THEGAYUK

Tag: USA

  • Gay Refusal Pizza Parlour Makes $50,000 In GoFund Me Page

    The Memories Pizza restaurant that made headlines after becoming one of the first businesses in Indiana to say they would actively discriminate against gay couples has earned nearly $50,000 in support on the GoFundMe crowdfunder site.

    The crowdfunder, which was set up by Lawrence Billy Jones III, “To relieve the financial loss endured by the proprietors’ stand for faith.” has received over 1300 donations to the owners of Memories Pizza. The owners have said that they have gone into hiding since they said they would refuse to send pizzas to a gay wedding.

    Kevin O’Connor, co-owner of the restaurant, who supports Indiana’s Religious Freedoms law said, “That lifestyle is something they choose. I choose to be heterosexual. They choose to be homosexual. Why should I be beat over the head to go along with something they choose?”

    Funders have donated as little as $5, but one anonymous donor made a $5,000 pledge. Many of the pledgers have used the comment space to make outrageous homophobic statements.

    Brett Jeffreyes who donated $250 said, “Sadly this is the first wave. We are seeing the rise of GAY SHARIA. They will go to any length to destroy people of conscience and good will. I expect to see Gay Sharia violence supported by both Social and mainstream Media in my lifetime.”

    Whilst one gay supporter of the pizzeria, known only as BG said, “Not all gays are part of this pathetic, progressive, oppressive maffia [sic]. I am gay and I support your religious beliefs. I hope your business survives and thrives.”

    Brennan Doherty who donated $10 said, “God bless them for not agreeing to support the farce of gay marriage.”

    The original target for the funding page was $45,000.

    Republican Governor Mike Pence has said that he wants to ‘fix’ the law so that it does not discriminate against the LGBT community. He has insisted however, that the law isn’t the problem, but how it is being perceived is.

  • US Pizza Parlour Will Refuse Gay Wedding Orders

    The controversial Religious Freedom law in Indiana has already started to show how the business community can and will discriminate against gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people, by refusing to serve them.

    One Pizzeria has gone the extra mile in its bigotry by announcing it will NEVER deliver pizza to a gay wedding.

    The family who owns the Memories Pizzeria in Walkerton, Indiana told WBND that they would never serve gay people because of their Christian beliefs.

    If a gay couple came in and wanted us to provide them pizzas for a wedding, we would have to say no”. Crystal O’Connor told the News crew.

    ‘That’s a lifestyle that you choose,’ said her father Kevin O’Connor,

    ‘I choose to be heterosexual. They choose to be homosexual. Why should I be beat over the head because they choose that lifestyle?’ he continued.

    First term Republican Governor Mike Pence has said that he wants to ‘fix’ the law so that it does not discriminate against the LGBT community. He has insisted however, that the law isn’t the problem, but how it is being perceived is.

     

  • Drag Queen Becomes Mr S F Leather 2015

    The times are definitely changing.

    The prestigious MR S.F. LEATHER 2015 title was won on Saturday by a Drag Queen called Jem Jehova. She is the persona of Trevor Wisnieski whose version of drag is ‘San Francisco style’ in that she is bearded and androgynous.

    To qualify for the competition, Trevor/Jem had to prove an abiding love for leather and the leather community, and beat out fellow contestants representing bars and businesses around town modelling gear on stage. He will now go on to compete at the INTERNATIONAL MR. LEATHER CONTEST in Chicago in May.

    On of Jem’s sister drag queens Juanita More! writes on Facebook, “It’s a new world in San Francisco. Congratulations to [Jem] on her title. She is living proof that you can be EVERYTHING in SF.”

     

  • LGBT Equality Is The Defining Civil Rights Struggle Of Our Time

    These are words of the remarkable outgoing US Attorney General Eric Holder who persuaded President Barak Obama to get on board and support same-sex marriage. In an op-ed piece in USA Today the Attorney General writes about the issue that the US Supreme Court will revisit this year.

    “This week, the Justice Department will file a brief setting forth our position that state bans on same-sex marriage violate the fundamental constitutional guarantee of “equal protection of the laws.” It is clear that the time has come to recognise that gay and lesbian people deserve robust protection from discrimination.

    Nothing justifies excluding same-sex couples from the institution of marriage. Denying them the right to marry serves only to demean them and their children, to degrade the dignity of their families and to deny them the full, free and equal participation in American life to which every citizen is entitled.Marriage bans inflict concrete harms that touch nearly every aspect of daily life for gay and lesbian couples. The bans intersect with issues as varied as workers’ compensation, taxation and inheritance, posing challenges to basic financial security. Same-sex couples living in states with bans too often face obstacles to adopting and raising children together. And restrictions on medical decision-making and hospital visitation impose devastating burdens during the moments when a partner is needed most.

