Thursday, January 01, 2009
Are Cloned Pets the Real Thing?

This is not about outing (unless, of course, Lefty Donkey is gay). I just found it interesting.
Living Together - Are Cloned Pets the Real Thing?:
THE most difficult thing about the cloned puppies is not telling them apart, but explaining why they don’t look exactly alike. This was the problem Lou Hawthorne faced on a recent afternoon hike with Mira and MissyToo, two dogs whose embryos were created from the preserved, recycled and repurposed nuclear DNA of the original Missy, a border collie-husky mix who died in 2002.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Timeless
Update: No one tried to guess?
Update II: On a different song: Zack, in case you were wondering, it takes exactly 4 minutes and 49 seconds to drive across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge at 61 miles per hour. This happens to be the exact length of Thunder Road. Who figures these important facts out anyway?Sunday, December 28, 2008
Frank Rich on Warren
You’re Likable Enough, Gay People:
Equally lame is the argument mounted by an Obama spokeswoman, Linda Douglass, who talks of how Warren has fought for “people who have H.I.V./AIDS.” Shouldn’t that be the default position of any religious leader? Fighting AIDS is not a get-out-of-homophobia-free card. That Bush finally joined Bono in doing the right thing about AIDS in Africa does not mitigate the gay-baiting of his 2004 campaign, let alone his silence and utter inaction when the epidemic was killing Texans by the thousands, many of them gay men, during his term as governor.Read the whole column, it's worth it.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Meet your new Secretary of Transportation
In the midst of the Warren controversy, Obama's new Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood (R-IL) as ? So you're thinking, "What does the Transportation department have to do with gay people and civil rights?"How about asking Detroit murder victim Andrew Anthos who was brutally attacked on a city bus (federally funded, no doubt).
Where does Ray sit on gay issues? Not so hot. On the right you can see what the Human Rights Campaign thinks about him.
AND, We don't want gays getting married in one state and then trying to protect their rights in another? He voted for the Federal marriage amendment, twice.
Here are some others from the new cabinet:
Tom Daschle: Supported Defense of Marriage Act
Ken Salazar: Supported William Pryor confirmation, against HRC stand on early treatment of HIV and the Uniting America's Familes Act.
Number of out (yeah, "out") members of the cabinet: Zero.
Number of right wing homophobic members of the cabinet: One.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Nancy Skinner and me
I'll be hitting the Air America airwaives at 9:30 this morning (listen live). Nancy Skinner is the guest host. Nancy is awesome and a special private shout out to SB for helping make it happen.Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Victory? You betcha!
From the moment I heard about the Rick Warren controversy, I knew he would never be pulled off the program. That being said, when planning a community action or reaction, the two most important components are to personify the opponent and to have a clear path to victory.The personification part is easy in this case. Warren. Case closed. (For our purposes is he is a a far greater choice than directing the attention to Obama.)
The victory part is a bit more complicated, yet just as important. Is victory defined as getting Warren off the program? If that is the case, then why enter a battle that cannot be won? If we are smart, we won't. Instead, let's look at what we have accomplished with this story so far and highlight the victories. And, yes, there are victories:
- The very fact that we are having this discussion elevates LGBT issues to the national stage. TV's, Radio, newspaper, all highlighting issues of importance to our community. That is a victory.
- Saddleback did change their site. I am NOT praising Saddleback; I am recognizing that our voices caused them to change. That is a victory.
- In less than 24 hours, our community took an issue and put it in living rooms and on kitchen tables across America. That is a victory.
Like a Victory Garden, the results we seek require a start with small seedlings planted and tended in the soil. Each small victory like the ones above creates a bounty of voices for change. Voices that over time cannot be ignored.
As always, I appreciate your feedback and suggestions in the comments.
(H/T: David Edwards of Raw Replay for the video!)
Monday, December 22, 2008
Tonight at 5 ET and again at 7 ET

I'm debating Eugene Rivers about Rick Warren on Hardball with Chris Matthews at 5pm ET (reapeats at 7pm ET).
In another case...
This time it's for real...
Hilary Rosen on moving past Rick Warren
The advantage in having disagreements with a new President early in the administration -- indeed before it has begun -- is that it puts both the election and the future in perspective. Governing is not campaigning. Campaigning is only about hope and promise. In many ways, it is about the suspension of belief because retaining the passion for the work requires unending enthusiasm for a candidate and a cause. Governing this country at a time of such crisis will be so much more difficult. And it is so much more fraught with unsatisfying compromises.
So despite my view that Inauguration day is a celebration that shouldn't be marred by the messy process of political compromise, I accept that for President-elect Obama, Inauguration Day is his first day of governing. He made a choice I disagree with and I won't soon forget the smugness of Warren's response. But, Barack Obama will own this inauguration, not Rick Warren. And I still believe in Barack Obama.
I still believe that he will lead our country to greater prosperity; health care for all; an energy policy that promotes a clean environment and a new economy. And I still believe that President Obama will work to enact public policy for to improve the lives of LGBT Americans. There will be missteps and compromises along the way. And those that simply don't understand what it means to be different in this world will have far more influence than I'd like in the debate. But the messy process of governing will also bring about progress in an Obama administration that will propel equality significantly forward.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
That dossier

