Next month after the United States Supreme Court rules it could be 100%. Watch this fascinating and heartwarming brief video from Vox on history in the making.
In an impassioned plea to the US Congress when he was recently giving testimony to a Senate Appropriations Sub-Committee on global health, Sir Elton John said, “This is the most powerful legislative body in the world. This Congress indeed has the power to end AIDS. I am asking you to use that power, to seize this window of opportunity, to change the course of history,” He added “There is a window of opportunity before us — a window through which we can very clearly see the end of AIDS — within my lifetime. We cannot afford to let that window close”.
Accompanied by his husband David Furnish, Sir Elton explained that his own Foundation that has to date raised over £231 million to help both people inflicted with the disease and research organisations committed to finding a cure. He gave credit to the Senate for their work to date. “Because the American people have the optimism, the ingenuity and the will to make a difference, the lives of millions of people halfway around the world have been saved,” he told the subcommittee: “But I’m here with a simple message: the AIDS epidemic is not over, and America’s continued leadership is critical.”
Faith 2 Action, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, Judicial Action Group, American Family Association of Pennsylvania and Conservative Republicans of Texas are among groups behind a campaign making itself known on billboards that are now springing up around Michigan.
These anti-gay billboards claim that homosexuality is a behaviour and not a civil right and advertise a website called ‘Restrain the Judges’ which urges people to send a ‘Restraining Order’ to every member of the Senate and the House along with each of the United States Supreme Court Justices.
It is still the biggest reason why people are glued to the television in larger numbers than even the Eurovision Song Contest. It is also one of the last major bastions of homophobia in our society, so every single breakthrough we make is very significant. This week saw yet another heart-warming incident that indicates that maybe the tide is turning, albeit at a trickle at a time.
Last Saturday at the Dodgers game versus the Arizona Diamondbacks, the infamous Kiss Cam was making its usual way around the stadium, putting couples up on the big screen so people could see them awkwardly smooch. The camera then landed on two men, which used to be a stupid joke before most professional sports organizations banned it, but this was no joke. This was just another couple, and the Dodgers wanted to include them in the corny fun.
What happened next was extra special. When the couple kissed and smiled at the camera, the entire stadium cheered, because they knew they were witnessing something they would not have seen merely five years ago.
One of the crowd Steve Hartline told The Gaily Grind:
“I was at the Dodger/Diamondbacks game on Saturday evening at Dodger Stadium. Kiss Cam comes on, and after a few standard awkward couple moments, the camera focuses on two men. My natural instinct was this was for a gag/cheap laugh, but the two men turned to each other and kiss, indicating they are a real-life loving couple, not a punchline. I’m glad I was there, as it felt historic, and was proud of the loud, enthusiastic response from the crowd. Not one person around me groaned or made derogatory remarks, and seemed genuinely pleased with the moment.”
The couple in the video, married couple of 20 years Steven and Rick Simone-Friedland, spoke about the big moment and what the heartwarming reaction meant to them.
“All we did was kiss,” Steven said. “What made everyone’s day was the crowd reaction. I don’t think anybody was expecting that reaction. I kiss my husband every single day. That’s not the big deal. The big deal is what happened immediately after. That’s just the most amazing thing.”
It was a very big change from the summer of 2000, when two women were thrown out of a Los Angeles Dodgers game for kissing. They were surrounded by eight security guards and escorted out because they exposing children to disgusting acts of horror, like love and engaging in public displays of affection that every straight couple engaged in that same evening.
The Nebraska resident who identifies as an ambassador for God and Jesus Christ has filed a Federal Lawsuit in the US against ALL homosexual people on the planet for breaking “religious and moral laws.” (We are assuming she means Earth.)
According to the Lincoln Journal Star, 63-year-old Ms. Driskell argues in a seven-page, handwritten petition delivered to the US District Court of Omaha that:
“Homosexuality is a sin and that the homosexuals know it is a sin to live a life of homosexuality
“Why else would they have been hiding in the closet(?)”
