate District, and it doesn’t matter what county you live in, or your race, or your gender, or your religion, or your sexual orientation. We’re all Democrats, we all have a common purpose, and we’re all going to be in this together.”

Steadman replaces Jennifer Veiga, a Democrat, who was in her final term as State Senator and resigned following the close of the legislative session so that she could move to Australia to be closer to her partner’s family. Veiga was the first openly gay member elected to the Colorado General Assembly, and Steadman is the first openly gay man to serve in the Colorado State Senate.

“The fact that this has happened on the 13th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Amendment 2 case is really personally significant for me, because that was the galvanizing event in my life that called me to political action,” Steadman said, referencing the controversial amendment approved by voters in 1992 and overturned four years later in the nation’s highest court. “The idea that people could put a constitutional amendment forward, vote on whether or not I had rights, and exclude me from the protection of the law, was something I knew was unconstitutional from the first day, and the Supreme Court of the United States of America 13 years ago confirmed that.”

Steadman, 45, beat nine other candidates to become Colorado’s newest State Senator. His closest competition came from former State Representative Ann Ragsdale of Adams County, who won 40% of the vote on the final ballot, and Director of Communications for Denver Public Schools Alex Sanchez, who won 28% of the vote on the second ballot.

The remaining candidates, in order of their first round results, included Jill Conrad, At-Large Member of the Denver Public Schools Board of Education; Patrick Byrne, a budget and policy analyst for the Colorado Department of Transportation; Butch Hicks, a bus driver and instructor for the Regional Transportation District, treasurer for the Colorado Democratic Party and the Adams County Democrats, and former Westminster City Councilman; John Masalanik, president of Frontier Capital, Inc., an investment management firm; Doug Williams, a real estate developer and Secretary of Senate District 31; John Wren, a business consultant and adult educator; and Tom Anthony, a member of the Vacancy Committee who nominated himself from the floor Wednesday night and used his time as a platform to discuss the issues facing the Elyria neighborhood.

“We are proud to add Pat Steadman to the group of folks representing Denver in the State Legislature as the new Senator from Senate District 31,” Democratic Party of Denver Chair Cindy Lowery said. “He has shown a lifelong commitment to progressive values in Colorado, and I am confident he will continue to fight for us at the Capitol.”

Colorado statute provided for Senator Veiga’s seat to be filled by a special election of the Senate District 31 Vacancy Committee, a body of 185 Democrats representing Denver County and Adams County. The vast majority of the members are Precinct Committee Persons from the district who were elected to two-year terms by Democratic voters in the precinct at the February, 2008 caucuses. The remaining members of the Vacancy Committee, all residents of Senate District 31, were Party officials from Senate District 31, Adams County, Denver County, and the state of Colorado, and Democrats holding elected office who live in the District. Seven of the 10 candidates served on the Vacancy Committee, with Steadman, Sanchez, and Byrne the only three not on the committee.

It took three rounds of voting for Steadman to win a majority of the 164 members of the Vacancy Committee present when the voting began. Ragsdale led the first round of voting with 56 votes. The candidates with the top four vote tallies continued to the second round, at which point Conrad withdrew from the race and threw her support to Sanchez.

Steadman won 63 votes in the second round with Ragsdale earning 53 votes and Sanchez taking 44. Steadman and Ragsdale continued to a third round, which Steadman won with 93 votes to Ragsdale’s 63.

“This is democracy in action,” Steadman told the crowd of some 300 activists Wednesday night. “This is healthy for our party. We should all be proud of ourselves for our participation in this process.

“I’m truly humbled to be selected to be your new State Senator. I’m very much looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work as your State Senator. There’s a lot of work to do. There are very important things happening this Interim. We’re going to study our School Finance Act, to study our tax policy and our constitution. I want to be very involved in all of that, and I want to keep you involved in all of that. Ultimately some of these things are going to have to come back to you the voters, to help be part of that solution. Together, we can get these things fixed and we can keep our state moving forward.”

Steadman is expected to be sworn in next week along with Michael Johnston, who won a Vacancy Committee Election in Senate District 33 on May 11.