I received quite a holiday gift in my PO Box the other day. Just as I was thinking that the campaign season had ended, I went to check the mail and received a folder with almost thirty pages of research over many years into one of the cases I've been working on.
As I started to read the dossier and see the accompanying notes, I knew the information needed to be immediately protected. I copied the pages and put a copy inside of my safe deposit box where I keep a copy of the evidence I used in closing cases.
While I was familiar with some of the material, much of it is new, including names I had not heard before. This one will keep me busy.
Well, it's back to work.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
A little break...
The Blade on the new Congress
From the Blade:
You can read the rest here.Welcome to D.C., now come out already
KEVIN NAFF
A new administration brings a new energy, vibe and influx of faces to Washington. As President-elect Barack Obama’s team, along with many new members of Congress arrive in the coming weeks, it’s important they familiarize themselves with the new expectations regarding honesty in dealing with sexual orientation.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Essentially, those rules dictate that we not enable another Mark Foley or Larry Craig. No more senior staffers, members of Congress and the like socializing at JR.’s and Halo, then retreating to the closet. No more wild nights at Town, with the understanding that fellow revelers will keep your dirty little secret. No more restroom quickies before heading home to the wife and kids in Georgetown or Bethesda.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
A bit more on the Summit
LGBT bloggers learn the ropes at summit:
This first National LGBT Citizen Journalist Bloggers Summit attracted about 60 LGBT bloggers. The conference was separate from, but simultaneous to, the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute, and bloggers and the more conventional leaders met in a few joint sessions.
The conference included such topics as how bloggers can contribute to political campaigns, how to enhance their work with investigative reporting skills and practices, and what federal laws might have an impact on their blogging.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
That gay Agenda

I'm on The Agenda with Joe Solmonese tonight sometime in the six o'clock hour. I am sure we'll talk about the exciting LGBT Blogger and Citizen Journalist Summit and a host of other current news topics. Listen in here, they have a free trial.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Queers United calls out Dr. Phil...
Forget those pesky contact forms at the show's website. If you are pissed off that Dr. Phil continues to show his transphobia, call him out on it. The folks at his production company claim that they have nothing to do with the programming, yet when asked who does, she refuses to say.
Here's the connection: She's the registrant of DrPhil.com. It's public. Her number is listed on the web. Go to town and tell this show ENOUGH!
Call Barbara Robinson
at 323-956-3393.
Tell her enough transphobia on The Dr. Phil Show. Did she not see the Dr. Laura lesson when advertisers were pressured to pull out of the show? (Paramount, no less...Stupid dopes.)
Eric has many more details here.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
I'm SHOCKED!
Idaho Sen. Larry Craig has lost his latest attempt to withdraw his guilty plea in the Minneapolis airport men's room sex sting that effectively ended his Senate career.
A three-judge panel of the Minnesota Court of Appeals on Tuesday rejected the Republican's bid to toss out his disorderly conduct conviction.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
What a week
There are over 70 LGBT bloggers meeting in DC this weekend and it's nothing short of amazing. I raised over $60,000 for a program to host a weekend event and to offer grants to bloggers for blog enhancement. The first part is a huge success...and tomorrow's media training promises to be just as great.
I was quite honored to be hosting a dinner for 120 people and among the guests were 70 of the most amazing fellow bloggers and the host of people who made it hapen. Other guests of honor included Jane Hamshire of Firedogake, SEIU President Andy Stern, and Mitchell Gold and his partner Tim Scofield. To be introduced by Mitchell was a great honor. (We're going to run a contest for autographed copies of his book CRISIS over on PageOneQ if a few weeks)
Pam Spaulding is here and has been AMAZING! She moderated a panel at the Lesbian and Gay Victory Fund conference and the attendees at the summit joined the event at the Mayflower "Is room 871 OK Mr. Spitzer?" Hotel. To see a blogger on a stage moderating a panel with four elected officials -- with another 300 elected and appointed officials watching -- shows how much breakthrough power this form of media has created.
At our party tonight, I spoke to the crowd and Pam made a short clip, and click here for some great pictures.
Thanks PAM!
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Yaaaaaaawn......
Christian university official arrested in gay sex sting:
An Ohio man in a high place at a conservative Christian school is accused of soliciting sex in open air.Next up: "I'm sorry"
52-year-old Robert Williams, Chief Financial Officer of Cincinnati Christian University, was arrested with two others on Saturday, said to have 'manually stimulated' an undercover police officer in Mount Airy Forest. He is charged with sexual imposition.
The university has placed Williams on administrative leave while officials 'assess the facts of the case.'
'We are shocked and dismayed by the news of Robert Williams' arrest,' said Cincinnati Christian University President David Faust in a statement. 'This is a personal tragedy for him and for his family, and we lift them up in our prayers.'
Then: "I am saved, over the gay"
Then: "Read my new book and you can be redeemed"
The more I read and learn about religion, the more I learn what a bunch of bullshit it is. Well marketed bullshit, but bullshit nonetheless.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Larry... Will you ever learn?
Thursday, November 20, 2008
More on the Subway story
Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal paper ran an item on its site by Raymund Flandez:WSJ: Subway Franchisee Forced to Recall Prop. 8 Donation:
Subway got wind of the franchise agreement violation last Friday from a gay blogger, who found the contribution on a list of ‘Yes on 8’ contributors compiled by the Human Rights Campaign. Mike Rogers, 45, of Blogactive.com threatened to rally a major boycott of Subway sub-shops if his demands weren’t addressed: repudiating the gift, adding ‘sexual orientation and gender identity’ to the company’s nondiscrimination policy and giving an equal gift to the other side.At the end of each of his posts, Flandez asks his readers a question. Do you think it’s fair to organize a boycott of a company based on the gay-marriage issue? What can you do when your business gets blacklisted or boycotted? Is the question after the Subway posst. Here are the comments. I hope BlogActive readers will weigh in there, too.
The franchisee, Subway says, has asked for a refund of the $2,500 contribution. A person at the Subway shop in Merced Mall said the manager isn’t available today and will be back tomorrow. Subway has also updated its nondiscrimination policy to include the ‘sexual orientation and gender identity’ clause....
In a phone interview, he says he was quite surprised by Subway’s quick response. “I thought it was great. It was amazing.
An $8,200,000,000 (that's billion) worldwide company moved in 72 hours. Do you think this site is successful? I hope you'll help out...I still have not recovered the costs from the last case (that one contributed to the change of a Congressional seat from GOP to Democrat) and want to be able to continue to do this important work. Thanks!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Talk to the leaders...
A short gig...
I'm looking for a bit of help transcribing some tapes. If you'd like to volunteer or make a few bucks, I may be able to use your help.I have four Digital Video Cassettes (DVC) -- 60 minutes each -- and need them transcribed. The person who helps out will need to have a camera to play the tapes. Also, if you are volunteering or being paid, the project will require a confidentiality agreement regarding the contents and location of the filming (don't worry, there is nothing illegal on the tapes).
Hit me up at this email if you are interested.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The letter, the policy

