The Rainbow Post

2012-04-10T16:44:00.000+01:00

Decoding American Healthcare.......

Created by: Medical Billing and Coding Certification

April issue of Diversity Rules outnow

2012-04-04T12:54:00.001+01:00

The April issue of New York's premier queer monthly publication is out now, loads of features inside, including, Abby Dees is a Los Angeles based civil rights attorney-turned-author, speaker, syndicated columnist and IMRU radio host. Abby wrote the book Queer Questions Straight Talk to help bridge the communication gap between the LGBT and straight communities. Ruthie Alcaide has appeared on MTV’s Real World Hawaii, and The Challenge programs. She’s now a college lecturer.

There is also a page dedicated to gay writer and broadcaster, Jason Shaw regarding his book, the Top 50 Most Influential Gay Movies of All Time.

Check out the April issue of Diversity Rules Magazine featuring Abby Dees and Ruthie Alcaide at http://www.diversityrulesmagazine.com

Once there, just click on the current issue tab, to visit and read the wonderful online version of this fine publication.

Howard Stump meets Sirpaul

2012-04-02T15:24:00.001+01:00

Guest Post from music blogger Howard Stump

In preparation for the stampede this week caused by the release of The Horse, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the creative force behind the album, SIRPAUL™, to learn what might hear on the album, and to just catch up with the amazing talent. But before we jump in, I thought it might be nice to get some background info on SIRAPUL. After moving to New York City in 1998, he released his first album, a self-titled collection now out of print. That was followed by Sexual.Human.Being, Robotika, Switch, and a favorite of mine, 2006's Dismantle. And there was also Objectified and the most recent, Music & Me. And that is only the full albums, for there were also several EPs and Remixes available. I’ve been a fan for a while, fascinated by the way SIRPAUL is able to skim the best of Pop and Rock over the past few decades, and make startling new music that, at it’s core, has amazing heart and soul. The music has all been released on the Controversial Records label, for which he is the CEO and Founder. The company as also released music by Cherylyn, as well as a recent release by Simulover. SIRPAUL has also released several videos in collaboration with director Andreas Anastasis. These videos have been featured on LOGO and MTV, and have topped the charts on LOGO’s ClickList and the NewNowNext, as being featured on MTV.com. With you all caught up now, let’s get to his latest release, The Horse. I couldn’t resist, I had to know what inspired the album title. “Well I felt that the two of the things I feared but am strongly attracted to are falling in love and riding a horse,” he answered. “Both are strong and powerful. Both require practice, patience and confidence, and when you get thrown off you have to just get back up and try again. I’m fascinated by horses and I have learned to trust my instincts...the title came to me and I just knew it was what the album was going to be called before I even wrote the songs.” After getting an opportunity to hear an advanced copy, I couldn’t help but notice The Horse has a harder edge, harkening back to Punk roots, like the great music of Blondie and Debbie Harry. What drew you in that direction? “I’m really at a very specific place in my life right now,” he told me, “and I really feel like I’m starting to understand the side of me that is a very head strong, powerful man. In a lot of way I think my last album Music & Me was my way of saying to the world: “Here I am! I can make really catchy music!” and with the exception of Colors and U it was more about me showing off my production skills more than it was about revealing anything too deep or intimate. The Horse is about the process of owning my strength, being unapologetic about my intense sexual energy and exploring the depths of my masculinity. Body Connection featuring Loco Ninja I see that on the first single, you collaborate with Loco Ninja, a great new LGBTQ artist some of the blog regulars might recognize from previous posts. How did that come together? “Loco’s my boy,” SIRPAUL exclaimed! “Believe it or not, we never even met until after we collaborated! Someone I know tweeted about him so I checked out his music and I loved his style. He checked out my stuff and he offered to collaborate. At this point, Body Connection was already done but I felt like the song lends itself really well to feature a rap break so I sent him the track. I was on pins and needles waiting to hear what he came up with,” he told me excitedly, “and was very happily surprised with the result. I think he has a very good career ahead of him.” With a blog filled with the music of so many talented artists in the gay community, and enjoying the collaboration with Loco Ninja, I was interested in knowing if there were any other LGBTQ artists SIRPAUL would like to work with. “I just finished remixing Christopher Dallman & Baby Alpaca” he answered proudly. “They are both BRILLIANT and amazingly cool people that just so happen to be out AND have an immense amount of talent. I’m really not a fan of any of any mediocre “out” artists who think that by just being gay it’s enough to make their music good or interesting. When you listen to an artist’s music the last thing you should be thinking is “Is this person GAY?” Who cares?? I think some-how gay people have been credited with having good taste and that is hardly the truth. At the same time, enough with gay publications writing about Britney Spears, Madonna, Kylie and Rihanna. We have plenty of talented people in the LGBTQ community and if the music is GOOD, we should lift each other up.” After hearing and loving the new music, I was dying to know what song SIRPAUL felt came the closest to capturing the man himself. “I’d say Like A Horse feels like a true, classic SIRPAUL song to me… but then again,” he said with a laugh in his voice, “I have musical multiple personality disorder so, all of my songs are really very authentic to me as an artist.” Like A Horse off the album, The Horse I have to admit, the density of sound at the top of Strict really grabbed me straight away. In fact, Strict, Hardcore Crazy and Dark Beat seemed to be coming from a different place than the others. They sound like they come from a darker, edgier part of your soul. Do they bring some light in there for you? “No,” he told me mater-of-factly. “They reveal the darkness by pulling you into it with me.” Hmmm, I like the way that sounds. Strict off the album, The Horse There is no way I could talk to him about this album without mentioning the cover art, which is artful indeed. It features SIRPAUL draped across a black horse. At first glance, it took my breath away. The cover is exquisite. Was it your idea to be naked atop a horse? “Thank you,” he said appreciatively. “Yes it was. We were first trying to reinterpret a very famous painting called Mazeppa. I was to be tied naked to a horse, which is how the painting shows the character. It was a crazy idea but I worked really hard to make sure I didn’t make a fool out of myself. I put myself on a very strict diet and exercise regimen - six days a week at the gym for two hours a day, no wheat, dairy, soy or sugar.” Mazeppa, by Horace Vernet. And SIRPAUL by Michael Young I have to say, that seems pretty impressive to me. But so does SIRPAUL, looking young and strong, that is for sure. Was this just for the cover shot, or something more permanent? “I’m trying to just make it a lifestyle now because I’ve never felt better in my life,” he answered. “I’ve also been working very closely with a brilliant photographer named Michael Young (Website here) and I trusted that if I got my body in really good shape and I made sure the location, set, props and styling (if any LOL) were all on point, we could create something magical and for me, it was a transformative moment in my life.” As a man with many titles, including singer, songwriter, producer, CEO, and just about any other job it takes to make music in the current day and age, I had to know if SIRPAUL had a favorite part of the entire process of putting together and releasing an album. “My favorite part is writing and recording the songs,” he told me, not surprising me at all. “I also love conceptualizing the artwork. Believe it or not, I actually love every part up until the point where I have to switch gears and do all of the business side of things. Booooooring,” he told me, rolling his eyes. “I need to sign with a record label...I can’t keep doing everything on my own anymore. I just want to focus on making the music and performing now.” With a change in the New York law, SIRPAUL took advantage of the opportunity to marry Paul Petersen earlier this year. So I was dying to know if and how this made a difference. How has married life affected your music? “Married life has given me the freedom to explore both the darkness and the light,” he said thoughtfully. “I feel more willing to look at the parts of myself that I was too afraid to see before because I know now that I’m unconditionally loved. You couldn’t ask for a better husband or a more supportive partner. He has given me the courage to fly.” I have to thank SIRPAUL for taking time to answer my questions. The Horse will be released Tuesday, April 3rd. It will be available on iTunes and Amazon. I will post the links when I have them. Meanwhile, you can visit his official website for more about SIRPAUL. You can also check out a recent theme song from a movie, Going Down In La-La-Land. To learn more about Going Down In La-La-Land, visit the official website. You can purchase the song on iTunes and Amazon. You can find SIRPAUL's music catalog on iTunes and on Amazon.

