After a decision from the Los Angeles office of the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission, Cirque de Soleil offered a job to Michael Cusick, who they had formerly fired for his risk as an HIV positive man. The Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, which represented Cusick, hailed Cirque's decision and said they were encouraged by the federal goverment's ruling in the discrimination. Cusick had fought for eight months, filing his complaint under the Americans with Disabilities Act which includes people with HIV, to be reinstated in his position as an acrobat with Cirque de Soleil.

KRON 4

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Gay and lesbian advocates showed surprise and disappointment after yesterday's decision by the Kansas Court of Appeals to uphold the 17 year sentence of Matthew R. Limon for having sex with a minor when he was 18. Attorney General Phil Kline called the decision a "broad victory in protecting the institution of marriage." Matt Foreman, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force executive director, argued that the decision was unfair, showing "profound disdain and contempt for gay people."

Topeka Capital-Journal

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After much bickering between parties over financial issues, the Gay Games will still be hosted in Montreal in 2006, thanks to a major private sponsorship. The Games looked in doubt when the two parties, the Federation of Gay Games and the Montreal 2006 organizing committee could not agree on the financing. The sponsor will be revealed on February 18. However, there is still momentum for creating a new international athletics group to serve the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.

Montreal Gazette

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Hundreds of gays and lesbians rallied along with supporters at the capital in Atlanta, Georgia, sending legislators a message that they will not tolerate discrimination in their constitution. Even the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans stood with the crowd to denounce the proposed amendment which would ensure Georgia would not recognize any same-sex marriage, performed either in Georgia or in another state. The crowd gave loud applause to both a current state senator seeking a spot in the U.S. senate and a 15-year-boy who is openly gay.

Gwinnett Daily Post

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A bill strengthening Utah's anti-gay laws easily passed the Senate without any debate. Only one senator voted against the bill which will keep Utah from recognizing any same-sex marriage performed in another state. Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, compared same sex acts with alcoholism, and that he wouldn't tolerate either. Darin Hobbs, from the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Utah said, such a comparison "shows [Buttars'] complete and total lack of knowledge, insight and understanding of those whom he presumes to legislate for."

Salt Lake Tribune

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Utah Senate Democrats pulled a little moral accusation game against the Republicans when they tried to frame the anti-gay amendment as a pro-polygamy statement. It didn't work, but it had the Republicans dancing on tiptoes for a bit. Salt Lake Tribune

A Russian columnist uses a philosopher's comment about Russia being an eternal bride always waiting for the bridgroom, and then goes on to compare Russia to a transvestite or a lesbian because of the company she keeps. Kavkaz Center

Today's Short Takes

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The Kansas State Court of Appeals ruled Friday in the Matthew Limon case that Kansas can punish illegal sex with children more harshly when homosexual acts are involved. Judge Henry W. Green Jr. wrote in the 2-1 decision that legislators could justify differing penalties for heterosexual versus homosexual sodomy in plenty of ways, including higher health risks or an attempt to "encourage and preserve the traditional sexual mores of society." The ruling rejected an appeal by developmentally disabled prisoner Matthew R. Limon, who was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for having consensual oral sex when he was 18 with a 14-year-old boy in 2000. Had Limon's partner been an underage girl, he could have been sentenced to a maximum of one year and three months in prison under the state's Romeo and Juliet law.

CBS News

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A court in Kassel, Germany, issued a guilty verdict today against self-confessed gay cannibal Armin Meiwes, but guilty of a lesser charge which could make him a free man in only a few years' time. The court found the well-mannered and soft-spoken defendant guilty of manslaughter, giving him an eight-and-a-half-year prison term with possibility of parole. Meiwes videotaped the slaughter of his willing victim, Bernd-Juergen Brandes in 2001, and then proceeded to eat the man over a period of months.

