Khan, Dead at 88

Ricardo Montalban, TV’s Mr. Roarke, Trek’s Khan, Dead at 88 – E! Online

Time Out: My Life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson’s new song:

YouTube – My Life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson

What’s really going on in the gay rights movement?

LGBT people pinned hopes on Obama being the salvation. As if his election alone would nullify the influence of the religious right. LGBT leaders are recognizing the practicality and politics, while the people are still outraged by Rick Warren. His mere presence to them symbolizes a complete failure by Obama even before his presidency gets started.

There is a disconnect in the community. Leaders are being too practical and not outraged enough, while people are too used to being outraged while not thinking strategically how to make a real difference.

Dan Gilgoff at US News:

I’m struck by the angry reactions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender folks to my story this week on the elation of the gay rights movement over President-elect Barack Obama’s selection of openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson to give the invocation kicking off inaugural week. (I noted separately, on this blog, that some of the elation is born of the Obama transition team’s stepped-up its outreach to LGBT leaders.) The gay rights movement is far from elated with Obama, a number of commenters write.

Is the Gay Rights Movement—or Are Just Its Leaders—Elated Over Gene Robinson? – God & Country (usnews.com).

Gay Feature Films At Sundance: I Love You Phillip Morris and La Mission

Ace Ventura loves Obi-Wan

Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor star in a “gay prison romance story” I Love You Phillip Morris

The jailhouse romance film I Love You Phillip Morris stars Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor as a pair of star-crossed lovers who meet in a Texas jail cell.

The script is based on the book of the same name by journalist Steve McVickers. The book follows the true story of Steven Russell (played by Jim Carrey, Liar Liar) and his improbable, but true, transformation from small-town businessman, father and former cop to gay white-collar criminal and ingenious jailbreaker.

After a car crash, Russell’s life takes a most unusual roller coaster ride that leads him to a life of crime, being gay, and falling in love with his cellmate Phillip Morris (played by Ewan McGregor, Star Wars).

Between 1993 and 1998, the clever Russell broke out of a Texas jail four times in five years and always on a Friday the 13th; twice landing into a six-figure job as a CFO of a major company…

The Park City, Utah festival will also premiere director/writer Peter Bratt’s La Mission.

In the middle of the Hispanic San Francisco district of La Mission, Che (played by Benjamin Bratt, Law and Order) is the baddest Chicano on the block. A hard knocks life lived behind prison bars and Tequila shots, Che prods on for his beloved son, Jesse.

Che’s macho world is crushed when he discovers that Jesse is gay. He responds to the revelation by violently severing all ties with his son.

La Mission is the story of how a proud father and a lost son mend their relationship, breaking with the violence of the past.

Gay Feature Films Premiere At Sundance | On Top Magazine :: Gay & Lesbian News, Entertainment, Commentary & Travel.

Little response to Obama ending ‘don’t ask’ policy is a good sign

Very little outcry against lifting the ban. LGBT need to focus on this and get it passed to get some momentum going for other things, including ENDA.

The little-noticed response, made in a video posted on change.gov, made barely a ripple outside blogs focused on the gay community, but that’s not surprising, said those who have been pushing to overturn the ban. Not only was Obama’s position expected, they said, but support for reviewing or repealing the policy has grown markedly in recent years, including some from unexpected quarters.

The end of “don’t ask, don’t tell” might not happen immediately, several critics of the policy said. Although they appreciate clarity from Obama on the issue, they anticipate that the demands of the economy and two wars are likely to trump a speedy policy reversal.

Obama will end ‘don’t ask’ policy, aide says.

Blackmail? Eddy Curry was told to fire driver

It’s beginning to look a lot like blackmail:

“We tried to tell him [Curry] that he could drive himself, that he didn’t need all these cars,” said attorney Kelly Saindon. “He needed to cut expenses.”

David Kuchinsky

Curry felt loyalty to David Kuchinsky because he was beaten and pistol-whipped along with Curry and his wife during a 2007 robbery in the hoops star’s suburban Chicago home.

Curry finally gave in to his lawyer’s wishes and fired Kuchinsky two months ago, setting off a chain of bizarre events that led to the filing of a sexual harassment suit Monday in Manhattan Federal Court.

Over the past six weeks, Saindon says, Kuchinsky has repeatedly demanded $93,000 in back pay and credit card charges he says he is owed and made veiled threats about what would happen if he didn’t get paid. “You’ll find out,” Saindon says Kuchinsky told her.

She said Kuchinsky never mentioned any inappropriate sexual shenanigans involving Curry. Kuchinsky wanted to retrieve information stored in a laptop in Curry’s Burr Ridge, Ill., estate, but she refused to hand over the computer because it belonged to Curry, Saindon said.