Backstage video from huge NY marriage rally

- via HRC

Real World/Road Rules naked butts

OMGblog's got some tasty footage chockfull of Real World/Road Rules Challenge nudity in the form of a Beautiful Butts Contest judged by gay boy Ryan.

Check it out here.

My votes go:

1. Johnny
2. Dan
3. Kenny

It's like Johnny says, I like 'em high and tight, not low and loose.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

I am officially on vacation.

Posting will be sporadic if at all for the next few days.

Happy Memorial Day and enjoy all the BBQ, beer, and UFC your little hearts desire!

New Hampshire House fails to pass marriage equality bill - could vote again in as little as two weeks

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, just released the following statement from National Field Director Marty Rouse, who is on the ground working in New Hampshire:

“In a series of votes today, the New Hampshire House displayed a definite willingness to pass a marriage equality bill - evidenced by a very strong vote of 173-202 when presented with a question to indefinitely postpone consideration of the issue (in other words, to kill it).

“While the House voted not to adopt today’s version of the amended marriage bill by a very close vote of 186-188, clearly the members of the House want to see marriage equality passed based on the strong vote not to kill it entirely. The House will now convene a conference committee to hash out differences in good faith in order to schedule another vote perhaps as soon as in the next two weeks.

“We will of course keep you updated and New Hampshire residents should continue contacting their legislators to tell them to support marriage equality."

I always thought she was a lesbian

But Alicia Keyes is a straight girl.

Gay Days Kick Off Party

* click to embiggen and read

Gay Days is coming up soon. Make your plans now for gay fun in the sun.

Who Would You Do? Chris Pine versus Chris Hemsworth

It's Kirk versus Kirk and Chris versus Chris on today's edition of Who Would You Do? with Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth.

The two baby-faced, baby-blue-eyed babes both had parts in this year's mega-blockbuster reboot of 'Star Trek' with Pine nabbing the starring role of James T. Kirk and Aussie hottie Hemsworth as Kirk's heroic and doomed father George Kirk.

Pine's also been talked up for the role of Hal Jordan in the upcoming superhero flick 'Green Lantern' while Hemsworth recently landed the title role role of 'Thor' as Marvel Comics version of the Norse god of thunder.

These two leading men both have the stuff it takes to go from sexy star faring captains to sexy superheroes but which one has the edge? Which one do you think has the most sex appeal and star quality? Who Would You Do?

Celia's closet

"Old" and "ugly" America's Next Top Model contestant Celia is featured in the New York Post and even has a little video action to go along with it. Celia's awesome. One of my all-time favorite ANTM girls. She might even be number two right after Jade.
- via FourFour

Rich from FourFour + Celia from ANTM = something like an orgasm

Rich interviews Celia! I haven't even watched it yet because I'm saving it for a future time in my life when I'm truly in need of the entertainment satisfaction I know it will provide.

Medical phenomenon or super whore phenomenon?

Michael K at Dlisted diagnoses a bad case of super whore.

Rodger McFarlane, former executive director of The Gill Foundation, has died

From GLAAD:

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our friend, colleague, and hero, Rodger McFarlane. A pioneer and legend in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights and HIV/AIDS movements, Rodger took his own life in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico last Friday. In a letter found with his remains, Rodger explained that he was unwilling to allow compounding heart and back problems to become even worse and result in total debilitation. We know that Rodger was in a great deal of pain. Already disabled in his own mind, he could no longer work out or do all the outdoor activities he so loved. He was also now faced with the realization that he could literally not travel, making employment increasingly difficult. As his friends and family, we thought it was important that we communicate to the world that it has lost an amazingly wonderful individual who contributed so mightily to our humanity.

Read more after the jump.

Rodger approached every aspect of his life with boundless passion and vigor. While many people go their entire lives wanting to be good at just one thing, Rodger excelled at virtually everything he did. Brilliant activist and strategist, decorated veteran, accomplished athlete, best-selling author, and humanitarian are just a few of the accolades that could be used to describe our friend. To know Rodger was to love an irreverent, wise-cracking Southerner who hardly completed a sentence that didn’t include some kind of four-letter expletive. He fought the right fight every day, was intolerant of silence, and organized whole communities of people to advocate for justice. These were traits that endeared him to us and are traits that make his legacy incredibly rich and powerful.