Interview and post from Howard Stump

New Books from Jason Shaw

2012-03-21T14:19:00.002Z

Priced at £6.99

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The Top 50 Most Influential Gay Movies Of All Time -

2012-03-03T11:00:00.000Z

Hey, it's been a short while, but at last the first of a series of books from me is out, The Top 50 Most Influential Gay Movies.

Following on from extensive research, watching, calculating and a veritable avalanche of emails the cogitation and compilation is complete and it's now time to unveil the final Top 50 of those wonderful gay movies that hold some sort of influence over us.

Available in printed from at £6.99 (or save 10% and get it for £6.29 by ordering from lulu )

Also available in a digital form exclusive to Amazon Kindle for £3.88 representing excellent value.

This is an exciting time for me and I sincerely hope you will enjoy this comprehensive guide to the most influential gay movies of all time.

All top 50 movies have a full review, complete with synopsis and sometimes some reader/viewer comments and suggestions - maybe yours is included?

Presented in a clear and easy to understand way, this really is designed to be an gentle first insight into those special gay movies that have helped shape our emotions and our society.

Walgreens Prescription Savings Club

2012-01-26T03:00:00.001Z

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Guilty of gay hate.

2012-01-20T20:43:00.001Z

Three Muslim men have been found guilty of stirring up hatred by handing out leaflets that said Islam "punished" homosexuals with the death penalty.

Ihjaz Ali, Kabir Ahmed and Razwan Javed handed out the pamphlet, called The Death Penalty?, which showed an image of a mannequin hanging from a noose and quoted Islamic texts that said capital punishment was the only way to rid society of homosexuality.

They were convicted at Derby Crown Court of distributing threatening written material intending to stir up hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation.

It is the first prosecution of its kind since legislation came into force in March 2010.

Mehboob Hussain and Umar Javed, who were also charged with the same offence, were found not guilty by the jury.

The leaflets were given to people outside a mosque and posted through letterboxes in the Normanton area of Derby.

Razwan Javed, Kabir Ahmed, Ihjaz Ali will be sentenced next month

The men admitted distributing the flyers but denied they were "threatening" or designed to cause trouble for homosexuals.

Bobbie Cheema, prosecuting, said that "many people" had complained to police about receiving the leaflets, which were distributed in the run-up to a gay pride event in the city in July 2010.