Expatica

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The gay man dubbed the government's "star witness" in the case against home arts guru Martha Stewart was prevented from taking the stand after defense lawyers charged that key information was withheld from them. Douglas Faneuil, 28, the former Merrill Lynch & Co. brokerage assistant who sold Stewart's 3,928 shares of ImClone stock on Dec. 27, 2001, after first alerting her that ImClone's founder was dumping his shares, got the ImClone tip from his boss, former stockbroker Peter Bacanovic, who is also on trial with Stewart, charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice and securities fraud. Defense lawyers discovered Faneuil's former lawyer told the FBI in 2002 that he couldn't recall if Faneuil was tipped off by Bacanovic or by Sam Waksal, founder of ImClone Systems and a friend of Stewart's. The discrepancy in files prosecutors turned over resulted in the judge's agreement with the complaint.

gay.com

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Same sex marriages in Idaho have been targeted by some lawmakers as a result of Massachusetts ruling that same sex couples are legally entitled to marry under the state's constitution there. Republicans introduced a bill seeking an amendment to Idaho's constitution on a state ballot that would formally and officially define the state of Idaho's legal definition of marriage as straight and narrow. Sponsor Rep. Kulzcyk said, "I just as soon do a little preemptive (action). Why wait for the fight to happen? We can save a lot of judicial hearing and court costs. The purpose of this amendment is to define marriage in Idaho." But opponents of the bill are already lining up to speak out against it. Marty Durand of the ACLU suggests it's unconstitutional. "We think the Idaho constitution is not the place to put in discriminatory language."

Idaho 2

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In Massachusetts, fliers litter the streets of Roslindale, West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain all the time - low-cost painters or 15 percent discounts for carpet shampoo are the usual fare. But this week, a far-right group called the National Alliance distributed fliers stating that same-sex marriages are the "latest attack on our family values, which have formed the very basis of White society for time immemorial." According to State Rep. Liz Malia, D-Jamaica Plain, similar hate mail littered Centre Street in Jamaica Plain. The group, based out of West Virginia, has a website that encourages bigotry, homophobia, antisemitism, racism and white supremacy. The group also has a campaign to free a Ku Klux Klan member imprisoned for six counts of firearm possession.

Roslindale Transcript

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In Portland, Oregon, transsexual Lori Buckwalter says the Cascade Athletic Club violated a Multnomah County ordinance. She's filed a lawsuit accusing the owners of a Gresham athletic club of discrimination by ordering her to leave the club after she changed in the women's locker room. Buckwalter, a manager in the Multnomah County Department of Business and Community Services, said she joined the club last year and worked out several times without incident. She's seeking $1 million in noneconomic damages from the Cascade Athletic Club and Mark and Frank Eisenzimmer. A Multnomah County ordinance prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

Oregon Live

Filed in: Transgender | LINK

Columnist Susan Maushart takes a look ahead of us: "If metrosexuals made you nervous in 2003, hang on to your pore strips. 2004 looks set to be the year of the heteroflexible – a person who prefers to identify as a heterosexual but remains open to better offers. The heteroflex, in other words, is a kind of scrambled curate’s egg – gay in parts. According to a recent report in The Washington Post, heteroflexibility is increasingly evident among the Kissing Jessica Stein set – young, educated women for whom "female sexuality may be grounded more in social interaction, may present itself as an emotional attraction in addition to or in place of a physical one, and may change over time."

The Australian

Filed in: Bisexual | LINK

Though it premiered only 11 days ago, the lesbian drama "The L Word" has already received a renewal from Showtime for a second season. The fastest pickup in the premium channel's history, the series wowed Showtime entertainment president Robert Greenblatt by quadrupling the network's primetime average rating in its first two episodes. "With its provocative storytelling, rich character development, amazing cast and universal appeal, the decision to renew 'Word' was a no-brainer," Greenblatt said in a statement.

Reuters

Filed in: Lesbian | LINK

Leaders of the Massachusetts Democratic Party have voted to back a resolution supporting same-sex civil marriage, just two weeks before lawmakers are scheduled to decide on a constitutional amendment to ban it. The nonbinding voice vote Thursday by a majority of approximately 200 members ignored deep divisions within the party on the issue. But state party chairman Philip Johnston said it sends the message that "we support protecting the rights of these individuals, and I think most of the rest of the state will support us."