Sadly spelling is not one of her better skills and so she challenges US District Judge John M. Gerrard to not “judge God to be a lier (sp),” and slams gay people as “liers (sp), deceivers and thieves” in the case, filed simply as Driskell v. Homosexuals.
“I never thought that I would see a day in which our Great Nation or our Great State of Nebraska would become so compliant to the complicity of some people(’s) lewd behavior,” she notes.
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not.”
Don’t rush to go pick out a little black number to wear as it is most unlikely her petition will not go any further.
It’s a pity as we think it could have been fun taking the Stand.
Speaking to New York Magazine, Ian Reisner, was talking about how hard he has found it making profit from the gay community. Last Monday a rally was organised outside his New York hotel The Out, after he controversially hosted a reception for Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who has opposed marriage equality, protecting LGBTs from discrimination and banning conversion therapy.
Reisner said that he wanted to invite everyone at the boycott in for an open dialogue, however the police and security suggested that he didn’t.
Speaking about hosting Mr Cruz, Reisner took to Facebook to say:
“…I made a terrible mistake.
“I was ignorant, naive and much too quick in accepting a request to co-host a dinner with Cruz at my home without taking the time to completely understand all of his positions on gay rights.
“I will try my best to make up for my poor judgement. Again, I am deeply sorry.”
However in his latest interview with New York Magazine speaking about the incident out side his Hotel he said,
“You know, it’s so ironic — I wanted to build kind of a community center in the gateway to Hell’s Kitchen, which in 2008–2009 was already a gay place and now it’s even gayer.
“Very close to Broadway. We decided there’d be so many different ways to give back to the community. We show gay artists there.
“For gay performers, we have let this cabaret club go on for three and a half years. And you don’t make money when you let drag queens in on Tuesday night and 30 people drink at $10 a drink and you have to pay five people to watch over the place.
“You don’t make money … My only point is, this has not been a profitable venture. Gays are cheap. They’re frugal; gays are frugal. Let me retract that … gays are entitled …
“Do you know how challenging it is to make a penny off a gay person? ‘I’m gay, I don’t pay cover. I’m gay, where’s my comp drink?’ [Everyone laughs.]
No, I’m being serious! The Out NYC has not shown a profit yet …
Today the US Supreme Court will hear two-and-a-half hours of arguments about two questions that will finally determine the status of same-sex marriage for every single State. Currently, it is legal in 36 States.
It may seem complicated to us Brits but really the matter is quite simple and straightforward. What the Justices will be considering are this:-
1. Does the US Constitution’s Fourteenth Amendment require States to license a marriage between two people of the same sex?
2. Does the US Constitution’s Fourteenth Amendment require States to recognise the marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed elsewhere?
The procedure that follows is documented and must be strictly adhered too. Mary Bonauto from Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders will lead off the arguments in favour of marriage equality for 30 minutes, followed by 15 minutes from Solicitor General Donald Verrilli Jr. Then, John Bursch, Michigan’s former solicitor general, will argue in defense of marriage bans for 45 minutes. Bonauto will then give a brief rebuttal.
Doug Hallward-Driemeier a former Assistant Solicitor General will lead off about 30 minutes of arguments on the recognition question, and Joseph Whalen from the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office will defend the recognition bans for 30 minutes. Finally, Hallward-Driemeier will give a brief rebuttal.
More than 150 briefs have been filed with the Justices, including the ones from the parties to the case, State Officials from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, or Tennessee and people challenging marriage or marriage recognition bans in each of those states. But most of the briefs are amicus curiae, or friend of the court, briefs, arguments made by people and groups not directly involved in the case but have an interest in the outcome and believe they have information of value or a viewpoint of interest to the court on the issues. There were 78 amicus briefs filed in support of the same-sex couples, including one filed by the Obama administration. And 67 amicus briefs were filed in support of the states, including one by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.
A Ruling from the Justices is expected in June. With most of the recent Court Cases favouring same-sex marriage, and with the latest opinion polls showing an impressive 61% of all Americans in favour, most LGBT Agencies are ‘cautiously optimistic’ about the final outcome.