Gay people who received the leaflets were horrified. One man, who didn't want to be named, told Sky News: "They incite violence and I would even say it's incitement to murder. It lists various methods of executing homosexuals from burning alive, stoning, hanging or being thrown from a tall buidling and I felt that was directed at me.

"My initial thoughts were that I was actually being targeted by an individual, it really was quite frightening, it's a very very scary image, especially when you realise what the message is," he said.

During the trial the court heard that one gay man was so frightened by the leaflets that he left his home for a week.

Another man, who wished to remain anonymous, told Sky News: "I'm still looking when I'm walking down the street to see if someone is following me or when I go to bed I think, 'is someone going to do something to my letterbox?' It's just a nightmare. You can't sleep at night, it's a big worry."

Taxi driver Ali, of Fairfax Road, who the prosecution said was believed to be the main organiser and supplier of the leaflets, was found guilty of four counts of distribution on July 2 and July 4.

Ahmed, who is married with a nine-month-old daughter and lives in Madeley Street, and Razwan Javed, of Wilfred Street, were convicted of distribution in the area of the mosque on July 2.

Judge John Burgess, Honorary Recorder of Derby, adjourned sentencing until February 10.

Gay Movies

2012-01-10T13:19:00.002Z

Gay movies, we’ve all heard of them, seen them, enjoyed or hated them. Some are great, some good, some fun, some not so good or fun or even that interesting. Like any genre so broad as this, there are genres within genres within genres, horror, historic, recreations, love stories, coming of age and rite of passage battles, the list probably as endless as we are different. Yet, some of these gay movies are better than others, some more popular, well known, enjoyable, worthy or just plain silly, but all have some are level of influence, be it tiny or great. Take Philadelphia and Brokeback Mountain for example, both I’m sure you’ll agree had a fair level of influence on audiences, both mainstream and gay as well as the media and the movie industry as a whole, but that’s only my thoughts, what are yours, what do you think have been the most influential gay movies over the last 50 years? Surly you have a view, perhaps you’re a gay movie fan, or connoisseur or maybe you like most are just a casual watcher, you may be bi, straight or gay, it doesn’t matter, I want to hear your views, what you think are the most influential gay movies of the last 50 years.

Please leave me a comment in the comment section below, or email gaymovies@seafrontdiary.com or if you prefer, text 075 123 76995

ING Direct

2011-12-16T22:00:00.001Z

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of ING Direct for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Gay rights in Israel

2011-11-23T19:06:00.001Z

Israelis are justifiably proud of their country's record on gay rights, especially when that record is compared to that of its neighbors. This Israeli pride is too much for anti-Israel activists to bear, including one who on the Times op-ed page today accuses Israel of "pinkwashing" its real human rights record.

My in-box is filled with outraged responses from gays and lesbians (most, though not all, Jewish). Here is one response from a person who has been active in the gay rights movement who is an acquaintance of mine:

It's astonishing that someone would reduce the very visible presence of gay men and women in Israel, and their enfranchisement as members of the community in good standing as a mere public relations ploy. And not least because Jews have played an instrumental role in the struggle to secure those rights, in the U.S. and in Israel. It is part of Jewish culture's DNA to champion the cause of minorities, not a stratagem cooked up by some PR firm, as Israel's inveterate adversaries on the Left would have people believe. History shows as much, and certainly with respect to homosexuality.

Moreover, for someone putatively on the Left, the writer is doing harm to her own professed interests. Is she suggesting that a country shouldn't be proud of its record of championing a progressive cause, or cite it as evidence of the enlightened nature of its politics? And is she really unwilling to affirm those achievements? Does she begrudge Israel any praise for establishing a haven for those rights in a region not widely recognized for its hospitality to minorities?

She describes gay rights in Israel as an incomplete picture of civil rights in the country, which is fair enough, though as usual, it doesn't acknowledge the arduous efforts of Netanyahu's recent predecessors to grant the Palestinians almost all of what they purport to want. But its not in the nature of politics to be perfect, especially with regard to minority rights. It is always a struggle to build something inherently fragile in the face of a constant war of attrition against an often unyielding majority. If the Left is not willing acknowledge the tangible differences between Israel's treatment of its gay citizens and the persecution gay and lesbians face in many of the neighboring countries, and to throw its support to Israel, then it is risking seeing those hard-won gains evaporate.

She should be careful what she wishes for.

Gay Student's Flamboyant Behavior Blamed For His Murder

2011-11-23T18:59:00.001Z

Gay Student's Flamboyant Behavior Blamed For His Murder

Only a few hours had passed after 17-year-old Brandon McInerney had pled guilty to the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Lawrence "Larry" King at E.O. Green Junior High School when the media started pointing fingers.

The Los Angeles Times ran a story the same day, November 21, which said that the assistant principal at the school, who is openly gay, had been criticized for being "more intent on protecting King's civil rights" than "acknowledging that his dress and behavior were causing problems."

In a separate piece, also published Monday, the LA Times reported that the murdered teen's mother, Dawn King, had sought the help of school officials in "toning down her son's behavior" just a few days before the shooting. But she was allegedly told by the administration that King had "a civil right to explore his sexual identity."

During his live radio show on November 22, Rush Limbaugh claimed the school's progressive attitude was at fault for King's murder. "He was showing up in school dressed as a woman," Limbaugh said. "So now a confused 17-year-old is dead because the school [said] 'Ah, there's nothing we can do.'"