The policy has already been updated on line...
That was then:

This is now:

Freedom wins!
The company in question in my previous post was Subway, the international chain of sandwich shops. There are more than 30,000 outlets in over 85 countries. And as of today they have LGBT protections in their employment policies.
You can read the entire story here...
International food chain responds to blogger's demands, franchisee retracts gift, job protections added

On to the next battle...Monday, November 17, 2008
Great news!
Hey, I'm willing to give them a break...
I was reading through the Human Rights Campaign's list of companies that gave to Yes on 8, the California referendum that removed marriage equality from the state's constitution. When I saw a franchisee of an international company gave $2,500 to opponents of equality, I immediately knew I would require someone at the company's world HQ to address this. Or, I would.
So, after a few discussions, I informed the company's spokesperson that they had until today to take the following three actions:
1) Repudiate the franchisee's gift
2) Make a gift in the same amount to an organization fighting for true equality
3) Immediately add sexual orientation and gender identity to the corporation's non-discrimination policy.
Some have asked if I have been too harsh. It's an easy one to answer. "Harsh?" Are you kidding me? Let me tell you about harsh. This is a civil war waged upon free and just people by those who seek to control them. In 1776 the punishment for such treatment was not a boycott. Those objections came at the end of a bayonet. Thank goodness times have changed."But," say others, "It's not the national office, it's one individual franchisee." You know, they don't have any problem associating themselves with the franchisee when the checks roll in.
This is outrageous behavior. Luckily, we have a weapon far more powerful than the end of a gun. We have a handle, a handle on a spigot of money. Mess with the gays and watch the "pink wrath" slowly twist the spigot until they're at the table begging for forgiveness. (see: Coors, Ford, Microsoft, et al.)
It always helps move things along when I tell them to search this phrase in Google (thanks for the headline WaPo.)
I think we'll work it out, I really hope we do. To help them undertstand the matter, I sent the spokesperson a few links:
Californians Against Hate to end boycott against Bolthouse Farms in
fight over gay marriage
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-juice9-2008oct09, 0,4032084.story
Ford Affirms Gay Publication Support. No Victory For AFA
http://www.boycottford.com/ford/businessweek/ businessweek.htm
Sincker's heads will roll over homophobic commercial
http://www.americablog.com/2007/02/snickers-parent- masterfoods-reportedly.html
Thursday, November 13, 2008
I saw Milk the other night...
If you have not seen the preview:
Prediction: Penn will receive an Oscar Nomination.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
So long, Farewell......
California Musical Theatre's artistic director, Scott Eckern, resigned from his post today amid controversy over a donation he made to the Proposition 8 campaign to ban gay marriage.
Eckern gave $1,000 in support of Proposition 8, a donation that sparked criticism from theater workers and the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Goode-bye


I never ask for help if it is not for a reason. If you think a seat in Congress is worth a few bucks, there are more where Goode came from. Hell, there are more closet cases in the 111th Congress. Want to help? Here's the place.