The power of Rodger’s many personal and professional accomplishments cannot be denied. He was on the forefront of responding to the AIDS epidemic that ravaged our country – and specifically the gay community – in the 1980’s. Before HIV even had a name, in 1981, Rodger set up the very first hotline anywhere; he just set it up on his own phone. That was the Rodger we knew. A born strategist and leader, Rodger took three organizations in their infancy and grew each into a powerhouse in its own way, empowered to tackle this national tragedy.

One of the original volunteers and the first paid executive director of Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the nation’s first and largest provider of AIDS client services and public education programs, Rodger increased the organization's fundraising from a few thousand dollars to the $25 million agency it is today. Until his death, he was the president emeritus of Bailey House, the nation's first and largest provider of supportive housing for homeless people with HIV.

From 1989 to 1994, he was executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA), merging two small industry-based fundraising groups into one of America's most successful and influential AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. During his tenure at BC/EFA, annual revenue increased from less than $1 million to more than $5 million, while also leveraging an additional $40 million annually through strategic alliances with other funders and corporate partnerships. Rodger was also a founding member of ACT UP – NY, the now legendary protest group responsible for sweeping changes to public policy as well as drug treatment and delivery processes.

Most recently, Rodger served as the executive director of the Gill Foundation, one of the nation’s largest funders of programs advocating for LGBT equality. He transformed the Foundation by sharpening its strategic purpose. He focused its philanthropy in the states, aligned its investment with political imperatives and forged relationships with straight allies that helped to further both the LGBT movement as well as the greater progressive movement. Rodger was instrumental in the creation of the Gill Foundation’s sister organization, Gill Action. The brilliance of Rodger’s vision is being seen today as important protections for LGBT people become a reality in more and more states.

No one will ever doubt that our friend Rodger lived a rich and complete life. A proud U.S. Navy veteran, Rodger was a licensed nuclear engineer who conducted strategic missions in the North Atlantic and far Arctic regions aboard a fast attack submarine. A gifted athlete, he was a veteran of seven over-ice expeditions to the North Pole. He also competed internationally for many years as an elite tri-athlete, and in 1998 and 2002, competed in the Eco-Challenges in Morocco and Fiji, where he captained an all-gay female-majority team.

In spite of the fact that Rodger never completed college, he was an accomplished and best-selling author and the producer of works for the stage. Rodger was the co-author of several books, including The Complete Bedside Companion: No Nonsense Advice on Caring for the Seriously Ill (Simon & Schuster, 1998), and most recently, Larry Kramer’s The Tragedy of Today’s Gays (Penguin, 2005). In 1993, he co-produced the Pulitzer Prize-nominated production of Larry Kramer’s The Destiny of Me, the sequel to The Normal Heart.

Rodger had a reputation as a hard-ass. That reputation didn’t do him justice. Many of us will remember Rodger as a caregiver, a man who nursed countless friends and family members battling cancer and AIDS. He was the most compassionate and giving of friends, especially to those in physical or emotional distress.

His many achievements were recognized throughout his life. Most recently, he had received the Patient Advocacy Award from the American Psychiatric Association. Other honors included the New York City Distinguished Service Award, the Presidential Voluntary Action Award, the Eleanor Roosevelt Award, and the Emery Award from the Hetrick Martin Institute, as well as Tony and Drama Desk honors.

How do you sum up someone’s life in just a few words? It’s impossible and you can’t. To commemorate Rodger’s life, his friends will organize celebrations of his, the details of which are still in the planning stages. If Rodger was anything, he was a character through and through; there are, quite literally, thousands of “Rodger stories.” That’s part of what made him such a special person. During our celebrations, we’ll share some of these stories and reflect on the many legacies left by our friend for life, Rodger McFarlane.




The Dallas Principles for LGBT equality

Over this past weekend, twenty-four influential donors, activists, and thinkers came together to discuss achieving full equality faster for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Americans. The result of the meeting was the production of a document known as ‘The Dallas Principles.’