    The mental and emotional injuries are just as acute. A marriage ban written into state law broadcasts the state’s view that same-sex couples and their children are second-class families, undeserving of the rights and protections offered to opposite-sex couples. It creates a stigma that pervades society, encouraging individuals to harass or belittle even their loved ones because of pressures brought by their community. And it harms relationships between family members by perpetuating a destructive notion that some individuals — and some children — should be shown less love and support simply because of who they are. That is a view the Department of Justice flatly rejects. And with our brief, we will make clear that the United States stands firmly on the side of equality.’

  • First Ever Envoy For Gay Rights

    United States Secretary of State John Kerry today announced his Department’s first ever Envoy for gay rights.

    Randy Berry is tasked with helping countries coordinate US strategy on rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, as well as to highlight such issues around the world.

    At the announcement, Secretary Kerry said, “I’d just say loudly and clearly: no matter who you are and no matter who you love, we stand with you. That’s more than a message, that is a movement that we can ignite and with our work together we will see this movement succeed.”

    Mr Berry, standing with his husband and two children, decried the violation of LGBT rights worldwide. “This love still stands ground for imprisonment, harassment, torture and far worse in too many places around the world. That is a violation of human rights,” he said.

  • HOTEL REVIEW | Easton Mountain: Bit of camp for winter

    ★★★★ | Easton Mountain: Bit of camp for winter


    It’s startling that there are gay capital-dwellers who travel to New York City, Boston and Montreal and are yet to discover the nearby gem that perches on the edge of Albany that is Easton Mountain.

    Created by gay men, Easton Mountain is comfortably a sanctuary and retreat with a unique experience that unites and takes a step back from the surrounding cities hard-partying tribes – set in a quaint corner of Hudson Valley, Easton Mountain’s positive spirit is drizzled by the collection of men that embrace the land and everyone within their adopted brotherhood.

    Easton mountain is host of the warm welcoming ‘Winter Camp!’ Where you’ll find fun winter activities, new friends, community and warmth.

    Freely surrounded by acres of land and way below the towering snowy mountain sits the guest house where accommodation is en suite and semi-private. Branching from the guest house we see the Lodge and Temple both sharing the pulse of 175 acres of land.

    If it’s possible to be tiresome with the backdrop then discover a range of indulgent in-house workshops that focus to revitalize, replenish and hydrate your mind. The workshops are available for you to select freely to participate in and are all run by dedicated and volunteered facilitators who all create and provide personal attention to everyone attending.

    Restore your bodies glow on the premises outdoor pool and indoor Jacuzzi along with massage rooms to complement your relaxation. Nestled a few feet away from the guest house is a yurt-style sauna where the atmospheric temperatures continue to rise after hours.

    Enjoy the very height of tasty nutritional home-cooked meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner can’t arrive fast enough with the most lavishly catered generous spread that awaits each meal time.

    Experience why this gay inspiring haven is quite simply New York State’s level of supreme perfection for the spoiled for choice gay voyagers.

    The most favourable way to get to Easton Mountain is to arrive in Albany’s train or coach stations and then driven to the land via volunteers at Easton. Albany Airport is served by numerous national airlines, therefore, continuing your journey by air within the USA and afar is convenient.

    Whether you travel from near or far, any strains from long flights, drives or rides will rapidly dissolve when you begin to discover the colourful gems that make Easton Mountain blissfully manicured in this land of many ‘campers’.

  • HOTEL REVIEW | The Pineapple Point, Fort Lauderdale, USA

    ★★★★★ | The Pineapple Point, Fort Lauderdale, USA

    Fort Lauderdale, Florida makes an impressive POINT!

    Many gay travellers tend to head to Miami for its busy South Beach area that offers a gateway to its swanky bars, famous nightspots, sandy beaches, exclusive shopping, numerous tanning products and ridiculous diets to compliment that cocktail that you have in hand – oh, and if it’s not a low-calorie cocktail you may be looked at as if you were drinking CONCENTRATED orange juice!

    Yep, this is ‘SoBe’ (South Beach for short) or a more polished ‘SE’ (Southend, Essex) that definitely has its characters eyeing tourists from behind their velvet rope.

