Nick sexing it up in the city!
Showing posts with label picture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label picture. Show all posts
Monday, July 4, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Obama treading carefully on gay issues in 2012 bid
New York: President Barack Obama has delivered important political victories for gays but is unlikely to push his support for gay rights much further before the 2012 election in case he alienates independent voters.Gay leaders will likely give Obama high marks at a fundraiser in New York on Thursday for pushing through issues like winning gays the right to serve openly in the military.
Yet calls for the White House to back gay marriage and strengthen federal anti-discrimination protection will probably go unheeded as Obama treads carefully in the run-up to next November's election.
Obama treading carefully on gay issues in 2012 bid
"The conundrum Obama faces is keeping this essential core constituency while not going overboard and alienating the high-intensity opponents of that constituency," said pollster John Zogby of IBOPE Zogby International. "His challenge is to continue to play it cool and not to go overboard."
Independent voters, seen as less likely to back gay causes, will be crucial in winning closely contested states such as Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, Indiana and Wisconsin.
With the economy in trouble, the election is shaping up as a tighter race for Obama than his 2008 victory and he must keep key voting groups on board.
Evangelicals mostly vote Republican, but Obama took 30 per cent of their votes in 2008 and he cannot afford to lose them, Zogby said. African Americans voted 95 per cent for Obama in 2008 and heavily oppose gay marriage, he said.
Among Latinos, which Obama won in 2008, 40 per cent call themselves social conservatives.
By contrast, the gay vote is small although influential. A CNN exit poll from 2008 showed 4 per cent of voters were gay, lesbian or bisexual and 70 per cent of them voted for Obama. Another reckoning puts gays at 7 per cent of voters.
Boston University political science department chair Professor Graham Wilson said Obama will want to keep his gay constituencies sweet because they have high incomes, making them a potentially strong fundraising group.
"So long as Obama maintains his reasonably OK record on gay issues and Republicans continue to be identified with fairly aggressive anti-gay sentiments, there is not much doubt as to where the gay vote goes," Wilson said.
Many in the gay community praise Obama for ending the "don't ask don't tell" policy banning gays from openly serving in the military and for instructing the Justice Department to stop defending a law banning federal recognition of same-sex unions.
But many are annoyed that he has not backed gay marriage, seeing his "evolving" position on the issue as a cop-out. They also want sexual orientation added to federal discrimination statutes.
"So far it's a mixed bag," said Richard Socarides, head of the national gay-rights group Equality Matters.
"People believe his heart is in the right place. He's especially attractive when you consider the alternative," he said.
Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod said the president has made "historic progress" on gay issues and that his record stands in stark contrast to what would happen if Republicans were to win in the 2012 presidential election.
"I don't in any way doubt there are those who don't feel like progress has been made fast enough," Axelrod told MSNBC this week. "There is going to be a fundamental choice to be made in the next election and I think that choice will be clear to everyone and will be a galvanizing choice."
Politics Professor Ken Sherrill at Hunter College in New York City said Obama has made many small advances in gay rights such as requiring that hospitals taking federal money allow gays the right to visit their partners in hospital.
"The objections to Obama are more questions of the pace of change and the visibility of change," Sherrill said.
But Dan Weiller, of Empire State Pride Agenda which is lobbying this week in Albany for gay marriage in New York state, said gays should understand Obama's pragmatic approach.
"We recognize that for the president there are certain political realities," he said.
Marjorie Hill, chief executive of Gay Men's Health Crisis, America's oldest Gay AIDS service group, said she supported Obama financially in 2008 and will again in 2012.
"Anyone can talk the talk, but walking the walk does take longer," she said. "Being in office for two and a half years, there have been amazing strides."
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Federal court upholds gay judge’s ruling on California gay marriage ban
A US federal court has upheld a ruling by a gay judge that California’s ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional.
This is the latest round in a long legal battle over the issue.
US District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled in August 2010 that the ban should be lifted. In the following months, it emerged that he was gay and in a long-term relationship.
Opponents of gay marriage complained that as a gay man, he had a conflict of interest. They claimed he planned to marry his partner but could show no evidence for this.
Chief US District Judge James Ware ruled yesterday that the fact Judge Walker is in a relationship would not make him “so interested in marrying the person that he would be unable to exhibit the impartiality which, it is presumed, all federal judges maintain”.
The ruling means gay marriage campaigners in the state are one step closer to reaching their goal.
After Judge Walker’s ruling last year, opponents applied – and won – a stay while they appealed the decision.
The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeal is currently considering that decision but says it will not make a ruling until the state Supreme Court rules on whether gay marriage opponents have the legal standing to appeal the original judgement.