But Limbaugh had his facts wrong, according to Superintendent Jerry Dannenberg, who told The Huffington Post over the phone on Tuesday that King had not broken the rules of the middle school's dress code, which forbid a male student to wear dresses to school. It's true that Larry King wore heels, makeup, and jewelry to class. But none of these things were against the school's dress policy, said Dannenberg.

Read the full report at Huff Post

Australia's Mardi Gras Returns to Gay Roots?

2011-11-21T11:34:00.001Z

After nearly a decade branded as the New Mardi Gras, organisers have announced Mardi Gras 2012will return to its roots by going back to its old name of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

The lycra and glitter-filled parade, to be held in March, was relaunched last Thursday after organisers were told they were losing their way.

Organisers say participants next year are likely to be calling for the right to be married.

“I would absolutely say that marriage equality will be right up there,’’ Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Graschairman Pete Urmson said.

“We would like to think we might be celebrating.’

While Urmson is hopeful the GLBT community will be celebrating the legalisation of gay marriage in Australia by February 2012, he’s not so confident.

``With (Prime Minister) Julia’s letter to The Age this week, we think the festival will be more of a demonstration than a celebration,’’ he said.

While Labor fights over the proposal for a conscience vote in Parliament on gay marriage, Gillard’s stance has been clear from the onset.

“I think that there are some important things from our past that need to continue to be part of our present and part of our future,” the Prime Minister told the Daily Telegraph earlier this year:

“If I was in a different walk of life, if I’d continued in the law and was partner of a law firm now, I would express the same view, that I think for our culture, for our heritage, the Marriage Act and marriage being between a man and a woman has a special status.

“Now, I know people might look at me and think that’s something that they wouldn’t necessarily expect me to say, but that is what I believe.

“I’m on the record as saying things like I think it’s important for people to understand their Bible stories, not because I’m an advocate of religion - clearly, I’m not - but once again, what comes from the Bible has formed such an important part of our culture.”

According to Urmson, Marriage equality, youth suicide and bullying in aged care facilities will be the key issues at the 2012 Mardi Gras.

A ``gayed-up Disneyland’’ will be set up in the Entertainment Quarter of Moore Park for the Mardi Gras party, with performers including RuPaul, Jonather Hellyer, D.E Experience, Sneaky Sound System, Deee-Liteand Horse Meat Disco booked for the festivities.

“The Sydney Mardi Gras will always have its thumping gay heart that celebrates the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer communities, but Mardi Gras is now inviting those who share our positive message about the power and beauty of diversity to be part of our celebration,” said Urmson.

“We would love to see people who share our values, but who never thought they would be in the Parade to approach us and share their ideas. There will always be room for a great float which will both entertain and bring people together.”

“Our hope with this change is to turn Sydney Mardi Gras into an even bigger civic event – right up there with Rio and the world’s other great carnivals – to be enjoyed by everyone, but always remembered as being a gift to the city from its gay & lesbian community and a demonstration of our pride.

They also unveiled the parade’s new logo - two hearts, on their sides, attached at the points.

——————————————————————————————————————————

“The logo is a universal symbol that connects with everyone in a different way,” creative director of the advertising agency Moon, Greg Logan said.

“It symbolises all types of genders coming together and does not discriminate. Its symmetry indicates equality and people coming together to celebrate love.

“Some people see lips, some people see arses, some people see tits, some people see butterflies. I think that’s the power of it: it’s all embracing.’‘

“If you love, you fall under that symbol.’‘

The new logo has resonated so strongly with the organisation’s Communications Director, Damien Eames, that he decided to get it tattooed on his shoulder.

“It’s my first tattoo,’’ the 42-year-old said.

“The second I saw it I knew I wanted to get it.’‘

Mardi Gras Communications Director Damien Eames sporting his new tatts. Pics: John Appleyard.

The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras is a unique Australian story, with a journey from being a Parade that was met with police brutality to being a Parade in which the NSW Police march alongside the LGBTQI community.

It has become Australia’s most iconic street carnival in Australia and a must-see for global travellers, gay or straight. Up to $30m a year is generated for the NSW economy and approximately 20,0000 visitors fly in each and every year to take part.

Older gays are not as healthy as straights!

2011-11-17T20:03:00.000Z

A recent study released by the University of Washington's School of Social Work is turning attention toward a group of seniors who face unique (and ignored) needs; a group whose numbers are expected to be more than 4 million by 2030--lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) boomers.

Researchers surveyed 2,560 LGBT adults aged 50-95 across the United States, to find that they had greater rates of disability, depression, loneliness and distress compared with heterosexuals of similar ages. Further highlighted by the study were the unique needs of this aging group, such as fear of discrimination, the lack of children to depend on as caregivers and less social support and financial security with age, as older LGBT adults are less likely to be partnered or married than heterosexuals.

Presenting some of the study's key findings during a congressional briefing last week, Karen Fredriksen-Goldsen, the study's lead author, told HealthCanal:

"The health disparities reflect the historical and social context of their lives, and the serious adversity they have encountered can jeopardize their health and willingness to seek services in old age."

Thus, Fredriksen-Goldsen calls for for senior housing, transportation, legal services and social events for LGBT seniors.