Duluth News Tribune

Filed in: Gay | LINK

Sunday's the big game, but on Saturday, three women will huddle up and hope to score a few laughs in Long Beach, California. The second annual "Super Bowl Saturday... A Night of Funny Lesbians" kicks off at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, with Maggie Cassella, Rene Hicks and Roxanna Ward - a lawyer turned TV host, a former accountant and a cabaret comic.

Redlands Daily Facts

Filed in: Lesbian | LINK

Florida doesn't think would-be adoptive dad Doug Houghton is a suitable parent because he's gay. But someone still has to get 11-year-old Oscar ready for school, and the person who's done that for most of his life is Houghton, the boy's legal guardian since he was 3. ''I wish the judges could spend a weekend at our home,'' said a disappointed Houghton, 41. Houghton, a trauma nurse at Jackson Memorial Hospital, is one of four gay men who filed a lawsuit in 1999 claiming that the adoption ban violates their constitutional rights. The court ruling Wednesday was a setback for their case.

Miami Herald

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In Canada, the Alberta government is one of 18 groups to be granted intervener status on the contentious issue of gay marriages when it goes before the Supreme Court later this year. "It allows us to participate (and) obviously ... we're not in favor of same-sex marriage," said Michael Shields, Alberta Justice spokesman. "It's no secret Alberta will do everything within its jurisdictional power to preserve the institution of marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman."

Calgary Sun

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In South Africa, the state is expected to refer the defendants in a mass murder at a gay massage parlor for psychiatric evaluation. Adam Woest, a Cape Town waiter, and Basil Theys, a taxi driver, are accused of killing nine men at Sizzlers in Sea Point in January last year. The two men will face nine counts of murder, one of attempted murder, one of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and one involving the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. In addition, Theys faces a charge of theft. There are a total of 89 witnesses on the state's list, including one survivor of the massacre who is currently in a witness protection program.

SABC

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In Georgia, four gay and lesbian elected officials - Atlanta City Council president Cathy Woolard, state Rep. Karla Drenner, Decatur Commissioner Kecia Cunningham and East Point Councilman Lance Rhodes - submitted and signed commentary to the press that gay marriage legislation condones discrimination. AJC printed the commentary verbatim. Atlanta Journal Constitution

The California State Assembly opened the doors to a California Veterans Memorial Commission that could eventually approve a state memorial to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender military veterans. The bill passed 45-28 along party lines after a fierce debate, with Democrats in support and Republicans opposing. Seven Assembly members abstained from voting. The bill now goes to the Senate for debate. Contra Costa Times

Today's Short Takes

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The United Nations took a cautious step today in recognizing gay and unmarried heterosexual partnerships among their employees by deciding to grant couples health and other benefits - if their home country allows it. Although a relatively small number of staff would be affected, the administrative order by Secretary-General Kofi Annan could lead to a muddle, with some wondering why standards differ according to nationalities with some General Assembly members questioning the entire action, diplomats said. While the Netherlands, Belgium and Canada permit same-sex marriage, Scandinavian governments offer extensive non-marital partnership rights, with less comprehensive rights offered in most Western European nations, Australia and New Zealand. In the United States, the federal government would be asked for a ruling, and U.N. officials assumed the answer would be "no."

Reuters

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Barrie Barlow and Tony Drewitt are the British gay couple who made legal history when they were named joint parents of test-tube babies. Now, the millionaire daddy duo have revealed they've had offers to host a TV show. Currently living in Spain after fleeing the UK after receiving 25 death threats, the guys say they've been approached by Granada TV and Channel 4. The millionaire couple are used to getting their way and are very protective of their children. When the headmaster of the twins' school was sacked the couple decided to buy it. "Tony and I had one of our off-shore companies moved in and bought the school so we could re-instate the sacked teachers.” Barrie said.

Rainbow Network

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"It would be really easy for me to blast the ex-gay ministry hard," says Peterson Toscano of his one-man show "Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House." "I mean, for seventeen years I was getting some sort of ex-gay reparative therapy, so I could blast them to the other side of the planet. But I wanted to tell my story and other people's stories in a non-threatening kind of way, to let people hear the story and make their decision. " Toscano plays a variety of characters, including members of his family, who wholeheartedly supported him in his eventual coming-out process. "My parents were heartbroken that I was part of the ex-gay thing, but I didn’t realize that until after I’d left the movement."

