“A upstate high-schooler was ordered to write an apology for showing up to his graduation dressed as a 6-foot penis. Calvin Morett, 19, of Saratoga Springs, stood erect, manned up and pleaded guilty as he was cited for disorderly conduct.” [NY Post]

Looking to start your day with some disgusting news? Well, you’re in luck, because four New York teens have been arrested after attacking a gay youth shelter.

Carmen’s Place, located in Queens, caters specifically to marginalized and alienated and often homeless young queers who have no where else to go. Apparently some of the neighborhood doesn’t approve, because the kids and staff are repeatedly subject to taunts, pushing and the such.

This week’s incident definitely went a bit further, with a gang of four approaching the shelter, which is housed in a church, and attempting to cause some unholy trouble. Director Reverend Louis Braxton Jr. attempted to stop the madness, but got caught in the crossfire…
Continued…

Because there’s no such thing as too much pride - except for hubris - here are some shots from yesterday’s march here in New York City. We’re absolutely in love with the snap of Mayor Michael Bloomberg waving his rainbow flag. So cute!

… Continued…

Did popular NYC bar 1 Oak “shrug off” a gay bashing incident on their door step. Two men were attacked last week by a man who deemed them “faggots,” then the bar’s owners reportedly told a third party not to call 911 and then security let the alleged assailant go. 1 Oak’s PR team called the scuffle “inappropriate.” It seems the gay isn’t the issue. We bet 1 Oak and all other clubs try to keep things like this under wraps lest they scare off their celebrity clientele. [Gawker]

Alright, back to the news.

Things are pretty sweet for New York state’s trans inmates. Except for that prison part… Transgender youth in New York’s juvenile detention centers are now allowed to wear whatever uniform they choose, be called by whatever name they want and ask for special housing under a new anti-discrimination policy drawing praise from advocacy groups.
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The policy went into effect March 17, the day Gov. David Paterson was sworn into office. Last month, Paterson directed all state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages legally performed elsewhere as valid in New York.

Paterson spokesman Errol Cockfield said the policy reflects the state’s intent to be “tolerant, responsive and respectful” of gender identity … Continued…

From The Editor: Because everyone loves elementary art, the front window of my neighborhood vet currently features some childrens’ renderings of their pets.

As you can see, one local child recently lost their hamster and, like so many people, has a hard time grappling the concept of death. The picture’s far too precious for me to hog, so I’m passing it along.

Before you get bummed out by death and all that, please note that the little bugger went happily.

New York Governor David Paterson caused controversy when he declared the Empire State would honor out-of-state gay marriages. While social conservatives scoffed at Paterson’s progressive stance, it seems New Yorkers are giving him the thumbs up: 53% support his edict.

That’s all well and good, but thinks get a little more complex as your break it all down: A majority of voters, 55 percent to 30 percent, said the issue should have been decided by the Legislature, not the governor. Democrats supported the governor’s executive order by a margin of 64 percent to 30 percent, and independent voters by a margin of 56 of 37 percent, while Republicans opposed it, 57 – … Continued…

Neal Boulton, the lady-loving editor of fag rag Genre, reportedly beat the living shit out of a nasty homophobe last night. Then he rode off into the night before the cops came. He’s like some sort of vigilante! Who wants to give him a super cool superhero name? [Gawker]

Hey, New Yorkers. A pal just informed us that Governor David Paterson’s office is taking a poll on whether or not people support the Governor’s gay push. If you’re interested in voicing your opinion, call 1-518-474-8390. It literally takes 15 seconds.

Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund simply can’t mind their own business! After attempting to stay California’s gay marriage ruling, the right-wing, Bible-based group has now filed a lawsuit fighting New York Governor David Paterson’s push for same-sex recognition. [AP]

We New York gays are making all sorts of headway!

Not only do we have last week’s gay marriage push, but now the State Assembly today voted 102-33 to green light the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, which adds sexuality and gender identity to the state’s human rights act. All this action’s almost too much for us to handle!

Some background from Empire State Pride Agenda’s gleeful press release: First introduced in 2003, GENDA has a record 74 co-sponsors this year in the Assembly, up from 69 last year. The Pride Agenda, the over 200 organizational members of the GENDA Coalition and the LGBT community have been working closely with Assemblymember Gottfried and other Assembly supporters to build the momentum for passage that resulted in today’s vote.
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In the Senate, GENDA (S.3753a) is sponsored by Senator Tom Duane and has 17 cosponsors, up from 14 last year. While none of the cosponsors are members of the Republican Majority, the Pride Agenda’s legislative scorecard shows GENDA to have the support of 27 [out of 62] Senators, including three Republicans. Read the rest of the orgasmic release, after the jump…
Continued…

New York Governor David Paterson’s sticking to his good, gay word.

The politico, who took over after Eliot Spitzer’s hooker scandal, vowed earlier this year to bring same-sex nuptials to the Empire State. While couples can’t yet marry within state lines, Paterson and his team this month declared that New York must accommodate gay marriages performed elsewhere, like California, which will likely start issuing same-sex marriage licenses June 17th.
In a directive issued on May 14, the governor’s legal counsel, David Nocenti, instructed the agencies that gay couples married elsewhere “should be afforded the same recognition as any other legally performed union.”

The revisions are most likely to involve as many as 1,300 statutes and regulations in New York governing everything from joint filing of income tax returns to transferring fishing licenses between spouses.
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Legal experts said Mr. Paterson’s decision would make New York the only state that did not itself allow gay marriage but fully recognized same-sex unions entered into elsewhere.
Continued…

Khadijah Farmer definitely has something to celebrate!

The New York resident won a settlement in her discrimination case against a West Village restaurant, Caliente Cab Company.
Continued…

On Sunday night, a new gay men’s strip club opened at 440 Broadway.

It’s called Magnum 54 and it was to be only the second serious entry of men-for-men strip joints in recent memory.

The gays who frequent this sort of thing were very excited about the new venue, particularly because it described itself as upscale, guaranteed muscled men, and was to offer “No G-STRING LAP DANCES.”

And, unfortunately, the “grand opening” turned into an utter disaster.
CONTINUED »

New York’s NBC affiliate is reporting that anti-gay voting, bastard baby-fathering Republican Vito Fossella will resign, perhaps later today or during the weekend, when people aren’t paying as much attention to the news. [WNBC