“This lawsuit is nothing more than a disgruntled former employee trying to extort money from his former employer,” Saindon said.

Eddy Curry was told to curb driver

More gays in Obama White House?

The (unnamed source Democratic) activist… said David Medina, a gay man who is a former national political director for John Edwards’ presidential campaign, has been tapped as deputy chief of staff for Michelle Obama…

Dave Noble, a gay man led efforts to mobilize gay voters for Obama’s presidential campaign, will serve as the White House’s liaison to NASA, the activist said…

Karine Jean-Pierre, a lesbian, has been selected to be the White House liaison to the Department of Labor…

More gays to serve in Obama White House – Washington Blade

Finder’s Keepers: We didn’t notice $175,000 bank error

Ka-Ching!

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – A Pennsylvania couple is behind bars after police say they failed to call the bank when a glitch put an extra $175,000 in their account.

Authorities say 50-year-old Randy Pratt and 36-year-old Melissa Pratt instead withdrew the money, quit their jobs and moved to Florida.

Couple: We didn’t notice $175,000 bank error – Criminal weirdness- msnbc.com.

New proposal to ban gay marriage in Indiana

New proposal to ban gay marriage in Indiana. It won’t pass though. Why? Cause we’re already illegal! These guys want to make us even more illegal.

An effort to pass a constitutional ban on same-sex marriages in Indiana is being renewed, this time with new wording that supporters hope will sway critics.

Its supporters said the new version would prohibit civil unions — which are already not recognized in Indiana — without affecting domestic partner benefits offered by some employers.

Chances of the amendment moving through both the House and Senate this session are slim, however.

Echoing his past comments, House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, said Indiana already has a law banning same-sex marriage.

That law, he said, has “been upheld by every judge that’s faced it.”

New proposal to ban gay marriage includes new wording | thestarpress.com | The Star Press.

New out lesbian in Illinois Senate may vote to oust her brother-in-law governor

Talk about a family feud. How often to you get to impeach your in-laws?

Impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich enters the State Capital for first time since his arrest in December. The imbattled Governor will swear in the Illinois Senate, the same body that will decide his political future, today at noon.

New House members to be sworn in Wednesday include Deborah Mell, D-Chicago, the governor’s sister-in-law…

Deborah Mell, a lesbian and advocate of gay rights, was once arrested at a protest for gay marriage. She and the governor have publicly disagreed on gay marriage. Mell ran unopposed in November, paving the way for her to become the first out lesbian in the Illinois General Assembly.

Ironically the newly elected Mell may soon be asked to vote on Blagojevich’s impeachment.

Impeached Illinois governor to swear in Senate (ChicagoPride.com)

Scientology lobbying to restrict rights of HIV+

Scientology cult to fight protesting by lobbying the county to ban HIV+ protesters. Isn’t this just a clarion call for more protesters?

While I believe most religion is a scam, Scientology is the scam king of them all.

Scientology is lobbying for the passage of a county-wide ordinance in Riverside County that would result in restricting protesting at “Gold Base.” Scientology lawyers are advocating that the presence of the two HIV-positive men presents a threat to the well-being of the alleged 500 workers at the Base, and is seeking to restrict protests.

Scientology Accused of Singling out HIV+ Protesters :: EDGE Boston

“You Better Work!” Reality contest with RuPaul looks for next drag superstar

It was only a matter of time. Why did this take so long? RuPaul Unveils Wild Drag Race

RuPaul's Drag Race

Ready, set, drag! How does a man compete at becoming America’s next hot, glamorous thing? The answer, we’re certain, will be revealed when RuPaul’s Drag Race hits MTV Networks’ gay and lesbian cable channel Logo on Monday, February 2.

RuPaul, America’s first drag queen superstar, will star as judge and jury to 9 men competing to fill her high heels. Watch out! And, no matter how you swing it, she’s not messing around: “Hey Tyra, step back girl. The queen has returned. And you can tell Heidi: Clear the runway. Miss RuPaul is back to pump some ‘realness’ into reality!”

Gay Entertainment Report: RuPaul Unveils Wild Drag Race | On Top Magazine :: Gay & Lesbian News, Entertainment, Commentary & Travel.

Labour MP Chris Bryant speaks about “horrible” Gaydar underwear photo controversy

Gay MP is outed in the worst way, gets reelected:

Labour MP Chris Bryant

In 2003 the tabloid press published pictures of Mr Bryant posing in his underwear, which they procured from his Gaydar profile, alongside transcripts of sexually explicit messages he sent to other site users.

In his exclusive interview with Attitude he described the experience as “very, very, very, very unpleasant.”

“I didn’t sleep much for about three months.

“Friends of mine were phoned and abused and had their sexuality revealed to their families.