Metro Weekly

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In Las Vegas, Nevada, Mayor Oscar Goodman has come to the defense of the gay Ohio businessman who wanted to build a gay-theme club downtown and found himself flatly denied because of the gay thing. The mayor says that if the project is being discriminated against over sexual orientation, he'll get to the bottom of it and if it involves discrimination, the city may bring a lawsuit. "To me, that's totally unacceptable. I think Neonopolis needs venues which are exciting, interesting and alluring."

KVBC

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Despite playing the bisexual lead in Oliver Stone's upcoming "Alexander the Great" biopic, Colin Farrell has spoken out about the media's obsession with the film's gay sex scenes. "There may be details of Alexander's sexuality in the film, but Oliver wanted to portray the figure accurately and didn't want to ignore facts surrounding his sexual antics." Farrell loses his cool: "There was no term for it then, it was just part of the culture, what happened was older men, 50, 70 years old, used to spend the evening with younger men and impart their knowledge to them, and then they'd go to bed together. It's not a gay film, it's not a straight film … it's just a fucking story!"

Rainbow Network

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Ben Price, the new star of Britan's "Footballers' Wives," says the third series will have more nudity than ever - and it appears the bisexual game strategies are not just for the female characters. Price, who plays bisexual team captain Conrad Gates, says he was filming nude sex scenes every week. "I just got on with them. I had to walk naked through a hotel lobby in Thailand in front of 200 people, it's something you get used to. [...] My character Conrad Gates has affairs with women and another footballer. I only had kissing scenes with the guy - they were very tame compared to the sex scenes I filmed with Zoe and Laila Rouass (his wife Amber)."

Ananova (photo)

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University of California Berkeley's Delta Upsilon fraternity and the Oscar Wilde House, a queer-themed co-op, are repairing their relationship. Wilde residents recently opened their door to find a young man drenched in salad dressing, salsa and beer, tied to a chair on their front porch. The new DU president introduced himself, explaining the initiation rite. Wilde Co-op residents circulated a petition regarding the latest in a series of homophobic acts.
"There is no other conceivable reason to bring him to an LGBT-themed house except to … humiliate him," said Ronald Cruz. DU claims it was simply the closest front porch. The frat's out to prove they're not homophobes. Last year four drunk uninvited frat members entered Oscar Wilde House at 3 a.m. saying, "God hates faggots and we hate faggots." A week later DU residents saran-wrapped a man to a chair and delivered him to the Wilde House front porch. DU's across the street yelled that Wilde residents should "fuck him up the ass."

Daily Californian

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Roy Williams, chief executive of the Boy Scouts of America, sent a letter to gay Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank requesting his written endorsement of a new program to support the Boy Scouts. In his letter Williams told Frank he "would be honored if you would lend your support" to the new Boy Scout initiative. Frank released a copy of the letter he sent in response, expressing his surprise that the organization had asked him to send them a letter of endorsement, noting that the Scouts characterize gay men as unfit to associate with, and declined to engage in an act of "hypocrisy" by signing the letters.

GFN

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Columnist Joe Donatelli may be on to something. "I have this theory I want to share," he writes. "The Republican Party is like that Bully who always picks on the Gay Guy in high school. The Bully beats up the Gay Guy because he's different - and in high school different is bad. Then to everyone's surprise (but Gay Guy), the Bully comes out of the closet after graduation. The Bully eventually realizes that he wasn't fighting the Gay Guy in high school. He was fighting his own sexual identity. And he repeatedly tortured the one person who could have helped him. By the time he realizes this, he has caused a lot of pain. All of which brings me to my theory: The Republican Party is gay."

Boulder Daily Camera

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The student newspaper at the University of Minnesota checks in with two alumni, Jack Baker and Mike McConnell, who in 1970 were the first same-sex couple to seek marriage rights. According to longtime friend Tim Campbell, Baker and McConnell are planning a little civil disobedience this year in the form of a joint income tax return, arguing they've been married for 34 years now. When they wed, despite the laws in 1970, McConnell predicted gay marriage would be recognized in 30 years. Close. Howard Dean signed Vermont's civil union law into effect in 2000.

