» Under Coverage Update.
With regard to Insure.com's blog spreading anti-gay myths about gay life expectancy: "[CEO Robert Bland] wrote a response defending his company’s material, and he has left other comments on this web site which suggest that Insure.com has little interest in factual accuracy or professional responsibility. With these latest comments, whatever hope we first held that Insure.com would act responsibly and in the best interests of their customers, shareholders and participating agencies has now vanished." [BTB] |
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At first, the negativity was subtle. Bravo execs kept quiet as they stole Runway’s brilliant production team, Magical Elves, away from the show in an exclusive deal. And then the more obvious signs arrived. Project Runway’s fifth season, and the last for Bravo, premieres on Wednesday. And by the time it arrives, and certainly by the time it wraps, its varnish will be worn, damaged, or gone altogether. So just how is Bravo systematically sabotaging the Project Runway brand? |
» Flying High.
"SAS Scandinavian Airlines have become the first European airline to demonstrate their commitment to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender/transsexual market with a dedicated gay website. The website is unique in its personalised aspect, providing a ‘gay’ counterpart to the popular SAS crew tips, offering tips from SAS’ own gay crew members on the best offerings in Stockholm and Copenhagen." [e-Travel] |
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This isn't the first time Rite-Aid has found itself in a queer controversy. A DC-based manager came under fire last year after booting an "overly affectionate" gay couple. The best part of this sign, we think, is mention of "anything that would make our customers uncomfortable is prohibited in the store." We suppose manager Tom Marquez didn't consider the gay customers in that one, huh? Someone else must have, because the sign, which appeared around 7am on Sunday, was soon removed… And, just for your reference, here are Rite Aid's corporate numbers and the number for Mr. Marquez's location: 212-727-3720. Do with that what you will… Update: Rite Aid insists that the alleged manager doesn't work there and the sign was of their making. Update again! The original reader just wrote in and said not only were there four signs at the Rite Aid in question, but offers this queer detail: …"When I called yesterday to complain the woman at the Rite Aid told me that Tom Marquez wasn't the store manager but the manager for the whole area. so I don't think it's a phony name…I think he's definitely a real person. In the audio link the store employee doesn't say she doesn't know who Tom is, she only says he doesn't work in that store. He's probably regional management, but maybe someone put it up and just used his name." Final Update (We Hope!) A concerned and peppy Rite Aid spokeswoman just gave us a call to inform us that neither Tom Marquez nor any other Rite Aid employee had anything to do with the lamentable sign. She also told us that the sign's message "doesn't represent the views of Rite Aid or their employees." The police have been contacted and they're trying to track down the culprit, who Rite Aid hopes will be prosecuted to "the fullest extent of the law" for this "vandalism." The spokeswoman also used the word "appalled" to describe her and her peers' feelings about the alleged homophobia. Thanks for the clarification, Rite Aid! |
» Money Wise
Hey, Californian homos, are you thinking about getting gay married? Well, you should take a look at the financial pros and cons first. Pro: no estate tax. Con: Marriage can often result in higher taxes. You take the good and you take the bad… [US News] |
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Joseph Hooks and Dorothy Baker both claim that Craig Sawyer, the company's director of equal opportunity and compliance, discriminated against them because they were gay. Hooks insists, among other things, that Sawyer refused to invite him to a "boys only" lunch, lobbed around anti-gay comments and eventually told higher ups that Hooks had resigned, when in fact he had not. Baker, meanwhile, says that Sawyer treated her differently after finding out she likes ladies. Sawyer allegedly began skipping meetings with Baker and began griping to other employees that she wasn't up to par. The most interesting piece of this lawsuit, which was filed earlier this month, is that Sawyer reportedly has a bit of a homophobic past… |
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With legal gay marriage set to go on Monday at 5:01 p.m., California is rolling out the rainbow colored welcome mat, with the California Travel and Tourism Commission's website showcasing over four dozen wedding locales and packages specifically targeting same-sex honeymooners. We know we should be cynical about this, but it's just too awesome! |
» Lubrication.
We're sure the religious right ain't gonna like this queer development: "Coors Brewing Company was the first corporation to respond to a public call by Judy Shepard to join her in her commitment to ensure dealing with hate is a top priority in our schools and workplaces. Coors, a national sponsor of the Foundation, will match 100% of the first $25,000 in individual's donations through the Campaign to Erase Hate website… 'Coors takes great pride in being a partner with an organization with such a |
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The drawings of topless men started appearing next to lamp posts, bollards and pipes in San Francisco earlier this month. Hmm, when we think Tom of Finland, we don't think "clean." But maybe that's just us… |
» Numbers II.
About 250 gay couples in San Diego County have already booked their same-sex nuptials. Meanwhile, a study from UCLA's Williams Institute reads: "We estimate that allowing same-sex couples to marry will result in approximately $63.8 million in revenue for the state of California over the next three years." Here's the PDF. [Union-Tribune and Williams Institute] |
» Dirty Dish.
Dish Network's board of directors "recommended" shareholders vote against a measure that would include sexual orientation in the company's non-discrimination guideline. Ninety percent of shareholders complied. [Denver Post] |
» Exciting Economics
Comedian Jay Leno, who supported gay marriage in West Hollywood last night, had this to say about same-sex bups: "The nice thing about gay marriage is you have TWO people excited about the wedding. In straight marriages, only one person is excited. Gay marriage, both persons are excited. But you know what's so funny to me, it's how people miss out on the economic benefits just in terms of catering and flowers and planning. The services that come with it. I see all the companies that have benefited from gay travel. …It just seems like common sense. Gas is four bucks a gallon. For me to worry about what Larry and Bob are doing seems sort of ridiculous." [Inside SoCal] |
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So, what happens when looked at on a smaller scale, like gay mecca West Hollywood's pride parade? Well, ask no more. A new survey pinpoints the economic boost the boys and girls left after last year's event: Overall, people attending the three days worth of events spent $16.3 million inside WeHo and another $6.3 million in nearby LA – a $22.6 [million] shot in the cities' arms. Damn! Those Stonewall queens should have charged a cover! |
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There's a military man over in Afghanistan thinking about your genitals. And, shockingly, he's not gay. Can you believe it!? In an effort to wedge his way into the billion dollar undie industry, Naval Officer Nicholas Cassadine will soon wrap up a six-year military stint and plans to launch a new clothing line, Disco Valante, which will begin by making sure your balls are well dressed. Like so many designers before him, Valante's intent on breaking into the gay market. So, what would compel a straight soldier to focus on gay men's bodies? That's exactly what we were wondering, so we sent him over some questions on his burgeoning business, how his peers view his queer obsession and why we gays should give a damn. Read the results, after the jump… |
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The company's shareholders voted yesterday not to include sexual orientation and gender identity in their non-discrimination policy. This is the eighth year in a row the suits have struck down such a proposal. Despite shareholder tenacity, the proverbial tide seems to be turning, however slowly… |