The document is meant to raise the bar on expectations for the gay rights movement for all stakeholders, including: LGBT Americans, allies, elected officials, advocacy organizations and the media. ‘The Dallas Principles’ articulate a vision statement, principles, a common set of goals and a call to action designed to inspire and mobilize the LGBT community, allies, and political leaders to act individually and collectively to achieve full civil rights now.

Participants in the Dallas Meeting believe that the nation has embraced unprecedented change, including full civil equality for LGBT Americans. All Americans who share in this vision are asked to endorse the principles on the website, www.TheDallasPrinciples.org.

Oregon State House votes to support Matthew Shepard Act

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today praised the Oregon State House of Representatives for unanimously passing last night a resolution 59-0 that requested the United States Congress to pass the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA) and condemned a recent brutal beating of two gay men at a Seaside, Oregon beach.

“We applaud the Oregon State House of Representatives for showing leadership on this issue and moving to condemn this senseless act of violence,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We would also like to thank and congratulate them for taking the official position of urging Congress to pass, and the President to sign, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.”

Read more after the jump.


The two men, Samson Deal and Kevin Petterson, were on spring break March 22 at a Seaside, Oregon beach when several men dressed in black approached them from behind and beat them until they fell unconscious. After an initial review of the case, Seaside Police Chief Bob Goss announced that his department would be treating this as a hate crime because the victims indicated that the assailants had yelled anti-gay slurs during the attack.

“Crimes like these have no place in today’s society,” said Cristina Finch, Senior Counsel for the Human Rights Campaign. “The vicious attack on Samson and Kevin underscores the need for the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Unlike Oregon, most states do not have a hate crimes law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. Passage of the LLEHCPA will help ensure that all hate crimes are fully investigated and prosecuted. No one should live in fear because of who they are.”

Hate crimes continue to spread fear and violence among entire communities of Americans. In 2007, the FBI documented 7,624 hate crime incidents in the United States — almost 21 victims a day. Oregon reported more than 150 bias-motivated incidents in 2007 alone. Combating this bias-motivated violence presents local law enforcement with an immense task. Prosecution of such crimes often proves complex and requires many resources.

The importance of the LLEHCPA is that it provides resources to state and local governments for the investigation and prosecution of bias-motivated, violent crimes. The bill also ensures a federal backstop to assist local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of violent, bias-motivated crime.

For more information on the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, please visit: www.FightHateNow.org



Michael Johns: Put A Ring On It

Last year's 'American Idol' 8th place finisher Michael Johns takes on Beyonce's 'Put a Ring On It' at an Idol even in Los Angeles last night.

Leather is ...

Memorial Day is big in the leather community - what with International Mr. Leather in Chicago and all - and PlanetOut has an interesting article examining what leather is all about.

Colorado has a thriving leather community of its own and if you want to find out more about it you can check out the following links:

CJ's Leather
Colorado Leathermen
Denver Wrangler
Denver Eagle
Mr. Leather Colorado
Denver Boys of Leather
Labryinth Denver

No Deal: Carrie Prejean wanted to be a briefcase girl on 'Deal or No Deal'

Before she was Miss California, Carrie Prejean tried out to be a briefcase girl on 'Deal or No Deal' and this is her audition tape.

She describes herself as "a tomboy girlie-girl."

I personally am not that mad at her for not supporting gay marriage.

Lots of people don't and at least she was respectful about it.

Everybody's entitled to an opinion and a little courteous and respectful discourse goes a long way.

It's interesting to me how much media coverage the whole issue got.

Anyway, all I know about her is that - for a good Christian girl - she sure does want to get famous by any means necessary.

Tori Amos tells you what you want to know

I posted yesterday that Tori Amos was bringing her Sinful Attraction Tour to Denver on July 21 and now Spinner.com has video footage of her answering fan questions about everything from her favorite books to her setlist.

Save American small businesses, eliminate marriage for everybody!

Kenneth has an excellent response to increasingly more idiotic GOP Chariman Michael Steele's idea to fight gay marriage on the basis that it's a threat to the financial well-being of small businesses.