Full report in Huff Post

Lesbian News Reader Jane Hill To Marry

2011-11-17T18:00:00.000Z

Popular BBC Newsreader Jane Hill has confirmed on Twitter that she will enter into a civil partnership with her partner, Sara.

Hill, 42, who came out publicly in 2009, has worked as a newsreader on the BBC’s 24-hour channel for 14 years and also continues to present broadcasts on BBC One

She wrote on Twitter: “Yes, Sara & I are getting hitched.”

She added: “Still a bit shocked I think! (and hungover).”

The Telegraph drew consternation from some quarters by including quotation marks in its headline “BBC newsreader Jane Hill is to ‘marry’ a woman cameraman”.

The paper’s celebrity news section said: “Having “outed” herself as homosexual in the BBC’s staff magazine, Jane Hill has now accepted a “marriage” proposal.

“The newsreader is to enter into a civil partnership with her girlfriend, Sara, a television cameraman.” Jane Hill has received a large number of positive messages, some have questioned the Telegraph’s use of punctuation in its story.

One Twitter user claimed the Telegraph was bigoted, Hill said: “A number of us thought that about the inverted commas”.

To another message, she replied: “Let’s just say you are far from the only person who has responded that way, so we should take heart from that.”

On the subject of generally referring to civil partnerships as marriages, Peter Tatchell said: “Civil partnerships are not marriages and they are not equality. They were set up, in part, to thwart the campaign for the legalisation of same-sex marriage.

“They are not recognised as marriages in UK law, nor in any other country. While we wish civil partners every happiness, it is not appropriate to misname civil partnerships as marriages.”

Whilst we respect Veteran campaigner Peter Tatchell's right to hold that view, we think he does a great disservice to the whole gay community in rubbishing civil partnerships in this way. He is basically telling the thousands of couples who have enjoyed civil partnerships that it's ridiculous and worthless, it is both insulting and smacks of snobbery. To almost all those that have entered into a civil partnership they have classed it as a marriage, for it is exactly the same in almost all respects other than name. We congratulate Jane and her partner and which them a very happy married life together!

We do support the fight for equality, for allowing same sex marriage as law, yet in no way would we trash and insult those who have taken advantage of the civil partnership law.

Benetton gay kiss ad....

2011-11-17T16:52:00.001Z

Italian clothing giant United Colors of Benetton has unveiled its new campaign, featuring unlikely men kissing.

Three advertisement banners were revealed in Italy yesterday as part of the company’s UNHATE campaign.

Two were unveiled in Milan, one featuring Barrack Obama and Chinese leader Hu Jintao sharing a kiss, and another with French president Nicolas Sarkozy and German chancellor Angela Merkel.
The third was revealed in Rome and featured Pope Benedict kissing Egyptian imam Mohamed Ahmed el-Tayeb.

According to their website, Benetton’s UNHATE campaign seeks to “contribute to the creation of a new culture of tolerance”.
An official press statement on their website said: “The central theme is the kiss, the most universal symbol of love, between world political and religious leaders...

“...These are symbolic images of reconciliation - with a touch of ironic hope and constructive provocation - to stimulate reflection on how politics, faith and ideas, even when they are divergent and mutually opposed, must still lead to dialogue and mediation.”

The retailer has previously released advertisements that featured a man dying of AIDS and a nun kissing a priest.

Image courtesy of United Colors of Benetton.

Source pinkpaper

Fine for soccer player's anti-gay tweet.

2011-11-17T15:11:00.001Z

The UK Football Association has fined a Crawley Town Footballer over a homophobic comment on his Twitter...

A Crawley Town FC midfielder posted a tweet on his twitter account last month reading: “Gays all over the tele what’s wrong with Britain! Sorry I’m #FullyHomophobic.”

This week, Hope Akpan was fined £1,200 after admitting the FA misconduct charge.

The 20 year old player who has made 14 appearances for the club and scored two goals claims that someone in his family posted the comment without his knowledge, which was subsequently deleted a while later.

Akpan has admitted “acting in a manner which was improper and/or bringing the game into disrepute” but denies sending the tweet himself.

Mr Akpan said: “This is a very harsh lesson for me but given the circumstances I had no option but to plead guilty. It is clear that the person I thought would stand up for his actions did not and it has come with a heavy price to myself. In relation to what was reported on my Twitter account I can only once again apologise. I did not write those words and they are certainly not my views.”

Crawley Town manager Steve Evans said: “I really feel sorry for young Hope. Another person should be ashamed of themselves and all they have done is create a difficult situation for the most honest and genuine lad anyone could wish to meet.The Football Association have acted and the matter is now closed. The young man can now get on with his football. I know he was deeply upset by it but, as I told him, he must learn from this.”

Mr Evans said the club does not “for one minute believe that he made that inappropriate comment.”

However, if they don't think for one minute that Akpan made the comment, then what does Evans expected he 'must' learn. Akpan has refused to speak to a gay fan in the past at the Crawley Town ground in Broadfield. "He just spat at me and pushed passed" claims Tom a lifelong Crawley Town fan from Langley Green.

California Court Pivotal Vote On Same Sex Marriage

2011-11-17T15:08:00.001Z

The California Supreme Court is poised to release a decision that could prove pivotal to the future of the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage.