New York ‘close to legalising gay marriage’
New York is reportedly on the brink of marriage equality after another Republican senator said yesterday he would support the move.
Governor Andrew Cuomo introduced the legislation in both houses yesterday.
With the new support of Sen Roy McDonald, 31 out of 62 Senate members are expected to back it, leaving the bill in need of just one more vote.
Another Republican and three Democrats have also said they will back the bill after opposing gay marriage in the past.
In the Democrat-controlled Assembly, which has backed gay marriage a number of times, the bill is expected to pass.
Mr Cuomo has said before that he will not introduce a bill until he is sure it will succeed. A gay marriage bill suffered a surprise defeat in 2009 after support levels were overestimated.
This bill does not offer protection to individuals who refuse to officiate or provide services to gay weddings. However, religious groups are not obliged to perform the ceremonies.
If the bill passes, it will come into law 30 days after Mr Cuomo signs the legislation, making New York the sixth US state to allow gay couples to marry.
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington DC currently have marriage equality.
California’s ban is under review
Protest held at Northern Ireland ‘gay cure’ conference
Around 50 gay activists held a protest today outside a small ‘gay cure’ conference held in Northern Ireland.
The event, held by the Core Issues Group, featured David Pickup, an American speaker who says gay people can be turned straight.
The protesters gathered outside Belvoir Church of Ireland earlier today with placards bearing messages such as ‘your cure kills’.
Mr Pickup told the BBC: “I don’t cure anybody – The client always determines if there are root causes for homosexuality.
“I don’t force anybody or cure anybody – a client naturally spontaneously grows into his authentic heterosexual self.”
John O’Doherty, director of the Rainbow Project, responded: “It is the same ridiculous comments we have been hearing for 30 years that gay people are gay because they have had an overbearing mother and an absent father and quite often that they are sexual abuse cases.
“We are here to tell the people who are attending and the wider public that there is real therapy and real support here in Northern Ireland from a gay affirmative approach which will help people be the best person they can and also reinforce with them that being gay is not something to be ashamed of.”
Belvoir Church said it had nothing to do with the conference and occasionally allows other groups to use the space.
French parliament rejects gay marriage bill
The French parliament has rejected a bill designed to give gay couples the right to marry.
Today, lawmakers voted by 293 votes to 222 to block the bill, which was not expected to pass.
In January, the country’s constitutional court upheld the ban on gay marriage after a challenge from a lesbian couple.
Corinne Cestino and Sophie Hasslauer, who have lived together for 15 years and have four children, asked for the right to marry but were turned down by the Constitutional Council.
The court ruled that the ban did not breach the French constitution and said it was up to parliament whether to change the law.
France has had PACS since 1999. The civil unions are available to straight and gay couples but do not give all the rights of marriage.
A survey published on the day of the court verdict by TNS Sofres showed that 58 per cent of 950 respondents were in favour of gay marriage and 35 per cent were against.
In 2006, the same agency found that only 45 per cent of respondents agreed with giving gay couples the right to marry.
Seven European states – Norway, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, the Netherlands, Sweden and Iceland – allow gay couples to marry.
Others, such as the UK and Germany, allow civil partnerships or unions.
Former Mr Gay UK ‘devastated’ by rape charge
A policeman and former Mr Gay UK has told a court he was “devastated” at being charged with rape after a Christmas night out with colleagues.PC Mark Carter, from Birkenshaw, was charged with sexually assaulting three men and raping a fourth in December 2009.
Yesterday, he told a trial at Leeds crown court he had “embarked on an absolute living nightmare”, BBC News reports.
Mr Carter, who won the Mr Gay UK title in 2006, said he met the alleged rape victim in the Loft Bar on December 18th and the pair went back to the Etap hotel.
He is accused of dragging the man by his hair and raping him.
Mr Carter, who denies all the charges against him, said: “I’m not a violent person. We had gone back for mutual pleasure, a sexual encounter. I didn’t take him back to beat him up.”
He claimed he took a shower after the pair had sex and was surprised to discover that the man had left.
The court heard that the alleged victim had left the hotel by a fire exit before alerting a passerby. Police then went to the hotel room.
Mr Carter also denies another three counts of sexual assault in the same evening. In court, he said the gay scene was “bitchy” with “drama queens who make things up”.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Coronation Street star gets anti-gay abuse on Twitter
Coronation Street star Antony Cotton threatened to call people after being on the receiving end of anti-gay abuse on Twitter.
The actor, who plays Sean Tully in the soap, was told by user ‘kittykatlovex’: “I hope you get AIDS and die you freak.”
He responded: “I think we should report this one to the police.”
Later, Cotton wrote: “Don’t worry tweeps – I’m not upset! She looks like Worzel Gummidge!”