Minnesota Daily (photo)

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Newsday's Marie Cocco writes, "The nation is at war. The budget deficit has hit a record. The national debt climbs. The dollar slumps. Millions have lost jobs in economic doldrums that are not called recession. The manufacturing states suffer something more akin to depression. So naturally the president wants to talk about gays. And why not? With real-life military men like Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and Gen. Wesley Clark contending for the Democratic presidential nomination, flag-waving is an insufficient diversion for Republicans seeking to depict their political opponents as un-American. So gays it is."

Newsday

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Paul Knight tried to blackmail a gay lover by threatening to tell his neighbors in an East Lothian, Scotland, town that he had sex with an underage boy. Knight met the man through an internet chat site, then threatened to expose him as gay and a pervert if he refused to hand over £500. The man contacted the police. Officers swooped on the night porter when he turned up to collect his hush money. Jail time for Knight? No, the Haddington Sheriff Court was told he was about to become a dad, and was set to move away from the area with his girlfriend. Knight, 24, described himself in the chatroom as a "19-year-old looking for older men in the Edinburgh area." After several sexual contacts he told the man he was only 15.

Scotsman

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The Ohio House delayed a vote on banning gay marriage because Governor Bob Taft didn't want the issue to overshadow his State of the State speech. House Speaker Larry Householder rescheduled the vote for next Tuesday and said he expects the bill to be approved and sent to the governor. Taft still plans to sign the bill. Scotsman.com

Thirty local priests in Rochester, New York, signed a strongly worded letter protesting what they call violent language toward homosexuals in that homophobic Vatican document. "Language can destroy or build up," said the Reverend Joe Marcoux. "These people have value in our church. They have gifts that our church needs. Every person has an inherent dignity because he or she was created in God’s image." Democrat and Chronicle

Results of a six-month Rhode Island study called "Meet the Neighbors," conducted by Equity Action found that despite being better educated, with better jobs, and more generous with their money and time to charitable and volunteer organizations, queer people are discriminated against regularly, in some cases daily, in schools, workplaces and places of public accommodation.The Call

Today's Short Takes

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In Ottawa, the Canadian federal government is altering its request to the Supreme Court for a ruling on gay marriage. Justice Minister Irwin Cotler announced he wants the court to clarify "whether the opposite-sex requirement is, with regard to the common-law definition of marriage, compatible with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom." Cotler noted that the move didn't shift the government's position though. "Our support for same-sex marriage has not changed," he said, adding "we are aware that there is division in this country." Cotler and Prime Minister Martin have been under intense pressure from same-sex marriage opponents to buy some time by modifying the court reference. The change makes it difficult for the court to stick to its currently scheduled hearing date of April 16 for oral arguments from interested parties.

Canada.com

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In Bermuda, the Magistrates' Court heard that the defendant in a lesbian sexual assault case and the alleged victim were just "ace girls" and did not have sexual relations. The 18-year-old female defendent claimed she never met up with the 15-year-old victim that night, although she admitted seeing her on the night in question. Three of the defendant's friends, two of whom were also the victim's friends, all teenage girls, gave evidence that the defendant was somewhere else when the alleged sexual assault happened. The Crown counsel case is that after the victim had ended the lesbian relationship with the defendant, she sexually assaulted her and held her against her will at the rear of City Hall. The defense lawyer claims the victim was not sexually assaulted, but needed a scapegoat after being pressured by her mother about being a lesbian.

The Royal Gazette

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The federal appeals court in Atlanta today upheld a Florida law that bans adoption by any gay person. The court, in a ruling written by Judge Stanley Birch, turned down a challenge by four gay men seeking to adopt children they are raising. "We exercise great caution when asked to take sides in an ongoing public policy debate, such as the current one over the compatibility of homosexual conduct with the duties of adoptive parenthood," Birch wrote. "...we have found nothing in the Constitution that forbids this policy judgment." The ACLU said, "The only purpose the ban could possibly serve is the forbidden one: expressing the state's disapproval of lesbians and gay men." Currently more than 3,000 children await adoption in Florida foster care homes.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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In Brattleboro, Vermont, Gregory A. Smith, 19, who is already facing multiple charges, pleaded not guilty to setting fire to a truck. Smith was arraigned in Windham District Court on a charge of hate-motivated third-degree arson. The state alleges he committed the crime because he thought the truck belonged to a transvestite. If convicted, Smith could face five years in prison and a fine of $10,000. The resulting fire consumed the vehicle and ignited a nearby box trailer.