Choose from an unparalleled array of hotels and resorts to stay at including this highly recommended East Canyon Hotel + Spa. Nestled in a quiet residential street this haven is a stone’s throw away from the bustling nightlife where the temperatures continue to rise after hours. Embrace luxury in one of East Canyon’s incredibly clean, lavish, spacious exquisitely stylish suites.
Restore body and soul in their heated 24-hour pool and Jacuzzi along with their spa menu to compliment your relaxation. Enjoy the very height of excellent service, complimentary continental breakfast that is highlighted by the ultra-friendly environment that you cannot help but to embroil yourself in. Experience for why this inspiring haven is quite simply Palm Springs new level of supreme perfection for the professional gay clientele.
Travellers that are staying in Los Angeles will find that Palm Springs can be a convenient getaway as a vacation from a vacation. The most convenient way to get to Palm Springs from Los Angeles is to drive.
Driving time will take 2 hours with no traffic (approx 120 miles from Los Angeles).
Palm Springs is also served by a small International airport, therefore continuing your journey by air within the USA from Palm Springs is possible.
Palm Springs is a desert city, therefore, the heat here can be extremely over bearing, occasionally you will feel a breeze, however, it will be conditioned with high temperatures of heat!
Many businesses (including the East Canyon Hotel + Spa) have water misters in the outer areas that will dust sprinkle mist to keep you cool. All venues have air conditioning.
Don’t let the heat put you off, after you have soaked yourself in the hotel’s pool venture out to the local attractions such as The Aerial Tramway, Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Canyon Drive and the highly recommended Red-Jeep tour, where you will be guided by a local, transporting you in a red jeep discovering the gems that make Palm Springs a place that is blissfully manicured.
They recently threw a massive pool party in Miami to help promote the recently renovated Vagabond Hotel, a local landmark. They made men over 40 years of age pay a hefty $50 admission when it was free to anyone else. To add insult too injury the party had been rather ironically heavily promoted and hashtagged on Instagram and Twitter with #JudgmentIsDirty,
“I’m amazed at the invite I just received – free admission up to 40 years of age and $50 over 40,” Ed Stevens, a would-be party goer said to South Florida Gay News. “In addition to whether this is even legal, It’s a shocking and blatant attempt to exclude mature people and another instance of how people in our community should know better, given the discrimination and judgments we face in the mainstream world. And I was looking forward to going back to this beautifully restored landmark.”
“The primary strategy is to organically establish a following of socially active, young gay men through engagement at large, organised events, such as Evolution, which occurred in Miami on April 18,”
Impulse responded in a press release yesterday. “The purpose of events like Evolution is to create a lively, fun atmosphere where these men can interact while simultaneously being exposed to information about HIV in a non-judgmental environment.”
That’s all well and said but as many other disgruntled would-be partygoers have been pointing out this week is the reality that the very same group of gay men who were made to feel very unwelcome also constitute a significant percentage of the donors who have helped keep IMPULSE in funds in the past.
@rogerwalkerdack
The 38-year-old openly gay singer-songwriter has already made quite a name for himself on the nightlife circuit, and now he is taking a more soulful approach with his latest song I Just Go.
Take a look at the video as Aiden really is as hot as he looks and we are happy to nominate him as our Pick Of The Week.
The campaign was started initially as a counter to a fundraiser for a pizza parlour, Memories Pizza, in Indiana that said it would discriminate against a gay couple. After national press exposure, the owners went on to receive in excess of $800,000 in donations to keep their business afloat.
All proceeds of the Pizza4Equality fund will go to Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Foundation, an organisation dedicated to helping LGBT Youth on the streets.
A user on the crowd funding site, Christa Sheehan, wrote:
I see this campaign’s a flop! So much for outshowing Memories Pizza! LOL #praiseHim”
However the fund’s creator, Scott Wooledge countered,
“But we’ve raise $155,000 to help LGBTQ homeless youth! So how can that be a ‘flop?’ We at #Pizza4Equality are super-proud and you should be too! Thank you!”
The fund is collecting until the 29th April, the first national #40ToNoneDay – a day set up by the True Colors foundation to end LGBT youth homelessness.