    Thankfully there is a ticket out of this hot mess and the ticket hero that is Fort Lauderdale comes to the rescue. Just 45 minutes north of Miami sits a very patient area of Florida that has an increasing gay population in the Victoria Park and Wilton Manors gaybourhoods.

    Numerous gay hotels line these areas with easy access to the calm and powdery white beaches. The Pineapple Point Guesthouse and Resort claims that over 90% of their business is from returning guests and really I am not surprised. This resort is tucked away in luscious heaps of palm trees and boasts spacious bedrooms to three-storey villas with private splash pools and decadent furnishings. The beds are so ridiculously comfortable like where on earth did they buy these from!

    If you choose to be social their repeat guests will offer you their non-attitude company and if you choose to be private then the friendly breeze from this resort will tempt you to relax. The Pineapple Point’s only downfall is you will have trouble deciding whether to stay in the quarters of your room, suite or villa or go outside on the grounds of the resort where a number of pools, Jacuzzis and hammocks are all inviting you with their silent persuading whispers – tempting you to their haven. Best to hire a car in Fort Lauderdale (with Sixt car rental) or jump on one of the bikes that the resort provides. Before heading out to dinner to the walking distance of the Las Olas Boulevard area (go to BAO Bar Asian Kitchen – so good!) the social hour by the pool in the evenings are hosted by the generous staff who are the lovely ones that promote a point to make you feel very welcomed at The Pineapple Point.

    Book a stay at The Pineapple Point with Booking.com

  • Mother Jailed For Allegedly Punching “Feminine And Gay” Son

    A mother in Memphis, USA, has been charged by police after allegedly assaulting her son because he is too feminine.

    • Mother allegedly punched her son for being too “feminine and gay”
    • Was jailed on a $1000 bond

    Jacqueline Alexander in Memphis was charged by police for domestic assault against her son, resulting in a jail time on a $1000 bond. According to police she punched her son ay 11PM on Tuesday. Police say her son was lying in bed when she accused him of “being too feminine and gay.”

    Will Batts, who runs the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Center said to WMC Action News, “It’s shocking every time it happens, but it’s not new to us at the centre,

    “We hear a lot of stories about people who are assaulted by family members. Young people who are kicked out of their houses when they come out to a parent.”

    The boy’s name or age has not be released.

  • Westboro Baptist Church To Picket Barry Manilow

    Creepy hate group Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) have said that they’ll picket Barry Manilow’s concert at the Sprint Center in Kansas this week.

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  • When The Good News Is Followed By Bad News

    Today Alabama become the latest US State to allow same-sex marriage after US District Judge Ginny Granade ruled that the Alabama Marriage Protection Act and the amendment that later enshrined it in the state constitution both were unconstitutional.

    However just as we start the celebrations HRC the major gay rights organisation reminded us that whilst we now have the freedom to marry in some 37 States, it still doesn’t stop the fact that in 15 of them, gay people can be can still be fired from their job just because of their sexual orientation.

    The 15 States in question have no laws that specifically prohibit employment or housing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, so the words ‘I Do’ can, and often are, followed by ‘You’re Fired’

  • Bakery Who Refused To Make Gay Hate Cake Faces Legal Threat

    A bakery in Denver, Colorado, is facing legal action after refusing to make a cake with ‘God Hates Gays’ on it.

    The Denver bakery that refused to inscribe a hateful and homophobic message is facing legal action after a man only known as Mr. Jack, decided that the bakery was not taking his civil liberties seriously.

    Speaking to a Denver news agency, Marjorie said: “After I read it, I was like ’No way, we’re not doing this. This is just very discriminatory and hateful. We never refuse service. We did feel that it was not right for us to write hateful words or pictures against human beings.”

    She did however offer to make the cake and sell the icing separately so Mr. Jack could inscribe the cake in any way he preferred. However this did not appease the customer, who could refer the case to the Colorado Civil Rights Commission if the Department of Regulatory Agencies think he has a case.

    Marjorie said,: “It’s unfair that he’s accusing me of discriminating when I think he was the one that is discriminating.”

    Last year a bakery in Northern Ireland, UK refused to make a gay marriage cake. The Christian run Ashers Baking Co. in Northern Ireland refused to make a pro-gay marriage cake, which featured a slogan “Support Gay Marriage – Queer Space Born 1998” with a picture of Sesame Street characters Ernie and Bert, because it says it clashed with the ethos of their company, saying, ‘We thought that this order was at odds with our beliefs, certainly was in contradiction with what the Bible teaches.’