Brattleboro Reformer

Filed in: Transgender | LINK

Transgender superstar Holly Woodlawn, who appeared in several Andy Warhol films, is in intensive care at Temple Community Hospital. An injury to her arm became infected, her spokesman said. Woodlawn has been in good spirits since injuring her arm about two weeks ago, her friend and spokesman Brian Hamilton said. "I remember when it happened. I asked, 'What bone did you break?' and she said, 'The humerus.'" Woodlawn missed the premiere of her latest film, "Milwaukee, Minnesota," on January 17 because of the injury.

Miami Herald

Filed in: Transgender | LINK

Jai Rodriguez, the culture maven of Bravo/NBC hit reality series "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," is in the studio recording his debut album. If initial tracks are any indication, the full-length will encompass dance ("Love Is Good"), R&B ("Back to L.A.") and pop ("Shining Star"). And don't fret, Rodriguez can sing. Prior to "Queer Eye," he spent time on and off Broadway performing in "Rent" and "Zanna, Don't!" respectively. Last March, Arrive at Eleven Productions issued "Love Is Good." The track became something of a favorite in New York, prompting Rodriguez to perform at The Roxy. Then came "Queer Eye." Rodriguez says he wants the album to be complete by June. Until then, he'll continue recording, taping episodes of "Queer Eye" and shopping for a label deal.

Billboard

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Matthew Limon remains a prisoner at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility in Kansas. He was sentenced to seventeen years for a crime that would have cost a heterosexual just fifteen months. His cell has been deluged with postcards and letters addressed to Inmate 70713. He's spent the past three and a half years playing the piano with the prison church choir. And waiting. Limon will turn 22 in February, but he has the mental capacity of a sixth-grader. Four years ago, in February 2000, Limon and another teenager were residents at the Lakemary Center for people with developmental disabilities in Paola, Kansas. Limon had just turned eighteen, and the other boy, identified in court filings only as M.A.R., was almost fifteen when Limon performed oral sex on him. M.A.R. told authorities that the act was consensual, a statement that has never been disputed. The Pitch takes an in-depth and lengthy look at the case.

The Pitch

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A bill that would ban gay marriage and limit rights of unmarried people who live together is back on its way to the Utah Senate floor. Senator Chris Buttars of West Jordan rewrote the bill after it went back to committee last week following Brigham Young University lawyers and a former Utah Supreme Court chief justice saying it had constitional problems. The substitute bill still has problems. But Republicans on the Senate Judiciary committee voted to approve the bill, then take a closer look at it during floor debates.

KSL TV

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Lynn Sprout held a sign outside of Carle Foundation Hospital that read "Carle Can't Buy This Lesbian's Silence" to speak out against work place discrimination. Kimberlie Kranich, rally organizer, said they wanted to put pressure on Carle Hospital and to educate the public. "We're going to keep coming out here every month until the hearing. We won't stop," Kranich said. "And then we're going to pack the hearing room." Sprout, a former pediatric nurse manager at Carle, came out as a lesbian hoping for sympathy when taking leave to care for her dying partner of 18 years. Instead, she received scrutiny and was fired 180 days later. "I might not get the policies changed. I might not get my job back. I might not get any kind of settlement. But to fight the fight, I feel like I've won something," Sprout said.

Daily Illini

Filed in: Lesbian | LINK

More than 88 per cent of Uniting Church members oppose gay ordination, according to a survey by the Reforming Alliance group. Only 45 per cent of Uniting Church members oppose gay ordination, according to a National Church Life Survey report. Both groups played down the other's survey. The church leadership attacked the methodology of the Reforming Alliance group survey, noting that many congregations did not take part, while the Reforming Alliance criticized the size of the National Church Life Survey sample. Are they being silly? Entire congregations and hundreds of members have already left the church - Australia's third largest - over the issue.