He added: “It is important to stand up, speak out and stamp out homophobia.
“And for that reason it’s important that I stand up for myself and make a point at least.
“Homophobia has no place in our society.
“What anyone thinks of me, the actor off the telly, is none of my business.
“But as a gay man, I am proud of who I am and the community I am part of. Some people are gay, get over it.”
The ‘kittykatlovez’ account has now been suspended.
125 complaints over EastEnders gay bed scene
At least 125 people have complained over an EastEnders scene which showed a gay couple lying in bed.Viewers complained that the episode, broadcast before the watershed, was inappropriate and could “confuse” children.
In the scene, from two weeks ago, engaged gay couple Christian Clarke and Syed Massood were shown topless and cuddling, with bedsheets covering their lower bodies.
They were shown lying in each other’s arms and sharing a quick kiss.
One viewer, writing on a BBC message board, complained: “I’m not a homophobe but really do not want to see gay men in bed naked and kissing, especially whilst my ten-year-old daughter is sitting with me, before the watershed. Might be socially acceptable to some but there is a time and place and definitely not before nine o’clock, confusing my kids. There was no warning.”
Although more than 100 people complained, the BBC said people had contacted the corporation to praise the scene.
Executives said in a statement: “EastEnders aims to reflect real life, and this means including and telling stories about characters from many different backgrounds, faiths, religions and sexualities.
“We approach our portrayal of homosexual relationships in exactly the same way as we do heterosexual relationships, ensuring depictions of affection or sexuality between couples are suitable for pre-watershed viewing.
“We would also point out that same-sex civil partnerships became law in December 2005, giving equal rights to gay couples in the UK. The BBC cannot discriminate by treating gay characters differently to heterosexual characters.
“We have also received a lot of very positive feedback about the storyline regarding Christian and Syed’s relationship.”
Audience research published by the BBC last year found that one in five people say they are uncomfortable with seeing gays and lesbians on television.
US defence secretary says progress on gay ban could come this month
US defence secretary Robert Gates says he sees no bar to repealing the military gay ban and could endorse the change at the end of this month.Speaking to Associated Press, Mr Gates said he will back progress if the chiefs of the military recommend moving forward at the end of this month.
Mr Gates is to leave his post on June 30th, after four and a half years as Pentagon chief.
Discussing the repeal process, he said: “I think people are pretty satisfied with the way this process is going forward. I think people have been mildly and pleasantly surprised at the lack of pushback in the training.”
But he added that it would be “unrealistic” to expect that there would be no anti-gay incidents when repeal takes place.
Mr Gates said that the ban could be fully lifted by September.
President Obama pledged to repeal the 1993 law in his 2008 election campaign but was criticised by gay groups for being slow to act.
In December, the US Senate finally voted to repeal the 17-year ban.
Military officials are currently training troops on the change. Then, the president, Mr Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm Mike Mullen must certify that the ban can be lifted without damaging the military.
Following this certification, 60 days must pass before repeal officially takes place.
Gay campaigners welcome mosque’s pledge
Gay rights campaigners have welcomed what they say is the first significant promise from the East London Mosque to stop hosting homophobic speakers.Earlier this week, a letter signed by 12 activists, including writers Julie Bindel and Paul Burston, said it was clear that there was a religious campaign in east London to intimidate gay people.
The letter, which cited numerous examples of homophobic speakers invited to the mosque, called on local Muslim leaders to pledge to ban them.
In response, East London Mosque spokesman Salman Farsi told the Guardian that homophobic speakers were not permitted.
“Any speaker who is believed to have said something homophobic will not be allowed to use our premises, whether that is us organising an event or someone else. As for the condemnation of homophobia, our director has gone on the record on this,” he said.
He added that the £100 fine was a “slap on the wrist” and said the mosque was doing “as much as we possibly can”.
Activists who signed the first letter welcomed the comments but demanded the mosque should declare the new policy on its website.
A statement said: “We, the undersigned, welcome the East London Mosque’s statement that they will no longer allow their premises to be used by homophobic speakers and take them at their word.
“Eliminating a platform for hate in such an influential institution as the East London Mosque is a strong, positive action and will have a very positive effect on both the local gay and Muslim communities.
“We request that the East London Mosque make this policy known on its website – and to the Muslim, Asian and East London media – so that the entire community can see their commitment to stopping homophobia and to improving community relations.”
The demand for more action from the mosque came after a local man was fined just £100 for distributing anti-gay stickers in the area.
Homophobic hate crime has risen in Tower Hamlets over the last year, from 61 offences to 87. In 2008, gay man Oliver Hemsley was paralysed in a homophobic attack on Hackney Road, close to gay nightspots George & Dragon and The Joiners Inn.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Knighthood for Section 28 backer Brian Souter
Brian Souter, the Stagecoach co-founder who gave £1 million to a 2000 campaign to uphold Section 28, has been honoured with a knighthood.
