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» R.I.P.
"Allan H. Spear, a former Minnesota state senator who was one of the nation's first openly gay legislators, has died. He was 71. He died Saturday of complications after heart surgery performed Thursday, said Don Jorovsky, a longtime friend who used to work for Spear. Spear, a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party — Minnesota's version of the Democratic Party — was first elected in 1972 and was state Senate president from 1993 to 2000, when he retired." [AP] |
» Sticks, Stones…
"A person that supports homosexual marriages is a person who has no value for the traditional family and can’t be counted on to support it. This candidate has rejected God’s absolute moral standards, and is disobedient to divine law for political and financial gain. If they can’t obey divine law, will they obey civil law?" So writes Minnesota resident Don Werner on how he judges political candidates. [Albert Lea Tribune] |
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A dedicated group of Minnesota-based homos are pulling a California and filing a lawsuit challenging the state's ban on gay marriage. Though their numbers are small, they're hoping to rally the same-sex loving troops: "We have waited long enough," says Doug Benson. He and his partner Duane, together for 18 years, are one of the pioneer couples looking to sue the state. "The point we want to make is to make sure equality is pursued wherever we can pursue it." He continues, "Because we cant sit around waiting for this to happen. We want this to become a reality here at home and we are trying through the courts as well as through the legislature." Those of you interested in fighting the good, gay fight should email Benson at dugby3@yahoo.com. |
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» Mass Mass.
"Gay Catholics and their supporters plan a protest lay service outside a Minneapolis church after the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis said the church couldn't hold its annual gay pride prayer service… Michael Bayly says he's organizing a lay service outside the church Wednesday night to protest the archdiocese's action. He's also calling for a mass rally. An archdiocese spokesman says celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is contrary to the teachings of the church." [Dickinson Press] |
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» Attack, Arrest
"A gay Twin Cities man, the apparent victim of a hate crime, was badly beaten last Saturday. He claims a stranger approached him near 6th and Cedar Ave. South in Minneapolis, and asked if he was gay. The victim answered yes proudly, and the suspect hit the man in the face, yelling that he hated homosexuals. Abdirizak Mohamed has been charged with assault in the fourth degree with bias—a hate crime with enhanced penalties." [Fox KMSP] |
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» "Peace?"
"The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis says a liberal Catholic church can't hold its annual gay pride prayer service. St. Joan of Arc Church in Minneapolis has held the event for several years in conjunction with the annual Twin Cities Pride Celebration. The archdiocese is instead suggesting that the church hold a "peace" service Wednesday with no mention of rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people." [WCCO] |
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According to the AP, the toilet trolling Senator's legal team are again asking a judge to let him withdraw his disorderly conduct guilty plea. Attorneys for U.S. Senator Larry Craig are asking the Minnesota Court of Appeals to correct a "manifest injustice" by allowing the Idaho Republican to withdraw his guilty plea stemming from an airport restroom sex sting. It's almost as if he likes the notoriety. Did he hear about Spitzer and decide that he needs to remind the world he's tainted, too? Don't worry, Craig, we'll never forget. |
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In an effort to help Sen. Larry Craig, the American Civil Liberties Union is arguing that people who have sex in public bathrooms have an expectation of privacy. Craig resurrected his case earlier this month. Apparently he's a masochist, which makes sense. |
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Or Pay Dearly...
• Lauren Williams hung out with Phylicia Rashad and the rest of the cast from the Debbie Allen Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and all we got was this incredible post! • Hummer inspired by NYC-based fag rag HX? Wouldn't be the first time… |
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Snub Nose At State Sanctioned Discrimination
A number of churches around the nation have adopted similar stances. While they can't change the law, their dedication can change minds. Or, at the very least, throw a wrench in the state's nuptial regulations. |
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Designer Finds Inspiration Everywhere
Luckily there's a new breed of wallpaper creators intent on bringing interior coverings back to the forefront. New York City's Studio Printworks specializes in fine accoutrement, offering the consumer dozens of unique creations. John Mahoney's just one of the Studio's army of artists, but he's also one of the best. We caught up with Mahoney recently to chat about his definition of home, kimonos, Frank Miller, the Quakers, art and, of course, wallpaper. See what he has to say for himself - after the jump… |
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No Discrimination, Says Judge, But A Whole Lotta Tacky
Rochester's lawyers insisted they didn't discriminate, because their definition of "family" hinges on marriage and the women aren't married. Gay people, of course, can't get married, so they basically used discrimination to back up their discrimination. Clever. And effective: the judge agreed. Though he ruled against the women this week, the judge used his ruling to blast Rochester Athletic Club's "anachronistic" policy: This morally and legally defensible yet unrealistically narrow definition of family fails to recognize the underlying stability and commitment of the Monsons' relationship. Other, arguably more enlightened organizations… have chosen not to reduce the definition of family in such an anachronistic fashion. The ladies say they're pumped to appeal the decision. |
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"Romney not only threw me under his campaign bus, he backed up and ran over me again."
The Examiner obtained excerpts from Craig and wife Suzanne's forthcoming interview with NBC's Matt Lauer, during which Craig also discusses presidential candidate Mitt Romney's political dis. Just one day after hearing news of Craig's July arrest, Romney dropped Craig from his campaign. Three days later, former Governor Romney called Craig "disgraceful". Craig describes the maneuvering as more than a backstab:
And yet Craig still can't take a hint and give up his Senatorial post! This guy's dumber than, well, a post. Poor Suzanne Craig, meanwhile, describes the utter shock of hearing her hubby's a toilet troll: "And I felt like almost like I was going down a drain for a few moments." Good to know you're keeping that marriage solid. |
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Lil Devils Want To "Slay" Priest
A group of unknown hooligans sprayed "Slay the priest" and a pentagram on the side of God's Children Metropolitan Church, a gay welcoming congregation. Though coppers have no leads on the culprits, they're investigating it as a "bias crime": Minneapolis police are still looking for those responsible for spray painting a threatening message on an outside wall of a south Minneapolis church, but they have now classified the incident as a bias crime, said Sgt. Tammy Diedrich. So, these punks may not be necessarily be homophobic, but they're certainly anti-religion. Or Christianity, at least. Who knew we'd have an enemy in common with the Christian right? Unless the culprits are of the Christian persuasion and are hateful enough to desecrate a church simply for accepting queers. Quite a mystery… |