“My family had journalists turning up on their doorsteps.

“It was very, very, very horrible at the time.

“We had a general election since then and I increased my majority, so my constituents … they certainly know everything there is to know about me.”

Chris Bryant speaks publicly about “horrible”Gaydar photo controversy – from Pink News – all the latest gay news from the gay community – Pink News.

Bishop Robinson, Rick Warren, and a deep divide

From Christian author Albert Mohler:

One interesting facet of the controversies over Warren and Robinson is the fact that the inclusion of the one does not placate the critics of the other. Homosexual activists are still angry over the choice of Warren to deliver the invocation on January 20. A host of others will be offended by the choice of Bishop Robinson. These two responses illustrate the depth of the divide over the issue of homosexuality.

The Idol of Our Many Understandings — Bishop Robinson at Prayer.

Pink Choice Awards Gay & Lesbian Hotels

From a Pink Choice press release:

Pink Choice (http://www.PinkChoice.com) the trusted website for gay and lesbian travelers seeking information about accommodations worldwide, is pleased to announce the winners of its 2008 Pink Choice Awards.

The Pink Choice Awards highlight gay friendly properties that earned the highest traveler ratings in their price range for 2008. Ratings take into consideration essential categories such as guests’ first impressions, check-in, staff, and overall value.

Pink Choice Awards Ring in 2009 with the Top Rated Gay & Lesbian Hotels. Provincetown and Fort Lauderdale Hotels Top Winners.

In Maine, gay marriage goes on the offense – bill introduced to make it legal

This is what we need to do. We need to go on the offense.

Maine State Sen. Dennis Damon

Same-sex marriages would be allowed in Maine under a bill introduced by a Democratic state lawmaker, political observers said.

The measure, introduced by state Sen. Dennis Damon, is entitled, “An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedoms,” CNN reported Wednesday.

Maine unveils same-sex marriage bill – UPI.com.

Investor Marcus Schrenker, arrested, tried to commit suicide to evade

Marcus Schrenker

An investment manager who staged a plane crash to evade the law was barely conscious and muttered the word “die” when federal agents found him bleeding from a slashed wrist, an investigator said Wednesday.

U.S. Marshals apprehended Marcus Schrenker, 38, late Tuesday at a northern Florida campground two days after the amateur daredevil pilot apparently tried to fake his own death in a plane crash. Authorities believe he parachuted to the ground and later sped off on a motorcycle he had stashed in central Alabama.

The Associated Press: Agent: Investor mutters “die” as run from law ends.

BART officer Johannes Mehserle arrested in NV on murder warrant

BART shooting victim Oscar Grant

The BART police officer who fatally shot an unarmed man on an Oakland train platform and then refused to explain his actions to investigators was arrested Tuesday in Nevada on suspicion of murder, authorities said.

Johannes Mehserle, 27, of Lafayette was taken into custody in Douglas County, Nev., said Deputy Steve Velez of the Douglas County sheriff’s office. The arrest was also confirmed by David Chai, chief of staff to Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums.

Mehserle was arrested in the New Year’s Day shooting of Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old supermarket worker from Hayward who was lying facedown after being pulled off a BART train by police investigating a fight. An Alameda County judge signed an arrest warrant alleging murder, and Mehserle surrendered without incident, authorities said.

The shooting, which was recorded by passengers in videos widely circulated on the Internet and television, prompted public outrage, and some viewers said that the shooting appeared to be an execution.

Sources said Mehserle was in Nevada because he feared for his safety after death threats were made against him. Douglas County is 15 miles south of Carson City in northwestern Nevada and includes part of Lake Tahoe.

Mehserle’s attorney, Christopher W. Miller of Sacramento, confirmed early today that his client was arrested on suspicion of murder. He said he would not comment further until a news conference today.

Alameda County District Attorney Tom Orloff was expected to announce details of the arrest today. He could not be reached late Tuesday.

Authorities have been under immense pressure to take action in the case. On Tuesday, BART board President Thomas Blalock and board Director Carole Ward Allen sent a letter to Orloff, urging the district attorney to move expeditiously to complete the investigation and file charges if warranted…

BART officers had detained Grant and several other passengers at about 2 a.m. Jan. 1 as they investigated a fight aboard a train from San Francisco. Passengers with cellular phone cameras captured footage that shows Grant lying facedown when he was shot.

In the videos, Mehserle appears to be trying to put cuffs on Grant, and Grant appears to be struggling, when Mehserle suddenly pulls his service weapon from his holster and fires one shot into Grant’s back.

Mehserle declined to speak to BART criminal investigators after the shooting. Then last Wednesday he resigned rather than answer questions from BART’s internal affairs division.

BART officer arrested on murder warrant in NY Day shooting.