Rapids host Sounders this Saturday

TheColorado Rapids will host the newest expansion club in MLS as Freddie Ljungberg, Kasey Keller and the rest of the Seattle Sounders come to town this Saturday for the first time in history. This will be the first-ever encounter between the two sides in MLS regular season play.

Kickoff is set for 7:30pm this Saturday, May 23 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. For the full match preview of this game, featuring interactive projected lineups, insider game notes, head-to-head stats, the latest injury and suspension reports, as well as details on all the promotions taking place at the stadium on Saturday, click here.

Rocky Mountain Open registration ends this Friday

This Friday, May 22nd is the last day to register for the Rocky Mountain Open. This will be Denver Area Tennis Enthusiasts' second year running the tournament. There will be three days of exciting competition, a draw party, a charity banquet benefitting Project Angel Heart and many opportunities to meet GLBT players from across the country. The tournament competition runs from Friday, June 5th through Sunday, June 7th.

The tournament has divisions for all playing levels so you don't have to be an outstanding player to be able to participate and enjoy this friendly competition.

ACLU takes on anti-gay bullies (and teachers) and wins

The American Civil Liberties Union announced yesterday that it has reached a settlement agreement with the Vallejo City Unified School District on behalf of a high school student who faced anti-gay harassment and discrimination from teachers and school staff and was required to participate in a school-sponsored “counseling” group designed to discourage students from being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. The settlement is designed to combat harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity at all the district’s schools, and includes district-wide anti-harassment training for students and staff.

“All I ever wanted was to be able to go to school and just be myself. But I couldn’t do that when the people I was supposed to be learning from were judging me and telling me something was wrong with me. How was I supposed to learn when I was constantly scared?” said Hamilton, a high school student who came out as a lesbian when she was 13.


Read more after the jump.
For Rochelle Hamilton, starting high school was the beginning of relentless verbal harassment and discrimination from teachers and staff based on her sexual orientation and gender expression. Hamilton began attending Vallejo’s Jesse Bethel High School as a sophomore in the fall of 2007. The verbal attacks started almost immediately, and continued for months.

Hamilton became severely depressed and her grades plummeted. Worried for her daughter, Hamilton’s mother, Cheri Hamilton, repeatedly wrote letters, made phone calls, and met in person with school and district officials for several months. After three months of outreach to the school and the district, Cheri Hamilton contacted the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California for help. The ACLU intervened to resolve the matter with the school district.

Hamilton reports that while some of the harassment she suffered came from other students, most of the time it came from school teachers and staff. Specific incidents included:

· A teacher approached Hamilton while she was hugging her girlfriend and said, “This is ungodly, and you’re going to hell. This is a sin.”

· Another teacher said, “What’s wrong with you? What are you, a man or a woman?”

· Other school staff made repeated harassing comments to Hamilton in front of her classmates, including saying, “it’s not right to be this way.”

· Hamilton was also on several occasions denied access to the girls’ locker room.

“California school districts are required by state law to protect students from harassment and discrimination, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity,” said Elizabeth Gill, an ACLU-NC staff attorney who worked with the district on the settlement. “If a school district ignores anti-gay bias in schools, it is plainly violating both state and federal law. These laws are designed, in part, to ensure that all students are able to learn and thrive free from bias. When it’s left unchecked, harassment can take a serious toll on students.”

One of the most egregious incidents in this case involved a school counselor who required Hamilton to attend a special weekly support group for gay students. The real purpose of the group was quickly revealed, however, when the counselor berated students for “choosing” to be gay and tried to convince them to change their sexual orientation or gender expression. The counselor told the students that it is “hard to get a job if you’re gay.” When Hamilton’s mother went to school officials about the “counseling” group, the counselor confronted Hamilton the next week, telling her, “You’re going to get this treatment your whole life. What are you going to do, stand up every time?”

“The district-wide anti-harassment training will make Vallejo schools a more welcoming place to learn for all students,” said Jory Steele, ACLU-NC’s managing attorney. “District administrators made the right move in taking important steps to protect its students from bias.”