The 57-year-old businessman has not spoken out against gay rights in 11 years but almost 2,500 people have signed a petition calling for the honour to be rescinded.
Sir Brian was named on Saturday as a recipient in the Queen’s birthday honours list.
He co-founded Stagecoach with his sister, Ann Gloag, in 1980 and the company now has 35,000 employees and an annual turnover of more than £2 billion.
He was the leader of the Keep the Clause campaign and cited religious beliefs as his reason for supporting the ban on the promotion of homosexuality in schools.
Commenting on the honour, he said: “Having started my career in public transport as a young bus conductor, I am delighted to receive this prestigious honour. However, the achievements and innovations would not have been possible without the dynamic Stagecoach team who support me and I accept this award on their behalf.”
Lesbian comedian Sue Perkins joked on Twitter: “Brian Souter is so homophobic I imagine he will refuse to bend over to accept his knighthood.”
Comment: Don’t fight bigotry with bigotry
Let me preface this by saying, because it needs to be said, that I don’t agree with Tracy Morgan’s homophobic ‘jokes’ in the slightest, even if he has apologised for them. I think his remarks were deeply heterosexist, violent, degrading, disgusting, and horrific. I would say that I seriously hope for safety’s sake that his son isn’t gay, but that would assume that his comments could only hurt if his son was.The fact is, Morgan’s comments were unacceptable and incredibly ignorant. It doesn’t matter what is in Morgan’s “heart”. It matters what he said. Words matter. When I was confronted with the word “faggot” constantly in high school and bullied, I could care less if those people were truly homophobic or not. On that same token, the words we used to insult Morgan when he does something angers us – as righteous as our anger may be – they also matter.
I don’t know why I continue to be surprised how easily people resort to bigotries to address bigotries. I knew I would see it in the case of the UCLA student who posted a racist rant about Asians in her library on YouTube. And I wasn’t disappointed. The internet graced me with loads of comments suggesting she deserved to be raped, suggesting her clothes had something to do with her racism, and all-round misogynistic garbage.
I knew better than to click and read the comments on PinkNews.co.uk’s Facebook page regarding the original story. Something in my mind said someone would be ignorant enough to make a racist comment. But I guess something in my heart had a little faith. This is the queer community. Surely, for as much vitriol and hate we’ve taken, we’d know better than to spew that same venom out into the world, into another community. Surely we know that Tracy Morgan represents the African American community just about as much as Perez Hilton represents us.
But no. Sadly, I can’t expect that from my fellow queers. I don’t know why I’m surprised. I know for a fact that my own experiences with homophobia made it sometimes impossible for me to accept that I am privileged because I am white.
If I got up on stage and let out the same homophobic tirade, no mentions of nooses and slavery would come at me. No one would say anything about my skin. They might threaten to rape me, they might suggest there is something about my intelligence that can be gleaned by the size of my breasts, they might make all manner of comments regarding what they assume I am – but my skin colour will go unnoticed.
I’m unsurprised that I’ve often heard that queer people of colour don’t fit in with mainstream gay culture and don’t feel a part of the community. I should be shocked by the virulent and despicable racism I witnessed. I should be surprised that people tried to justify it by saying homophobia is particularly a problem in some racial cultures – as if the white men who make up the vast majority of our legislative bodies are wonderfully accepting and have taken our pleas for equal rights seriously in ways other races have not.
I wish I could say I’m shocked by this behaviour and that I’m sad that that there are such ignorant people in the queer community – people who see bigotry as a useful tool to attack bigotry. But I’m not.
I do however, expect better. I expect better from the white members of the queer community. And I do seriously hope that the next time there’s any attack on our community, no one stoops to the level of our attackers, whether it’s based on race, sex, disability, etc.
Believe me, I understand anger. I support anger. Be angry. Get mad. Stonewall didn’t happen because we turned the other cheek to be struck too. But Stonewall happened with the help of other communities. The Black Panthers were there with us. Allies were there with us. The LGBTQ community is not only white and you are not supporting us by racist thoughts and action.
You can get angry without resorting to bigotry. I do not expect everyone to be the smiling tour guide through the museum of bigotry every time we see another hurtful comment from someone. But I do expect us to not resort to racism or to think racism is okay due to homophobia, or to so blatantly ignore the queer people of colour that share our community.
Homophobia is never okay. Racism is never okay. Misogyny is never okay. Addressing one bigotry by using another is never okay. The queer community is not one colour, one gender, one sex, one anything. Fighting bigotry with bigotry is illogical and proves nothing.