The court says it will file a written opinion Thursday morning clarifying whether the sponsors of ballot initiatives can defend their measures from legal challenges without the cooperation of the governor and attorney general.

A federal appeals court considering the constitutionality of the 2008 ban, known as Proposition 8, asked the state high court to weigh in on that question before it gets to the merits of the case.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has expressed doubts about the ability of Proposition 8's sponsors alone to challenge a lower court ruling that overturned the initiative. California's previous governor and attorney general both refused to appeal the decision

30 per cent off GAP

2011-11-17T11:49:00.001Z


	You're invited to save 30% at Gap from 16-27 November. Simply sign up for your voucher then bring it with you when you shop at any Gap, GapKids, babyGap or Gap Outlet store. You'll also be able to redeem this offer online.
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Bahamas Bishop Urges Gays To Get Help!

2011-11-16T09:30:00.000Z

A senior Bishop at the New Covenant Baptist Church in the Bahamas, Simeon Hall, is calling for all homosexuals to "seek help" and turn away from "deadly, abnormal sexual practices".

The religious man, who claims not to be homophobic use a local newspapers statistics as the basis for yet another attack on gay people. Bishop Hall says that in the Bahamas the number of men contracting AIDS because of homosexual practices has doubled in the past few years.

"According to Dr. Perry Gomez, director of the National HIV/AIDS programme, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Bahamas with men is near 14 per cent, nearly double the 8 per cent documented in 2008 in the Joint United National programme on HIV/AIDS," he said. "Homosexuality, like lesbianism, is anti-family and it goes against what God has ordained. This sexual practice cannot produce anything and now we are seeing that, according to statistics, it is deadly."

Bishop Hall said he is not trying to demonise homosexuals, but rather help them to seek help, "I wish to affirm that homosexuals and lesbians are human beings just like everyone else. I do not demonise them, but I hurriedly urge them to seek help and turn away from this non-productive deadly practice."

He has told many church goers in the past that he doesn't want any gays or lesbians in The Bahamas or in his churches.

Erin Green, a spokesperson for the local Gay Lesbian Bi-sexual and Transgender community told local newspapers the bishop is ignorant if he thinks that homosexuality is the only cause of the HIV/AIDS increase in the Bahamas. "I invite Bishop Hall to attend the Caribbean HIV conference this weekend, where he, along with other Bahamians, can engage in activities and expel these myths that are so prevalent in Bahamian society," she told the paper.

"It is dangerous to believe homosexuality equals AIDS. As a country we need to educate ourselves, not only AIDS/HIV, but also homosexuality."

In the latest released research, The Bahamas has the highest prevalence of HIV in adults anywhere in the Caribbean, roughly 3.3 per cent. AIDS is still a leading cause of death among Bahamian men and women, aged 15-44. However, according to this research HIV infection occurs primarily among heterosexuals - approximately 87 per cent

Mr Gay UK back!

2011-11-15T19:36:00.001Z

Finalists Sam Kneen from Cardiff, Nik Chapman from Newcastle and Greg Lumley from Middlesbrough. Read their manifestos below.

Leeds has got used to the notion of a close connection with coronations, what with our Kate Middleton's elevation to Royal status, but the next on our civic agenda has nothing to do with the House of Windsor.

It's the crowning of Mr Gay UK, a post which has seen an interregnum for three years, but is now back with finalists from local heats who will be sorted into winner and runners-up next month, reports Martin Wainwright on the UK's Guardian newspaper's Northerner Blog.

I'm not quite sure what the Guardian's attitude, or that of its readers, is tobeauty contests but that's what the Comments thread is for, so please fire away. Certainly, this particular competition has a history which is every bit as colourful as Miss World's if not more so. I know you need to treat Wikipedia with caution, but its entry on Mr Gay UK is awash with curiosity-tempting links.

Anyway, no one can fault the organisers' historiography which makes this celebrity-rich point:

Many star names have also been associated with the contest: Lily Savage, Jason Donovan, Phil Olivier, Graham Norton, Sonya, Jane McDonald, Tim Vincent, Rhona Cameron, the late Paula Yates and Michelle Heaton are just some of the names who have hosted the final. Sir Ian McKellen, Richard Wilson, Jean Paul Gaultier, Denise Van Outen, Antony Cotton, Danny La Rue, Justin Fashanu, Anita Dobson, Sue Pollard and a host of TV and soap stars are just a few of the fabulous people who have acted as celebrity judges.

The event runs regional heats in nightclubs to sort out the final contenders. Originally known as Mr Hardware, it reached the heights of a broadcast on Channel 5 in 1998 and 1999 and was part of the Channel 4 series Passengers in 1994.

Leeds own regional finalists. You can see what the city's own champion John Wheeldon thinks, right and below.

The Leeds coronation and final judging at the Mission on 10 December will follow online voting via all the usual outlets which is explained here. Apart from the fun and razzamatazz, there are prizes including a professional photo-shoot in Morocco, the chance to enter Mr. Gay Europe and £2000 in cash.

Here's what the pictured finalists have to say, starting with Leeds' John Wheeldon, who's 28 and works in sales accounts:

What made you enter Mr Gay UK this year?:

I've wanted to do it since I first came out a few years ago, and it's the first time I've been single and been ready – and I thought at 28 it's now or never really.

How did you feel when you won the heat?