Hamilton transferred out of Jesse Bethel High School midway through her sophomore year to escape the daily harassment. She is now completing her junior year at another high school in the district.

Pursuant to the five-year agreement reached with the ACLU, the district will adopt a clear policy explicitly prohibiting discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity, as required by California law; develop a specific procedure for harassment and discrimination complaints; provide mandatory training for all teachers and other staff who interact with students in how to identify anti-gay harassment and discrimination, why it’s harmful, and how to prevent it; and provide mandatory anti-harassment training to all students in the district, as well as taking other steps to make the district a more welcoming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.



HRC launches Supreme Court Nomination website

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today launched a new website designed to help provide key information on the Supreme Court nomination process to the LGBT community. The site outlines the critical need to have a fair-minded judiciary, recognizing that while LGBT Americans currently face discrimination under many state and federal laws, there have been recent gains in the Courts that further LGBT equality. To visit the website, visit: www.hrc.org/EqualityInTheCourts.

“There are many qualities to consider in a judicial nominee, and we believe one of the cornerstones must be a commitment to fundamental rights and equal protection,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “It is vital that we have a nominee who will uphold equal rights for all Americans, including LGBT Americans.”

Check out HRC's full criteria after the jump.

Human Rights Campaign’s Criteria For Judges:

Only nominees who possess exceptional intellectual ability, distinguished experience in law, and a temperament that would enable them to make decisions fairly and with an open mind should be confirmed for lifetime appointments to the bench. HRC believes that an assessment of temperament worthy of lifetime appointments should include the following:

--demonstrated commitment to full equality under law for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans; individuals living with HIV and AIDS; women; people with disabilities and racial, ethnic, and religious minorities;

--demonstrated commitment to the constitutional right to privacy and individual liberty, including the right of two consenting adults to enter into consensual intimate relationships;

--respect for the constitutional authority of Congress to promote equality and civil rights and provide statutory remedies for discrimination and violence;

--sophisticated understanding of and commitment to the separation of church and state and the protection of those citizens with minority religious views;

--respect for state legislatures' attempts to address discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation, disability, race, ethnicity and other factors through carefully crafted legislation that meets the requirements of the Constitution.



Up Your Alley

* click to embiggen and read

Up Your Alley and Folsom are just a little more than a month away.

Make sure you've got all your plans together.

All your ducks in a row.

Or something.

Charlie's debuts Go-Go-Bingo tonight

* click to embiggen and read

Echo and The Bunnymen in space

Move over 'Star Trek'. Echo & The Bunnymen’s mighty 1984 album 'Ocean Rain' will boldly go to the International Space Station on June 13th courtesy of astronaut Colonel Timothy L. Korpa.

Korpa, who has been a Bunnymen fanatic since his teens recently contacted the band via their website about his upcoming three-month mission on the ISS. Though Ocean Rain is Korpa’s favorite, he gave the choice to the band to pick which of their albums they would like him to take on his mission, saying that he would snap photos in space with the album and crew of the ISS and give the album back to the band as a souvenir when he returns to Earth. The Bunnymen ecstatically shipped out to Korpa an autographed copy of Ocean Rain right away.

“What an honour,” said Echo & The Bunnymen’s Ian McCulloch. “Now it’s official. We are the coolest band in the universe. As a kid I dreamt of being an astronaut, and now in a way it feels like I’m fulfilling that dream. I cannot wait to hear from Tim what it is like to listen to ‘The Killing Moon’ in the actual glow of the moon.”

The NASA mission happens to tie in with a box set reissue of 'Ocean Rain', set for release on May 30. The set will include a live version of the album recorded at the Liverpool Arena last November, plus a DVD documentary and booklet. The first 1000 copies ordered will be signed by McCulloch and guitarist Will Sergeant.

Below are my two favorite Echo & The Bunnymen songs of all time:

Cheap Dates: Flyin' West

Times are hard, go on cheap dates like the free read reading of 'Flyin' West' by Pearl Cleage on Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m. hosted by Curious Theatre Company and Jeffrey Campbell.