The Age

Filed in: Gay | LINK

Bugs Bunny has been outed by a gay radio station. Gaydar has named Bugs, famed for his battle of wits with hunter Elmer Fudd, at number five in their Top 10 gay cartoon characters. But the smart-alec Warner Bros favorite was beaten to the top spot by Waylon Smithers, Burns' assistant on The Simpsons. He-Man, Yogi Bear, Velma from Scooby Doo, and Peanuts character Peppermint Patty also favored well. We here at Queer Day wondering if anybody remembers Snagglepuss. We also remain suspicious of everyone having anything to do with H.R. Pufnstuf.

Daily Record

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The University of Florida has agreed to provide diversity training dealing with homophobia to all its coaches, athletic directors and staff as part of a ground breaking settlement deal in the case of Andrea Zimbardi, a softball player who was kicked off the team because she's a lesbian. Zimbardi was represented by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, which provides legal assistance to athletes who face discrimination because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation. Zimbardi alleged head coach Karen Johns created an atmosphere of alienation for anyone not sharing her Christian beliefs, outed other coaches and players as lesbians, and reneged on an agreement not to retaliate against Zimbardi when she took her concerns to the administration.

Outsports (photo)

Filed in: Lesbian | LINK

The Democratic National Committee has announced a voter drive to recruit GLBT voters during Gay Pride events across the country this year. "Pride at the Polls" is being organized by the DNC, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus of the College Democrats of America and GLBT youth community leaders to help elect a Democratic president and Democrats at all levels. "It makes all the sense in the world," explained DNC Press Secretary Tony Welch. "It's during the time when you get a lot of events surrounding this group of people. ... If it works for college football, it should work for Pride events."
PlanetOut, DNC website


Meanwhile, AP's question of the week for presidential candidates is, "Do you think gay couples should have the right to enter civil unions that would qualify them for the usual federal benefits of marriage, such as Social Security survivor payments?" The Democrats all said yes, though Joseph Lieberman qualified his remarks ever so slightly. We'd love to include something about Republicans in here somewhere, but they're not saying much. A GOP spokesperson said they'll participate in the AP polling questions starting in February. TimesLeader.com

Democrats and gay issues

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Cleveland Indians minor league player Kazuhito Tadano says he was young and needed cash when he took part in a gay adult movie. The pitcher now hopes to put his actions in the past. "Frankly, if I were more mature and had really thought about the implications of what I did, it never would have happened," he said, adding, "I'm not gay. I'd like to clear that fact up right now." We're as relieved as he is.

Pueblo Chieftain

Filed in: Gay | LINK

While her ex-wife might beg to differ, Norwegian handball star Mia Hundvin says she was never a lesbian. Hundvin broke off her marriage with Camilla Andersen, and now she and her boyfriend, snowboard star Terje Håkonsen, are expecting their first child in April. "Generally speaking, I don't think I could be with a girl again," she says, "but I have learned one thing; you never get any guarantees."

Nettavisen (with scary photo)

Filed in: Lesbian | LINK

A well-known newscaster in the Toronto market was captured making a rude gesture and referring to a Canadian singer as a "homo" in a series of video clips currently circulating on the Internet. The recordings are undated outtakes from promotional items that veteran Citytv news anchor Gord Martineau recorded with co-anchor Anne Mroczkowski. He also makes fun of children with cancer while pointing to his groin. Nice. Martineau now says he's "personally mortified" that the remarks have come to light.

Calgary Sun

Filed in: Gay | LINK

Just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, homicide suspect Robert Stringer Jr., 21, says he was going to let gay banker Daniel Lynch, 56, go after robbing him, but as he led Lynch into the woods, Lynch said something about gay sex, and that pushed Stringer over the edge to murder, say police. "He indicated that the victim had made some type of remark to him involving some kind of homosexual activity," says Detective Gary Tallent. Somehow, police still conclude that Lynch was not killed because he was gay. Stringer is accused of intercepting Lynch at a grocery parking lot, using his ATM card to withdraw $600 from his bank account, then stabbing him to death and driving away in Lynch's car.

Post-Gazette

Filed in: Gay | LINK