I didn't really believe it at first. I thought they were joking; I think the nerves got the better of me. Then they gave me this bunch of flowers and I was just really happy.

How do you feel about the final?

It's just really nerve wracking isn't it. I'm looking forward to getting all my family and friends and hopefully all of Leeds together. I like competition.

What will you do with the money if you win

Well, I need to buy a new boiler first off. Then I'll treat myself; I want to travel the world, so I might go away somewhere. I've always wanted to got to Thailand

Same questions to Samuel Kneen of Cardiff who's 22 and a hairdresser:

My friends persuaded me, and I thought it might help with my confidence. I've been going to the gym a lot for the past year.

Ecstatic, I couldn't believe it! It was a huge surge to my confidence, which I've had a bit of trouble with in the past

Very nervous. I hope people will vote for me. If they do I'll be so appreciative. I just hope they can see my potential, and if I win I'll do my best to work hard for them

Well I'll pay off some of my debts, and give some to my dad, who's helped me out a lot when I've had money troubles. My firend Craig works for Terrence Higgins Trust, so I think I'll give them some money, and the rest I'll put on a bond for a new flat I think. I would have maybe gone on holiday, but I suppose I've got the trip to Morocco if I win anyway. Oh I'll take all my friends for a night out

And to Newcastle's Nik Chapman who's 25 and a bar manager:

It was a challenge, I heard about it a couple of weeks before and I thought it was a good challenge to get myself into shape

It might sound a bit cheesy, but I was a bit overwhelmed. It was done by cheering and having all those people cheering for me was really overwhelming, I was really happy.

I'm a bit nervous, I'd love to get into the final three

It's really boring but my car's in negative equity, so I'd really like to pay it off – it's a nice car though, BMW

And Greg Lumley, Middlesbrough's champion, a 27-year-old graphic designer:

Well actually, I wasn't going to, because I wasn't really confident enough to do it. But when I got there I just thought why not? You only live once!"

Amazing, I really didn't think I'd win. I thought the other guys cheers were louder than mine. I was more than chuffed"

Excited, but after seeing some of the other finalists I don't feel too confident"

It might sound boring, but I'd put it towards a deposit for a flat

You can check out more, and on the other contestants, on the competition website which also explains how to vote.

St. Petersburg latest Russian region to want anti-gay law

2011-11-15T19:26:00.001Z

St. PETERSBURG, Russia — Two regions of Russia – Arkhangelsk and Ryazan – have passed laws banning what they call gay “propoganda.” The laws have been deemed constitutional by Russian courts despite the chilling of free speech and the attack on LGBT organizing and ability to protest that they represent,

Now the St. Petersburg region wants to introduce a similar law.

Reports Paul Canning.

The proposed law, introduced 11 November in the legal committee of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly prohibits so-called propaganda of ‘sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism, and pedophilia to minors’. The bill was introduced by Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party

Says Polina Savchenko, General manager of LGBT organization Coming Out, Russia:

“By combining homosexuality, bisexuality, and transsexuality into one law with sexual crimes against minors (pedophilia), members of the Legislative Assembly indulge in gross manipulations of public opinion. Their goal – to pass an anti-democratic law, directed at severely limiting human rights in St. Petersburg.”

“In the name of “public interest”, members of the Legislative Assembly decided to ignore the Federal law, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention for Human Rights, Council of Europe Recommendations and other decrees by international organizations, of which Russia is a member. However, no public discussions were held.”

“It is also obvious that adoption of this law violates interests and rights of minors. Russia leads the world in the number of teenage suicides, and ignoring the issues of sexual orientation and gender identity can lead to tragic consequences.”

“This bill is absurd, both in terms of legal logic, and in terms of plain common sense. So what is the real goal? It is clear that adoption of this law would impose significant limitations on the activities of LGBT organizations. Organizers of public events cannot restrict access of minors to any open area; people under 18 can be there just by chance. Consequently, it makes any public campaigns aimed at reducing xenophobia and hate crime prevention impossible.”

St. Petersburg is home to numerous groups: The only interregional LGBT organization “Russian LGBT Network“; the largest grassroots LGBT organizationComing Out; the LGBT festival Side by Side; and other LGBT groups.

Savchenko believes that the LGBT movement in Russia has become now become so noticeable that “the homophobic government can no longer ignore its existence. The state attempts to destroy LGBT organizations using legal framework and to discredit them in the minds of the people.”

She suggests that there is a real possibility that such a law will follow on the Federal level.

Lithuania in 2009 pass a law to ‘protect minors’ banning “propaganda of homosexual, bisexual or polygamous relations”. After an outcry from its fellow European Union members this was amended to a “ban to spread information that would promote sexual relations or other conceptions of concluding a marriage or creating a family other than established in the Constitution or the Civil Code” and a ban on information that “profanes family values”. The Lithuanian government claimed it wasn’t discriminatory but since coming into effect the law has only been used once and that is to try to ban the Vilnius Gay Pride in 2010.

The Ukrainian Parliament is proposing establishing a criminal liability for “propaganda of homosexualism”.

Meanwhile, the website GayRussia is polling readers on whether on not to ‘out’ closeted but anti-gay Russian public figures.

The former mayor of Arkhangelsk recently alleged that politicians in the region use transgender prostitutes and that some members of the regional assembly, which has banned ‘gay propoganda’, are gay.

Paul Canning is a gay rights campaigner, Editor of LGBT Asylum News, and writer for The Guardian newspaper group in the United Kingdom.

Liverpool's Gay Streets!

2011-11-15T19:17:00.001Z

Liverpool has become the first city in Britain to have street signs emblazoned with the rainbow arch, the first of which was unveiled on Stanley Street at the heart of the city’s new gay quarter on Friday.

The signs, which appear along Stanley Street, Cumberland Street, Temple Lane, Eberle Street and Temple Street, have been introduced following the decision by the city’s council to officially recognise the Stanley Street Quarter as a gay area in August. The signage is one of the first visible initiatives to be implemented following this recognition.

Adam Simpson from Liverpool LGB&T said the move is the first step towards making the neighbourhood a prime destination, reports the UK's Pink paper.

“The Liverpool LGB&T Network are proud to see such a visible indication of the joint work between the community, business and Liverpool City Council,” Simpson told Seen Magazine. “We will continue to work together with the City Council to develop the Stanley Street Quarter into a first rate destination for residents and visitors,” he added.

The first sign was unveiled by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Liverpool and Councillor Sharon Sullivan on Friday afternoon in a ceremony attended by a number of residents and owners of local businesses.

Candice Fonseca, owner of Delifonseca delicatessen, said the signs and the recognition of the quarter would benefit local businesses.

“As a local business, we are delighted with the new signage which is the first tangible mark of real change to come. By showing visitors to our city where and what the Stanley Street Quarter is, businesses like ours will be able to benefit,” she said.

Ohio teen attack at school talks.

2011-11-15T19:11:00.001Z

It was a horrible video of a young teenager attacked at school just for being gay that shocked many.

The attacker waited for his victim, filmed by his cousin, then his victim walked in and was viciously attacked and beaten up.

I can still recall the video, it shocked me not least because nobody intervened. See the following of the horrific beating at Unioto-Scioto High School in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Now Zachary Huston, who was the gay student that was cruelly targeted in that beating has found his voice, and is speaking out. The American Civil Liberties Union is standing behind and supporting him, threatening Union-Scioto with a lawsuit unless the school district meets with them about putting and end to bullying and harassment.

Watch Zach's interview, AFTER THE JUMP...

The Lancaster Eagle Gazette reports:

The ACLU's letter alleges the school district was "derelict in its responsibility to provide a safe learning environment" for Zach. (James Hardiman, legal director for the ACLU of Ohio) said Monday "it's not enough to recognize or know a student was bullied. It must go further than that."

Hardiman said he does not take issue with the district's anti-bullying policy itself but rather the failure to enforce it. "It's not enough to have a policy on paper. The policy must have meaning -- it must have teeth," he said. "... Having a policy in place and not enforcing it is tantamount to not having a policy at all."

That sentiment was echoed by Zach, who said the school did "little to nothing at all," and his mother, Rebecca Collins, who said the bullying was ongoing despite her many complaints to administrators. Zach since has returned to Unioto, where Hardiman said, he has faced taunts from other students and some indifference on the part of certain educators.

Zach's attacker hasn't been back to the school and has pleaded guilty to an assault charge last week.

Over 1000 attend Stuart Walker's funeral.

2011-11-15T18:47:00.001Z

More than 1000 people attended the funeral of the murdered barman Stuart Walker last week.

It was a crime that attracted worldwide headlines due to the horrific way in which Mr Walker died. The young gay man was found “horrible” injuries at a lampost near an industrial estate in the Scottish town of Cumnock last month. Not only had he been savagely beaten he had also been set on fire.

Many of the Cumnock's 9000 inhabitants attended the funeral service for the man that was the “life and soul of our family” according to his sister. She also said: “You were our ray of sunshine when you were here. And now you will forever be our brightest star, watching over us.”

The day of Stuart’s death, 22 October, was described as “one of the darkest in Cumnock’s recent history” by the vicar, Reverend Patterson. A Leona Lewis track was played as around 600 mourners following the hearse to the town cemetery.

Earlier this month an 18-year-old who was arrested and has now been charged with murder, theft and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Ryan Esquierdo, also from Cumnock, remains in police custody, however as yet there are no answer to question the family and the community most desperately seek, why he had taken the life is this friendly and popular man.

Homophobic racist attack in Gosport.

2011-11-15T18:29:00.001Z

Hampshire Police are asking for help after an attack in Gosport. They need to hear from anyone who witnessed the attack, in which a 28-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were followed by three men along Gordon Road in Gosport at around 1.30 on the morning of 5th November.

It was when they got to the junction at Bury Road, the three men made homophobic comments to the 28 year-old man before two of them knocked him to the ground. He was kicked and punched. The 19-year-old was racially abused before they managed to escape.

The attackers are now being hunted by the police, and are described as one of the men was white, about 21, with short ginger hair which was shaved at the side and spiked on top. He had blond eyelashes and eyebrows and wore a white tracksuit with blue reflective strips down the arms and legs.

The second man was white, around 19 years old, with short, dark hair in a bobbed style. He wore dark jeans and a buttoned-up shirt.

The third man was between 17 and 20 years old, with long, dark hair, who wore a green and black checked shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

Anyone with information should call PC Tina Abrams Fareham CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.